IOD Newsletter April 2026

IOD Joins Nonprofits Exploring AI at Eagles Care Summit

Elijah Youngs, Project Coordinator at the Institute on Disabilities (IOD), attended the 12th Annual Eagles Care Summit 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field last month. The summit brought together more than 150 nonprofits to explore practical ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency and community impact.

Elijah established new connections with community partners, creating opportunities for future collaboration between the IOD and the Philadelphia Eagles’ community initiatives. Thanks for representing the IOD, Elijah!

Eli Youngs poses with the Philadelphia Eagles mascot Swoop, and two cheerleaders

Updates from the IOD

Gould-Taylor Transitions from IOD

Sally Gould-Taylor, the Executive Director of the IOD, resigned as executive director at the Institute on Disabilities in early March. You can find our full statement on our website. We are conducting a national search for a new executive director. More information / how to apply

White flowers with yellow centers bloom in front of a brick building with large white letters that spell out Ritter Hall Annex above its entrance

Grassia Represents IOD

On March 10 and 11, Laura Grassia, the Program Manager of the Free Phones Program, attended the Department of Labor & Industry’s Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) Biennial Hearing Loss Expo in Camp Hill. Grassia tabled at the event, delivered a presentation on Tools for Hearing, and talked with Secretary of Labor Nancy Walker, who shared plans to visit the TechOWL Community Space later this spring. Thank you for representing the IOD, Laura!

IOD Staff Highlighted by Media Outlets

Monique Chabot, associate director of assistive technology, was featured in a news article from the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA).
Lisa Sonneborn, media arts and culture director, was featured on the OVERexpressed and OUT podcast.
Jule Ann Lieberman, assistive technology program coordinator, was featured in the Through Our Eyes podcast.
Guy Caruso, western coordinator for the IOD, was featured on the Where The Ramp Ends podcast.

Congratulations to all of our staff members highlighted this month by media outlets!

Upcoming IOD Events and Opportunities

Assistive Tech During Philly Tech Week

Join TechOWL during Philly Tech Week on Tuesday, May 5 at Inglis Innovation Center for an interactive showcase of assistive devices that keep inclusivity at the forefront of technology design.

Whether you’re curious about virtual reality, robotics, smart home technology, or 3D printed solutions, come explore assistive and enabling technologies that support everyone’s ability to live, learn, and work more independently. TechOWL, Inglis, and many other groups will be there! Register for the showcase on Eventbrite.

Text that reads, AT in Action: Technology Demonstration. Illustrations of a mobile phone, game controllers, and more technology

Disability Pride Harrisburg

The Institute on Disabilities, as a sponsor of Disability Pride, will be tabling at Disability Pride Harrisburg on April 24 from 11 am to 3 pm. The celebration will include food, dessert, music, face painting, ASL and visual interpreters, accessible restrooms, a sensory zone, lowered speaker output, and clear signage. Register for Disability Pride Harrisburg

Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities

Join us on Wednesday, April 22 to learn about tools and accommodations that can support your safety in case of a disaster. This webinar will cover general shelter-in-place or go bag supplies, as well as dive into issues that disproportionately impact our families, such as planning for power failures and the potential to be separated from caregivers. Register for the Emergency Planning webinar

illustration of a red backpack surrounded by items for emergency preparedness, including flashlight, water, radio, gloves, medicine, and a charging bank

Share Stories for HBCS

The IOD is part of the PA Coalition for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The Coalition is looking for stories from Pennsylvanians with disabilities who receive Medicaid Waiver funded services and supports that help them to live their best lives in their own home or community.

If you have a story to share, please contact Jamie Ray-Leonetti at Jamie.ray-leonetti@temple.edu. You can also support by liking the coalition's Facebook page or sharing our stories on social media. #MedicaidIsMoreThanMedicine

Text that reads: We're more than a group of concerned people. We're a coalition united by a shared vision for Home And Community-Based Services (HCBS). Colorful illustration of people of various abilities in front of the shape of Pennsylvania

Supports Broker Training

Join us on April 27 and 28 for Supports Broker Training! Supports Brokers provide a waiver-funded service available to people who are using the person-and family-directed, community living or consolidated waivers in Pennsylvania AND choose to self-direct one or more of their waiver-funded services and supports.

The Institute on Disabilities, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs, runs the certification and re-certification programs. Learn more about Supports Broker training

Two people sit at a table, one using a wheelchair. The other person takes notes on a tablet out

More Opportunities and Updates

Paid Research Opportunities about Employment Services: Our Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) Research team is running a survey for service providers who provide services for people with disabilities, as well as for people with disabilities who use languages other than English. Learn more about the survey.

Find Us at the Direct Services Professional Conference: IOD will have an information table at Step by Step's second free Direct Services Professional Conference on April 10, from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, at Commonwealth Charter Academy in Homestead, PA. To register, email DSPconference2026@gmail.com or call 412-735-0947.

Disability Summit: The City of Philadelphia's Office for People with Disabilities will host its first Disability Summit at Inglis Innovation Center in Philadelphia on Friday, April 17, 2026. The IOD will have an information table at the event, which will include speakers, panels, presentations, and disability resources. More about the Disability Summit

Doctoral Candidate Makes Thesis Competition Final: Jaggar DeMarco, IOD trainee and current doctoral candidate, was a finalist for Temple University's March Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Congratulations, Jaggar!

Western PA Disability History and Action Consortium: The Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium is grateful to the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University for renewing its commitment as a Nonprofit Supporter. Learn more about joining the Consortium's Supporters Program and how to donate. The Institute is an affiliate of the Consortium, and Guy Caruso, the Institute's Western Coordinator, sits on the Executive Committee of the Consortium. Visit the Consortium website for more information.

About Us

The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University is one of the sixty-eight University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (UCEDD) working toward a vision of self-determination, independence, productivity, and community inclusion for people with disabilities throughout the lifespan.

The Institute is also home to Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) program, known as TechOWL. TechOWL provides activities designed to help people with disabilities, their families, service providers, and others access and acquire assistive technology devices: device demonstration, device lending, state financing, and device reuse.

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