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Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

Disability Champion and PATF CEO Susan Tachau Retires

Lifelong disability advocate and CEO of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), Susan Tachau, is retiring on September 30, 2022.

In her new role as PATF’s Chief Innovations Officer, she will work on special projects and advocacy activities.

During Tachau’s tenure as CEO, the organization has established itself as the leading Alternative Financing Program (AFP) in the US, continually providing more loans and extending more capital each year for the purchase of assistive technology than any other AFP, and offering information and assistance to thousands more Pennsylvanians, helping them access alternative funding resources.

With Tachau’s steadfast advocacy, PATF has also had significant impact among Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), helping to secure more federal funding for CDFIs to serve the disability community, and educating CDFIs on best practices.

In 2021, Tachau was an AARP Purpose Prize Winner, an award that recognizes people 50-plus who are using their knowledge and life experience to solve tough social problems.

In the same year, Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) recognized Tachau’s CDFI work with the Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Finance, the highest individual honor in the CDFI industry.

Last year, the Institute on Financial Literacy presented PATF with the Non-Profit Organization of the Year 2021 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) Award, for PATF’s one-of-a-kind financial education curriculum, Cents and Sensibility, tailored to the needs of people with disabilities.

In a push to serve more people, Tachau founded Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund, a subsidiary to PATF, so that people with disabilities in nearby states will have access to affordable financing for assistive technology.

Building up PATF and advocating for people with disabilities has been Tachau’s life’s work. Tachau described the source of this wellspring of passion for this work.

“Our son, Michael, introduced me to the world of disability and the importance of community living, work, and connection to family and friends. Assistive technology can make this possible,” shares Tachau. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside my dedicated colleagues to grow PATF from a small, fledgling organization to one that has helped more than 4,500 Pennsylvanians with loans worth almost $46 million.”

“I’m proud of our commitment to excellence and compassion, and the desire to expand our programs to meet the growing demands of the future. I’m confident that PATF’s good work will continue long after I retire.”

President of PATF’s Board of Directors, Nancy Murray, reflects on Susan’s announcement, “The Board is proud of Susan’s commitment, dedication, and achievements as PATF’s CEO for almost two decades. Susan has grown the organization into a formidable force for good in the world.”

PATF Board of Directors Appoint Ben Laudermilch as Chief Executive Officer

Seasoned executive Ben Laudermilch is PATF’s new CEO, as of September 6, 2022.

Most recently, Laudermilch served as the Vice President and Executive Director of Inglis Housing Corporation, where he established independent living communities for people with disabilities.

Prior to his tenure at Inglis, Laudermilch was the Special Assistant to the Secretary for the PA Department of Corrections, developing housing opportunities for reentering Pennsylvanians. Laudermilch also served as the Special Advisor to the Secretary of the PA Department of Human Services. For a decade prior, he worked for the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities in various roles, including Executive Director.

Laudermilch’s experience promoting the benefits of assistive technology is highlighted through projects that he has managed that integrated smart home technology (a form of assistive technology) into housing for people with disabilities and older adults.

“I am excited about this new chapter in my career and the life of PATF. For many years, I’ve been in roles that have intersected with the disability world, and this new position feels like a culmination of all the work I have done,” Laudermilch says.

“We are thrilled that Ben is joining the organization as CEO, bringing new skills and experiences that will take PATF into the future, into a new chapter,” says Nancy Murray, President of PATF Board of Directors.

In his role as CEO, Laudermilch will be growing PATF’s mission across Pennsylvania, working with public and private stakeholders and partners.

To assist with this transition, PATF has developed a new Strategic Plan and a comprehensive, state-of-the-art brand book – both of which will help guide the nonprofit for years to come.

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Message from RCPA member PATF:

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) recently hosted a round table event with Congresswoman Madeleine Dean and several of our borrowers and partners to discuss the importance of PATF’s programs — information about assistive technology (AT), funding resources, financial education, and the loan programs!

We heard how PATF’s loan programs make it possible for people to get the AT they need. We also heard from several partners about how they use our other publications, including Smart Homes Made Simple and financial education curriculum.

Attendee Paul Gordon is a social worker and a wheelchair user. He spoke with Rep. Dean about how he benefitted from PATF’s services.

Paul needed to replace his van’s wheelchair lift so that he could continue to travel to work. With funding from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and a loan from PATF, he was able to get a wheelchair lift installed in his van.

“Given the excellent condition of my van, replacing the wheelchair lift will provide years of service without having to purchase a new vehicle. This is a much more affordable option for me,” said Gordon.

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Message from RCPA Member Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF):

We are so excited to announce that Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) has helped a record number of people with our low- and no-interest loan programs, our information and assistance services, and our financial education resources.

Of note, after we increased the lending cap on our Mini-Loan program from $2,000 to $7,000, this program grew by 151%! (see below: 2021 by the Numbers) 

And it doesn’t stop there! We published Smart Homes Made Simple: Your Guide to Smart Home Technology and launched SmartHomesMadeSimple to help the disability community learn about mainstream smart home devices and how they can be financed.

In March of this year, PATF hosted a smart home webinar with more than 500 attendees from around the world!

We are proud to share our organization’s growth over the last year, in which assistive technology (AT) was critical, to support people with disabilities and older adults stay safe, healthy, and connected to our community.

Read PATF’s Impact Report.

With your unwavering support – our donors, borrowers, partners, families and friends – we were able to expand and create new programs to help people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians live more independently. Thank you!

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Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Susan Tachau, Co-Founder and CEO of PATF, to Transition to a New Role in September 2022
Message from Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF)


In September of this year, Susan Tachau will be stepping down as CEO of PATF. In her new role as PATF’s Innovation Officer, Susan will work on special projects and advocacy activities.

To help with this transition, PATF is developing a new Strategic Plan and a comprehensive, state-of-the-art brand book — both of which will help guide the organization into the future.

PATF is now accepting applications for their next CEO. Read the job description and share with your networks.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter/letter of interest, resume, and salary requirements via email by May 15, 2022.

“Susan has been a force in the disability community for some time, and it is her passion to expand access to assistive technology and create a more equitable world that has been the foundation for PATF’s programs. Now, as our organization approaches its 25th year in 2023, we are grateful that Susan will stay on as our Innovation Officer, to help with the transition as we enter this new chapter,” shares Nancy Murray, PATF Board President.

Under Susan’s leadership, PATF has established itself as the top Alternative Financing Program (AFP) in the country, continually providing more loans and extending more capital each year for the purchase of assistive technology than any other AFP, and providing information and assistance to thousands more Pennsylvanians, helping them access alternative funding resources they didn’t know existed.

With Susan’s advocacy, PATF has also had significant impact among Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), helping to secure more federal funding for CDFIs to serve the disability community and educating CDFIs on best practices. In 2021, Opportunity Finance Network recognized Susan’s CDFI work with the Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Finance.

In addition, in the last year, Susan founded Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund, a subsidiary to PATF, so that people with disabilities in nearby states will have access to affordable financing for assistive technology.

Driven by Susan’s passion, PATF has developed an incredible suite of informational and educational tools related to topics of assistive technology funding and financial education.

“Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work in a field that I love. Ever since my first child was diagnosed with a disability, I have known that disability empowerment would be the focus of my efforts. During my time at PATF, our programs have grown tremendously in size, diversity, and influence. I have benefitted from the support of talented and dedicated co-workers and volunteers who have made PATF the leader in its field.

“The future for the organization is bright — we are financially secure, we have flourishing programs, we have excellent staff, we have a strong board, and we have just finished developing a strategic planning framework. I look forward to my new role as PATF’s Innovation Officer, and to ensuring a smooth transition for our new CEO,” says Susan.

Please join PATF in congratulating Susan on a lifetime’s worth of impactful advocacy for people with disabilities and thanking her for her decades of dedicated service to this organization and to the Pennsylvania disability community.

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When: March 3, 2022 12:00 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Real-Life Stories: Using Smart Home Technology For Independence.
Register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Webinar Speakers

Michael Anderson (Legislative Advocate @The ARC of Philadelphia)
Michael Anderson has been a legislative advocate for The ARC of Philadelphia since 2015. He meets with lawmakers from the Philadelphia area at local, state, and federal levels to make the case for legislative changes that will improve the lives of people with disabilities. Mr. Anderson is also a member of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation’s (PATF’s) Smart Home advisory committee. In a previous life, Mr. Anderson worked for three years as a statistician for the Philadelphia 76ers. He has also worked on a number of political campaigns. Mr. Anderson is a proud graduate of Lower Merion High School and received an associate’s degree with a concentration in journalism from Edinboro University. Currently, he is co-owner of a home in Merion Station, PA. Mr. Anderson has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user.

Alexa Brill (Social Media and Website Manager @The Arc of Pennsylvania)
Alexa Brill graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2013. She has worked for The Arc of Pennsylvania since 2014 as their Social Media and Website Manager. Alexa also serves as the President on the Board of Self Advocates United As 1 (SAU1). She also serves on the Smart Home Advisory Committee through the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF). Alexa is very passionate about advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, as well as helping to make sure they have access to the right technology. She wants to help as many people learn about and access the technology they need to be as independent as possible.

George Russo (Assistive Technology Assistant @Easterseals)
I’m George Russo. I’ve been working as an assistive technology assistant at Easterseals for fifteen years. Easterseal has been a part of my adult life since 1996 as a client, a volunteer, an ambassador for PRC, and now as an employee. I have an Associate Degree in Computer Science from Miami Dade Community College. I’ve been a member of the Smart home Committee for about a year.

Laura Slotkoff (Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist @Easterseals of Southern Pennsylvania)
Laura Slotkoff, MS, OTR/L, ATP is an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology Specialist for Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Through her role as AT Specialist on an interdisciplinary AT team, Laura works to provide innovative solutions to individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. Over the past 2 years, she has worked collaboratively with teachers, therapists and the AT team to design 3D printed assistive technology and utilize the tools within maker spaces to benefit students with special needs. Laura is excited about the ever-evolving potential of Smart Home Technology to improve her clients’ independence and quality of life.

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Free sessions are open to anyone interested in learning more about teaching personal finance to people with disabilities.

The Pennsylvania Treasury, the Department of Banking and Securities, and the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) are joining together to put on a two-part series entitled “Teaching Individuals With Disabilities About Personal Finance.” You can register for the series below:

Part 1 – Best Practices That Work – Expert Panel Shares Techniques
January 12, 2022, at 12:00 pm

Part 2 – Shared Experiences: What Worked For Us – People Share Their Experiences
January 26, 2022, at 12:00 pm

If you have any questions or need assistance with registering, please contact PATF at 888-744-1938 or via email.

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Message from Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF):

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is proud to announce the launch of a new website, Smart Homes Made Simple. As part of our Smart Home Technology Project, we recently expanded this website with a new design to make it a more accessible, user-friendly, and informative resource.

We hope this website will serve as a hub of information where members of the disability and aging communities, as well as service providers, housing professionals, and technology consultants, can learn how to integrate smart home technology into the homes of people with disabilities and older adults for greater independence, autonomy, safety, and accessibility.

“We are aware that many people with disabilities and older adults who could benefit from smart home technology are still not acquiring it,” says PATF’s CEO, Susan Tachau. “If there’s one thing we hope people will take away from this website, it’s that you don’t have to do this alone and you don’t have to do it all at once. New technology can be scary and overwhelming. Build your team for support, explore what devices may be able to help with your goals, and start small. There’s always room for growth.”

Visit Smart Homes Made Simple.

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Message from Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation:

We, at Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), are honored to receive a U.S. Department of Treasury two-year grant of nearly $1.4 million as part of the Community Development Financial Institution Rapid Response Program (CDFI RRP). These funds provide loan capital for CDFIs such as PATF to support underserved communities facing economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For PATF, this means we can continue to guarantee Low-Interest Loans and maintain our direct-lending Mini-Loan program.

“In serving places that the financial sector historically hasn’t served well, CDFIs lift our whole economy up. We know that for every dollar injected into a CDFI, it catalyzes eight more dollars in private-sector investment, meaning that today’s announcement might lead to an additional $10 billion in investment,” said U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at the award announcement.

PATF is excited to be able to provide loans to more people with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians who are low-income so they may acquire the assistive technology that makes a difference in their lives.

Learn more about the CDFI RRP awards here.

Learn more about PATF’s loans here.

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