Newsletter

June 2026

Coming Together for a Cause

PATF is hosting a fundraiser! Come to happy hour at Evil Genius in Philadelphia and learn more about PATF’s programs. We are looking forward to speaking with the community and building meaningful relationships while raising funds for our programs.

Date: June 25, 2026

Time: 6 PM – 8 PM

Location: Evil Genius Brewing Co.

1727 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund Update

Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund (AATLF) has hired a new Executive Director! Laura White-Brown of Morehead, Kentucky, assumed the position starting June 1, 2026.

With a strong commitment to the Appalachian region, she brings valuable experience and leadership to AATLF during this exciting time of growth and transition.

Laura served as the first female and youngest mayor of Morehead, Kentucky, has worked with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service on nutrition programs, earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion, and currently is pursuing a Master of Arts in Public Administration.

The AATLF Board and PATF are excited to welcome Laura and look forward to the future of AATLF as it becomes a stand-alone nonprofit CDFI on July 1, 2026, and will no longer be a subsidiary of PATF.

Read the entire press release.

Staff Spotlight

Join us in congratulating Shideerah Davis, PATF’s Program Assistant, in graduating from Pierce College with an undergraduate degree in Paralegal Studies!

Completing her degree in Paralegal Studies has strengthened her research, critical thinking, and advocacy skills. She looks forward to continuing to use these skills to support people with disabilities and their families as they navigate resources, funding opportunities, and assistive technology options throughout Pennsylvania.

Shideerah is wearing a black gown and cap and standing on stage holding her diploma. She is standing next to a woman wearing a blue gown and cap. There is a table that says, "Peirce College" next to Shideerah.

PATF in the Community

Events We Have Attended

We enjoyed attending the following events and connecting with community members and fellow service providers to share information about PATF’s programs, including our financial loans, information and assistance, and financial education.

We had the opportunity to be speakers at some of these events as well, such as the Third Annual Veterans and Community Partners Wellness Summit and the PA Mental Health & Wellness Conference. These events brought people together for valuable resources, meaningful connections, and fun experiences.

From meeting therapy dogs at State Rep. Brennan and Sen. Santarsiero’s Disability Resource Fair to honoring and supporting our veterans during Memorial Day week, each event was a wonderful opportunity to engage with the community.

We look forward to participating in many more events in the months ahead!

HMS School Spring Open House on May 5th

State Senator Maria Collett’s Senior Expo on May 8th

There are two therapy dogs sitting on the side of the "Roxy Therapy Dogs" resource table.

State Rep. Brennan & Sen. Santarsiero’s 3rd Annual Disability Resource Fair on May 14th

There are several resource tables, including PATF's. There are attendees walking around.

AAC Expo on May 14th

Bethany is wearing a printed shirt and standing behind PATF's resource table. She is speaking with attendees.

DBHIDS - Brighter Futures Award Ceremony on May 15th

There are five people standing in front of "365" balloons. Quintin is standing on the left, Laquesha is standing on the right, and there are three women wearing yellow shirts standing in the middle.

5th Annual Autism 360 Resource Fair on May 16th

There is a woman in a dress and jacket standing and presenting. Will Hall is sitting at a table next to her.

PA Mental Health & Wellness Conference on May 18th

There is a projector that says, "Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care 2026 Health Fair 'Let Health Care Ring' PCHC." There are red, white, and blue balloon towers next to it. Attendees are standing around.

Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care Annual Health Fair on May 20th

Third Annual Veterans and Community Partners Wellness Summit on May 28th

PHFA’s Multifamily Affordable Housing Conference on June 3rd

A photo of the event room filled with vendors and attendees.

State Rep. Matt Bradford’s Senior Fair on June 5th

Where We Will Be

Don’t miss us at the following events! Stop by our table and learn more about our programs:

Disability Pride Parade Philadelphia - June 13, 2026, at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 9 AM – 3 PM

2nd Annual Empowerment Expo – June 17, 2026, at St. Nicholas Hall in Pottsville, from 10 AM – 3 PM

PaTTAN’s Bridging Knowledge to Know-How – August 5 and 6, 2026, at Lancaster County Convention Center, from 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Penn State University’s RecFest – August 22, 2026, at Spooky Nook Manheim, from 1 PM – 4 PM

If you think PATF would be a good exhibitor at an event you are hosting, please contact Wendy Davis at wdavis@patf.us.

Strengthening Access to Home and Community-Based Services

On June 3, 2026, The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed H.R. 134.

This Resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report on Home and Community-Based services provided to individuals with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities with a focus on streamlining the application process and improving service delivery.

The Resolution passed with a vote of 200-1. Congratulations to everyone who worked on this!

Thank You for Your Support

Thank you to Univest for your recent grant to support our Information and Assistance and Financial Education programs. With this, we can continue to help people with disabilities navigate different funding opportunities for assistive technology and to be empowered financially.

We would also like to recognize and thank the members of the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee for their strong support for our lending program. Through their advocacy for Assistive Technology Financing, PATF can continue receiving this important appropriation, allowing us to help people with disabilities obtain the assistive technology they need to live more independently and safely.

Chairman Jason Dawkins

Chairman R. Lee James

State Representative Tim Brennan

State Representative John Inglis III

State Representative Jennifer O’Mara

Letter of support from House Labor and Industry Committee.

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) helps Pennsylvanians of all ages, all disabilities and health conditions, all income levels, and all communities and cultural backgrounds. We offer information about acquiring assistive technology (AT), funding resources, financial education, and financial loan programs. For more information, call 484-674-0506 or visit www.patf.us.

PATF is a state and federally-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and is the Commonwealth's designated Alternative Financing Program (AFP) under the federal Assistive Technology Act.

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