Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Coucil (PADDC)

Pittsburgh Airport Becomes First to Achieve Universal Design Certification PIT has become the first airport to be given the Universal Design Certification from the University of Buffalo.

Congratulations to Pittsburgh Airport for its certification in Universal Design!

www.travelpulse.com/news/airline...

#Pennsylvania #Pittsburgh #Accessibility #UniversalDesign

We want your input. Public comments needed on our 5-year plan! An arrow points to a survey up on a laptop computer. Logo for the PADDC, Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

📣We are in need of public comments on the proposed goals and objectives for our next 5-year plan (2027-2031). Please take the survey and share your perspective. Find out about it on our website page at: www.paddc.org/draft-plan/

#Pennsylvania #Disabilities

A small group of people are seen sitting at a table, backs to us, and a speaker in the front of the room. PADDC Leadership, Empowerment, and Advocacy Fund. Funding Available! Up to $750 for self-advocates and families to attend leadership, education, and self-advocacy events occurring between 2/2/2026 and 3/31/2026. Logo for the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

Help spread the word! PADDC LEAF Scholarships offer self-advocates and parents up to $750 to attend leadership, education, or self-advocacy events between Feb. 1 and March 31. Don’t miss this chance to learn, grow, and lead. Find application details on our website: www.paddc.org/grant-fundin...

Celimar Rivera Cosme, a deaf Puerto Rican performer who will be sign language interpreter at the Super bowl half-time show, is standing outside of the Super Bowl arena and pointing up at it. She has shoulder length black curly hair, large black eye glasses, and is smiling.

Celimar Rivera Cosme, a Puerto Rican Deaf performer, will interpret today’s Super Bowl halftime show. For the Puerto Rican Deaf community, her presence on one of the world’s biggest stages signals progress and hope for more inclusive experiences across society. www.ktvu.com/news/deaf-re...

People are gathered in a meeting. Up to $750. Funding Available! Up to $750 for self-advocates and PADDC families to attend leadership, Leadership education, and self-advocacy Empowerment and events occurring between 2/1/2026 3/31/2026. Logo for the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

Have you heard? The LEAF Scholarship Program is open for a limited time! Scholarships support people with disabilities & their family members in #Pennsylvania to attend conferences & trainings on disability topics. Apply for events taking place between 2/1/26 - 3/31/26. www.paddc.org/grant-fundin...

Share your viewpoint! Draft 5 year plan goals & objectives. Logo for the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

Public Comment Needed! Before finalizing PADDC’s new 5-Year Plan, we want your input to ensure the plan reflects a variety of viewpoints. Please review the draft and complete our survey by March 27, 2026. Thank you for supporting PADDC’s work! Learn more and share feedback: www.paddc.org/draft-plan/

People are gathered in a meeting. Up to $750. Funding Available! Up to $750 for self-advocates and PADDC families to attend leadership, Leadership education, and self-advocacy Empowerment and events occurring between 2/1/2026 3/31/2026. Logo for the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

Have you heard? The LEAF Scholarship Program is open for a limited time! Scholarships support people with disabilities & their family members in #Pennsylvania to attend conferences & trainings on disability topics. Apply for events taking place between 2/1/26 - 3/31/26. www.paddc.org/grant-fundin...

Snowstorm highlights staffing struggles of Southwestern Pa. home care agencies Perhaps no part of the health care system in Southwestern Pennsylvania faced greater challenges during Sunday’s snowstorm than already understaffed home care agencies. Their task was monumental:...

Last week’s severe cold and snow in #Pennsylvania exposed how emergencies put people with #disabilities at risk. Many direct care workers rely on public transit due to low wages—and that, too, was disrupted. Emergency and disaster planning is essential! triblive.com/local/region...

Martin Luther King Jr is speaking at a microphone, hand extended outward. ""It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people but not in favor of justice for all people." Martin Luther King, Jr." Logo for the PADDC Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

"It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people but not in favor of justice for all people." Martin Luther King, Jr.

New Accessibility Plan Requirement for Special Events! | Office for People with Disabilities Official website of the City of Philadelphia, includes information on municipal services, permits, licenses, and records for citizens and businesses.

How exciting that the City of Philadelphia has announced its new Accessibility Plan requirement for special events! Now, when applying for a special event permit from the City, event organizers must submit an #Accessibility Plan. www.phila.gov/2026-01-15-n...

A teacher is seated on a circular rug in an early childhood or daycare setting. There are 6 young diverse children sitting by her in the circle. All of them are reaching into the middle with their hands on top of each other. Title: After Her son with a disability was expelled from day care, a mom pushed for reform.

This article highlights a problem still affecting families and children across Pennsylvania. That’s why PADDC funded projects that promote practices to disrupt the suspensions and expulsions in early care or education. Read the story from Disability Scoop: www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/01/06/a...

It's 2026 and our first issue of The Spotlight is out! You can read it here: mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotl...

Policy relief for family caregivers seems stalled out. But there are signs of change Family members carry the burden and costs of caring for America's aging population. Federal policy change is slow to come but a new movement and state actions are building momentum.

Some policy watchers & advocates say views are shifting: caregiving is no longer seen as just a family issue, but a labor & economic one. The Care Can’t Wait coalition unites labor, aging, & disability groups to elevate family caregiving on the national policy agenda. www.npr.org/2025/12/30/n...

In the background is the dome of the Pennsylvania Capitol building. A Slice of PIE, Communication from the Policy Information Exchange. Volume 26, Issue 4, Winter 2025. Pennsylvania and National Policy News Impacting People with Disabilities and their Families. Logo for PADDC, PA Developmental Disabilities Council.

Get your disability policy news! The new Slice of PIE newsletter from the PADDC funded Policy Information Exchange (PIE) is now available here: www.paddc.org/slice-of-pie...

#Disability #Policy #Pennsylvania

Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79 Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.

National disability leader Bob Kafka passed away yesterday. A fierce advocate, he was always found out in front of any issue that impacted people with disabilities.

www.npr.org/2025/12/27/g...

35 years after ADA, people with disabilities still find hotels unaccommodating AN NPR survey finds that people with disability still find hotels unaccommodating, even 35 years after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Disabled people all over the country, including #Pennsylvania, participated in this survey. It found that while most people said they want to travel more, some said the problems with hotels make them want to travel less.

www.npr.org/2025/12/24/n...

#Disabilities #ADA

National Council on Disability | Disability Competency Training RFI posted to Federal Register AGENCY: National Council on Disability (NCD). ACTION: Notice; request for information. SUMMARY: NCD is requesting information to help inform a policy brief it will be publishing concerning the need fo...

National Council on Disability seeks input for a policy brief on the need for disability-focused clinical care and competency training for medical professionals. Electronic comments are due by 11:59 PM EST Jan. 6, 2026, via email to asoliman@ncd.gov www.ncd.gov/2025/12/01/d...

A limited number of parent scholarships are available for those who may want to go to the PA Department of Education Conference in February. Pennsylvania residents who have school-age children with a current IEP are eligible to apply. January 2, 2026 is the deadline! www.pattan.net/Training/Con...

Philadelphians With Disabilities Increasingly Are Finding Employment Philadelphia had the highest rate of disability among America’s 10 most populous cities, with 17% of respondents reporting at least one disability of some kind, according to five-year census data from...

A new Pew Charitable Trusts study shows a rise in employment among Philadelphians with disabilities. But the findings also show that more work is needed to remove barriers and expand job opportunities for working-age adults with disabilities. www.pew.org/en/research-...

#Philadelphia #Disability

New IUP program aims to help students with intellectual disabilities live independently A new IUP program for those with intellectual disabilities will aim to fill a “real need” in Indiana and Armstrong counties. The Crimson Hawks...

It's great to see yet one more #Pennsylvania college program for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities/autism. Congratulations to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) ! The new program is called The Crimson Hawks Bridge www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...

Children of different backgrounds and abilities are playing in a graphic that is centered. One holds balloons. Another flies a kite. Inclusive Schools Week. Children First. Building a Stronger Tomorrow. Inclusive Schools week 2025 Logo for the PADDC Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

Inclusive Schools Week 2025 celebrates the theme “Children First,” inspired by the Maasai greeting asking, “How are the children?” It reminds us us to ensure all students—especially those with disabilities—are supported, valued, and included.

PADDC Outlooks Fall 2025

The Fall 2025 PADDC Outlooks Newsletter is out. Read it here! www.paddc.org/wp-content/u...

A young woman has her head laying on a dog's head while she embraces the dog. Provide Input on Use of Emotional Support Animals. Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission will use public input to develop draft guidance on emotional support animals.

The #Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is seeking public input on emotional support animals (ESAs). ESAs have access rights in housing but not other public accommodations. The commission is exploring future guidance and welcomes community feedback. Read about it: www.pa.gov/agencies/phr...

They Need a Ventilator To Stay Alive. Getting One Can Be a Nightmare. - KFF Health News Few nursing homes are set up to care for people needing help breathing with a ventilator because of ALS or other infirmities. Insurers often resist paying for ventilators at home, and innovative progr...

Only 347 of the nation’s roughly 14,500 nursing homes have specialized units dedicated to people on ventilators, forcing people with ALS or MS to move far from families. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

A group of 4 diverse students, including a girl with Down syndrome, are sitting at a table and looking in a book. One student is standing behind and leaning over to see what is in the book.

Be sure to check our our December Spotlight e-newsletter. mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotl...

Work or get benefits? People with disabilities don’t have to choose. A McCandless man builds a life around inflatables while navigating disability benefits, work opportunities and employment rules.

Great article about people with disabilities working and also having the ability to receive public benefits. It doesn't have to be one or the other.
#Disability #Employment

www.publicsource.org/balancing-di...

There are three photos of diverse students with disabilities in classroom settings. Logo for PA Developmental Disabilities Council. 50th Anniversary. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WERE GUARANTEED A FREE, APPROPRIATE PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION. On Nov. 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Right to Education legislation, which later became Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Fifty years ago today, Pres. Gerald Ford signed the law now known as IDEA, guaranteeing every child with a disability the right to a free, appropriate public education. Before it, many were excluded; afterward, doors opened & inclusion grew—driven by the tireless ADVOCACY of families and educators.

A garland of fall leaves and berries is across the top, with two leave sprigs on each side of the bottom. Happy Thanksgiving from PADDC PA Developmental Disabilities Council.

Happy Thanksgiving from the PA Developmental Disabilities Council!

Should AI Tell a Joke With You—or for You? | Maryland Today Research Finds That Users of Speech-Generating Devices Weigh Risks of Losing Their Own Voice When Delivering Witty Remarks

This experimental app helps users of speech-generating devices add humor and other engaging communication. But its AI may sometimes shape or influence what users say, not just support it. Read about its development here: today.umd.edu/should-ai-te...

A partial view of the dome of the Pennsylvania State capitol building. Some Areas of Increased Funding for Disability Issues in Pennsylvania State Budget: $40M for special education: $100 million for mental health and school safety funding for -12 schools; $21 million to raise wages for direct care workers; $433,000 for library services for the visually impaired and disabled. Logo for PENNSYLVANIA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL.

After a four-month impasse in the State legislature, Governor Shapiro was finally able to sign the 2025–2026 #Pennsylvania budget. His press release highlights several areas of increased funding for #disability related services. Read the full release here: www.pa.gov/governor/new...