The provision process

The sector responsibility principle indicates that responsibility for the allocation of assistive devices rests with various sectors and institutions. This means that a number of different sectors have developed parallel provision systems, for example, in the field of social issues, schools, vocational training and education.

The provision system within the area of responsibility indicated by the Social Services Act

In accordance with the Social Services Act, the municipality shall ensure the availability of free advice for persons with physical or mental disabilities. This also applies to advice on choosing assistive devices and consumer goods, as well as directions for their use. This function may possibly be performed in cooperation with other municipalities.
The decision on whether an assistive device or consumer good is required is made based on an overall assessment of the applicant’s situation.
It is important that the processing of the case prior to the decision is undertaken in close cooperation between the citizen and the casehandler.

Through consulting the case-handler can in this way assist in clarifying what assistive device or consumer good is required and of what quality.
A desire on the part of the applicant to manage independently should be considered in connection with the processing of an application for an assistive device or consumer good. Furthermore, the considerations should also take into account whether it is appropriate to provide personal support – e.g. personal and practical assistance – rather than, or as a complement to, providing an assistive device.
There is often a need to produce a broad account of how and to what extent disability exists, how the applicant manages his/her daily life and how he/she wishes to organize his/her existence. Consideration should be taken of the potential to live as normal and independent life as possible.

Many aspects may be included in this account:

• Social conditions, such as family situation and participation in leisure activities
• Housing conditions, e.g. interior design and the environment around the applicant’s accommodation
• Work related situation, such as the type of work, or whether the applicant is taking part in school or daytime public care/club activities.
• State of health, such as the disability borne by the applicant, special consideration when examining the pathological picture, other disability or other medical condition, and whether the assistive device/consumer good is to be combined with treatment.
• Special note should be made of whether the condition can be considered as progressive.
• Other conditions, such as whether the assistive device/consumer good is to be combined with other support, including for example personal and practical assistance.

Each municipality purchases assistive devices and runs its own assistive technology warehouses offering recycled assistive devices.
However, there is a tendency for more and more municipalities to lease their assistive devices from private suppliers which have set up warehousing functions, or for a number of municipalities to join forces and enter into collective procurement agreements and warehousing functions.

Following the structural reform which came into force on 1 January 2007, there are 98 municipalities in Denmark. Large municipalities are divided into a number of area offices, each of which has its own casehandlers in the field of assistive technology. This form of organization of the provision of assistive technology demands high levels of knowledge, expertise and ongoing in-service training.
In areas where it does not possess the required expertise, it is incumbent on the municipality to obtain this either from national and regional functions or via other relevant specialized consulting, such as assistive technology centres and the national knowledge and special advisory organization VISO, or to refer to these (see the section on central support functions).

In connection with consulting and guidance, it is the task of the
municipality to inform the applicant seeking a specific device/consumer good to whom the person in question can turn to get help. It is also the duty of the municipality to monitor the cases on an ongoing basis to ensure that the assistance continues to fulfil its goals.

Funding

The municipalities defray the costs of assistive technology and consumer goods. Consulting fees are also defrayed by the municipalities.
To the extent that the regions perform functions in the assistive technology area, these shall be funded by the municipalities.

Consumer organizations have long been pressing for users of assistive technology to be able to select devices and suppliers of such devices.
This has meant that as far as assistive devices worn on the body (breast prostheses, ostomy products, orthopaedic shoes, etc.) are concerned, users can opt to receive a grant in cash and then select their own supplier.
However, note that this grant includes a requirements specification for the assistive device. This ensures that the user receives guidance and the authority granting the funding is certain of the function and quality of the assistive device in question.
When agreements are drawn up between a municipality/county council and suppliers (supplier agreements), user representatives must be involved: this is a legal requirement.

As far as the operation of individual assistive devices is concerned, there is a general tendency for users themselves to have to pay more and more, such as paying for their own batteries for electric wheelchairs.
In the same way there is a growing number of consumer goods now considered regular furnishings, for which it was previously possible to get grants, but for which grants are no longer offered.
The authority approving the provision of assistive devices buys and owns them. For this reason each municipality has its own warehouse for assistive technology unless a leasing agreement has been entered into with a private firm. There is therefore no central, national purchasing function or central ownership of the assistive devices.

Rejecting an application for an assistive device on the basis that the budget has been exceeded is not permitted.
Assistive devices outside of the auspices of the Social Services Act are also financed by the public sector, however via other budgets. The costs are either borne by the municipality or the state.

Central support functions

In cooperation with the regional municipalities, the region is to assist in providing appropriate and safe devices. This means that the regions can continue the running of the former county assistive technology centres. The
municipalities may also opt to run the assistive technology centres themselves. One of the functions of the assistive technology centres is to advise the municipalities on technical aids and provide guidance, demonstrations and adaptation of assistive technology.
The municipalities or the regions also run low vision centres and hearing institutes which advise on optical aids and hearing aids respectively.
Furthermore, the Danish Centre for Assistive Technology (see www.hmi.dk), which is a part of the national knowledge and special advisory organization VISO, forms a part of the municipalities’ obligatory advisory role. The Centre coordinates and takes part in testing, research and information activity in order to secure appropand safe devices. It assesses the sphere of use and functionality of the assistive technology and maintains an overview of the range of such devices on the market. The Centre publishes 2 periodicals with up-to-date information on assistive technology and holds a large number of courses, conferences etc. on devices and the expert methods connected with their provision. It also maintains a database of assistive technology from which it is possible to obtain information on the devices.

VISO , as already mentioned, is a new knowledge and special advisory organization which has the function of providing free expert guidance and clarification in the most specialized and complex individual cases within such areas as:

• Disabled children, young people and adults
• Special education and special educational assistance for children, young people and adults

The Ministry of Social Affairs' pages in English (new window)