We are so excited to announce that Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) has helped a record number of people with our low- and no-interest loan programs, our information and assistance services, and our financial education resources.

Of note, after we increased the lending cap on our Mini-Loan program from $2,000 to $7,000, this program grew by 151%! (see below: 2021 by the Numbers)

And it doesn't stop there! We published Smart Homes Made Simple: Your Guide to Smart Home Technology and launched SmartHomesMadeSimple.org to help the disability community learn about mainstream smart home devices and how they can be financed.

In March of this year, PATF hosted a smart home webinar with more than 500 attendees from around the world!

We are proud to share our organization's growth over the last year, in which assistive technology (AT) was critical, to support people with disabilities and older adults stay safe, healthy, and connected to our community.

With your unwavering support – our donors, borrowers, partners, families and friends – we were able to expand and create new programs to help people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians live more independently. Thank you!

307

Pennsylvanians used PATF financial loans to purchase assistive technology worth

$1,757,018

16,506

people received information and assistance about AT funding resources

5,007

people received financial education through trainings, resource guides, and visits to StudyMoney.us.

Oh, what a ride! Richard is thrilled with his customized hand cycle that increases his mobility and independence - all while seeing the sights. While Richard may not have come to PATF for a loan for his hand cycle, he did receive a loan through us to get a home modification.

Adaptive cycles are assistive technology that empowers people with disabilities and older adults to participate in cycling with family and friends. These AT users may also use adaptive cycles as a means of filling a competitive need.

Looking to purchase your own adaptive cycle? PATF can help you locate possible funding resources, or offer to extend a no-interest loan through our Mini-Loan Program.

Our services are free, and we’d love to help! So, contact us to learn all about our expanded Mini-Loan Pilot Program.

Summertime is here and lots of people are thinking of all the fun outdoor activities they plan to do during these warmer months. Some of us enjoy the park, beach, hiking, bike riding, among many other things.

For people with disabilities and older adults, assistive technology can make it possible to enjoy these outdoor activities. 

Examples of AT devices used for recreation, sports, and leisure include:

• all-terrain power wheelchairs
• adapted bicycles
• lightweight wheelchairs
• mono-skis and bi-skis
• adapted fishing equipment
• switches for toys
• eye gaze technology for gaming

Are you looking for summer camps, trails and beaches that are accessible and inclusive? Well, we have a few links to some places:

Summer camps in the Main Line area near Phila. compiled by MainLineCamps.  

Summer camps across Pennsylvania compiled by VerySpecialCamps.

Summer camps across Pennsylvania compiled by KidsCamps.

Summer camps across PA for children with autism provided by CampResource.  

Check out the best accessible trails in PA at AllTrails.

As for accessible beaches, you can go to Wonders Within Reach.

If you're into sports, you can find several inclusive sport, wellness and recreation programs, here in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports offers such programs.

You can also check out  Two Top Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation.

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.