The photographs in this collection feature Pennsylvanians with disabilities who use HCBS — Home and Community-Based Services — to live the life they choose. HCBS provides supports and services that empower a person to live in the community of their choice rather than a nursing home, state intellectual disability center, or other congregate care setting.

Josie - Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

Josie outdoors with a man, each holding a small dog in their laps

Josie, along with her husband and dogs, lives in rural Western Pennsylvania where she runs her own consulting business. She is a sought-after presenter on the topic of universal design and accessibility for people with disabilities and was instrumental in the development of the #IWantToWork social media campaign.

Josie, a white woman with medium length brown hair holds her small dog in her lap outside in her wheelchair. She uses a breathing tube

Josie depends on the life-sustaining use of assistive technology, without home and community-based services to support Josie and her breathing apparatus, she would most likely be relegated to a hospital setting.

Josie and family around dinner table with Christmas decor holding hands to say grace

This project is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council; in part by grant #1901PASCDD-02, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

For more information, please contact

iod@temple.edu
215-204-1356