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PATF Newsletter
Independence is priceless...we help make it affordable.
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The Importance of Assistive Technology
Person First Language
Examples of Assistive Technology
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June 2010
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.

 

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
stairglide
 
 
Ramp
Ramp

bathroom
bathroom
   

 
Tractor Lift
tractor lift
Porch Lift
porch lift
 
 
 
 
Type caption text here.
adapted vehicle
 
 
 
Type caption text here.
adapted sports equipment
 
 
 
About the PA Assistive Technology Foundation PATF logo

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)