Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives

05/29/2026

Mm beads and pipe cleaners for lunch. Go to www.TechOWLpa.org/library to check out hundreds of assistive technology devices, including the Neater Eater coming soon!

Transcript: “Scoop food” Voiceover: What if meal time could feel more in your control? The Neater Eater is a robotic eating system designed for people who can chew and swallow but need assistance with self-feeding. “Scoop food” Voiceover: The device can be operated using several control methods including switches, a touch screen, voice control, or eye gaze. You can set the precise feeding position by physically moving the arm or using the on screen buttons. “Scoop food.” People in Pennsylvania will be able to borrow this device for free through our assistive technology lending library. Would this help you or someone you know?

Video description: Anna, a wheelchair user, trying out the Neater Eater, which has a metal base, a white plastic plate, and a metal arm with a fork attached. Alanna trying out the device and moving the arm toward her mouth to position it properly. When someone says the “scoop food” voice command, the arm bends toward the plate, scoops up the pipe cleaners and beads, and brings it to the mouth of the user.

Pennsylvania

05/26/2026

Want to make assistive tech your best friend? Try out these devices from our lending library by going to TechOWLpa.org/library.

Video descripton: Hold Fast Easy Up Vacuum Platform being used to open a jar of salsa, ergonomic crochet grip from Get Ready Tools, 8BitDo Arcade Stick, Obi Dining Robot

Quote from the movie Step Brothers:
“What? Did we just become best friends?”
“Yep!”
“Do you wanna go do karate in the garage?
“Yep!”

05/21/2026

Come play Dungeons and Dragons with us! And by the way, people in PA can borrow the Caption Companion from our lending library by going to TechOWLpa.org/library.

Video description: Caption Companion device captioning Dungeon Master saying: “Stomps in huge clay, rock, earth and body. And all of us step into the arena. The End. Basically, the announcer goes all right to start the competition. We are going to randomly pair up contestants so I’m going to have elevator man. I’m going to have you roll a D20 for me.” Then, a large green die being rolled onto a table a few times. The caption device then captioning what a player is saying: “…with access to and there’s tons of, like, really stereotypical wizardy Wizards like super long grave beards, tons of robes, and they’re all kind of buff. They’re kind of just like doing this and gazing down the crowd. I think I go up there.” An Alexa smart home device and then one more caption device screen that says, “…information about the world. However, all of a sudden, the library went on full lockdown, as it was revealed that a dangerous force nor known as the Swarm had infected the museum. So you all, as the mods?”

Transcript: Have you ever wanted to make your Dungeons and Dragons game more inclusive? We use caption devices, smart home tech, large foam dice as options to make our game work for everyone. What do you use to make your game work for everyone?

&D

05/18/2026

Would you try this?

Video description: A countdown from 3 and then a screenshot from Mario Kart that says “Go!”. An alarm clock with two wheels rolling around on the ground frantically. A hand picking up the device to turn it off.

Transcript: Clocky is an alarm clock for heavy sleepers and anyone trying to stop hitting snooze. This extra-loud alarm uses random robotic sounds, then jumps off your nightstand and rolls away so you have to get out of bed to turn it off. Pennsylvanians can borrow Clocky for free from our statewide assistive technology lending library. Would this help you or someone you know?

05/15/2026

05/04/2026

New "Feel the Founders Faces" partnership with Philly Touch Tours deepens the institution's commitment to accessible civic experience.

04/18/2026

What are your creative Guided Hands ideas?

Video description: A device called Guided Hands which is a large black plastic square with a white support for your arm that allows you to move in all directions. It is used in this video to draw with a marker, swipe beads into a wikki stick “goal” with a foam paint brush, move around a circular spiral maze made of a wikki stick, and push together magnatiles.

Transcript: You might think that the Guided Hands device is just for drawing—but it can do a lot more.It helps stabilize your arm so you can play games like shovel soccer, wiki stick mazes, and magnatiles. If you live in Pennsylvania, you can borrow guided hands from our assistive technology lending library. What activity would you try with Guided Hands?

04/16/2026

May 6: Lives, Not Just Language: Supporting Engagement and Participation for Adult AAC Users

Register at bit.ly/AACseries

This presentation explores strategies for supporting emergent adult AAC users to improve participation and quality of life. This session will focus on how AAC access can support meaningful engagement across adult life domains. Examine how AAC system design, communication partner training, and environmental supports influence opportunities for supporting self-determination, engagement, and meaningful participation in everyday contexts.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the needs of emergent adult communicators who use AAC

Describe barriers that impact participation and quality of life for emergent adult AAC users

Identify strategies to promote meaningful participation, support engagement, and expand communicative functions for adult AAC users

Image description: close up of person using a communication device.

04/16/2026

Have you ever used the Preview app or similar apps on your smartphone to scan documents?
Transcript:
Did you know about this built-in iPhone feature? The Preview app allows you to scan a document and convert it into a high-quality PDF that you can save or share with others. You can adjust the angle and color to ensure easy readability. Once your scan is ready, simply click the send button at the bottom to conveniently save or send it. If this feature could be helpful to you, please comment below.
Video description: A screen recording of a person scanning an application. At the end of the video, a person with light skin and dark hair gives a thumbs up while holding up her phone.