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Smart Home

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.

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.