Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Coucil (PADDC)

If you are an adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities/ or autism or the parents of a school-age child with intellectual or developmental disabilities/autism in Pennsylvania, check out this opportunity!

Black background with brightly colored lights shining down from the top. Spotlight. October 2025. Highlights of the activities, advocacy, and interests of the PADDC, logo for the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

Our October enewsletter is out! Please have a read here: mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotl...

Three people with disabilities are in photos along the side. An older man, a black woman, and a young woman. Logo for the PADDC PA Developmental Disabilities Council. JOIN THE COUNCIL. ARE YOU SOMEONE WHO: Has a Developmental Disability and lives in Pennsylvania? Cares about self determination and inclusion? Is interested in teaming up with others to share ideas and strengthen services, support, and opportunities for people with disabilities? GET NOMINATED!

Accepting Nominations! We’re looking for Council members with developmental #disabilities - in particular, people who live or have lived in a state institution or intermediate care facility.
✅ Nominate yourself or someone else.
✅ Forms & details are on our website.
www.paddc.org/seeking-nomi...

There is a dark blue background with stars and bursts that are light blue, red, and white. National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Celebrating Value and Talent #NDEAM. Logo for Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

It's October and so it is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! This year's theme is Celebrating Value and Talent. NDEAM highlights the invaluable contributions that people with disabilities make to America's workplaces and economy.
#NDEAM #DisabilityEmployment

Congressional Proposal Calls For Sending More Medicaid Funds To Institutions Disability advocates are lining up against a bipartisan bill that they say would direct tens of billions of dollars toward institutionalization all while community-based services are likely to face cu...

www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/09/25/c...

Pa. city one of the best for people with disabilities, report finds A city in Pennsylvania has been listed among the top 10 best in the United States for those with disabilities.

TWO #Pennsylvania cities found to be in top 25 best for people with #disabilities. “The best cities have highly-accessible public facilities and housing, high-quality medical care, and an affordable cost of living for people on a fixed income.” www.pennlive.com/life/2025/09...

ID: Blue background graphic with white text that reads: “Did you know, people with disabilities are 2–4x more likely to get injured or die in a disaster? To be clear, the issue isn’t disability itself; it’s the lack of systemic inclusive preparedness and the lack of options that make it impossible to plan effectively. Together, we need to change this because disabled people deserve to survive.” The Partnership logo is at the bottom.

This month highlights why inclusive planning saves lives. Without it, people with disabilities face unnecessary risks during disasters. We all share responsibility for creating emergency systems that truly protect every life and every body/mind. #NationalPreparednessMonth

For students with #disabilities, along with families and caregivers, the start of a new school year can be challenging. But with preparation, advocacy, and community, this year can be one of growth, confidence, and connection.

bit.ly/4nlqhHH

Split-screen graphic with a blue sidebar that says “ADA FACTS.” The right side reads: **MYTH** “The ADA no longer matters — everything is already accessible.” **FACT** “Barriers still exist in employment, transportation, digital access, and public spaces. The ADA remains essential in advancing equity and ensuring rights are upheld.” The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center logo appears in the top right corner.

Access gaps remain in employment, transportation, technology, and public spaces. The ADA continues to play a critical role in protecting rights and advancing inclusion.

#ADA #DisabilityRights #AccessibilityMatters #EquityNow

A computer keyboard is at the top. Tech Champion Munch and Learn. Our Tech Champion representatives Alexa and Greg will share about the easy-read technology guides created by the PADDC Tech Champions. Friday, September 19th, 3:30 - 4:30 pm Eastern. Register for this free session: bitly/techguideswebinar. This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

This Friday the PADDC Tech Champions at Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives will share about the technology guides they developed as part of our grant to them. See below! Friday, Sept. 19th, 3:30 - 4:30 pm Eastern. Register: temple.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
#Disabilities #AssistiveTechnology

The engineer behind seamless experiences: Akash Singh on making accessibility the core of design For Akash Singh, those fingerprints have always been guided by one principle: accessibility is not just a moral imperative, it serves as the foundation of great design. His career demonstrates that…

The engineer behind seamless experiences: Akash Singh on making accessibility the core of design www.digitaljournal.com/business/the... #a11y

A PADDC funded project, Families Reimagining Inclusive Lives (FRIL) at Temple’s @iodtempleu.bsky.social Institute on Disabilities, empowers parents of young children with intellectual/developmental disabilities to embrace inclusion. Don't miss its events this month: “Day on Inclusion and Transition”

Brightly colored spotlights on a black background. Spotlight. September 2025. Highlights of the activities, advocacy, and interests of the PADDC. Logo for Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

Please be sure to check out our September Spotlight Newsletter at mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotl...

New Report Shows “Two-Tiered” Healthcare System for People with Disabilities in Pa. - PennWatch A new report reveals that Pennsylvanians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) routinely receive inferior healthcare, facing longer wait times, inadequate provider training, and syste...

“People with disabilities are being denied the basic standard of care most Pennsylvanians take for granted, often because the system is rushed, undertrained, and not built with them in mind.” pennwatch.org/new-report-s...

#DisabilityHealth #HealthcareMatters #Pennsylvania

Discrimination May Lead Kids With Disabilities To Skip Doctor Visits When children with disabilities experience discrimination, new research finds that the consequences may extend to their physical well-being.

A study looking at more than 24,000 kids with special health care needs found that 1 in 10 faced disability discrimination in healthcare. Kids were twice as likely to go without needed care, according to findings published recently in the journal Pediatrics.
www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/08/26/d...

Two people in a kitchen happily sharing cupcakes. At least one is disabled. In person or online. FRIL Day on Inclusion and Transition. September 9 in Philadelphia. September 17 in Harrisburg. 10 am to 3 pm.

FRIL Day on Inclusion and Transition

2 days, 2 locations. Join online if you prefer!
Sign up today: disabilities.temple.edu/programs-ser...

Tues, 9/9 Temple U Center City Philadelphia
Weds, 9/17 Temple U Harrisburg

🎤 Panel
🗨️ Speaker
🥙 Networking + lunch

Funded by @paddc.bsky.social

Disability Lead launches Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter, marking region’s largest investment in disability leadership PITTSBURGH – Disability Lead, a Chicago-based non-profit dedicated to building disability leadership and civic engagement, officially launched its Southwestern Pennsylvania (SWPA) chapter recently at ...

Disability Lead officially launched its Southwestern #Pennsylvania (SWPA) chapter recently at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh. The event represents the largest single investment in #disability leadership in the SWPA region’s history www.leadertimes.com/news/disabil...

A lap top is open on a desk. In the background is a plant and coffee cup. Logo for the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. A Communication from the Policy Information Exchange, A Slice of Pie. Volume 26, Issue 2. Summer 2025. Pennsylvania and National Policy News Impacting People with Disabilities and Their Families.

For all interested in Disability Policy issues, don't miss the new Slice of Pie from the Policy Information Exchange (PIE) at The Arc of Pennsylvania! We fund PIE to help assure that information on these important issues are available to all. Read it or download here: www.paddc.org/slice-of-pie...

Colorful spotlights are at the top with a black background. Spotlight. August 2025. Highlights of the activities, advocacy and interests of the PADDC. Logo of the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.

Our August Spotlight is out! You can read it here: mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotl...

Temple experts reflect on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 35 years later Sally Gould-Taylor and Shirley Baker from Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities address the ADA’s 35th anniversary.

In this article, Sally Gould-Taylor and Shirley Baker from Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education explain the significance and impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) news.temple.edu/news/2025-07...

The Ride Ahead - POV A community of disability activists help Samuel Habib, 21, navigate the path to adulthood.

Tonight (7/21)! Check local PBS stations for POV’s The Ride Ahead. Follow Sam Habib’s journey to build a life of his choosing. “No one tells you how to be an adult—let alone an adult with a disability.” Can a community of disability activists help him follow his dreams?" www.pbs.org/pov/films/ri...

Trump Administration Delays Effort To Roll Back Federal Disability Rights Protections Federal officials say they will hold off on a plan to fast-track changes to a key disability rights law amid substantial pushback.

The U.S. Department of Energy is slowing its plan to remove building accessibility rules under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act after receiving over 20,000 public comments—most in opposition to the proposed rollback.

www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/07/21/t...

Disabled passengers say they love riding trains. Will Amtrak love them back? For years, disabled passengers have complained about Amtrak and its poor service — that it's too hard for them to ride the train. A new federal report looks at its efforts to get better.

For years, disabled passengers have complained about Amtrak and its poor service — that it's too hard for them to ride the train. A new federal report looks at its efforts to get better.

Pediatricians Get Updated Guidance On Diagnosing Developmental Disabilities The nation's pediatricians are getting new guidelines for how to go about evaluating children who present with global developmental delay or intellectual disability.

Pediatricians are being encouraged to use genetic testing as one tool to diagnose & identify developmental disabilities in children. The guidance states the information can help guide treatment & therapy decisions, provide access to support networks and more. www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/07/14/p...

Logo for LVCIL Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. Community Inclusion for Young Children. A Black woman is holding a young child in an outdoor setting. Beside her is another child smiling. With funding from PADDC PA Developmental Disabilities Council.

If you're in the Lehigh Valley, help spread the word about our PADDC project at Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living LVCIL: Community Inclusion for Young Children! LVCIL supports families in building a world where their child can live, learn, & play without barriers. lvcil.org/other-servic...

Screen shot of a post. Logo for Pennsylvania Health Law Project. Nothing is changing about Medicaid right now. Any changes resulting from the budget reconciliation bill passed on July 4th will happen over time. You can still apply for Medicaid, renew your coverage, and access healthcare as usual. Be sure to update your contact info with the County Assistance Office to ensure you get important updates and renewal paperwork. Read more about how to update your information with Medicaid here: http://bit.ly/4nJAE8x Logo for Pennsylania Health Law Project Attention! Nothing is changing about Medicaid Right Now!

Our friends at @pahealthlaw.bsky.social are reminding us that nothing has changed yet with Medicaid. You can *still* apply, renew, etc. Medicaid. SEE BELOW! (The Medicaid changes built into the recently signed reconciliation budget bill will come later.) Read More: www.phlp.org/en/news/how-...

What Disability Pride Month can teach us about innovation, accessibility, and the future of tech AudioEye reports that Disability Pride Month highlights how innovations in accessibility benefit everyone, urging businesses to prioritize inclusive design.

The Americans with Disabilities Act transformed the built environment, but it also improved everyday life for everyone through innovations originally designed for people with disabilities. www.wpxi.com/news/what-di...

#ADA #Disabilities

Join our Inclusive Recreation Resources Webinar on July 14, 2025 | Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council Online resource discussion on inclusive play and recreation for families and children with disabilities. Join us for an informative and uplifting discussion with experts from around the country who wo...

Our free Inclusive Recreation Resources webinar is this Monday! Join us and learn how to create inclusive spaces in your own community! www.paddc.org/join-our-inc...

Logo for PADDC, PA Developmental Disabilities Council. Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities will learn to use generic technology to meet their personal goals. An Amazon Alexa device is on a table. Next to it is an image of someone using a lap top and a phone being used for social media.

Everyday generic technology can be a game-changer for people with developmental disabilities. We funded Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives to highlight the "what" and "how" of the technology and it's created guides that you can download here: techowlpa.org/at-champions...