Harrisburg, PA
May 26, 2017
Contact: Susan Tachau, (888) 744-1938

The latest accomplishments of the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) were highlighted at a press conference Tuesday, May 23, hosted by Chief Executive Officer, Susan Tachau, at the Capitol Rotunda at 12:00 p.m. PATF continues to achieve outstanding outcomes for the individuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians who have been able to purchase the assistive technology (AT) devices and services they need. The program leverages a small amount of public funding into a large number of loans that strengthen our communities. In addition, the repayment of loans from past borrowers provides funding for future borrowers. Remarkably, even though PATF makes many non-traditional loans, its loan default rate is under 1%, which is significantly better than the industry average of about 10% for traditional lenders.

The organization released its 2016 - 2017 Annual Report that contains information on how PATF's financing made it possible for 229 people with disabilities in Pennsylvania to acquire the assistive technology (AT) they need in the last year. The Report, available at the event, also describes the tremendous growth PATF has experienced in the past 15 years, and the types of assistive technology that more than 3,008 people have purchased with their loans since the organization was founded. The Report also profiles the stories of borrowers whose lives have been impacted by the assistive technology they were able to purchase.