New Vontage and school wants us to sign a waiver

[momhay]

I'm just wondering if any of you have experienced this.  The district has bought Julia a vontage AAC device and we would love to have it here at home to use.  The school District wants us to sign a waiver saying that we would responsible if it got broken.  Our insurance will not sell us a rider because we don't own it.  We have 5 children and Julia is only 5.  I can see that we will probably have some sort of breakage issue.  What have you all done besides purchase your own device?  Do I need to look into charities that may purchase one for us?  Have any of you done that?  If so how did you go about it?  We don't have medical and we are no longer a regional center client.  We are very frustrated.  It took a whole school year just to get this device reviewed and ordered and now it is here and she can't use it, at home anyway.
Thanks for any help you may be able to give me.

[goodasitgets]

I don't have a quick answer but wanted you to know I ma trying to find some ideas for you. We bought the Dana Wireless when we though a keyboard was the w ay to go...it wasn't as expensive as most things but ended up  not being the answer for his communication needs either. We are currently considering a purchase of a Cyrano Communicator or the school may provide on. We would be in the same boat as you asked to sign a waiver for home use. I have heard of people buying the device and then asking the school to buy the insurance...I  know that doesn't solve you particular problem though. 

[bugfree]

I am not sure what a vontage AAC is, is it sinilar to a FM system?  Our school district had us sign a waiver for taking the FM system home. It is still under guarantee so if something happens, it will be repaired. If we lose it we either need to replace it or pay a couple hundred dollars.

[autmom]

The waver is real. They have to use it to protect themselves. I would call vontage and see what they may suggest as agencies they have worked with in your area. Waver programes, churches, local autism agencies. there are places in bigger towns where you can rent them.  Good Luck.  Could the child get SSI for their disability? That would give that child insurance.