Accessible Media and Documents
National Center on Accessible Educational Materials - funded by the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education
University of Minnesota Web Design References: Accessibility
How People with Disabilities Use the Web - W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
Accessible Social - best practices for accessible, inclusive social media content
Accessible Documents: Word, PowerPoint, and Acrobat - by WebAIM
A Guide to PDF Accessibility - by Level Access
Create Accessible PDFs: Guidance - by Section508.gov
Creating Accessible Resources - for websites and documents, by Disability and Philanthropy Forum
Digital Accessibility Courses and Accessibility Reference Library - by Deque University
Recorded Accessibility Webinars - by WeCo
Universal Design for Learning - by CAST
Accessible Events and Environments
Guide to Accessible Event Planning (PDF) - by Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Considerations when hosting a sensory-friendly event - from Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT)
Guide to Accessible Philadelphia - by Visit Philadelphia
Event Accessibility Considerations - by Disability BelongsTM
Making Events Accessible - W3C's checklist for remote, in-person, or hybrid meetings, conferences, presentations, and training
Really Inclusive Online Conferences - Video: Inclusive Design 24 presentation by John Allsopp
Advocacy and Self-Advocacy
Self Advocates United as 1 - self advocates supporting self advocacy of people with disabilities
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs)
PA Waiting List Campaign - campaign to end waiting lists for community supports and services
Little People of America - national organization providing support and information to people of short stature and their families
Aging
Aging and Disability Networks - list maintained by ACL, the Administration for Community Living
Eldercare Locator - ACL's tool to help find services for older adults and their families
Arts and Culture
Art-Reach - creating and advocating for accessible opportunities in the arts
Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia - Delaware Valley art organization promoting and celebrating autistic, neurodivergent, and intellectual disabled artists
Disability Arts Online blog - creative perspectives from disabled artists in England
Pew Center for Arts & Heritage - grantmaking to provide support for artists and organizations
Kinetic Light Disability Arts Ensemble - disability arts ensemble working in the disciplines of art, technology, design, and dance
Assistive Technology
TechOWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives: Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) Program and part of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, helping people with disabilities and others explore and access tools and technology for school, work, and life in the community
National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Center - provides training and technical assistance for Assistive Technology (AT) Act Programs
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of N. America (RESNA)
AgrAbility Toolbox: Searchable database of assistive technology solutions for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, plus technical reports
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
AACCommunity.net—Resources for Augmentative and Alternative Communication
International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication
United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC)
Autism
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services-Autism Insurance Act (Act 62)
ASAN - Autistic Self Advocacy Network - nonprofit run by and for autistic people
Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy - building community, supporting local organizations, empowering autistic leaders, working with policy makers
Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT), funded by PA's Office of Developmental Programs
Blind and Low Vision Resources
Civic Engagement | Elections | Voting
Disability-Focused Resources for Pennsylvania Voters - collected and maintained by the Institute on Disabilities
Disability Voting Coalition of PA - a project of Disability Rights Pennsylvania
PA Youth Vote - nonpartisan collaboration of youth, educators, and organizations whose mission is to elevate youth voices, improve public school civics education, and empower youth as civic actors
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources
Pennsylvania Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - an office of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry providing advocacy, information, and referral
- American Society for Deaf Children
Good Shepherd Mediation Center - Deaf & Hard of Hearing Mediation Program
Hearing Loss Association of America Pennsylvania State Office
Western PA School for the Deaf CORES Program - Deaf Education Program
Disabled Voices: Blogs and Podcasts
Living Blindfully - "the podcast devoted to helping you live your best life with blindness or low vision," hosted by Jonathan Mosen
Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network - focus on transformative and restorative justice in disability spaces
Accessibility Craft Podcast - Conversations on website accessibility
Early Intervention
Families First - free empowerment training on the basics of early intervention in the Philadelphia school system
A Family's Introduction to Early Intervention in Pennsylvania
Early Intervention Questions and Answers - from the Education Law Center
Education
Questions and Answers About Your Child's Transitions Throughout the Lifespan
Networks for Training and Development - a nonprofit "promoting inclusive communities through quality training, consultation, and practice for individuals with disabilities, families, businesses, neighborhoods, and communities"
Think College - Information about college options for students with intellectual disability
D.R.E.A.M. Partnership - funding for Central PA institutions of higher education and resources and support for families, educators and students, promoting college as an option for students with intellectual disabilities
Emergency Preparedness and Recovery
Emergency Communication Aids - free to download
Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities - from Ready.gov
Build Your Emergency Kit - from Ready.gov
Emergency Preparedness Resources for Persons with Disabilities - from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Fire Safety for People with Disabilities - U.S. Fire Administration
Humane Society of the U.S. - Make a Disaster Plan for Your Pets
ADA Guide for Local Governments - Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities
Employment
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry: "Hiring People with Disabilities: How-To-Guide"
Ticket to Work Program - PA Dept of Labor and Industry
PA CAP (Client Assistance Program) - no-cost assistance and advocacy to applicants for and recipients of OVR services
PA Careerlink - part of Pennsylvania's Department of Labor & Industry, matching job-seekers and employers
Career One Stop's resources for workers with disabilities - sponsored by the U.S. Dept of Labor
What Can You Do? The Campaign for Disability Employment - showcase of supportive and inclusive workplaces
U.S. Dept of Labor Office of Disability Empolyment Policy (ODEP)
Center for Research on Disability's nTide Lunch n Learn monthly series - news and numbers about disability employment
Financial | Funding
Money Smart Financial Education Program - from the FDIC
Health | Healthcare
Coronavirus Resources for People with Disabilities and Those who Provide Care - via the PA DD Council
Mental Health Partnerships (formerly MHASP) - Philadelphia region - "collaboratively builds hope and promotes the well-being of people in recovery through innovative peer-centered advocacy, learning and services"
Healthy Sexuality - a Health Equity project of the Institute on Disabilities
Dental Health: Best Practices in state, territorial and community oral health programs
History of Disability
Visionary Voices interviews with leaders of Pennsylvania's Intellectual Disability Rights Movement
Dennis E. Haggerty Papers Archive - at the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Philadelphia attorney Dennis E. Haggerty was a prominent figure in the disability rights’ movement from the 1960s through the 1980s.
The Fialkowski Papers - at the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Leona Fialkowski was a lifelong disability rights pioneer and activist in Philadelphia.
Visions of Equality Oral Histories - at the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries
Documentary: "Valuing Lives: Wolf Wolfensberger and the Principle of Normalization"
People with Disabilities bibliography, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Housing
Self Determination Housing Project (SDHP) - Advocacy for accessible and affordable housing
City of Philadelphia Division of Housing and Community Development
The Housing and Disability Technical Assistance Program (TAP)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Pennsylvania Resources
Independent Living Research Utilization - Research, education and consultation in the areas of independent living, home and community-based services, and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Laws | Rights | Legal Advocacy | Public Policy
Disability Rights Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania's Protection and Advocacy agency
The Education Law Center - focusing on PA's most underserved children, ELC's "mission is to ensure access to a quality public education for all children in Pennsylvania"
Pennsylvania Health Law Project - "non-profit legal services organization that represents Pennsylvanians who need help getting or keeping Medicaid"
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - 1990 civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability
ADA National Network - Information, Guidance, and Training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
News | Journalism | Media
4 key tips for reporting on and writing about people with disabilities - by Chloe Reichel at The Journalist's Resource
Resources for Reporters Writing About Blindness and Vision Loss
Disability Language Style Guide - National Center on Disability and Journalism
Parents | Families | Caregivers
Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center, Pennsylvania's Parent Training and Information Center
Postsecondary Education
Think College - Information about college options for students with intellectual disability
Rethinking College film by Think College "explores the growing movement to include students with intellectual disability in higher education"
Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID)
Universal Design for Learning – tips for improving accessibility and engagement in college coursework
Sports | Fitness | Recreation | Travel | Leisure
Accessible Outdoor Recreation in PA (PA Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources)
Adaptive Sports Directory - by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
Transportation
Seniors and Persons with Disabilities - PA Department of Transportation
SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) Accessibility
Voting and Elections
- Pennsylvania Voter Resources - Disability- and Pennsylvania-focused voting resources
- Pennsylvania Voting and Elections - Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of State
- Accessible Voting in Pennsylvania
More Resources: Organizations and General Information
Organizations and Agencies: State/Local
Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs, Department of Human Services (ODP)
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) - professional development and technical assistance focused on student results
DBHIDS Division of Intellectual disAbility Services - administers services in Philadelphia County, under contract with the PA's Office of Developmental Programs
Liberty Resources - Philadelphia - advocacy, information and referral, peer support, training, transition/youth services
Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, Philadelphia - includes both the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities and the Office of ADA Compliance
Special Kids Network - "The SKN helpline assists providers and parents of children and youth with special health care needs access local services and supports."
Organizations/Agencies, National
- Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Administration on Developmental Disabilities, US Department of Health and Human Services
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) - nonprofit/nonpartisan, empowerment and advocacy for civil rights of Americans with disabilities
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
United Cerebral Palsy - advocacy, research, education, and resources promoting inclusion, independence, and opportunity. Leads a national network of affiliates.
The Arc - US - nonprofit, advocacy and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families