PATF Newsletter
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Assisitive Technology Programs Face Funding Cuts | |
Dear Friends, For more than 10 years, legislators have approved funding for the Lending Library and the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation. These two programs help people with disabilities use their resources wisely, learning about and acquiring the devices they need to improve their ability to learn, live, and work independently. In FY 2008 - 2009, the Assistive Technology Lending Library provided Pennsylvanians with disabilities with short-term access to more than 4900 devices throughout the Commonwealth. Last year, the PATF extended more than $2 million in low-interest loans, making it possible for people with disabilities to purchase adapted vehicles, home modifications, hearing aids, and other assistive technology. We need your continued support for these important initiatives for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. These programs sustained almost a 50% reduction in FY 09 -10. Contact your local Senator or Representative and strongly urge them to support level-funding this year and provide funding of $742,000 in the FY 2010-2011 budget for Assistive Technologies. |
I Am A Person First | |
Language is continually evolving, and that includes language related to people with disabilities. Staying current is important, no to show that you are "politically correct," but to communicate effectively and with respect. What you say and write may enhance the dignity of people with disabilities or inadvertently reflect stereotypes and negative attitudes.
Remember, refer to the person first, not the disability. For example, "person who uses a wheelchair" or "person who has arthritis" is preferred over "the wheelchair user" or "the arthritic." This last term especially defines the disability as the person rather than as one aspect of his/her life. This general rule may be different within some communities, such as those who are blind or deaf. Individuals in these groups often self-identify as "blind person" or "deaf person." Also, mention the disability only when it is relevant to the discussion.
Inappropriate Language |
Appropriate Language |
The disabled, the blind, the deaf |
People with disabilities, the disability community ("disabled" is an adjective, so it must be accompanied by a noun), the blind community, the deaf community |
Crippled, suffers from, afflicted with, stricken with, victim of, invalid |
Has a disability, is a person with a disability, person with a physical disability, uses a cane |
Normal person, healthy, whole |
Non-disabled, person without disabilities, able-bodied |
Impaired, impairment |
Disabled, has a disability |
Hearing impaired, hearing impairment, "the deaf" |
Deaf, hard of hearing, person who is deaf, person with hearing loss |
Visually impaired, visual impairment, "the blind" |
Low vision, blind, person who is blind |
Wheelchair bound, confined to a wheelchair, wheelchair person |
Wheelchair user, person who uses a wheelchair |
Handicap parking, disabled parking |
Accessible parking |
CP victim, spastic |
Person with cerebral palsy |
Crazy, lunatic, insane, mentally ill, mental disorder |
Person with a psychosocial disability, person with an emotional disability |
Retard, mentally defective, moron, idiot, imbecile |
Person with an intellectual disability |
Dwarf, midget |
Person of small stature, person of short stature, little person |
"the paraplegic," "the quadriplegic" |
Person with paraplegia, person with spinal cord injury |
Birth defect |
Person with a congenital disability, disabled from birth |
Homebound |
Stay-at-home, hard for the person to get out |
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development.
It was prepared by Anne Hayes, IWID Fellow for USAID.
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What Does Assistive Technology Look Like?? | | You may be wondering what types of Assistive Technology devices PATF funds. As the old saying goes, pictures speak louder than words so....here are just a few examples.
stairglide |
Ramp |
bathroom |
Tractor Lift |
Porch Lift |
Type caption text here. |
Type caption text here. |
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About the PA Assistive Technology Foundation
The Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is a non-profit organization that provides low-interest loans to people with disabilities and older adults so that they can buy the assistive technology devices and services they need.
Assistive technology, or "AT", is any device that helps a person with a disability achieve a more independent and productive life. AT devices may include such items as:
- adapted vehicles
- home modifications (including ramps, roll-in showers, lowered counter tops)
- computers with special software and/or hardware
- hearing aids
- flashing doorbells
- scooters and wheelchairs
- seat lift chairs
- closed circuit televisions (CCTVs)
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