Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives

08/25/2025

Join us for a Tech Champion Munch and Learn on Friday September 19th from 3:30 to 4:30 PM Eastern.

Our Tech Champion representatives Alexa and Greg will share about the easy-read technology guides created by the PADDC Tech Champions.

Register at bit.ly/TechGuidesWebinar

You can check out the first Tech Guides at TechOWLpa.org/AT-Champions.

This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC)

Image: Person using a wheelchair and headphones talking to someone on a computer.

08/25/2025

The TechOWL Community Space will be closed on Monday Sept 1st for Labor Day.

08/25/2025

How did the state assistive technology programs come to be?

Legislation was originally passed in 1988 to help increase awareness of assistive technology, access to assistive technology, and acquisition of assistive technology. The law was reauthorized in 1998 and again in 2004. Congress successfully reauthorized the AT Act in December, 2022. This 2022 legislation, titled, The 21st Century Assistive Technology Act, updates and modernizes the Assistive Technology Act.

Image descriptions: Slide 1. True or false? Every state and territory in the US has an assistive technology program. Swipe to find out. Photo of map of US. Slide 2. True! There are 56 assistive tech programs. TechOWL is the assistive tech program for Pennsylvania. You can find all of them at AT3center.net. Close up photo of person using Guided Hands device.

08/20/2025

At TechOWL, we want to remove barriers so everyone can get the things they need. We focus on tools and supports that make life more accessible.

Image descriptions:

True or False? You need to have a prescription from a doctor to use any of TechOWL services. Swipe to find out. [Image of a doctor wearing a white coat with a stethoscope and tablet]

False: Anyone who lives or works in PA can use our lending library, schedule a demo, request a presentation, and check out our used equipment options. [Image of speech therapist Hali with a person in a wheelchair using a communication device mounted on their chair.]

Learn more at www.TechOWLpa.org [Person using the guided hands device, which has a joystick like handle that helps you hold a writing utensil]

08/19/2025

Want to learn American sign language? Join us at TechOWL this fall with DHCC!

Ten week in person classes:

Level 1
Tuesday 9/30 to 12/9
10 AM to 12 PM

Level 4
Thursday 9/25 to 12/11
6 to 8 PM

https://www.dhcc.org/winter-2025-adult-asl-class-registration

Image description: Person with long curly hair signing “love” or “I love you” in American sign language by extending the thumb, index finger, and pinky while tucking the middle and ring fingers, forming the letters I, L, and Y.

08/18/2025

08/15/2025

The TechOWL team is excited to present at ATIA 2026! Join Alanna and Laura at their pre-conference seminar to learn about 3D printing assistive technology. Find out more at atia.org/precon.

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) is the global leader in assistive technology (AT) education. Their mission is to serve as the collective voice of the assistive technology industry to help ensure that the best products and services are delivered to persons with disabilities.

Image description: Four photos in boxes of Alanna Raffel, Laura Slotkoff, William Janes, and Kailey Medlock. Text says: We’re Presenting! Pre-Conference Seminar. You can design and 3D print assistive technology today. Learn more about atia.org/precon. ATIA 2026 logo.

08/14/2025

Navigating Your New Normal with Facilitator Christopher Yates, Certified Peer Mentor

Wednesday August 20th 5:30-7 PM

Register bit.ly/ChrisYatesAugust

TechOWL Community Space
1392 Cecil B Moore Avenue, Philadelphia PA Next to Insomnia Cookies

Life can change in an instant, and adjusting to a new normal can be overwhelming. Whether you’re facing a disability or supporting a loved one, having a safe space to share your feelings is essential.

Image description: Photo of Chris Yates in his wheelchair taking a selfie with an orange background. Little white doodles of hearts, stars, and squiggles. Text on the photo says: “Join us for an in-person support group with peer facilitator, Chris Yates. Navigating Your New Normal. Wed August 20th 5:30-7 PM, at the TechOWL Community Space; safe space to share your feelings.”

08/12/2025

Hey Pennsylvania! We are looking for young people with disabilities to serve as Assistive Technology Champions.

You will learn about assistive technology and work with us to make social media videos.

The ideal candidate would be creative, excited to share their passion for assistive technology, and eager to develop their leadership skills.

You should have some personal experience with assistive tech and tools for people with disabilities. This might include things that help with hearing, mobility, computer access, self-regulation, vision, etc.
Image description: Cartoon of a wheelchair user with arms out surrounded by doodles and arrows around them with following words: creative, experience with assistive technology, eager to develop leadership skills, collaborative. On the bottom it says Learn about assistive technology and work with us to make social media videos.

• Program dates: September 2025-March 2025
• Commitment of about 10 hours per month
• Stipend provided

💻 Apply bit.ly/PAchampions by August 25th

❓Questions Email alanna.raffel@temple.edu

08/11/2025

We have shower chairs available for donation at the TechOWL Community Space. To see these and other items, drop by during walk in hours or visit https://techowlpa.org/philadelphia-reep-closet/

Our walk in hours:
Monday and Wednesday 10 to 2
Tuesday and Thursday 1 to 5

We are located at 1392 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, next to Insomnia Cookies.

Image description: Photo of Oprah with a microphone and a speech bubble that says “you get a shower chair.” In the background, a photo of our used equipment closed with walkers and shower chairs pictured.

08/05/2025

Who is ready to meet the ? We now have one you can try out in our lending library!

The VeloChair is powered by applying minimal pressure to pedals that extend from beneath the seat of the chair, allowing the user to propel themselves forward or backward in the natural movement of cycling. What is unique about VeloChair is that only one leg is necessary for pedaling.

Image description: Four people posing in front of a Temple University T logo. Each set of two is holding a cut out sign that has the TechOWL logo and “we’re here for you” motto. Alanna is sitting in the VeloChair, which has pedals.

08/04/2025

Please mark your calendar and save the date for the 2025 Disability Summit at the Howard Gittis Student Center at Temple University on September 25, 2025 from 9 am to 5 pm. This event is open to the public and registration will be required.

Rep. Joe Hohenstein
The Arc of Philadelphia
Special Olympics Pennsylvania
KenCrest
Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives
Temple University College of Education and Human Development