The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education and Human Development is partnering with the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs and Office of Long-Term Living, Department of Human Services, and the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities on a statewide initiative called PA Tech Accelerator.  

The goal of the program is to expand the awareness of, and access to, assistive technology (AT), to build capacity of AT users and to measure effectiveness around AT use, access and service across the Commonwealth.

PA Tech Accelerator logo has lines referencing circuit board elements reminiscent of farmland furrows, that wind a path through green space to their endpoint as an arrow near a horizon, pointing to a rising sun in blue sky

PA Tech Accelerator Webinar Series

Presented by staff of TechOWL, a program of the Institute on Disabilities, a series of webinars about how assistive technology can change lives by increasing access to employment, social interaction, and everyday life.

Topics include:

  • What assistive technology is available
  • How assistive technology can help with daily living
  • Where to find assistive technology

The first series is Assistive Technology Basics

Dates: Every third Thursday of the month
Each Basics webinar is offered at two times: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and  4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Assistive Technology Basics: Upcoming Topics

  • September 19, 2024
    A Day in the Life – Work, Home, and Community
    Register: 12 p.m. A Day in the Life webinar
    Register: 4 p.m. A Day in the Life webinar
    Presented by: Solomon (Sam), Emma Russek, and Alexa Brill. Facilitated by: Tom DiAgostino and Liam Holland.
    In this webinar, we'll talk about first-hand experience using assistive technology to make life easier, safer, and more independent​; how ODP and OLTL have helped people access assistive technology; and how we can continue to support people with disabilities to acquire and learn about assistive technology.
  • October 17, 2024
    Funding and How to Get It
    Register: 12 p.m. Funding and How to Get It webinar
    Register: 4 p.m. Funding and How to Get It webinar

    Presented by Julie Mochon. This webinar session will provide information about technology funded through the Office of Development Programs. It will cover how technology is funded and the different kinds of technology funded through ODP, including service definitions. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an experienced professional registration coming soon!

 

Our next series is Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Offered on Thursdays.

  • November 14, 2024 - AAC Apps: Deep Dive and Demo
  • December 19, 2024 - Finding and Funding AAC
  • January 16, 2025 - Communication for Healthy Relationships presented by Donnie Denome

 

Recent Topics

Webinar recordings with captions, ASL, and transcript are available below.

Future Series Will Include

  • Remote Support
  • Tools for Specific Needs for Employment, Independence and Socialization
  • Recreation and Regulation in the Community

Overview of PA Tech Accelerator Activities

Training and Resources about Technology Solutions

Conduct a series of trainings and deliver resources to build capacity to stakeholders and across County Behavioral Health/ID and Autism Offices and Community Health Choices Managed Care Organization.

Develop Readiness Evaluation and Tools for Providers

Development of a readiness evaluation for the successful adoption of remote supports and assistive technology solutions by Pennsylvania disability provider agencies.

Advance Technology First Statewide Assessment and Planning

Development of a Technology First Systems Change state plan through benchmarking and evaluation.

Statewide Technology Solutions for Provider Assessment

Survey of approximately 2,000 providers on technology awareness, planning, implementation, and training resources.

Enhance Technology Resources for Stakeholders

Sustainability evaluation of TechOWL’s CATS - Consider Assistive Technology Solutions & DOGS- Devices Offering Great Solutions online tools.

Develop technology first policies alongside technology champions

Engage a group of Technology Champions to participate in the modernization and harmonization of statewide technology-related policies.

Technology Summits

Technology summits in the Spring of 2025, to be held in Philadelphia and in Pittsburgh, will bring together project partners, people with disabilities, family members and, support and other professionals to increase awareness of current and emerging technology solutions.

logos of Kansas U Center on Developmental Disabilities and PA Department of Human Services

For more information, please contact

iod@temple.edu
215-204-1356