Pennsylvania Department of Aging Grant

posted March 2021

Institute receives $300,000 to create modules to train Person-Centered Counselors for older Pennslvanians.
More about the PA Department of Aging grant

CreATe Together: Making Something Out of Nothing

posted March 2021

Learn about one of the Institute's fastest growing projects.
The CreATe Together program

New Institute Executive Director Named

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

Virtual Lunch and Learn Offers Overview of Social Role Valorization

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

We Will Talk About These Days

New collection of stories from people with disabilities on living life during a pandemic
We Will Talk About These Days: more

Institute Recruits for Employment-Related Focus Groups

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

November is Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Pennsylvania

Posted November 2020

Read Governor Wolf's proclamation

Multi-State Report Shows that Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disability (ID/A) Face Higher Risk of Dying from COVID-19 than General Public

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

Institute on Disabilities named as a 2020 Pew Center for Arts & Heritage grantee

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

Election 2020: Voting with a Disability in PA

Posted October 2020

Questions about voting? Check out this informational video about voting with a disability in Pennsylvania.
Watch the voting video

New Training Modules on Racism, Ableism, and the School-to-Prison Pipeline

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

Opening Doors to College: Multi-Million Dollar Grant Will Change Lives at Temple University and Partnering Pennsylvania Universities

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

Policy Tip: Early Voting in PA

Exercise your right to inform policymakers.
Early voting

On the Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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

Policy Tip: Your Vote is Your Voice

Be Prepared. Be Informed. Have a Plan. Vote!
Read the policy tip

Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week

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

On the Passing of Thomas Gilhool, Esq.

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

Policy: Testimony before PA House Committee

This week's Pinch of Policy features advocate Shawn Aleong's testimony addressing the need for inclusive education.
Read the full text of testimony

Institute Recieves Grant for Older Pennsylvanians

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

Institute Launches Virtual Performance Series

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

Policy: Federal Relief Package

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

Comments from our Interim Executive Director

"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

Celia Feinstein Receives Service to the Field Award

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

Institute Adapts during COVID-19 to Continue and Improve its Work for and with People with Disabilities

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

Salute Your Supports

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

Institute's Project Encourages Full Census Participation

Community Conversations, Connections and Counting project engages with undercounted Latinx and disability communities to enhance Census participation.
Census project - how to follow and learn

New Program Gets Tech to the People Who Need It

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

Institute Awarded Art & Culture Grant

posted March 2020

Philadelphia Cultural Fund awards grant to the Institute's Media Arts & Culture program.
More about the grant

Vocabulary Board for COVID-19 Coronavirus

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

COVID-19 Information and Resources

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

Updates on the Institute's Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic and How We Will Continue to Serve You

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

Institute Names Interim Executive Director

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