Newsletter

September 2026

The Philadelphia Bilingual Disability Resource Fairs Are Back!

Flyer for the Philadelphia Bilingual Disability Resource Fairs, held Friday, October 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The CORE at Esperanza Health Center, and Saturday, October 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at G. W. Childs Elementary School. The fairs offer disability resources, waiver services, funding resources, legal support, kids’ games and activities, and free health screenings. Spanish-language assistance is available.

Este folleto de color rojo, azul y morado, contiene información sobre dos ferias bilingües de recursos para personas con discapacidades que se llevarán acabo en la ciudad de Filadelfia. Se ofrecerá almuerzo gratis. La primera feria se llevará acabo en el Edificio CORE en el Centro de Salud Esperanza (3222 H Street) el viernes 9 de octubre empezando a las 10 de la mañana y concluyendo al medio día. La segunda feria se llevará acabo de la escuela G. W. Childs Elementary School (1599 Wharton Street) el día sábado 10 de octubre empezando a las 11 de la mañana y concluyendo a las 2 de la tarde. En estas ferias podrás encontrar la ayuda que necesitas, incluyendo recursos para personas con discapacidades, programas de exensión, recursos de financiación, apoogy legal, juegos y actividades para niños, y exámenes de salud gratuitos. Las ferias están siendo organizadas por las siguientes organizaciones: Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity, y Esperanza Health Center.

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is proud to be hosting the Philadelphia Bilingual Disability Resource Fairs again this year, alongside the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity and Esperanza Health Center. This is a two-day event to provide valuable disability resources to North and South Philadelphia communities.

Stop by and find the resources that are right for you and your loved ones. There will be games and activities for children and free health screenings. Thank you to PA Health & Wellness for sponsoring free lunches for everyone who attends.

Day one details:

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026

Time: 10 AM – 12 PM

Location: The CORE at Esperanza Health Center, 3222 H Street in North Philadelphia

Day two details:

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026

Time: 11 AM – 2 PM

Location: G.W. Childs Elementary School, 1599 Wharton Street in South Philadelphia

We are still accepting vendor registrations for both days! We request that all vendors provide materials written in both English and Spanish and have Spanish-speaking staff to attend.

Vendor registration for day one.

Vendor registration for day two.

Chat with Aida

Aida is a smiling woman wearing teal and yellow clothing and sitting in a wheelchair. She waves with one hand. Her name badge reads “Aida.” The background features colorful icons representing assistive technology, community, and accessibility.

Want to learn more about assistive technology (AT) funding resources that are available to you, including grants and waivers? Try asking Aida!

Aida is Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation’s (PATF) new AI-powered AT funding navigator on our website, helping people with disabilities, families, and service providers explore funding resources for everything from mobility devices and home modifications to adapted vehicles, hearing aids, communication devices, and more.

If you have questions outside of business hours or feel more comfortable not speaking with someone on the phone, Aida is available 24/7 to help. Our staff members are still available to speak with you if you prefer.

We partnered with the Accessible Smart Tech Lab within the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology on this project. Our team members included Dr. Dan Ding, Gina Novario, and Adit Shah.

Feel free to ask Aida a question.

Join Our Upcoming Webinar on Young-Led Transition Planning

Join PATF and the PEAL Center on September 24, 2026 at 1 PM EST for a free webinar on youth-led transition planning. Learn how student participation in the IEP process and financial education goals can help prepare students for greater independence after high school.

Participants will explore how to incorporate financial education into IEPs and use a transition planning checklist to support students as they prepare for college, employment, vocational training, and other adult pathways.

ASL interpretation, Spanish interpretation, and captioning will be available.

The webinar will be recorded and a link will be emailed to everyone who registers.

If you have questions, please contact PATF at communications@patf.us.

Just Released! The 4th Edition of PATF's Funding Guide is Here

PATF is committed to making assistive technology (AT) funding resources as accessible as possible. Through our Information and Assistance team, Aida, and Funding Your Assistive Technology: A Guide to Funding Resources in Pennsylvania, we work to connect people with the information and resources they need to find funding for AT.

We’ve updated our funding guide to ensure it includes the most relevant information and resources for people with disabilities and health conditions, their families, and the providers who support them.

Read our updated funding guide.

PATF in the Community

Events We Have Attended

Our staff have been out and about in the community! Over the past six weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of attending several events and connecting with people with disabilities, older Pennsylvanians, service providers, and other community members.

These events gave us the opportunity to share information about PATF and our programs, which help make assistive technology more affordable and accessible for people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians. We’re grateful for every opportunity to connect, share resources, and spread the word about the impact of assistive technology!

PCA Understanding Healthcare & Financial Supports for Seniors on July 30, 2026

There is a man wearing a short sleeve shirt and tan shorts. He is sitting in his wheelchair in front of PATF's table.

Rep. Brian Munroe Disability Fair on August 1, 2026

Wendy is wearing a white long sleeve shirt and black and white checkered pants. She is standing next to Ben who is wearing a maroon short sleeve shirt and black pants.

Wendy is wearing a black and white checkered shirt and white pants. She is standing next to a woman wearing a black shirt and white pants.

PaTTAN 2026 Bridging Knowledge to Know-How on August 5 and 6, 2026

Wendy is dressed up as a character from Star Wars. She is standing next to a man in a blue CHOP shirt. They are standing behind a Star Wars poster board.

Wendy is dressed up in a Star Wars outfit. She is standing next to a young boy wearing a blue shirt with an eye mask on top of his head and a cape around his neck.

AusomeCon Autism Play Date on August 8, 2026

A room full of vendors and attendees at Rep. Jamie Walsh's Senior Expo.

Vendor and attendees at Rep. Jamie Walsh's Senior Expo.

Rep. Jamie Walsh Senior Expo on August 11, 2026

An accessible kitchen with a cabinet cut out at The Tower at Henry Avenue.

Passport to Accessible Living on August 12, 2026

PATF resource table amongst other resource tables with attendees walking around.

Sen. Lee Senior Expo – Venango on August 19, 2026

There is a young girl wearing glasses and is sitting in her wheelchair. She is holding a colorful ball.

There is a man sitting in his wheelchair in front of PATF's table. He is wearing a blue floral shirt and blue pants.

PSU RecFest on August 22, 2026

Sen. Scott Martin Senior Expo. Balloon arch with PATF materials on the table.

PATF's funding guide rack card with Sen. Scott Martin in the background speaking at the podium.

Sen. Scott Martin Senior Expo on August 27, 2026

Connect With Us at Upcoming Events

Come and stop by our table at the following events and learn more about our programs and other resources available to you or your clients!

Opening Doors Together 2026 Inglis Statewide Housing Conference – September 9 – 10, 2026, at the Best Western Premier Central Hotel & Conference Center.

Autism Cares Foundation's 2026 Race 4 Resources and Service Provider Expo – September 19, 2026, at Bucks County Community College from 8:30 AM – 12 PM

State Rep Napoleon Nelson Senior Fair – September 24, 2026, at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel from 10 AM – 1 PM.

Disability Pride Pittsburgh – September 26, 2026, at Schenley Plaza from 11 AM – 4 PM

Fishing and Fun in the Park - September 26, 2026, at the Lehigh Parkway from 10 am to 4 pm

Cities of Inclusion Disability Summit – October 7 – 8, 2026, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from 9 AM – 5 PM

Aging Your Way – October 8, 2026, at the Lebanon Expo Center from 10 AM – 4 PM

North Philly Bilingual Disability Resource Fair – October 9, 2026, at The Core at Esperanza from 10 AM – 12 PM

South Philly Bilingual Disability Resource Fair – October 10, 2026, at G.W. Childs Elementary School from 11 AM – 2 PM

BLaST Transition Conference – October 16, 2026, at Pennsylvania College of Technology from 8:30 AM – 2 PM

PA Walk4Hearing – October 18, 2026, at the Navy Yard from 9 AM – 1 PM

If you think PATF would be an appropriate vendor at an event you are hosting, please contact Wendy Davis at wdavis@patf.org

Community Partner Updates

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and PA ABLE are hosting an upcoming webinar, Learn About PA Able with the Department of Human Services.

Date: September 16, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

This informational webinar will cover:

Eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account
Federal and state tax benefits
How PA ABLE interacts with important benefits

If you need accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact info@paable.gov.

Disability Pride Pittsburgh returns for a free, family-friendly celebration on September 26 from 12 to 4 p.m., marking its fifth year bringing accessible joy back to the Burgh.

People with disabilities have always been part of this city — shaping its neighborhoods, culture, labor, and movements. Disability Pride Pittsburgh creates space to honor that history. The celebration is disability-led and built with access from the start. Expect fun activities, a DJ, biking demonstrations, face painting, airbrush tattoos, and 50 vendors. Guest speakers include Mayor Corey O’Connor, Executive Director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities Josie Badger, and Highmark Wholecare’s new President and CEO Victor Fields.

"Disability Pride Pittsburgh is all about community, joy, and celebration,” says Matthew Berwick, DPP board member. “We are so excited to bring everyone together to honor our vibrant community, share our stories, and show the city what pride in our identity truly looks like."

Accessibility considerations include step-free routes, accessible restrooms, ASL interpretation, sensory-aware spaces, and clear signage. For specific access needs contact access@DisabilityPridePA.org.

Event Details:

Disability Pride Pittsburgh

Saturday, September 26, 2026

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

Free and open to the public

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We sincerely thank PA Health & Wellness and AmeriHealth Caritas for their generous sponsorship of our Philadelphia Bilingual Disability Resource Fairs this October.

Their support helps make these events possible. The fairs provide an important opportunity to connect Spanish-speaking people and families with disability resources, services, and organizations in their communities, helping bridge the gap in awareness and access.

We are grateful for their continued support in helping us connect people with disabilities with the resources they need.

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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