About HEAT
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Pennsylvania’s Higher Education Assistive Technology (HEAT) Lending Program operates as a component of Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Lending Library. Students with disabilities attending any of Pennsylvania’s post-secondary schools (colleges, universities, and vocational training institutes) who are working with their school’s office for students with disabilities, can request to borrow specialized equipment needed for their academic pursuits for the duration of one entire semester (16 weeks). HEAT is funded by the PA Department of Education, and implemented by Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I want to use HEAT and not the “regular” Assistive Technology Lending Library?
In general, Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Lending Library only allows individuals to borrow devices from two weeks to eight weeks – depending on the complexity of the device. If necessary, and IF there is no one else waiting for the device, a two week extension may be possible. Borrowing through HEAT allows a student to depend on having the device for the entire semester.
What happens if the device breaks during the semester, and I need it for my class?
Most of the devices available through HEAT are also a part of the general circulating inventory of the Lending Library. If the device does break during your HEAT loan period, you will have priority for a loan from the general inventory for the rest of the semester, or until the device you originally borrowed can be repaired and returned to you.
Who is responsible for the loaned device if it breaks?
The student signs for responsibility of the loaned item. The post secondary school (college, university, or vocational training institute) is signing to confirm the individual is a student and would benefit from the device because of a disability.
Can I borrow the same item for more than one semester?
No. The purpose of the program is to provide students an opportunity to make a decision about the assistive technology that can help them in their academic career, and to make sure students have the AT they need. Where the need for a device is likely to continue longer than one semester, the school’s office for students with disabilities should provide the item.
What if the device I need is not part of the program?
Contact us and let us know what device you are requesting. If possible, we will try to add it to our inventory. Search the general Lending Library Catalog for a similar device: http://disabilities.temple.edu/atlend. A device in the general Lending Library inventory may be used for the standard loan period.
How long is the loan for?
The loan is for one semester (16 weeks).
Is an out-of-state student eligible for the program?
If the student is attending a school in Pennsylvania, the student is eligible for the program.