Massachusetts Alternative Finance Program provides zero interest loans for assistive technology

Have I mentioned that I am now a co-leader of the
Boston Accessibility Group
https://www.meetup.com/a11yBoston/
?

It was revived online during the pandemic, and it's really taken off--we have 175 members!

One of our regular features is to spotlight one of our members, and last Thursday's member spotlight was the head of
MassMatch
https://www.massmatch.org/#start

MassMatch is basically an assistive technology warehouse which will let people try out different types of technology in order to find out which is the best fit, and it also loans out equipment, among other services. They work with

Easter Seals
https://www.easterseals.com/ma/
to help people find financing to purchase technology.
I asked about this during the meeting, and was told about
Massachusetts Alternative Finance Program
https://www.massalternativefinance.org/

which offers a variety of lon types, including

Mini Loan
https://www.massalternativefinance.org/mini-loan

Provides zero-interest loans of $100 to $2,000 for the purchase of assistive technology products and services. Most items defined as assistive
technology are allowe.

Surveillance and facial recognition is everywhere, including the stores you shop in

You may have heard about webcams on public streets, but surveillance and facial recognition is also now used by many of the stores you shop in, and some of these stores also use wi-fi to track where you go in the store and what you buy.

From Macy’s to Ace Hardware, facial recognition is already everywhere
https://www.vox.com/2021/7/15/22577876/macys-ace-hardware-fight-for-the-future-facial-recognition-artificial-intelligence-stores