Virginia Del Sordo Fund

Virginia Del Sordo Fund is sponsored by Institute on Disabilities at Temple University (part of Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology - PIAT). The Virginia Del Sordo Fund provides financial assistance through small grants to Pennsylvanians with disabilities to acquire assistive technology (AT) devices.

Assistive Technology | Institute on Disabilities | Temple University 6ABC Action News visited our TechOWL Community Space one-year anniversary open house. Watch the video "TechOWL Community Space is an open door to assistive technology…" Learn about Assistive Tech.

Pennsylvania Tech Accelerator Webinar Series A series of free webinars about how assistive technology can change lives by increasing access to employment, social interaction, and everyday life.

TechOWL, Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Act Program TechOWL, formerly PIAT, is Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) program and part of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education and Human Development. Every state has a program to help people with disabilities and others explore, find and get the tools and technology they need.

These tools may be needed for school, work, and life in the community. TechOWL helps people with disabilities explore tools and technology for independence, with nine Assistive Technology Resource Centers across Pennsylvania. The AT Act of 2004 specifies the statewide activities that are required of programs receiving funds under Section 4 of the AT Act.

These include four "state-level" activities designed to help people with disabilities, their families, service providers, and others access and acquire assistive technology devices. The four activities are: Device Demonstration , Device Lending , State Financing , and Device Reuse .

Learn About Assistive Tech Free in-person presentations and training for Pennsylvania organizations, universities, schools, groups, and more plus recorded and asynchronous learning opportunities Learn about Assistive Tech Explore Assistive Technology Anyone in Pennsylvania can borrow devices from TechOWL's Lending Library. We offer free demonstrations and consultations to assist in the trial process.

TechOWL has many programs that can help you acquire assistive technology for many different needs. Check out our services to learn more. Tools and Technology for Independence TechOWL helps people with disabilities explore the tools and technology they need to be independent.

Programs and services include: A statewide technology Lending Library Answering questions and providing information to Pennsylvanians about Assistive Technology Device Demonstrations to help people find the best technology to fit their needs Training and Presentations Reuse program that accepts donations and finds homes for lightly used equipment Free Special Phones for people who can’t use a typical phone iCanConnect program for people with both vision and hearing loss TechOWL's Community Initiatives Become part of the TechOWL community through our many initiatives.

Explore our new public community space dedicated to assistive technology, at Temple University! Drop by during open hours to try out the devices that interest you or to pick up free equipment from the donation program. We offer a variety of hands-on experiences.

Discover accessible video gaming, see 3D printing in action, or use our tools for basic wheelchair maintenance. TechOWL Community Space AT Champions and Tech Champions AT Champions is an effort to engage young people with disabilities to learn about activism, disability history, and local resources to help spread the word and empower their communities.

Tech Champions focuses on empowering Pennsylvania youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities to connect with others while exploring accessible technologies. AT Champions and Tech Champions The Wheeled Repair Alliance is a growing community of bike shops, disabled people, and community members who are learning how to maintain and repair wheelchairs. We host free workshops regularly.

Come and learn from us! Wheeled Repair Alliance AAC Community is an effort to unite all who are concerned with communication rights for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities, autism, movement difficulties, and other disabilities that create complex communication needs.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is any form of communication other than spoken/oral language that is used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. AAC Community is a website for and about people who communicate without speaking.

A website for and about people who communicate without speaking Emergency Communication Aids AAC communication for emergencies: downloadable aids plus tips Get Emergency Communication Aids Frequently Asked Questions TechOWL offers many programs and services to Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Most of our services are free. Below is a list of answers to questions we often receive.

Lending Library Who can use the Lending Library? Anyone in Pennsylvania can use the Lending Library to meet a disability-related need! We loan directly to users and families, as well as to teachers and therapists.

Read the Borrowing Instructions to get started. If using an online account is not accessible for you, we are happy to take your library request over the phone. How long can I borrow something from the Lending Library?

Our loan period is 5 weeks long. (iPads and Chromebooks are 9 weeks.) If you need more time you can contact us and ask for an extension.

If there is no waiting list for the device/app we can extend the loan. If we cannot extend the loan because there is a waiting list, you can request the item again and we will put you on the waiting list. How many items can I borrow at once?

Each user may borrow up to three items at a time from the Lending Library. You may not borrow duplicates of the same item. If there is a reason you need duplicate items, feel free to contact us and we can suggest solutions.

For instance, if you are a speech therapist who wants to trial devices with multiple clients, we encourage you to have the client (or family) place the request directly. Thanks for your understanding. These policies help us to keep track of who we are serving and to ensure fair access to devices.

What am I responsible for? Before you submit your loan request, you will be shown the fine print of our responsibility and liability statement. At this time, you agree to be responsible for: Proper handling and use of the device Return of all components to the library in a timely manner Notifying the library of any missing, broken, or malfunctioning equipment immediately Paying for items that you lose or break.

You are not responsible for paying for damage that occurs during normal use. You also verify that you understand TechOWL is not responsible for any injury that happens to you from using our devices. What does it mean that my request was “fulfilled”?

If you receive an email stating that your request was fulfilled, it means that the lending library has your request and is working on getting your order ready. If there is a waitlist for an item, it may still be a few weeks until you receive your device/s in the mail. When the package is on it’s way to you, you will receive an email with a UPS tracking number and estimated delivery date.

How do I return the device? Do I have to pay for shipping? TechOWL covers all shipping costs.

Using the lending library is completely free for you. When your device arrives, there will be a return label inside the box. This label is prepaid.

Please save the box, and the label, to use for your return. You can drop your return off at a local UPS or you can contact TechOWL to have us schedule a home pickup for your convenience. Training and Presentations How much does it cost to have trainings or presentations by TechOWL?

Training and presentations are usually FREE. TechOWL is a federally funded program and we are paid by the government to teach people about assistive technology. If your organization needs extensive or personalized presentations, there may be a cost but you would know that up front.

How often can TechOWL present to my organization? We allow organizations to request one presentation or training a year for free. If an organization wants multiple presentations or for TechOWL to organize a workshop series, we can discuss cost.

What topics does TechOWL cover in trainings? TechOWL personalizes each presentation that we give to the specific requests of the group or organization. A TechOWL staff member will reach out to get more details about your goals and expectations.

Get started by filling out the Request a Presentation form. Formal Evaluations Do you provide assistive technology (AT) evaluations? Yes, TechOWL does offer AT evaluations by qualified professionals such as a RESNA-certified ATP.

If you need a full, formal evaluation the charge is $150/hr. You may contact us for an intake form. Do you have augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluations?

Yes, TechOWL does offer AAC evaluations by licensed speech language pathologists. However, please contact us first to discuss if a formal evaluation is even needed. Sometimes a free consultation is enough to identify an appropriate communication solution.

Formal evaluations are not free. The charge is $150/hour. The duration of an evaluation is variable and can be discussed with one of the TechOWL Speech Language Pathologists at the initial consultation meeting Many people do not need a formal evaluation.

We encourage everyone to first take advantage of our free resources. A free consult with one of our AT specialists can help you identify tools that might be a good fit! The most common reason people choose to have a formal evaluation is so that they can get insurance to pay for their assistive technology.

TechOWL does not directly bill insurance. We give you a report with our recommendations to submit to insurance or to your waiver provider. Getting Assistive Technology Does TechOWL have a program that can help pay for assistive technology?

Yes. TechOWL has a mini grant of up to $400 called “The Del Sordo Fund. ” Del Sordo Fund online application Can TechOWL help me find other funding for assistive technology?

TechOWL staff are familiar with many programs – like insurance, waiver funding and grants – and can try to help as best as they can to find other funding sources. Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation can also help with no interest or low interest loans for assistive devices. What other ways does TechOWL help me get the assistive technology that I need?

TechOWL can help you find free assistive technology with the Free Special Phone program, the iCanConnect program, and the Connect With Tech tablet program. You may also be able to get items donated through the used equipment program or made by the CreATe Together program. You can call us at 800-204-7428 or email techowl@temple.

edu. We are here Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30.