Illustration of a camera in the circle of a rosette ribbon with the words Show Us Your Tech Photo Contest

Presented by: Christine McGinley

November is Assistive Technology Awareness Month

November is Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. Join Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) to celebrate and raise awareness about the various types of AT and the difference they make in your life and the lives of others by entering PATF’s 7th Annual Show Us Your Tech AT Photo Contest. Assistive technology (AT) doesn’t have to be complex or expensive to make a difference in your life.

What is Assistive technology (AT)?

Assistive technology (AT) is any device that helps a person with a disability do the things they want to do. 

Examples of AT include: hearing aids, smart home devices, vehicle and home modifications, computers and tablets, mobility scooters, adaptive sports equipment, and so much more!

That is why for the month of November, we are asking you to Show Us Your Tech and help raise awareness about the benefits and the variety of AT.

Past photo contest participants shared how they are using assistive technology to gain greater independence, freedom, opportunity, connection, and joy. That is what assistive technology is all about. 

This definition does not include assistance animals.

A toddler wears a green headband wrap and a cochlear implant is visible above her ear.
Assistive Technology: Bilateral cochlear implants Tell us about it! After a bout with meningitis at just four months old, Annelise was left with profound hearing loss and had to be implanted right away. She now has access to sound through these small devices and her language is thriving! How did you fund it? Medicare

Get Involved

We want to hear your range of experiences with AT and its impact on your life and their lives of others. Whether you are an AT user, business, non-profit, family, caregiver, advocate, or friend, you can join us and help raise awareness about AT. 

Show Us Your Tech: Throughout November, submit your AT photos and share your stories about the difference AT is making in your life. Winners are chosen based on entries that best describe and show how AT is making a difference in their life.

Sponsor

“Show Us Your Tech” Photo Contest Sponsors help PATF raise awareness about life-changing assistive technology (AT), while showcasing a wide variety of AT devices and services. Sponsors have the opportunity to advocate for AT, reach new audiences, and market your unique company and services.

Share the Photo Contest Page

Help raise awareness about AT by sharing the Show Us Your Tech photo contest page, participant photos across social media, and PATF's Show Us Your Tech E-blasts. If you are in the media and would like to change the narrative about people with disabilities and share the difference AT is making, please contact us.

Enter the photo contest

People with disabilities and their families or caregivers are invited to submit a photo and caption illustrating how you use AT to achieve independence, celebrate life, or accomplish everyday tasks. Take your photo and enter Show Us Your Tech photo contest on November 1, 2021

Vote

Vote for the person who best shows and describes the difference AT makes in their life and help them win prizes. The person who gets the most votes wins the Grand Prize of a $500 VISA Gift Card. Voting opens November 1 and closes November 30 at 11:59pm EST.

Past Photo Contest Winners & Participants

2020

Tim

Magic Mobility Extreme X8 with Snowplow
Man rides all terrain power wheelchair with snowplow attached through the snow.
Hi my name is Tim I was paralyzed in an auto accident when I was 18 at the c5 level. Before the days of having a 4x4 wheelchair I was pretty much stuck to inside or pavement. Now I can go just about anywhere! I can hit the trails, the woods or even the beach and plow snow like in this picture. One Cold Pennsylvania winter day I was thinking how much I missed playing in the snow and I thought what better way than to build a snow plow for my 4 x 4 Wheelchair. So with the help of my dad, brothers and my cousin and a snow plow generously donated to me by a friend we created this awesome snow plow attachment. Now I can help plow snow and my house and the neighbors. If life puts obstacles in front of you just plow through them! I try not to let anything hold me back from still living my best life and neither should you!
Click here to view 2020 Photo Contest Winners

2019

Emily

Tobii Eye Gaze Communication Device with Digital Painter Software​
Collage of three images including a closeup of a colorful piece of abstract artwork, a view from behind Emily where she’s looking at her computer monitor, and a view from her front where you can see her face looking at the screen.
Tobii eye gaze communication device with Digital Painter software 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? (Optional): Insurance
Click here to view 2019 Photo Contest Winners

2018

Seth

Rolling Walker
Man sits on walker smiling behind table covered in DJ equipment including stacks of CDs and a turntable.
AT: Rolling Walker My photo consists of me sitting on my rolling walker while working as a DJ. Assistive technology has given me independence in many different areas of my life. It also has allowed me to perform on my job site as a rehabilitation counselor safely and perform the essential functions of my job in a timely fashion.
Click here to view 2018 Photo Contest Winners

2017

Vanessa

Tobii I12 Speech Generating Device
Young girl sits in adapted wooden chair with a computer screen in front of her displaying several tiles with images and words beneath them. She smiles and looks over at a woman sitting next to her.
#MyLifeWithAT2017 Vanessa loves to play with Old MacDonald’s Farm using her eye gaze to activate a Tobii I12 Speech Generating Device to name the animals and tell them what to do. A student at Easterseals of SE PA, Vanessa is 5 years old and has been talking using her eyes and speech generating device for over a year. She got her own device in September! Here’s a photo of Vanessa playing with Joy McGowan, Director of Augmentative Communication at Easterseals of SE PA.
Click here to view 2017 Photo Contest Winners
Share Our Contest
Facebook Instagram Twitter Linkedin