Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission

Spinal Cord Commission

Equipment Loan Program

Equipment Recycling Center

ASCC has 10 Regional Equipment Recycling Centers located around the state, in each field office. Better known as our "Loan Closets", the Recs maintain durable medical equipment that can be loaned to ASCC clients for when they have an emergency or need a temporary piece of equipment until their permanent equipment is purchased or repaired. In addition, when available, a client may borrow a wheelchair or other equipment to see if it meets   his or her need, or fits in their home or vehicle, before making a costly purchase.  Sometimes equipment is needed temporarily after surgery or for a trip. The equipment is loaned for set period of time and the client is expected to contact the Case Manager when the equipment is no longer needed. All ERC equipment should be returned in the same condition as it was received.

Each ERC contains durable medical equipment such as manual and power wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, portable ramps, therapeutic cushions, adaptive bathroom equipment and ADL supplies such as reachers and skin inspection mirrors. While all Recs have basic equipment, some have specialized equipment and supplies. Unfortunately, due to space and cost, a limited number of items are available, and the specific item or size needed may already be on loan.

If an ASCC client has an emergency or temporary need for equipment, contact your Case Manager immediately. The Case Manager will determine the availability of the needed equipment and if it is available, arrange for it to be delivered to or picked up by the client.  All ASCC clients are eligible for these services, regardless of income.

The ERC is run on an extremely limited budget. While the agency is able to purchase some additional equipment each year, many of the wheelchairs made available for loan are those donated by individuals who no longer need them. If you have a manual or power wheelchair or other durable medical equipment (walker, hospital bed, therapeutic cushion) in good working condition that you would like to donate to the Commission (a tax deductible donation), please contact your Case Manager or ASCC Central office at (501) 296-1788 to arrange for the donation.

We are unable to accept braces or other equipment that is custom fitted to individual, medical supplies that have been opened or items not frequently used by individuals with spinal cord disabilities.

Wheelchair Tire Recycling Program

Having a flat tire on your wheelchair constitutes an emergency!  Unfortunately this often happens when neither ASCC nor durable medical equipment companies are open.  For individuals who are able, or have a family member who can change a flat tire, the ASCC Wheelchair Tire Recycling Program can be a great resource. If your manual wheelchair uses pneumatic tires size 24" x 1 3/8” ASCC will provide you with a  ‘reserve’ set of wheelchair tires and tubes that you can use to change your own wheelchair tires, when needed. All ASCC clients who use a manual wheelchair with 24” (the most commonly used) tires are eligible for this service, regardless of income.

If you would like to use the Tire Recycling program, contact your ASCC Case Manager. He or she will deliver a tire-recycling bag containing 2 tires, 2 tubes and instructions on how to change a tire. When you have a flat or need a replacement, you put the new tires and tubes on your wheelchair, put the old ones in the bag and contact your Case Manager for a replacement. Your Case Manager will pick up the old bag and give you a new bag.  This program assures that clients who use manual wheelchairs and can change a tire always have a ‘spare’ and decreases the cost to clients and ASCC. 

If you are an ASCC client and would like to join the Tire Recycling Program, please contact your Case Manager.