We are pleased to share that Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) has been awarded an Assistive Technology (AT) Alternative Financing Program (AFP) grant.
The $700,000 AFP grant, provided by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will expand PATF’s Lending Programs and Financial Education Program in Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant which will help us grow our lending and information & assistance programs. Grants like this help us grow and maintain our revolving loan fund so that we can lend to people with disabilities for years to come, and it also provides us the capital we need to innovate our program delivery,” said PATF CEO Will Hall.
PATF’s project objectives are to maintain and grow a diversified AT loan portfolio in Pennsylvania; reach more communities in need across Kentucky by strengthening current partnerships and building new partnerships to extend more AT loans; meet rising demand for information and assistance services by developing and launching a pilot artificial intelligence (AI) tool; and provide financial education to people with disabilities in both states.
Dr. Dan Ding, Director of the Wireless Tech Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center and Smart Tech Hub for Paralysis Care Programs and Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh, says, “We are excited to partner with PATF to develop and pilot an AI-powered tool that aims to simplify the process of exploring assistive technology solutions and funding opportunities. This innovative tool holds great potential to improve access to essential technologies for individuals with disabilities throughout Pennsylvania.”
The Center for Accessible Living’s Director, Amanda Mobley, says, “Through this partnership, we are going to reach more Kentuckians with disabilities who need and want assistive technology. The project creates more solutions for acquiring these devices and we are leveraging our network to spread the word across Kentucky.”
This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $700,000 with 45% funded by ACL/HHS and $863,979 or 55% funded by non-government sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
“With this grant, we will be able to provide even more support to individuals with disabilities, empowering them to do the things they want to do. We are excited to see the positive impact that this funding will have on the lives of the people we serve,” said PATF Board President Nancy Murray.
Read the official ACL grant award announcement: https://acl.gov/news-and-events/announcements/acl-awards-four-assistive-technology-alternative-financing-program.