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The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University is one of the sixty-seven University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service funded by the Administration on Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Assistive Technology Services
The Institute is home to TechOWL, Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Act program. TechOWL helps people with disabilities explore, find, and get the tools and technology they need to lead a productive life in the home, community, and at work.
Activities include:
- Borrowing devices from the Lending Library
- Providing device demonstrations
- Receive a free special phone
- Find a used device at low cost or free
- Receive equipment for people who are deaf and blind
- Schedule a training or presentation
- Get a custom-made device
Advocacy
Inclusive Health Equity
- Covid-19 Health Disparities
- Healthy Sexuality
Funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), programs striving to ensure health equity for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, who are aging, and those with mental health issues
Inclusive Health Equity
Leadership Development
- Competence and Confidence Partners in Policymaking — C2P2
- Families First - Leadership training for adults and parents of children with intellectual disabilities, providing up-to-date information and skill building about leadership, self-determination, and early intervention
Deconstructing Racism and Ableism in the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Intervention and community training addressing race and disability as important factors in the continuation of the school-to-prison pipeline
Deconstructing Racism and Ableism in the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Emergency Preparedness
Helping Pennsylvanians with disabilities, families, and support personnel think about and prepare for emergencies
Emergency Preparedness
Families Reimagining Inclusive Lives — FRIL
Encouraging families to understand benefits of selecting inclusive (not segregated) options for their young children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Families Reimagining Inclusive Lives — FRIL
Education
Leadership & Career Studies
A four-year certificate program providing young adults with intellectual disabilities an authentic college experience at Temple while developing academic abilities, career aspirations, work skills, and independence
Leadership & Career Studies
The Mini Course Lecture Series on Disabilities
Hosts guest speakers – experts in Disability Studies, Assistive Technology, Leadership Development, Social Policy, and more
Mini Course Lecture Series on Disabilities
College of Direct Support
Online curriculum designed for Direct Support Professionals who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
College of Direct Support
Disability Studies at Temple University
Interdisciplinary collaboration offering lectures, performances, symposia, and more
Disability Studies
Community Integration and Supports
Home and Community Based Services Final Rule — HCBS
Information and resources (in Pennsylvania and nationally) about the HCBS Final Settings Rule—a policy change that helps people with disabilities have services they want
Home and Community Based Services Final Rule — HCBS
Participant-Directed Services — PDS
Information about PDS, which provides a model whereby people with disabilities have more control over where, when, how, and who provides their supports
Participant-Directed Services — PDS
Resources for Supports Brokers
Best practices in supporting people to lead their own services and supports in Pennsylvania
Resources for Supports Brokers
Research and Evaluation
Conducting Participatory Action Research
Designed to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, speech, language and communication disorders, and other disabilities that result in access and functional needs
Conducting Participatory Action Research
IM4Q — Independent Monitoring for Quality
Collecting and disseminating information that might help improve the quality of life of people with disabilities
IM4Q — Independent Monitoring for Quality
Employment
Programs working with people with disabilities to help achieve equal employment opportunities
College of Employment Services
Online curriculum designed for the professionals who guide people with disabilities toward fulfilling jobs
College of Employment Services
Media Arts and Culture
Media Arts and Culture
Arts initiatives, and working collaboratively with university and community-based arts organizations and practitioners, to create innovative, fully accessible cultural programming, including oral history, archival preservation, documentary, exhibition, and public performance
Media Arts and Culture
Contact Us
Institute on Disabilities, College of Education and Human Development
Ritter Annex 4, Room RA 430, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19122
voice: 215-204-1356
[click-for-email]
https://disabilities.temple.edu