Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) launches StudyMoney.us website for financial empowerment for people with disabilities with a giveaway of $200 each for 5 winners
PENNSYLVANIA – On May 18, Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) launches the first-of-its-kind financial empowerment website for people with disabilities, StudyMoney.us. This new, fully accessible, and user-friendly website makes financial education readily available to people with disabilities, their family members, advocates, and educators everywhere, at no cost. As part of PATF’s commitment to helping people with disabilities invest in their financial future, the non-profit pledges to contribute $1,000 in savings to five people ($200 each) as part of a #StudyMoneyWithUs Giveaway.
“Financial education is the foundation for independent living,” says PATF’s CEO, Susan Tachau. “When it comes to equity and inclusion, we believe comprehensive and accessible financial education can help level the playing field. That’s why we created this website and the curriculum on which it is based.”
“People with disabilities and their families need information and tools to make wise financial decisions for their futures. StudyMoney.us is designed to do just that,” Tachau states.
Unfortunately, most financial education resources don’t address the unique financial needs of people with disabilities. To fill these gaps, PATF developed its financial education curriculum Cents & Sensibility: A Guide to Money Management, the guide StudyMoney.us is based on. The guide, now in its sixth edition, is available in English and Spanish, and includes a companion educator’s manual.
“This is the only comprehensive financial education curriculum specifically designed for members of the disability community. StudyMoney.us includes information on Social Security Work Incentives, safe ways to save such as through a PA ABLE account, how to maintain government benefits, and steps to develop an independent living plan,” Tachau states.
StudyMoney.us provides a step-by-step process for people with disabilities to organize and manage their money based on topic areas. The new design follows Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and has been tested by users in the disability community to ensure ease of use and full accessibility. Other features include interactive, personalized activities (such as creating a money map or budget) with auto-calculations, quizzes, and badges to motivate and engage the learner.
“The website is very colorful, friendly, and informative. Great references, very user-friendly, tremendous information. This is something that we could use at Growing Together Aquaponics,” says Dr. Robert Arnhold, founder and President of Growing Together Aquaponics, a job training, financial empowerment, and employment initiative for students with a disability in Slippery Rock, PA.
As part of PATF’s commitment to investing in the financial futures of people with disabilities, the non-profit is hosting a #StudyMoneyWithUs Challenge giving five users of StudyMoney.us a chance to win $200.
#StudyMoneyWithUs Challenge Rules: The StudyMoney.us Giveaway hosted by PATF will kick-off on Tuesday, May 18 and run through June 14, 2021. Interested participants are encouraged to enter the #StudyMoneyWithUs Challenge Giveaway at StudyMoney.us/challenge to win.
Visit StudyMoney.us.
Learn more about PATF and StudyMoney.us/challenge.
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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 under 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.