By Maurice
If you're looking for free wheelchairs, free mobility scooters, and other free mobility aids in Tennessee, we've got you covered!
This page is a complete resource for free assistive devices (wheelchairs, scooters, and more) and independent living resources in the state of Tennessee.
Check out the resources below, and if you have a resource to add, please contact us!
Free Wheelchairs & Assistive Devices in Tennessee
1. ALS Association Tennessee Chapter
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. The Tennessee Chapter of the ASL Association supports people living with ALS and their loved ones through localized care and resources throughout the state of Tennessee. One of their programs is Equipment Program & Loan Closet that maintains an inventory of gently used durable medical equipment and assistive devices that can be loaned to registered Chapter members at no cost. They also have limited financial assistance available to our patients for the purchase of needed medical equipment.
2. Angel Flight Soars
Angel Flight Soars arranges free air transportation for people who need to travel to receive lifesaving medical treatment, but lack the means. They help families focus on getting better instead of worrying about how to get there, and they coordinate 9 missions a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
3. Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church
Appalachia Service Project is a hands-on home-repair ministry that is sponsored locally by Jesse Lee Church. It is about making a huge difference for families who live in the mountains of West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina, some of the most poverty-stricken areas of our country. We work to make their homes warmer, safer and drier. You can get a wheelchair ramp through their Wheelchair Ramp Building program.
4. Chattanooga Goodwill Industries
Goodwill’s Health Equipment Link Program services (HELPs) advances the safety, health and wellness, independence and quality of life of our most vulnerable citizens by collecting, repairing, sanitizing and providing needed durable medical equipment (DME) at no cost to individuals in need.
HELPs seeks new and gently used durable medical equipment (DME) to redistribute to those who do not have the financial resources to obtain the equipment they need to live as safely and independently as possible. Traditional DME items consist of canes, walkers, bath benches, shower seats, toilet chairs, wheelchairs, scooters, grab bars, bed rails, and “hospital” beds.
5. Church of Incarnation Parish
The Community Health Ministry provides parishes and the larger community an opportunity to serve one another through health and wellness ministry that engages all in the healing ministry of Christ.
Serves as a resource centre for people, faith communities, schools and other organizations desiring information and assistance in developing faith community nursing and health ministry programs.
A large variety of durable medical equipment (wheelchair, hospital bed, etc.) and supplies available to the larger community based on need and availability.
6. Church Health
Church Health has a medical equipment donation program as well as a Gallant Fund for people who can afford their daily medication. This fund helps ensure that our patients get their daily medications without sacrificing so many of their daily basic necessities. They might be able to help you with a mobility aid or assistive device.
7. East Tennessee Technology Access Center, Inc.
The Center is operated by the nonprofit corporation, Access Services of Middle Tennessee. Some of their programs include Demonstrations of assistive technology, Loans of assistive technology, Free pre-owned assistive technology, Training, Technical Assistance, Public Awareness Activities, and Information and Assistance. Contact them to see if you are eligible to get a device on loan.
8. Giles County Help Center
Giles County Help Center provides medical equipment to residents of Giles County who are in need. The availability of particular equipment varies. Assistance is based on monthly income and expenses and an appointment is needed.
9. Hope Medical Equipment Ministry
Free Medical Equipment Loaned - This is a service for anyone that does not have medical insurance/ or with insurance but no coverage for medical equipment/ or until the insurance company can provide the equipment.
10. Knoxville-Knox county community action committee
This is a directory by the Knoxville-Knox county community action committee. They have listed nonprofit agencies that give or loan medical equipment on a limited basis to people who cannot afford it. You might have to call a bunch of organizations included in the Medical Information & Health Education to see if they have medical equipment available on loan.
11. Lifeline Equipment Exchange
LifeLine, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit parachurch ministry organization that strives to provide support, education, and resources to families affected by disability. Its primary service area is Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, but LifeLine, Inc. has served families in more than 25 states.
They have an equipment exchange program that provides all sorts of equipment to families who may have limited or no insurance coverage or financial access to things they need.
12. Spark
Spark provides loans of durable medical equipment including items such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, crutches, etc. These items provide mobility and caregiver assistance for individuals and service providers. Equipment includes wheelchairs, wheelchairs rollators, rollators, shower chairs, shower transfer benches, bedside commodes, commodes, lift chairs, Geri chairs, recliners, grab bars, etc.
13. STAR Center, Inc.
The Star Center in Tennessee is an assistive technology resource for disabled state residents. If you have a question about using such technologies, or if you’re seeking ways to pay for them, this organization can help.
14. Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs
The Tennessee VA engages in outreach and offers services and support to the state’s resident US veterans. If your limited mobility is a result of your participation in the military or of receiving VA-sponsored care, you may be in line for a disability grant applicable toward a handicap van.
15. Tennessee Technology Access Program
The Tennessee Technology Access Program (TTAP) is a statewide program designed to increase access to, and acquisition of, assistive technology devices and services. Through its four core programs: Funding Assistance, Device Demonstration, Device Loan and Device Reutilization.
16. United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee
UCP provides durable medical and adaptive equipment to people throughout Tennessee, regardless of their diagnosis. UCP seeks new and gently used durable medical equipment to redistribute the donated items to individuals who have little or no insurance and no other resources to obtain the equipment they need to live their lives as independently as possible. If the item needed is not available, UCP provides an application to place individuals on a waiting list. You can download the application form here.
