How to Apply for an AAC Device in Taiwan

How to apply for an AAC device in Taiwan?

Happiness Technology created this excellent quick guide for applying for AAC device subsidies. Highly recommended!

1. Obtain a disability certificate
2. Visit an assistive technology center or a hospital speech-language pathologist to get an assistive device evaluation report (the report form is available for download below)
3. Submit your application to your local district office
4. After receiving the approval letter, you may purchase the device
5. Submit reimbursement documents to the district office
6. The district office verifies and disburses the subsidy

https://youtu.be/a2WSFjTUqc0 You can start watching the process from 1:45 in the video

The former categories E and F have been reclassified as Communication Device Items 98, 99, and 100. The application process remains the same.

There are two ways to get an AAC evaluation: 1) through an assistive technology center, or 2) through a hospital speech-language pathologist.

1. Assistive Technology Center

Call your local assistive technology center to schedule an evaluation. The center will arrange an appointment.

A speech-language pathologist with assistive device evaluation credentials will conduct the assessment and write the report. The center will handle the subsequent paperwork (e.g., submitting the report to the district office).

Once the official approval arrives by mail, the applicant can purchase the device (paying upfront). After purchase, collect all receipts and documentation and submit them to the district office for reimbursement.

2. Hospital Speech-Language Pathologist

Ask the doctor to issue a medical diagnosis certificate valid within six months (noting communication difficulties and the need for an AAC device), along with an assistive device evaluation certificate (the SLP can coordinate this with the physician).

The hospital SLP writes the assistive device evaluation report (with the evaluation certificate, the hospital stamp can be applied).

The applicant then submits the evaluation report, medical diagnosis certificate, and evaluation certificate to the district office.

After the approval is issued, the applicant can purchase the device (paying upfront). After purchase, collect all receipts and submit them to the district office for reimbursement.

Under current regulations, the maximum subsidy for general-income citizens is NT$10,000 for a tablet (Item 100: Dynamic display speech communication device) or NT$5,000 for software (Item 99: Tablet-compatible speech communication software). Only one item can be subsidized.

If you want to purchase a high-quality international AAC app, the ones currently available in Chinese are TD Snap and TouchChat WordPower 60. Unfortunately, if there is no local distributor for an international app, some district offices may not approve the subsidy (approval varies by location). The best workaround is to purchase an AAC device from a local vendor (currently the most affordable is “Hear Me Speak” at NT$15,000), claim the NT$10,000 tablet subsidy, and then separately purchase the AAC app: TD Snap (subscription ~NT$300/month) or TouchChat WordPower 60 (one-time purchase ~NT$9,779).

For questions, you can ask in the Chinese AAC Facebook Group.

Here is an official document stating that purchasing international assistive devices should be eligible for subsidies. You can bring this when inquiring at your district office.