Technology Initiative-
Bridging the Digital Divide
By providing tablets and access to learning and better communication tools through a variety of resource apps to Canadians who cannot afford them, we can introduce many benefits. Research has shown that people with disabilities, including Down syndrome, can show improvements in the areas of mental health, communication, independence, and social interaction.
Introduction:
In 2022 the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) is striving to bring technology to Canadians with Down syndrome who cannot afford it through our technology initiative, Bridging the Digital Divide. Research has shown that people with Down syndrome can show improvements in the areas of mental health, communication, independence, and social interaction through the use and assistance of digital devices.
Through funds raised, CDSS is able to provide Android tablets and resource apps to a limited number of individuals in 2022. This application process will allow us to determine which individuals have the greatest need at the current time.
Please review the eligibility and application information prior to completing the online application that follows.
Applicant Eligibility:
The applicant must be a parent/guardian/support person of an individual with Down syndrome.
The individual with Down syndrome must be a Canadian resident.
The individual with Down syndrome must be at least five years old at the time of application.
Digital tablets and resources will be awarded based on need. Individuals with the greatest financial need and digital support needs will be considered first, with financial need taken into strong consideration. CDSS reserves the right to make the decision as to whether an individual or family request meets the funding need criteria.
Applicants must provide a copy of their CRA 2020 or 2021 Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the combined total of household income (see more details in our program guidelines and FAQ section relating to this).
How to Apply:
Visit our online application form. Click the icon below
Complete the application online, download and save it then send it as an attachment via email to info@CDSS.ca along with a copy of your 2020 or 2021 NOA.
All submitted applications will be reviewed after the application period ends. Approved applicants will be contacted through the email address provided in the application.
Application and Program Guidelines:
The funds for Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) digital tablets and resources are provided through public donations and not by government funding. Program budget and quantities are limited.
Applications will be accepted until June 15, 2022, or until all available tablets have been allocated.
One application only must be completed for each individual with Down syndrome.
The Digital Funding Request Application must be submitted to CDSS, and you must have received a response back from CDSS confirming that your application has been received. Due to funding restrictions, CDSS is unable to reimburse or fund families for digital tablets or specialized resource apps that have already been purchased.
All financial records will be kept in the strictest of confidence. CDSS will not disclose any confidential information collected with any outside organization or agency.
If any information is missing or incomplete, the application cannot be approved.
CDSS is not responsible for the care and use of the digital tablet, nor any future repairs.
Parents/guardians or adult individuals with Down syndrome who complete the application independently will receive an email confirmation from CDSS to confirm if a tablet has been awarded, along with instructions and information related to specialized resource apps for the tablet.
If approved, you agree to correspond with CDSS in the form of surveys specific to this program to aid in evaluating the success of the program itself. The feedback provided will help plan future initiatives, and anonymous comments about the program and your personal experience may be used in future CDSS communications.
If you have any questions about the application, please review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you are still unsure, please contact CDSS by emailing info@CDSS.ca
Digital Funding Request Application
Frequently Asked Questions:
Please also review the program guidelines completely, as they contain details about application processes, requirements and important dates.
How will I know if my application is approved?
Providing you have submitted all the proper documents and meet the application criteria; we will correspond with you via the email address you have provided in the application. We hope to approve applicants in June 2022.
Can I submit my application by mail?
Please do not mail your application, we do not want your personal information sent by mail. We will be managing all communication with applicants via email.
If I am approved, when can I expect to receive my new digital tablet?
Once we have reviewed and approved the applicants, we will be shipping the tablets July 2022.
If awarded the digital tablet, do we get to keep it?
Yes, it is yours to keep and use.
If there is more than one individual with Down syndrome living in the household, could more than one Digital Divide application be submitted from the same household?
Yes, as long as the application criteria is met, you can submit more than one application.
How long will it take for me to fill out the application?
The application should take approximately 15 minutes. You will also need to submit extra documents to prove household income, so please allocate time to collect these documents, scan or photograph them and attach them to your email along with your application.
Why do you have to know the incomes of the people supporting the individual with Down syndrome?
Decisions for the program will be based upon need. Financial need is the largest deciding factor, as our goal is for the technology to be awarded to those who could otherwise not afford it. This information helps us to understand the financial situation of the household as a whole.
Do you require the original copy of the 2020 or 2021 NOA? Do I need to send the whole thing?
Please email a SCANNED COPY or PHOTO of the 2020 or 2021 NOA with your name, address and line 150 of your assessment clearly showing on the copy.
I am an adult, over 18 years old with Down syndrome. Can I fill out the application on my own?
Yes, as long as the application is filled to completion and the supporting documents are submitted. Feel free to ask for help from a support person you trust.
Who will have access to this application and supporting documents?
The applications will be accepted and reviewed by the Executive Director of CDSS, Laura LaChance at LauraL@CDSS.ca. CDSS will securely store your personal details and the information will not be shared. We will only review the information provided to determine the approved applications. CDSS will only contact you by email. For full details see the CDSS Privacy Policy.
I do not have a 2020 Notice of Assessment (NOA), can I provide an older NOA from previous years?
Without a 2020 or 2021 NOA your application will be considered incomplete.
I am a Canadian parent or relative of someone with Down syndrome, but they currently live in another country, can I apply?
The applicant and the individual with Down syndrome MUST be residents of Canada to be eligible.
Can I ask someone to provide a letter of support to help prove the need for a digital tablet?
We will not be reviewing letters of support. The application includes a section asking you to describe the need.
Do I need internet access to use a digital tablet and the resource apps?
Yes, you will need internet access and it will be the applicant’s responsibility to have this connectivity in their home.
Will CDSS provide any training on how to use the digital device or using the apps provided?
Some of the apps that were chosen for Bridging the Digital Divide initiative will have some tips and guidelines provided when getting started. All of the apps chosen were considered for their ease of use for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The apps provided also have options to seek help if issues arise.
Will the tablets be loaded with resource apps or is it something I am required to do?
You will be responsible to download the apps to your personal device upon receiving it. CDSS will send you a list of recommended free apps and those that require a paid subscription. CDSS will include a Google Play Card value $40 that you may use to purchase an annual subscription to any app of your choice
What happens at the end of the app subscription, but I want to keep using the app?
At the end of any one-year subscription, you can choose to continue to use the app by purchasing the app through the Google Play App Store.
I missed the deadline to submit the complete application. Do you consider late applications?
We will be reviewing applications submitted on or before June 15 2022. This is subject to change if CDSS deems it necessary to extend the timeline due to number of applicants.
You Can Help!
Your donation of $50 or $100 helps a child develop using a wide array of innovative, engaging learning strategies.
A gift of $250 provides children and youth with countless resources apps for enhancing education and making learning more fun and effective.
A donation of $500 will deliver a tablet to an individual with Down syndrome, creating a world of greater independence for them.
Donate Now to help us bridge the digital divide