Announcing Our 2020 iPad Assistance Program!

These are difficult times. It’s unlikely that there are many who are unaffected by the COVID-19 crisis. As a foundation, we have had to postpone our inaugural White Sutton Together conference, and have seen a drastic drop in the donations we depend on. As families, we have individuals we care deeply about who are at greater risk and a whole new paradigm in which we live. Therapies have been cancelled. School is not in session. The future is uncertain. As individuals, we have had struggles with employment and adjusting to this “new normal”. For individuals with White-Sutton syndrome and their families, the struggle is even greater. Such drastic disruptions of their normal schedule are enough to make it hard for individuals with White-Sutton syndrome to function at all. Their behavioral outbursts, obsessive tendencies, self-harm and other struggles can return with a vengeance. It’s our goal to help these families as much as we can, even when times like these make it hard to provide that help in the ways we normally do. This is why we’ve created our 2020 iPad Assistance Program, which is funded by a generous grant from Global Genes. Many within the White-Sutton syndrome community are non-verbal and could benefit from the aid of assistive technology – iPads are revolutionary in this respect. Many more have had their school and therapies interrupted by quarantines and other COVID-19 responses – iPads can help them reconnect with teachers and therapists. Many White-Sutton families have found themselves in financially challenging situations they didn’t anticipate, which have forced them to re-prioritize where their money is spent – iPads are generally viewed as luxury items and likely fall further down most people’s priority lists. That said, these devices can be life-changing for those who could benefit from them to communicate and to return as much as possible to some sense of normalcy.

What Do Recipients Receive?

Supplies are limited, and recipients will be selected by the White Sutton Syndrome Foundation board. Individuals selected for an iPad will receive:

• A 32 GB Space Gray Apple iPad (7th Generation)
• A ProCase iPad Shockproof Case with Handle & Strap
• An Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) App (ie. Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, Avaz, etc.)*

* A referral letter from a speech therapist is required to receive the app.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

1. The individual you are applying for must have a diagnosis of White-Sutton syndrome. Proof is required.
2. Reside in the United States of America.
3. Be able to verify gross annual household income.
4. Have access to a computer and an iTunes account.
5. Documentation must be supplied showing that each of the requirements above have been met.

How Will You Verify Information on the Application?

The White-Sutton Syndrome Foundation may call providers stated on the application and in submitted reports to verify information. By signing the application, you give us permission to contact stated providers.

How Long Until I Know if My Application Has Been Approved?

Applications will be taken throughout the summer, and applicants will be notified on August 15th if they have been selected. Applicants will have 30 days to respond accepting their award, at which point if they do not respond another applicant will be selected. If funds remain, we will continue taking applications through November 15, 2020 and award iPads on a case-by-case basis. Apply for an iPad