Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives

10/27/2025

Fair Pay for Disabled Workers Isn’t Just About Money — It’s About Dignity

Sara Nye is 21 years old and she lives in central Pennsylvania. She has Down Syndrome. She works as a social media coordinator for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania/Employment First Coalition and as a family adviser for the Vision for Equality/PA Family Network.

“I like working,” says Sara. “It makes me proud, motivated, and I feel good about myself. I have opportunities to learn new skills, which in turn builds my confidence. I love meeting new people, building relationships with them, and feeling connected to a community. I am paid competitively at these jobs, which means I work with people with and without disabilities while making at least the minimum wage. Working with people with and without disabilities, we learn from each other.”

Read more of Sara's perspective on why people with disabilities deserve fair pay: bit.ly/4hByaGL

10/27/2025

Meet Jazmin and Bonus! Comment below with any questions you have for Jazmin.

Video description: Jazmin, a person with long hair and light skin wearing a floral dress, sitting on a couch next to her service dog, Bonus. She is holding a communication device and sometimes pets Bonus.

Transcript: Hi, my name is Jazmin. Hello, my name is Jazmin Tinsley. There are several assistive technology items hat make my life easier. One of them you are hearing right now because I use an iPad or an iPhone and a program called Proloquo2go to help me communicate. I can preprogram it for many common phrases that I use. It also has hundreds and hundreds of pictures to describe words organized in a way that allows me to quickly move from one word to another. I can also preprogram complete thoughts like I am showing right now. In addition to my communication device, I use screen talker tools. Another item that helps me is my walker with extra-large wheels and a seat. It is the best. It can even go on grass and bumpy areas. But my favorite assistive technology (not really technology) is by far my best friend, my service dog. He came from Canine Companions. They used to be called Canine Companions for Independence. Let me introduce you to him. Everyone, this is Bonus. He is a golden lab mix that was trained for almost three years (that is about 21 dog years). He helps me every day. Although he responds to almost 50 verbal commands which makes it very helpful for my parents. But for me, I think he is just the coolest. If you would like to learn more about Canine Companions, check out the Netflix movie. He is one of the stars in the movie. The movie is Inside the Mind of a Dog. This movie you see him and a little bit of me. He is my best friend. For me technology just makes so many things a bit easier. Thank you!

10/25/2025

Forever on a mission to get more occupational therapy students and practitioners involved in 3D printing. Thanks to and for giving us an opportunity to continue our mission!

Image descriptions: 1. Group of 11 people around a 3D printer holding up 3D printed tools. 2. Person using a Creality 3D printer. 3. Two people using a Creality Ender 3D printer and smiling. 4. Prusa 3D printer in the foreground and presenter in the background. 5. A bunch of colorful 3D printed assistive tech in the foreground and a slide about OT and 3D printing in the background.

10/23/2025

📣 Your Voice Matters!
Join Liberty Resources and at Temple University to share your vision for a more accessible Philadelphia.

Let’s shape a city where accessibility isn’t an afterthought—it’s the standard. 🏙️♿

🗓️ Tuesday, November 4, 2025
🕙 10:00am–12:00pm
📍 TechOWL Community Space
1392 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19122

👉 RSVP today at bit.ly/VisionPhilly or call 215-634-2000 ext. 124

10/21/2025

Do you prefer to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean or the sound of an air conditioner? Let us know in the comments!

Transcript: (Sara singing) I feel good, da na na na. (Sara talking) I slept so good! I am Sara and do you know my secret for having a good night sleep? I use my Alexa Echo device. On Alexa, there are so many different sleep sounds that you can choose from. Some of my favorite are ocean sounds and the air conditioner. You should try it tonight and wake up refreshed like me!

Video description: Sara, a white woman, in bed with a spiderman pillow and plaid pajamas.

10/21/2025

Illegally parked cars and crumbling sidewalks make for dangerous conditions for Philadelphians with limited mobility.

10/20/2025

Join us for an accessible Dungeons and Dragons game with Dungeon master Lucy Pickering. Adventure awaits...

In a pocket dimension somewhere beyond time and space exists an organization that recruits heroes from across the multiverse to use their unique skills to help solve problems and squash evil.

You are one of the lucky few selected, and will have to learn what it means to travel to worlds unknown.

Wed October 22nd
5:30 to 7:30 PM

The TechOWL Community Space is at 1392 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, next to Insomnia Cookies. We have a barrier free entrance and accessible bathrooms.

Register for this free series:
bit.ly/TechOWLgame

10/17/2025

10/15/2025

Thursday, October 16 – Learn about Adaptive Gaming!
Webinars at 12 pm and 4 pm Eastern Time. RSVP: https://buff.ly/KTWuXPR

Video games are for every body. Join TechOWL staff on a walk-through of adaptive controllers and accessibility settings for three major gaming consoles: Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation. We will talk about the social and functional benefits of gaming, potential barriers to access, and how to get started.

This webinar is part of the PA Tech Accelerator's Recreation and Regulation within the Community series. The Pennsylvania Technology Accelerator projectis made possible by Pennsylvania's Department Human Services through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

10/11/2025

Last night at the TechOWL Community Space, we had an incredible Adaptive Gaming Workshop with Wayne Reynolds!

Participants got hands-on experience exploring accessible gaming setups and learned how to make play possible for everyone.

A huge thank you to Wayne for sharing his expertise and passion, and to everyone who came out to play, learn, and connect!

Image description: 1. Wide shot of Wayne presenting to a room of about 20 people. 2. Close up of Wayne presenting and the screen says thanks for listening.

10/10/2025