Tech Accelerator: Providing Access to State Government for All Pennsylvanians
Policy Committee September 25, 2025
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 25 – People with disabilities cannot always access state government services and information with ease. At a PA House Majority Policy hearing, state lawmakers heard from officials, advocates and members of the disability community on ways to eliminate obstacles and increase access, including assistive technology, which would allow for greater involvement from all Pennsylvania residents – promoting independence and inclusion. The hearing featured testimony from members of the PA Tech Accelerator task force on the importance and need to embrace Technology First, integrating support technology to provide a greater number of people with an opportunity at independence and inclusion. 
- Host: Rep. Joe Hohenstein (D-Philadelphia)
- Testifiers:
- Jennifer Hale- Bureau Director for Policy & Communications, Office of Long-Term Living, Department of Human Services
- Jeremy Yale- Bureau Director for Policy & Quality Management, Office of Developmental Programs, Department of Human Services
- Russell Goddard- Staff, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Lisa Tesler- Executive Director, PA Developmental Disabilities Council
- Caitlin McKenney- Assistive Technology Professional, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
- Chris Moore- Technology Solution Specialist
- Nae Vallejo- Technology Solution Specialist
Agenda + Testimony
Media Release + News Coverage
Video + Photos