Five-Year Plan

Five-Year Work Plan 2023-2027

Read the Institute on Disabilities' federally-approved 5-year plan, detailing our goals and objectives for the years 2023 through 2027.

1.1. Raise awareness of employers regarding hiring and retention of people with disabilities.
1.2. Create opportunities for mentoring, internships, and employment for people with disabilities at Temple University.
1.3. Educate families, providers, and people with disabilities on the benefits and possibilities of employment.
1.4. Engage in policy analysis regarding increasing employment and better employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

2.1. Expand opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attend inclusive post-secondary education.
2.2. Create free accessible educational programming centered on lived experience of persons with disabilities.
2.3. Integrate principles of inclusive education, universal design, and assistive technology into undergraduate, graduate, staff and faculty training and technical assistance.

3.1. Increase awareness of people with disabilities, older Pennsylvanians, and others regarding the potential and scope of AT.
3.2. Increase use of available AT resources, including but not limited to PA’s AT Lending Library (ATLL) and Assistive Technology Resource Center’s (ATRC) onsite loan programs.
3.3. Promote acquisition of assistive technology devices for people who are unable to obtain them through public or private funding.
3.4. Increase the ability of Pennsylvanians with significant communication support needs to receive appropriate services and supports, across the lifespan.
3.5. Embed information about the scope and benefit of, and funding for assistive technology in the preservice education of diverse disciplines.

4.1. Increase statewide capacity to implement person-directed supports and services (PDSS).
4.2. Provide education and technical assistance on high quality, integrated community supports.
4.3. Measure outcomes regarding quality of life of people with disabilities supported by the intellectual disability (ID)/autism system in PA.
4.4. Provide training and technical assistance on effective Direct Support workforce development practices.
4.5. Provide training and technical assistance to people with disabilities, families, and professionals regarding integrated and inclusive lives for people with autism.

5.1. Provide family training and education about the transition from early intervention to pre-school as well as the transition out of secondary education.
5.2. Address issues of aging for people with disabilities, families, and providers.

6.1. Increase the safety and wellbeing of people with disabilities before, during, and after an emergency or natural disaster.
6.2. In the event of an emergency or natural disaster, needs for assistive technology (AT) will be addressed through AT reuse programs.
6.3. Increase the ability of emergency preparedness systems to address the needs of people with disabilities affected by emergencies or natural disasters.
6.4. Advocate for and teach healthy sexuality for people with disabilities, families, and professionals.
6.5. Increase awareness (public and disability professionals) of the effects of victimization against people with disabilities in education, the workplace, and the community at large.
6.6. Increase the awareness and understanding of provider organizations, family members, and criminal justice and victim services systems on the connection between sexual violence and sexually offending behaviors.
6.7. Work with the Institute on Protective Services at Temple University to deliver training on interviewing people with intellectual disabilities.
6.8. Create opportunities for research, education, and training to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure health equity for all Pennsylvanians including those with the most significant disabilities.
6.9. Provide training and technical assistance to medical and allied health professionals.

7.1. Provide training and technical assistance to families to assist them in developing and planning for the formal and informal supports they need.
7.2. Build capacity for lifelong planning resources.

8.1. Use the Competence and Confidence Partners in Policymaking (C2P2) model to provide leadership development training.
8.2. Provide interdisciplinary pre-service training, mentoring, and work experience for the next generation of professionals.
8.3. Act as a catalyst for the re-ignition of a Self-Advocacy Movement in PA.

9.1. Use the Arts as a tool for civic engagement and social change.
9.2. Work in collaboration with Temple Special Collections and other Pennsylvania archives/collections in collection, preservation, and the creation of meaningful opportunities for community engagement and educational programming.
9.3. Develop a statewide social movement network inclusive of disability rights.

10.1. Explore the intersection of disability and other marginalized communities.
10.2. Develop intersectional partnerships to address disparities.
10.3. Expand the representation of members from marginalized communities in social and professional networks.