For a listing of upcoming news and events, jump to our calendar.
posted February 2021
Sally Gould-Taylor, PhD has been named Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education and Human Development, effective January 1, 2021, after serving as Interim Executive Director since March 2020.
Full story about the new executive director
posted February 2021
Guy Caruso, Western Coordinator of the Institute on Disabilities will present a webinar on March 4, 2021 titled Living the Good Life - Enabling Vulnerable People to Have Valued Social Roles: A Brief Introduction to Social Role Valorization.
Register for the webinar
posted December 2020
New collection of stories from people with disabilities on living life during a pandemic
We Will Talk About These Days: more
posted December 2020
The Institute has scheduled two focus groups in December around the topic of employment. Participants must be a Pennsylvanian who receives HCBS Waiver Services. Family members welcome.
Employment Focus Groups: more
Posted November 2020
Posted October 2020
Data collected from eight states, including Pennsylvania, show that while people with Intellectual Disability or Autism are about as likely to contract COVID-19, these individuals are significantly more likely to die from a COVID-19 infection than are members of the general public.
Higher risk of death from COVID-19: story
Posted October 2020
Grant awarded to fund "Reclaiming our Past, Constructing Our Future: A Collaborative Exploration of the Pennhurst Archive," a community-led exploration of the Pennhurst State School and Hospital Archives.
Pew grant award: story
Posted October 2020
Questions about voting? Check out this informational video about voting with a disability in Pennsylvania.
Watch the voting video
Posted October 2020
Two training modules titled "Deconstructing Racism and Ableism and the School-to-Prison Pipeline" are now available on the Institute's website.
Deconstructing Racism and Ableism and the School-to-Prison Pipeline modules
posted October 2020
The $2.38 million grant will help to change lives, create learning opportunities, and promote the value of full inclusion for all community members.
Department of Education grant: story
week ending October 2, 2020
Exercise your right to inform policymakers.
Early voting
posted September 2020
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg passed away Friday, September 18, 2020, at the age of 87. While perhaps best known for her work to promote gender equality, Justice Ginsburg was a tireless advocate for equality of opportunity for all.
Read the full statement by Sally Gould-Taylor
posted September 2020
Be Prepared. Be Informed. Have a Plan. Vote!
Read the policy tip
posted September 2020
Celebrate those who support people with disabilities by helping them be part of their communities.
Read "salutes," or appreciations, of support professionals and share your own.
Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week
posted September 2020
A personal reflection on the passing of Thomas Gilhool, attorney and vocal advocate for people with disabilities in Pennsylvania, by Kate Fialkowski, Institute Director of Academic Programs.
Thomas Gilhool remembered
posted August 2020
This week's Pinch of Policy features advocate Shawn Aleong's testimony addressing the need for inclusive education.
Read the full text of testimony
Posted August 2020
A $672,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging will enable the Institute's TechOWL program to purchase hundreds of iPads, laptops and other devices to facilitate communication for older Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.
More about the Department of Aging grant
posted August 2020
Punch Light, a virtual performance project highlighting the work of artists with disabilities, is now available on the Institute's website.
More about the Punch Light series
posted July 2020
This week's Pinch of Policy is about the federal COVID-19 relief package (COVID 4)—its key points and how you can support it.
More about the relief package
posted June 2020
"We can't expect others to take up the anti-ableist fight with us, if we aren't anti-racist. ... I am so proud of our work and our staff's continued commitment to creativity, flexibility and social justice."
Comments by Sally Gould-Taylor and letter from Temple's College of Education Dean, Gregory Anderson
posted June 2020
The award is given annually by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) for "contributions to improved service to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities."
Feinstein receives award
update: May 2020
Our existing programs have adapted, and in response to needs, we introduced new programs and provided important resources.
Read the latest updates about our work
posted May 2020
Join the #SaluteOurSupports movement to recognize your support service professional, direct support professional, or personal care attendant.
Learn how to join the Salute Our Supports movement
posted April 2020
Community Conversations, Connections and Counting project engages with undercounted Latinx and disability communities to enhance Census participation.
Census project - how to follow and learn
posted April 2020
TechOWL's new program, "Connect With Tech," sends unused devices to people with disabilities in Pennsylvania to help them communicate with others while social distancing.
Donate or apply for technology
posted March 2020
Philadelphia Cultural Fund awards grant to the Institute's Media Arts & Culture program.
More about the grant
posted March 2020
TechOWL, a program of the Institute on Disabilities, developed a vocabulary board with key words around the COVID-19 pandemic topic.
Download the COVID-19 vocabulary board
posted March 2020
A list of websites and other resources for people with disabilities and others in Pennsylvania and beyond.
COVID-19 Information and Resources
posted March 2020
The COVID-19 virus is rapidly changing the way we all interact and support one another, and the way we do our work. Please read our updates regarding our events and services for the upcoming weeks/months.
Read the updates about our work
posted March 2020
Sally Gould-Taylor, PhD has been named Interim Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education.
Full story about Dr. Gould-Taylor