Free Wheelchair California (2020) – Where to Get Assistive Devices for Free in California

The Able People Foundation's private ads help people to sell or donate their used assistive products for free. Through their Giving Program, they identify and give the products to people with no insurance or funding that are desperately in need through an application process, and collaborate with other organizations and businesses to identify low income elderly, and individuals living with physical limitations in need of basic products not covered by their health insurance. They also will purchase the products and distribute them in larger quantities.

The ALS Association Golden West Chapter is dedicated to the fight against ALS in many ways, including funding global research efforts, supporting scientific and clinical collaboration, connecting people with ALS to clinical trials, partnering with multidisciplinary ALS clinics and centers, educating the public about ALS, providing professional care management services to families facing ALS, pursuing important public policy initiatives, and bringing the ALS community together. The greater LA chapter of the ALS Association has a "loan closet" for clients who are registered with them. When you register with The Greater Los Angeles Chapter, their case managers help you obtain the services and equipment you need.

CID accepts donated AT and gives it to consumers in need of the equipment. CID accepts a variety of durable medical equipment such as stairlifts, porch lifts, elevators, wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs and scooters, walkers, canes and crutches, visual aids such as magnifiers, etc. Items must be in excellent working condition and be “like new” to be accepted. CID serves disabled residents of San Mateo County. Most items are provided free of charge but in certain instances, there may be a share of cost. CID accepts donations by appointment only. Please call for more details.

Riverside Community Access Center has an equipment reuse program that will make a donation of wheelchairs, ramps, rollators/walkers, hearing aids, hospital beds, suction safety grips. They also have a senior low vision program that will accept donations of visual aids.

CompuTech for Humanity (CFH) is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to charitable and educational purposes. CFH boasts a multi-cultural group of volunteers that include individuals with various disabilities. CompuTech for Humanity was founded to bring computer technology access to low-income handicapped individuals and low-income families with children. CompuTech for Humanity also delivers education supplies and refurbished computers to developing nations to promote literacy and interest in learning.

CAS provides services to residents in Pasadena and its neighboring communities through the free loan of wheelchairs and other medical equipment for in-home use.

DMC R-3: Reuse, Repair and Recycle Program - The Dayle McIntosh Center's reuse program serves consumers of all ages and disabilities that live in Orange County. They are part of both State and County reuse collaborative which bring together equipment vendors, non-profit agencies and specialists to find the appropriate equipment for consumers. They take donations of used AT/DME and then repair, adjust and sanitize items in preparation for reuse. Inventory can change constantly but some items include; wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, shower chairs, commode chairs, Hoyer lifts and many other items. The goal is to help consumers get equipment when their natural supports fall short.

Disability Action Centers durable medical equipment recycling program serves consumers of all ages and disabilities that live in Shasta, Modoc, Siskiyou, Lassen, Butte, Tehama, Glenn, and Plumas County. They take donations of used AT/DME and then clean, repair and distribute the devices to people in our communities who need them free. Our inventory may include; wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, shower chairs, commode chairs, Hoyer lifts, and many other items.

Easter Seals Superior CA loans medical equipment such as commodes, shower seats, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs to assist individuals after surgery. Individuals can use equipment indefinitely with no fees. Serving 13 counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.

FREED provides assistive devices through its Reuse Program on a permanent or loan basis. Availability varies and may include: mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and canes; Bath aids such as transfer benches, shower chairs, and stools; Toilet aids such as bedside commodes and raised toilet seats; Hospital beds, patient lifts and more. FREED accepts donations of such items in a clean and serviceable condition. FREED may be able to provide transportation but supplying your own delivery is much appreciated.

They serve Yuba, Sutter, Colusa, Nevada & Sierra Counties. They have two offices, one in Grass Valley, one in Yuba City.

The Repair and Re-Use Program of Independent Living Center of Kern County is a loan and recycle program that empowers people with disabilities by making wheelchairs and other assistive equipment available so that they can live independently. ILCKC collaborates with a local medical equipment company to repair and regenerate assistive technology items (such as wheelchairs, lifts, and walkers). Loaning equipment (indefinitely and without fees) helps fill the gap while people wait for repairs, payment programs, order equipment, etc.

The ILRSCC Reuse program is designed for seniors and people with disabilities who are in need of assistive devices and cannot obtain them on their own. With the Reuse program, the ILRSCC will make the effort to provide assistive devices to those individuals who are in need of them. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM PST. ILRSCC accepts devices donated by any organization or private individual. The devices could be manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, walkers, etc. ILRSCC will make sure the donated devices are in good condition by making necessary repairs to them. The Center will then donate the devices for free to low-income seniors or people with disabilities within the community. Through the Reuse program, The ILRSCC is committed to empowering persons with disabilities to control their own lives and to live independently.

Physical Therapy For All (PTFORALL.org) helps financially challenged individuals by funding part or all of their physical therapy visits and helps clinics and other nonprofit organizations providing services to those with economic struggles by donating used physical therapy equipment, healthcare-related supplies and assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, braces, canes, etc.) free of charge. The majority of their rehabilitation equipment is donated to nonprofit organizations in Orange County and San Diego County. Much of this equipment continues to be reused and passed along, keeping it out of landfills.

ReCares, formally known as Home Cares is a program that collects gently used medical equipment and unused health care supplies. Some items are always available such as gait belts, pillboxes, commodes and standard front-wheel walkers. They also receive daily requests for wheelchairs, walkers with seats, canes and liquid nutritional supplements. Hours vary by location: Oakland Thursdays 12 pm-4 pm, San Francisco at 10 am-3 pm, and Marin Wednesdays 11 am-2 pm.

Repair & Share Program - Repair & Share Program is a loan and recycle program that will enable people with disabilities who are in need of power wheelchairs to live independently. Resources for Independence is collaborating with G7 Medical Services, a local supplier of medical equipment, to repair power wheelchairs donated to their agency. These chairs will be used to aid people with disabilities, maximizing their independence by loaning the chairs on a temporary basis while they find the means of getting a power wheelchair of their own.

The Sonoma County Section on Aging operates a small reuse program in conjunction with Careful Moving & Storage. Equipment varies on a regular basis. It is requested that people come down to see what equipment is available at any given time. Hours: 10 am to 3 pm Monday - Friday.

The Mobility and Durable Medical Equipment Association (previously the Durable Medical Equipment Aid Society) provides DME on a loan basis to those individuals living in Los Angeles County who lack the financial resources or insurance coverage to access in-home DME for their rehabilitation or recovery from illness or injury. There is a small administrative fee, which varies depending on the type of equipment loaned. The administrative fee covers the delivery of equipment. The availability of DME varies, but they have wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, transfer benches, shower chairs, portable commodes, in-home hospital beds, etc. They accept donations of such items that are in clean and serviceable condition.