Organization: PENNSYLVANIA ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Mission: TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Activities: PENNSYLVANIA ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION (PATF) IS A NON-PROFIT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (CDFI) AND PA'S ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM, AS DESIGNATED BY THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT, THAT PROVIDES NO-INTEREST MINI-LOANS ($100 TO $2,000) TO QUALIFIED APPLICANTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES AND SERVICES. PATF MAY ALSO AWARD A PARTIAL GRANT TO THOSE BORROWERS WHO MEET ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES. IN ADDITION, PATF IS A CREDIT BROKER AND HAS CONTRACTED WITH BRYN MAWR TRUST COMPANY, SANTANDER BANK, AND MALVERN BANK TO EXTEND LOW-INTEREST LOANS ($2,001 TO $60,000) FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY. PATF MAY PROVIDE A LOAN GUARANTEE (UP TO $35,000) IF THE APPLICANT'S CREDIT DOESN'T MEET TRADITIONAL LENDING STANDARDS, BUT HE/SHE HAS DEMONSTRATED AN ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO REPAY A LOAN. PATF STAFF PROVIDES EXTENSIVE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES TO PENNSYLVANIANS REGARDING OTHER POSSIBLE FUNDING RESOURCES. PATF'S PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND COACHING, ASSISTANCE WITH TAX PREPARATION (VITA PROGRAM), ALL UNDERWRITING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO BORROWING, AND THE REPORTING OF REPAYMENTS TO CREDIT BUREAUS SO THAT BORROWERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL CREDIT WORTHINESS.
NTEE category: Health Care
Secondary category: Medical Research