Thursday, April 10, 2025
4/10/2025
Expansion of PATF's lending programs, financial education program, and implementation of an AI system to enhance Information and Assistance delivery - Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), Pennsylvania's AFP, has a mission to provide education, financing, and advocacy for people with disabilities (PWD), helping them acquire assistive technology (AT) that improves the quality of their lives. PATF's goal is to support 277 PWD in Pennsylvania (PA) and Kentucky (KY) to improve their independence, autonomy, employability, and community participation by accessing assistive technology (AT) using PATF’s 0% interest and our bank partners’ low-interest financial products. PATF’s project objectives are to: 1) maintain and grow a diversified AT loan portfolio in PA; 2) reach more communities in need and extend more AT loans across KY; 3) meet rising demand for Information and Assistance (I & A) services by developing a pilot artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Aida the AT Navigator; and 4) provide financial education and coaching to PWD in both states. Anticipated outcomes: 1) At least 277 PWD will acquire the AT devices/services they need and want using PATF’s Mini-Loan or Low-Interest Loan Programs; 2) PWD who acquire AT using PATF’s loan products will experience improved quality of life; 3) PWD will receive accurate I&A quickly using the AI tool and have greater awareness of AT funding resources; and 4) PWD will have improved financial knowledge and money management skills. Products: Mini-Loans of $100 to $7,000 in PA & KY; a Low-Interest Loan Program of up to $60,000 in PA; a new AI-powered AT navigator tool; new outreach materials for PATF loans and revised KY and PA funding resource guides for AT; a new edition of the Cents and Sensibility: Educator Companion Manual; an updated StudyMoney.us website.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).