HARRISBURG, June 2, 2015 – The statewide foundation that helps Pennsylvanians with disabilities improve the quality of their lives with assistive technologies won the promise of Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today to work for a greater state investment in the organization.

The Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation provides low-interest loans to people with disabilities. Since its founding in 2002, the group has approved more than 2,500 lines of credit totaling more than $33 million. More than 200 people were approved for more than $1.3 million in loans in 2014.

“I know how important the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation is,” said Sen. Tartaglione, who was partially paralyzed in a 2003 boating accident.

“I know what a chair rail is. I know how important that lift is to give me that independence to help me get outside of my home. My freedom is something I could never fathom to lose,” she said.

PATF helps people of all ages, incomes and disabilities buy assistive technologies like adapted vehicles, wheelchairs, and home modifications – and pay back the money through one of two programs:

Assistive devices that cost more than $1,500 can be had with a 3.75 percent loan. If the cost is less, PATF offers a zero-percent mini-loan that carries a $20 monthly payment.

“This is one of my first budget requests because I know how important it is for PATF to continue providing the good services they have been providing for 13 years,” Tartaglione said.

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