Temple University recently opened a new community space at Morgan Hall on Cecil Moore Avenue called TechOWL. This state-of-the-art facility offers individuals with disabilities access to high-tech devices that can assist with mobility, vision, communication, and even playing video games. With 2,227 square feet of space, TechOWL is housed within Temple’s Institute on Disabilities in the College of Education and Human Development. The space will also offer 3D printing technology to help create assistive devices.
Thanks to a generous $500,000 grant from the state Department of Education, TechOWL was made possible. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and State Sen. Tina Tartaglione played a significant role in securing the funding for this space. Tartaglione, who has used a wheelchair since a boating accident in 2003 that injured her spine, championed the cause. Sally Gould-Taylor, the executive director of the Institute of Disabilities, highlighted the Institute’s long history of advocacy for disabilities, dating back to 1974.
The grand opening of TechOWL Community Space drew a full crowd on April 18th. Open to the public, the space features a barrier-free entrance and accessible restrooms. Gould-Taylor expressed hope that the space will become a central hub for learning and community building for individuals with disabilities across the state. The Institute’s commitment to accessibility in Pennsylvania has been realized through the establishment of this space, representing a significant step forward in serving individuals with disabilities, families, and professionals throughout the Commonwealth.
We are interested in hearing your thoughts on what topics and areas you would like us to cover as we continue our reporting on Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware!