The initial program with area physicians has been a success and word of mouth buzz has helped it grow. When Tim Harrington, executive director of The Ability Center of Greater Toledo approached Shaner about offering ability loans something clicked. "Tim was looking for a financial institution to partner with. The favorable reaction to our other program really provided the foundation for this and since we were already doing a lot with lifestyle loans we thought it could be easily adapted to develop the ability loans," said Shaner. The ability loan program is available to members with disabilities including parents or guardians of persons with disabilities for a variety of needs such as mobility equipment like scooters or wheelchairs; vehicle modifications from lift equipment to hand controls; home ramps and even personal computers.

"It is about making these types of equipment more affordable and within reach for those who need it," said TACCU Senior Vice President of Lending Ron Patton. "We are excited to be able to help members in our community with disabilities live more active and independent lives."

As part of the program TACCU offers a .25% discount off the normal interest rate and has extended ability loan terms to 120 months. The Ability Center refers its clients to the credit union and loan applications can be made online, over the phone, via fax or in certain cases where members are homebound, Patton says someone from the credit union finds other ways to meet with them. Flexibility is key and the combination of longer loan terms and discounted interest rates encourages those in need to help make their lives easier.

"We had a member who was so excited about being able to borrow money to buy conversion equipment for a van he'd been trying to figure out how he was going to be able to do it and said he was happy our credit union could help," said Patton. "That reaction is the big reason why we're offering the loans. This is a group of people that typically are not as well served as they could be by mainstream financial institutions. With a little extra work and homework we can do a great job of serving these folks and they deserve it."

As part of this partnership, TACCU employees participated in a "Disability Awareness Training" program provided by The Ability Center of Greater Toledo. Employees going through the two half-day sensitivity training sessions assumed certain disabilities. For example dark glasses to assume blindness, earmuffs to be hard of hearing and being wheelchair bound. The hands on exercises were designed to help staffers better understand the frustrations and difficulties persons with disabilities face in day-to-day activities. The Center then arranged for some of their clients to talk to staffers directly about their experiences and needs.

The feedback from employees about the sensitivity training has been very positive and it got everyone excited about helping," said TACCU Credit Manager Tim Crosby. "It was a great program and we all learned a lot so it's a win-win for us."

TACCU is also a primary source for the financing of the Center's ramp building community program. Appropriately enough, the ability loan launch was kicked off during the Center's Building Ramps to Independence festivities. The event celebrates the Center's Ramp Building crew hitting its 100th ramp completion since the crew was established just two years ago. Ramps are provided at no cost to recipients-the Center writes grants to fund the building process.

To further spread the word about the program marketing brochures that include an application and letter of introduction are being provided to other Ability Center partners ranging from local hearing aid companies to equipment companies. The program is also being promoted via the credit union's Web site, newsletters, branches and the local press has picked up the story. In addition, TACCU staffers are also involved with the community volunteering their time to participate in several community events slated for summer from Zoo Day to the Center's summer camp program that encourages the interaction of all types of children both with and without disabilities.

"We're telling everyone who'll listen about this," said Shaner. "As we interact and help out we'll be able to communicate directly with potential members. It is important for people to know just how normal people with disabilities are. Their challenges may be different, but like everyone else they too are concerned with their financial well being and we are here to help anyway we can." [email protected]