Although TechOWL Community Space opened its doors at 1392 Cecil B. Moore Avenue in April 2024, many students didn't find it until they returned from summer break.

"I had no clue what TechOWL or the Community Space was," said Anna Shelly, a disabled sophomore at Temple University and a student worker at the TechOWL Community Space. "But I heard that there was this event called 'Anthropology of Motherhood: Intersections with Disability,' and I went to check it out."

Fern Hilvert, a disabled senior at Temple University and the president of The Geological Society of Temple University, discovered the Community Space through social media.

"I was looking for more disability representation in Philly, and eventually the TikTok algorithm showed me TechOWL," said Hilvert. "I was like, 'Wow, it's right on campus! This is going to be such a good resource for me.'"

TechOWL, which stands for Technology for Our Whole Lives, is Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Act program and helps people with disabilities and others access assistive technology as part of the Institute on Disabilities. The Institute is housed in Temple University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).

In its first year of existence, the TechOWL Community Space, which was funded in part by a $500,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, has enabled the IOD to offer a wide variety of resources, programs and events. And, in celebration, TechOWL will be hosting an anniversary celebration on Monday, May 12, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.

"We do a lot at the TechOWL Community Space," said Alanna Raffel, who works as an assistive technology specialist. "We have open public hours where people can come in to check out our assistive equipment and explore our space, and we also have workshops, events and opportunities to connect with different people and organizations."

Monique Chabot, associate director of assistive technology at the Institute on Disabilities, highlighted the accessibility of the Community Space.  

"In addition to creating a space for the disabled community, the fact that the Community Space is an easily visible and accessible storefront helps destigmatize disability and assistive technology," Chabot said. "Anyone can come in for services or just out of curiosity."

And while both Shelly and Hilvert initially checked out the Community Space because of their curiosity, both quickly became very involved with its services.  

Hilvert has borrowed a lightweight manual wheelchair that they can use in their everyday life and has been connected to outside resources for the disabled community in Philadelphia through programs and staff at the Community Space.

Shelly, who started as a student worker in January, has made labels for the 3D-printed items in the TechOWL Community Space, tested out assistive tools, engaged visitors to the space and assisted with TechOWL's social media presence.

Both Shelly and Hilvert emphasized the value of the TechOWL Community Space for their lives as Temple students and as Philadelphians.  

"The Community Space is really approachable," Hilvert said. "It's easier to find, it's less intimidating than an academic building, and it has so many resources that can help people throughout the state of Pennsylvania."

Shelly agreed, highlighting one event at the Community Space that was particularly impactful for her.  

"We had an accessible art event with Guided Hands, which is an assistive device that empowers people with limited fine motor functions to write, draw, paint and use technology with greater ease," Shelly said. "At the event, there was a little boy with some sort of motor function issue, but when he figured out how to use the tool, he was so engaged and stimulated with the art. It was inspiring to see how the tools made his life easier."

The TechOWL Community Space has not just been useful for those in the Temple community; it has also been crucial for community members in the broader region.  

For Claire Shrader and Alex Clark, who both work at the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy, the TechOWL Community Space has been an important resource for their students.

"TechOWL is a great resource for patients," said Shrader, who is an occupational therapist, and who has helped her students use TechOWL's equipment lending program. "There is a lot of equipment that is not covered by insurance, and items like bath equipment can be large expenses, especially if a family is not sure if it's going to work or not."

Clark, who is a transition specialist, highlighted the opportunities available for all students, but especially the ones graduating high school.  

"When our students are facing the adult world, they lose a lot of the services that they get in school such as speech and physical therapy," Clark said. "And this space, with its assistive devices, events and programs, and its community resources, is going to be very helpful for a lot of our families as their students age out of HMS."

"The TechOWL Community Space has become a vibrant space for students, staff, and professional partners to engage in opportunities that enhance their education, pre-service training, and professional development," said Dean Shealey. "This strengthens the collective impact of our community engagement, and I am excited to watch as the Community Space continues to grow."

"The Community Space is a key example of how CEHD's core values drive our work highlighting our commitments to inclusion and equity" said Dean Shealey. "The Community space amplifies voices that were not previously heard, provides us the opportunity to elevate teaching, research and technology, and, most importantly, provides space for disabled people to come together, connect and collaborate with each other."

Please register online for the TechOWL anniversary celebration. To learn more about the TechOWL Community Space, visit their website. You can also follow them on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Reach out if you'd like to collaborate with TechOWL on an event in the Community Space.

TechOWL, which stands for Technology for Our Whole Lives, is Pennsylvania's designated Assistive Technology Act program. It is part of the Institute on Disabilities, Pennsylvania's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD), at Temple University.