Susan Tachau, PATF CEO and Disability Advocate Wins 2021 AARP Purpose Prize

2021 AARP Purpose Prize Winner Susan Tachau Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation

On Tuesday, October 20, AARP announced its 2021 AARP Purpose Prize award recipients and fellows, the only national award that celebrates people 50-plus who are using their knowledge and life experience to solve tough social problems. Susan Tachau, co-founder and CEO of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) was chosen as one of only five winners from a national pool of 1,700 applicants.

Susan co-founded PATF in 1998 as a statewide nonprofit that helps people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians acquire the assistive technology devices and services that improve the quality of their lives. “I’m honored that AARP recognizes our work to empower individuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians through access to technology and financial inclusion,” shares Susan.

Amazon Alexa on a table with a lamp a globe and a potted plant.

Do You Use Smart Home Technology?

Take our brief survey!

As part of our Smart Homes Made Simple project, we want to learn more about how people with disabilities and older adults are using smart home technology, as well as the barriers people have faced in getting and using that technology.

Please take a moment to share your experiences in this short survey:

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Insider Tips on PA Able Money Talks November 18 11.30 a.m. to 12.15 p.m.

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) gives families and individuals an opportunity to talk about money issues and set goals. The creation of the ABLE savings program in 2014 was a monumental win for people with disabilities. For the first time ever, people with disabilities have a safe way to save without jeopardizing their benefits.

Diana Fishlock of the Pennsylvania Treasury Department will discuss some of the details of Pennsylvania's ABLE program, and Dr. Josie Badger and Susan Tachau will share their first-hand experiences with using ABLE accounts.

Learn More and Register

Recordings, transcripts, and slides available from past webinars:

Speak Up and Be Counted! - how to be counted in the census and cast your vote this fall.

This is Not a Game: Protecting Your Benefits and Money by Protecting Your Identity - about ID theft, scams, and how to protect yourself.

November is Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania, and we are excited to announce we will be hosting our Sixth Annual Photo Contest to spread the word about assistive tech.

Do you have a disability? Then there's a good chance you're using some kind of assistive technology - which means you may be eligible to win up to $500!

Stay tuned, we'll be launching the contest on November 1.

Last Year's Winner: Emily Shifflet

Assistive Technology: Tobii eye gaze communication device with Digital Painter software

Photo Caption: Emily Shifflet is a young woman living with Rett Syndrome. The only muscle she has any control is her eye gaze. Her Cornerstone Therapist introduced her to the Digital Painter software on her Tobii communication device and she now is a silent partner in a business called Eye Gaze Designs by Emily. She creates cards, calendars and wall art with all profits going to Rett Syndrome research. She is now a eye gaze artist and philanthropist.

How did you fund your assistive technology? Insurance

View all of last year's entries.

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.

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Learn more about how you can help Pennsylvanians access the assistive technology they need.

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