Featured image forGovernor Wolf’s Proclamation: November Assistive Technology Awareness Month in PA

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) hosts #ShowUsYourTech Photo Contest, with a $500 Grand Prize, to raise awareness for Assistive Technology!

Governor Wolf's Proclamation Assistive Technology Awareness Month November 2020

Governor Wolf proclaims November Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. Long text description available.

To celebrate Governor Tom Wolf’s proclamation declaring November Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania, local nonprofit Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) hosts its sixth annual photo contest: #ShowUsYourTech. The photo contest, offering a grand prize of $500, is designed to raise awareness about assistive technology while engaging the community. People with disabilities and older adults are encouraged to share their photos using their tech devices along with the impact assistive technology has on their lives.

“Assistive technology means freedom, independence, opportunity, and joy, which I believe should be accessible to everyone,” 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 assistive technology to help people with disabilities and older adults achieve independent living.

Susan worked with Governor Wolf, and former Governors Corbett and Rendell, to support the life-changing benefits of assistive technology. “…I, Tom Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim November 2020, 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.”

For Susan, her experiences with her son Michael, who has cerebral palsy due to complications at birth, sparked her passion to start PATF to help others afford the technology they want. “Assistive technology – such as a wheelchair, an adapted van, even smart home technology – has enabled Michael to go to college, get a job, volunteer, live in his own home, be active in the community, and have friends,” says Susan.

“The photo contest is a great way for our disability and 60+ communities to share their life-changing assistive technology with others and raise awareness in a fun, social way.” PATF invites all individuals to submit their photos and share what assistive technology means to them.

Photo Contest Rules: PATF’s Photo Contest is live and runs through November 30. Interested participants are encouraged to enter the #ShowUsYourTech Photo Contest at patf.us/2020-photo-contest/. The first 15 eligible entries will receive $10 Amazon Gift Cards. Upon entry, participants can share their photo to gain votes for a chance to win the grand prize, a $500 VISA Gift Card, or one of five runner-up prizes, $100 VISA Gift Cards.

Photo Contest Media Toolkit & Social Shares: #ShowUsYourTech, @PennsylvaniaATF