2019 Conference on Financial Empowerment for Individuals with Disabilities Now Available: Conference Video Recordings

On October 3, 2019 we held Pennsylvania's first Conference on Financial Empowerment for Individuals with Disabilities in Harrisburg, PA. “Vision for the Future” brought together individuals with disabilities, family members, service providers, nonprofit organizations, and policy makers to discuss, collaborate, and learn about financial education. Video recordings and written transcripts are now available for each of the conference sessions. View Video Recordings

Upcoming Webinar: Understanding the Community HealthChoices Waiver Program

Thursday, March 26, 2020 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.   Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania’s new waiver program for people with physical disabilities or a brain injury, and older Pennsylvanians. Join Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation and Pennsylvania Health Law Project for a webinar on CHC where you will learn: WHAT CHC is and WHO may enroll. HOW individuals with disabilities and seniors can join CHC. WHAT services are available in the CHC Medicaid Waiver. HOW to get the services you need through CHC and HOW to challenge service denials. This free, live-recorded webinar will include captioning and time for Q&A. Slides and a link to a recording of the webinar will be available to all who register. Register for the Webinar Learn more about the Community HealthChoices waiver program with our handy CHC Toolkit that includes English and Spanish infographics explaining what is covered under the CHC waiver as well as guides on where to get help with CHC and how to appeal a denial. [Download the CHC Toolkit.]

Save the Date! PATF's Annual Press Conference Hear from our borrowers about the impact of our programs Join us for our annual press conference in Harrisburg where we will celebrate the impact our programs have had for people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians over the last year. During the press conference we will release our annual report and announce some of our new initiatives. Speakers will include two PATF borrowers who will share their stories, as well as several state legislators, PATF's Board President Nancy Murray, and PATF's CEO Susan Tachau. Tuesday, June 9th at 11 a.m. Capitol Rotunda, Harrisburg We hope to see you there!

Success Story: Regaining Independence! It Takes a Village Life can change in an instant. On a Friday night in June 2011, Susie D’Aurora came home from work thinking she had the flu. When her symptoms continued to worsen, a series of health complications emerged. Septic shock led to multiple organ failure and a significant lack of blood flow to her feet. Ultimately, Susie had to have both of her legs amputated below the knee. Susie underwent months of intensive in-patient rehabilitation before returning home nine months after that night in June. Once home, Susie began the process of regaining her independence. With assistance from Susie's local PATF Funding Assistance Coordinator, she made the home modifications necessary to live in her home, adapted her vehicle so she could drive again using hand controls, and started working at a new job. Susie's story is an example of how with with determination and a little help you can reach your goals, big or small. [Read Susie's full story.] Our primary goal at PATF is to  help you get the assistive technology you want and need  through the means that make most sense to you.  Contact us  to learn more about funding options for your assistive technology.

Financial Education News Identity Theft During Tax Season (Disclaimer: This article links to another website's blog - PATF has included this for informational purposes only and it does not represent an endorsement.) We're always on the lookout for identity theft, and there is often an increase in scammer activity around tax season. Here are a few things you can do to keep yourself protected, borrowed in part from a recent blog article from McAfee : File before a scammer does it for you. The easiest defense you can take against tax season schemes is to get your hands on your W-2 and file as soon as possible. The more prompt you are to file, the less likely your data will be raked in by a fraudster. (Need help filing your taxes? A VITA site may be able to help.) Obtain a copy of your credit report. You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the major bureaus once a year. So, make it a habit to request a copy of your file every few months and check for any suspicious activity. (Visit annualcreditreport.com to order your report.) Beware of phishing attempts. Phishing is a common tactic crooks leverage during tax season, so stay vigilant around your inbox. This means if any unfamiliar or remotely suspicious emails come through requesting tax data, double-check their legitimacy. Be wary of strange file attachment names such as “virus-for-you.doc.” Remember: the IRS only contacts people by snail mail, so if you get an email from someone claiming to be from the IRS, stay away. Watch out for spoofed websites. Scammers have extremely sophisticated tools that help disguise phony web addresses for DIY tax software, such as stolen company logos and site designs. To avoid falling for this, go directly to the source. Type the address of a website directly into the address bar of your browser instead of following a link from an email or internet search. If you receive any suspicious links in your email, investigating the domain is usually a good way to tell if the source is legitimate or not. Learn more! You can find a whole section dedicated to identity theft (including what to do if your identity is stolen) as well as more information about credit, taxes, and more in our financial education curriculum, Cents and Sensibility: A Guide to Money Management .

Smart Home Technology News Generic Smart Home Technology Spotlight: Meet Suria How exactly are real people using smart home technology to increase their independence, autonomy, and safety? Suria Nordin invited us into her smart home to show us. [Watch Suria's video.]

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Understanding the Community HealthChoices Waiver Program Online - March 26 from 1 - 3 pm Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania’s new waiver program for people with physical disabilities or a brain injury, and older Pennsylvanians. Join Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation and Pennsylvania Health Law Project to learn more about this program. Comic Relief for Caregivers Erie, PA - April 2 from 3:30 - 7:30 pm An event to thank caregivers for all they do to care for loved ones. If you care for a loved one, come laugh with us! There is no cost for this event with RSVPs. Call 814.835.7487 to leave your reservation. 20th Employment Supports Symposium Philadelphia, PA - April 15-16 This Symposium is for all those interested in developing and identifying strategies to create inclusive and diverse workspaces that truly welcome all! Susan Tachau and Tracy Beck will be presenting on April 16th about financial empowerment: " This session offers information that will help someone make good decisions and encourage independence. The key to financial empowerment is to help students learn how to manage their money, instead of letting their money manage them. Developing self-determination and self-advocacy skills help to create a solid foundation for the journey to adulthood and a life of fulfillment." Armstrong County Community Resource Forum Kittanning, PA - April 21 from 10 am - 2:30 pm A jam-packed informational event - Join us to learn more about organizations, resources, and services in Armstrong County. Featured speakers are Mike Doerfler and Armstrong County Commissioner Pat Fabian. Free lunch provided. Free for organizations and community members to attend. RSVP ends April 14. PennState RecFest Middletown, PA - May 16 from 10 am - 2 pm Celebrating recreation for individuals of all ages and abilities. Learn about life skills and recreational activities: driving programs, employment, service dogs, and more. Participate in adaptive sports and recreation demos: SCUBA, wheelchair basketball, TOPSoccer (adaptive soccer), and more. All are welcome — participants, family, friends and caretakers. PATF's Annual Press Conference Harrisburg, PA - June 9 from 11 am - 12 pm Join us for our annual press conference where we will celebrate the impact our programs have had for people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians over the last year. During the press conference we will release our annual report and announce some of our new initiatives. Speakers will include two PATF borrowers who will share their stories, as well as several state legislators, PATF's Board President Nancy Murray, and PATF's CEO Susan Tachau.

There are lots of ways to make a difference.

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

You Shop, AmazonSmile Gives Shop using  smile.amazon.com_ch_23-2953796  and Amazon donates to Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation.  United Way Give to the  United Way  of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and designate PATF by writing donor choice #13064 in the comment section on the form.  Donate Learn more about how you can  help Pennsylvanians access the assistive technology they need .

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