Temple Theaters, with help from the the Institute on Disabilities (IOD), is leading the way in accessible theater. Temple Theaters is one of the first universities in the world to introduce WatchWord Live from Built for Good, which uses innovative smart glasses that provide customizable captions during live performances. This technology gives deaf and hard-of-hearing theatergoers greater freedom to choose when they attend, where they sit, and how they experience the show.
WatchWord Live debuted at Temple Theaters with Macbeth, and will continue throughout the rest of their performances. Learn more about IOD's role in bringing this technology to Temple Theaters and other Pennsylvania theaters through a Temple Now article: Temple leads the way toward a more accessible theater experience.
Updates
Disability Pride Pittsburgh
The Institute on Disabilities co-sponsored and joined Pittsburgh Disability Pride in late September. Guy Caruso, IOD Western Coordinator, and Chris Duffy, C2P2 graduate, shared materials at our exhibit table. Sierra Green from the Heinz History Center shared how the Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium (the IOD is an affiliate) has influenced Heinz's work.
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L&CS Sophomore Recognized
Sofia Roumiantsev, a sophomore in the Institute's Leadership & Career Studies (L&CS) program, has been named a Ruby's Rainbow Recipient. Ruby's Rainbow is a program that awards scholarships to students with Down syndrome while promoting independence and positivity. Sofia was awarded $3,000. Sofia is also this year's CHOP Buddy Walk Champion. Her team has raised over $9,000 for the event.
Lieberman Recognized
Jule Ann Lieberman, assistive technology program coordinator at the Institute on Disabilities, is now a member of the Access and Technology Professional Division of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), a U.S.-based professional membership organization dedicated to supporting individuals who are blind or have low vision. This designation means that Jule Ann is now an official voting member and is eligible to participate in division governance and voting activities.
IOD at the Zoo
Stacy Phillips and Jonathan Fulton from the Institute's family leadership team attended PA State Senator Amanda Cappelletti’s Sixth Annual Kids’ Fair at the Elmwood Park Zoo on September 14. They hosted an informational table to connect with families and community members while sharing information about our available resources.
C2P2 Class Graduates
On September 19, our family leadership team celebrated the graduation of the 2026 Competence and Confidence: Partners in Policymaking (C2P2) cohort, recognizing 26 parents and self-advocates who learned about valuable resources and developed strategies to advocate for themselves and their family members.
Congratulations to our graduates on their commitment to learning, strengthening their voices, and making a meaningful and positive difference in their communities!
Common Senses Performance
Our thanks to the Common Senses Festival and the Holland Performing Arts Center for presenting the immersive dance installation Rhythm Bath, where we performed 15 shows in two weeks. Audiences were welcomed with expansive invitations from creators Susan Marshall and Mimi Lien: enter this space and be as you are.
Rhythm Bath was coordinated by IOD staff member Lisa Sonneborn in collaboration with Studio Susan Marshall and with major support from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. We're proud to be an early presenter of Rhythm Bath.
NLCDD Bulletin Article
In the latest National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities (NLCDD) Bulletin, our Western Coordinator Guy Caruso explores the principle of Normalization to Social Role Valorization (SRV). SRV focuses on supporting people with disabilities in developing and maintaining valued roles in their communities, helping create opportunities for meaningful relationships, participation, and the good things in life. Read the article (PDF).
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Fall Families First Event
These no-cost learning opportunities are designed for parents of young children receiving early intervention services in Philadelphia. Join us for our next session on Tuesday, October 6 to improve your communication, relationship, advocacy skills, as well as how every generation can play a vital role in supporting early intervention and education. Families First session information.
Accessible Voting Event
Join ArtReach and Philadelphia City Commissioners at the TechOWL Community Space on Tuesday, October 6th, from 5:30 - 7 pm for information about voting in Philadelphia plus a hands-on demonstration of accessible voting technology.
October Lunch and Learn Series Celebrates AAC Awareness Month
IOD's TechOWL speech-language pathologists will present a free AAC webinar lunch and learn series in October. Sessions will be held each Wednesday at 12 noon, ET. Register for one or all lunch and learn sessions.
ASL Game Night
Save the date for the next Philly Deaf Champs ASL game event at the TechOWL Community Space, on Saturday October 10, from 2:30 - 4:30 pm.
Acting Workshop
The Disabled Theater Collective will present an acting workshop at the TechOWL Community Space on Monday, October 19, from 3 - 4 pm.
Wheelchair Visibility Event
Bike accessory manufacturers like Ride Out Supply and Brightz are joining TechOWL to support wheelchair user safety on the roads and crosswalks of Philadelphia. Join a visibility event at the TechOWL Community Space on 1392 Cecil B. Moore on Monday, October 26 from 4 - 7 pm. RSVP for the wheelchair visibility event.
Reflective accessories will be installed for free alongside tune-ups and maintenance support for wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
CDS Webinar
The College of Direct Support (CDS) is an online curriculum designed for professionals who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and is open to self-advocates and family members. The Institute on Disabilities holds bi-monthly webinars on CDS. Our next webinar covers how providers and professionals can use CDS content to satisfy the 55 Pa. Code Chapter 6100 training requirements. The webinar takes place on Tuesday, November 10, at 10 am. Register for the CDS webinar.