Issue 7 | October 2025
A Story of Self-Advocacy
by Jonathan Fulton and Melody DeFilippo
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Melody DeFilippo, Supports Broker, about the journey of one of her participants, Taylor. A big shout-out to Taylor for allowing us to share his story! Melody has worked as a Certified Supports Broker since 2018. Melody shared with me about Taylor, who identifies as being deaf and autistic. In describing Taylor’s transition from high school, “it was a bit of a culture shock going from a school setting to a consolidated waiver-funded service,” Melody stated.
In addition to receiving Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), Taylor was also working with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), which helped provide interpreter services for her In anticipation of the OVR services coming to an end, Melody said, “We got together as a team and were asked by the Support Coordinator (SC) and Common-Law Employer (CLE) to look into Assistive Technology (AT) that would help Taylor.” After going through multiple interpreting options, it was determined that Taylor is most successful with an in-person interpreter.” At that time, in-person interpreter services were not waiver-funded. To assist in this, Taylor and his family met with the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the county to advocate for interpreter services to be added to the waiver program. This would no longer limit interpreter services, yet add to team meetings, medical appointments, etc. It took almost a year and a half to advocate, but now Taylor can have an in-person interpreter when an Support Service Provider (SSP) or natural support may not be available.
Since interpreter services have been added to the waiver, Taylor has continued to thrive in a self-directed life. I asked Melody for an example. “When Taylor and his family went to a wedding, he was able to have an interpreter. This allowed Taylor to enjoy the wedding of an individual without relying on his mother as an interpreter. This was a meaningful moment for the family. With the interpreter services, Taylor's Mom was able to enjoy the wedding without having to serve as natural support, and it gave Taylor more independence during this joyous occasion.
Taylor and his family credit his success with the collaboration of the support team. With every obstacle that presented itself to Taylor, the first question he and his family would ask was “What else can we do?” Utilizing community resources helped lay the foundation for Taylor’s advocacy. Throughout this journey, he connected and worked with a deaf advocate and a legal aide who were part of his support team in addition to his family and nature support.
As the Supports Broker, Melody played a key role in educating the family as to what services are available and provided resources for the family. As Taylor continues to thrive, he is living a self-directed life. Melody was also able to find a volunteer to help Taylor participate in the Special Olympics, which led to her helping to onboard that person as a Direct Support Professional (DSP).
As Taylor continues to enjoy his job at the grocery store and immerses himself in the community, he is still focused on a long-term goal of living independently in his own apartment.