From Right to Left: Susan Tachau, CEO of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, Pam Porter, Executive Director of the National Disability Finance Coalition

Congresswoman Madeleine Dean Visits PATF

PATF recently hosted a round table event with Congresswoman Madeleine Dean and several of our borrowers and partners to discuss the importance of PATF's programs – information about assistive technology (AT), funding resources, financial education, and the loan programs!

We heard how PATF's loan programs make it possible for people to get the AT they need. We also heard from several partners about how they use our other publications, including Smart Homes Made Simple and financial education curriculum.

Attendee Paul Gordon (in photo below to the right) is a social worker and a wheelchair user. He spoke with Rep. Dean about how he benefitted from PATF’s services.

Paul needed to replace his van’s wheelchair lift so that he could continue to travel to work. With funding from Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and a loan from PATF, he was able to get a wheelchair lift installed in his van.

“Given the excellent condition of my van, replacing the wheelchair lift will provide years of service without having to purchase a new vehicle. This is a much more affordable option for me,” said Gordon.

New Free Publication

Just Released: Cents & Sensibility:

A Guide to Money Management, 7th Edition

PATF is excited to share that we have revised our financial education book, Cents and Sensibility: A Guide to Money Management, 7th Edition.

We developed one-of-a-kind, customized materials for people with disabilities that explain how you can gain the financial education, skills, and resources you need to do the things that are important to you.

Our goal is to provide people with disabilities and their families with the tools needed to save money safely and make informed decisions.

You can download Cents and Sensibility: A Guide to Money Management, 7th Edition at patf.us/what-we-do/financial-education/

Disability Pride Philly Week

Celebrating 10 Years!

Five images including parade goers. Top left photo shows a woman wheelchair user with two other women standing on the sides of her. On the top right, a little boy in a red t-shirt holds fake glasses over his eyes. Bottom left, a woman in a wheelchair is near a PATF tent , wearing a multi-colored band across her body that reads "Ms Wheelchair Pennsylvania." In the center bottom, a woman in yellow poncho stands next to young child wheelchair who is wearing a pink poncho. On the far right bottom, two young woman, smiling, stand underneath a tent.

Disability Pride Philadelphia Week and its 10th birthday celebration went off without a hitch.

The week-long event culminated with an extravagant parade on Saturday, June 11, on Thomas Paine Plaza near City Hall in Center City, Philadelphia. Spots of light rain did not stop crowds of parade goers from enjoying themselves.

PATF was in attendance, talking to folks about assistive technology (AT) for people with disabilities and funding resources for the purchase of AT.

There were so many exciting activities for people to meet one another and to talk to community leaders.

The week's festivities included a flag raising, Social Justice Art Project, Advocacy Town Hall, A Day of Advocacy on Facebook, and a Social at Yards Brewing Company that all lead up to the big parade.

Many thanks to Disability Pride PA for welcoming PATF as a proud sponsor.

For more information and assistance about assistive technology, go to www.patf.us.

A New Member of the Board

PATF Elects Disability Advocate Lisa Bryant to Board of Directors

Lisa Bryant with blue, red, and white striped blouse, armed folded, smiling, in front of a wooden door

Philadelphia-based journalist and disability rights advocate Lisa Bryant has been elected to the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation.

She was tapped for her experience of amplifying the voice of the disability community.

She currently serves as Second Vice President of the Keystone Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, Bryant also has a background in fundraising, having been development officer at Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia for six years.

Video: Improving Wireless Technology

for People With Disabilities

Drawing of house, the words Smart Home Tech and Disability Series, with a women standing.

“Smart Home Tech and Disability” is an introduction to smart home technology and is the first video in a series, created by the team at the University of Pittsburgh for Promoting Mainstream Wireless Inclusion through Technology Services (PROMISE).

The project is designed to evaluate and refine wireless technology for its use by people with disabilities.

PROMISE was funded from a grant by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living.

To learn more about the project, as well as other initiatives on wireless technologies for people with disabilities, go to wirelessrerc.pitt.edu/about.

PATF provides expanded content about mainstream smart home devices and how they can be financed. Smart Homes Made Simple is a PATF project to raise awareness about smart home technology to help people with disabilities and older adults live independently.

Check out our website: SmartHomesMadeSimple.org.

Recent Webinar

Alexa is on the right of the photo in a wheelchair with orange and cream-colored sweatsuit

A man in a yellow polo short smiles, sitting in a power wheelchair next to a desk with a smart display on it.

George is a wheelchair user, wearing an aqua blue button up shirt, at a desk, with framed pictures on the wall

Technology Enhancing Capabilities Conference

We believe personal stories help others understand the benefits of smart home technology.

On June 22, PATF presented at the Technology Enhancing Capabilities Conference where three people with disabilities showcased the smart home technology they use: Alexa (bottom left), Michael (top right), George (bottom right).

Dozens of participants from across the country completed a survey following the webinar and shared some of their thoughts about the session.

Some of Their Biggest Takeaways

"It is great to hear from those that use the AT first hand on how they are able to achieve a greater level of independence."

"Very useful listening to those folks who use these devices on a daily basis and how it helps them be independent."

"It was so nice to meet people actually using the devices and telling us how they benefited their lives."

Visit SmartHomesMadeSimple.org

E-Newsletters from the Disability Community

Click on the links below to read E-Newsletters from PATF & other organizations.

Support Our Work

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1998, that provides financing opportunities, education, and advocacy for people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians, helping them to acquire assistive technology devices and services that improve the quality of their lives.

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