Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) hosts 7th Annual AT Photo Contest, “Show Us Your Tech,” with two $500 Grand Prizes and ten $100 Runner Up Prizes, to raise awareness for Assistive Technology (AT)!
Governor Wolf proclaims November Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.
PENNSYLVANIA – To celebrate Governor Tom Wolf’s proclamation declaring November Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Month in Pennsylvania, statewide nonprofit Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is hosting its 7th Annual AT Photo Contest: Show Us Your Tech.
The photo contest, offering two grand prizes of $500 and ten $100 Runner Up Prizes, is designed to raise awareness about assistive technology (AT) while engaging the community. People with disabilities and older adults are invited to “Show Us Your Tech” by uploading their photos showcasing them with their AT devices, describing the impact AT has on their lives, and sharing the way they funded their AT.
Seven AT users and disability advocates have been invited to join a panel that will select this year’s photo contest winners. Panelist George Shands of Philadelphia, PA shares some of the AT he uses: Siri (on an iPad), a power wheelchair, and a robot arm. George explains, “Through my voice I can access and use almost every application on my iPad. I use my power wheelchair to get around independently. With it, I am able to get out much more frequently, and when I do, I can move around as I wish. With this AT, I have more options to live my best life, and work the way I choose.”
George Shands, AT user and panelist for the Show Us Your Tech AT Photo Contest.
“We created the photo contest as a fun, social way for people to share their life-changing assistive technology with others, help raise awareness, and share the various types of funding for AT,” states Susan Tachau, PATF’s co-founder and CEO.
For decades, Susan has advocated for bipartisan support at the state level for the funding and use of AT to help people with disabilities and older adults achieve independence. Susan worked with Governor Wolf, and former Governors Corbett and Rendell, to support the life-changing benefits of assistive technology. Governor Wolf’s Proclamation states:
“Whereas, Pennsylvanians with disabilities of all ages may need assistive technology devices and services to live independently and productively, as well as to participate fully in affairs of their communities…and assistive technology devices and services allow people to work, attend school, play, and live in the community of their choice…”
“I, Tom Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim November 2021, as Assistive Technology Awareness Month. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to become aware of the many ways in which assistive technologies contribute to the health, happiness, and independence of our family, friends, and neighbors.”
Photo Contest Rules: PATF’s Photo Contest is live and runs through November 30. Interested participants are encouraged to enter the Show Us Your Tech Photo Contest at patf.us/ShowUsYourTech. Upon entry, participants can share their photo to gain votes for a chance to win two grand prizes of a $500 VISA Gift Card or one of ten runner-up prizes of $100 VISA Gift Cards.
Photo Contest Sponsors: Thank you to our generous 2021 Photo Contest Sponsors: Christine McGinley, Achieva Family Trust, Inglis, Reed Smith, OrCam, Univest, Associates in Audiology, and Stair Ride Co.
Learn more about PATF and the Show Us Your Tech Photo Contest at: patf.us/ShowUsYourTech
2021 Photo Contest Media Toolkit & Social Shares: #ShowUsYourTech, @PennsylvaniaATF
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About Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), founded in 1998, is a statewide non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Alternative Financing Program as designated by the federal Assistive Technology Act. PATF 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. Contact PATF at (888) 744-1938 or patf@patf.us. To learn more, visit www.patf.us or follow @PennsylvaniaATF on social media.