Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Coucil (PADDC)
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Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Coucil (PADDC)
@paddc.bsky.social
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The Council works to promote advocacy, drive systems change, and build community capacity alongside people with developmental disabilities and their families. We envision a Commonwealth where all people are valued and thrive.
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Fifty years ago today, Pres. Gerald Ford signed the law now known as IDEA, guaranteeing every child with a disability the right to a free, appropriate public education. Before it, many were excluded; afterward, doors opened & inclusion grew—driven by the tireless ADVOCACY of families and educators.
There are three photos of diverse students with disabilities in classroom settings. Logo for PA Developmental Disabilities Council. 50th Anniversary. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WERE GUARANTEED A FREE, APPROPRIATE PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION. On Nov. 29, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Right to Education legislation, which later became Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
November 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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Happy Thanksgiving from the PA Developmental Disabilities Council!
A garland of fall leaves and berries is across the top, with two leave sprigs on each side of the bottom. Happy Thanksgiving from PADDC PA Developmental Disabilities Council.
November 27, 2025 at 2:43 PM
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After a four-month impasse in the State legislature, Governor Shapiro was finally able to sign the 2025–2026 #Pennsylvania budget. His press release highlights several areas of increased funding for #disability related services. Read the full release here: www.pa.gov/governor/new...
A partial view of the dome of the Pennsylvania State capitol building. Some Areas of Increased Funding for Disability Issues in Pennsylvania State Budget: $40M for special education: $100 million for mental health and school safety funding for -12 schools; $21 million to raise wages for direct care workers; $433,000 for library services for the visually impaired and disabled. Logo for PENNSYLVANIA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL.
November 13, 2025 at 8:42 PM
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This is our last Key Technology Principle that guides our grant-making and advocacy. #5. Learning, Education, Ongoing Support. Expertise is built through experience. We need many ways to learn, explore and grow over a lifetime. Read the rest of this key principle here: www.paddc.org/paddc-key-te...
A young woman wearing headphones is seated in front of a laptop computer. She's looking at another woman next to her who appears to be showing her something on the laptop. PENNSYLVANIA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL. Key Technology Principles. # 5. Learning, Education and Ongoing Support. Training, knowledge, skill building, and learning must be continuous and ongoing. Education must be provided in ways that are accessible to individuals with disabilities and their families.
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
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Our Key Technology Principle #4. There are risks with online communities, such as cyber bullying, financial exploitation, & other negative aspects of anonymous social interactions. People should plan how to keep safe and protect themselves. More: www.paddc.org/paddc-key-te...

#AssistiveTechnology
There is a hand holding a cell phone and the other hand is typing. PENNSYLVANIA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL. Key Technology Principles. 4. Security, Privacy and Risk. Each person should have individualized support, information, education, and services to safely access technology. There are risks. People should plan how to keep safe and protect themselves.
November 11, 2025 at 3:40 PM
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Our Number 3 Key Technology Principles: Relationships. Assure technology isn’t a replacement for needed human resources, like direct support staff, friendships, and co-workers. Read the principles here: www.paddc.org/paddc-key-te...

#AssistiveTechnology
Two friends laughing together. One man has down syndrome and is grinning widely. The other many is looking at him with a big smile on his face. PENNSYLVANIA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL Key Technology Principles 3 Relationships. The joys of face-to-face connection with others, reciprocal relationships, and inclusion is important to quality of life. Technology use must be balanced against the risk of losing in-person interactions and decreased time in the community.
November 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
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Continuing to share our PADDC Key Technology Principles, here is the next: #2 Empower People.
Ensure individuals have control of and engage with technology on their own terms. Read the rest of this and our other technology principles here: www.paddc.org/paddc-key-te...

#AssistiveTechnology
A disabled man who uses a wheelchair uses technology such as a sip/puff switch to control his computer. PENNSYLVANIA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL Key Technology Principles #2 Empower people. Ensure people have control of and engage with technology on their own terms. Those who do not communicate with words or speech must have decision-making authority and ways to express their choices.
November 8, 2025 at 2:16 PM
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It's Assistive Technology Month. We want to share PADDC Key Technology Principles that inform our grant making & advocacy work. Technology is a conduit to community. Finding, exploring, and connecting with others is a key feature of technology today. Read more here: www.paddc.org/paddc-key-te...
A young woman with Down syndrome is holding an electronic tablet and typing on it. Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. Key Technology Principles. 1. Everyday Lives. Using Technology is a common part of everyday life for most people. Using technology that is the same as what most other people are using should be a top priority when possible.
November 7, 2025 at 5:58 PM
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Read the latest Pennsylvania and National Disability Policy News from our Policy Information Exchange grantee at the Arc of Pennsylvania: www.paddc.org/slice-of-pie...

#Disability #Policy #Pennsylvania
A view of a laptop is in the lower corner on a table with a plant and coffee cup. Logo from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. A Slice of PIE: A Communication from from the Policy Information Exchange. VOLUME 26, ISSUE 3 FALL 2025
November 4, 2025 at 6:17 PM
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Check your email inbox for our November Spotlight newsletter! Or you can read it here: mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotl...
Brightly colored spotlights shining down. Spotlight. November 2025. National Family Caregivers Month. Highlights of the activities, advocacy, and interests of the PADDC. Logo for the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
November 3, 2025 at 6:36 PM
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Our October enewsletter is out! Please have a read here: mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotl...
Black background with brightly colored lights shining down from the top. Spotlight. October 2025. Highlights of the activities, advocacy, and interests of the PADDC, logo for the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
October 2, 2025 at 7:01 PM
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Accepting Nominations! We’re looking for Council members with developmental #disabilities - in particular, people who live or have lived in a state institution or intermediate care facility.
✅ Nominate yourself or someone else.
✅ Forms & details are on our website.
www.paddc.org/seeking-nomi...
Three people with disabilities are in photos along the side. An older man, a black woman, and a young woman. Logo for the PADDC PA Developmental Disabilities Council. JOIN THE COUNCIL. ARE YOU SOMEONE WHO: Has a Developmental Disability and lives in Pennsylvania? Cares about self determination and inclusion? Is interested in teaming up with others to share ideas and strengthen services, support, and opportunities for people with disabilities? GET NOMINATED!
October 1, 2025 at 2:07 PM
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It's October and so it is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! This year's theme is Celebrating Value and Talent. NDEAM highlights the invaluable contributions that people with disabilities make to America's workplaces and economy.
#NDEAM #DisabilityEmployment
There is a dark blue background with stars and bursts that are light blue, red, and white. National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Celebrating Value and Talent #NDEAM. Logo for Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
October 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
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This Friday the PADDC Tech Champions at Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives will share about the technology guides they developed as part of our grant to them. See below! Friday, Sept. 19th, 3:30 - 4:30 pm Eastern. Register: temple.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
#Disabilities #AssistiveTechnology
A computer keyboard is at the top. Tech Champion Munch and Learn. Our Tech Champion representatives Alexa and Greg will share about the easy-read technology guides created by the PADDC Tech Champions. Friday, September 19th, 3:30 - 4:30 pm Eastern. Register for this free session: bitly/techguideswebinar. This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
September 16, 2025 at 5:48 PM
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Please be sure to check out our September Spotlight Newsletter at mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotl...
Brightly colored spotlights on a black background. Spotlight. September 2025. Highlights of the activities, advocacy, and interests of the PADDC. Logo for Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
September 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
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For all interested in Disability Policy issues, don't miss the new Slice of Pie from the Policy Information Exchange (PIE) at The Arc of Pennsylvania! We fund PIE to help assure that information on these important issues are available to all. Read it or download here: www.paddc.org/slice-of-pie...
A lap top is open on a desk. In the background is a plant and coffee cup. Logo for the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. A Communication from the Policy Information Exchange, A Slice of Pie. Volume 26, Issue 2. Summer 2025. Pennsylvania and National Policy News Impacting People with Disabilities and Their Families.
August 1, 2025 at 8:02 PM
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Our August Spotlight is out! You can read it here: mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotl...
Colorful spotlights are at the top with a black background. Spotlight. August 2025. Highlights of the activities, advocacy and interests of the PADDC. Logo of the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
August 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
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If you're in the Lehigh Valley, help spread the word about our PADDC project at Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living LVCIL: Community Inclusion for Young Children! LVCIL supports families in building a world where their child can live, learn, & play without barriers. lvcil.org/other-servic...
Logo for LVCIL Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. Community Inclusion for Young Children. A Black woman is holding a young child in an outdoor setting. Beside her is another child smiling. With funding from PADDC PA Developmental Disabilities Council.
July 14, 2025 at 1:52 PM
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Our friends at @pahealthlaw.bsky.social are reminding us that nothing has changed yet with Medicaid. You can *still* apply, renew, etc. Medicaid. SEE BELOW! (The Medicaid changes built into the recently signed reconciliation budget bill will come later.) Read More: www.phlp.org/en/news/how-...
Screen shot of a post. Logo for Pennsylvania Health Law Project. Nothing is changing about Medicaid right now. Any changes resulting from the budget reconciliation bill passed on July 4th will happen over time. You can still apply for Medicaid, renew your coverage, and access healthcare as usual. Be sure to update your contact info with the County Assistance Office to ensure you get important updates and renewal paperwork. Read more about how to update your information with Medicaid here: http://bit.ly/4nJAE8x Logo for Pennsylania Health Law Project Attention! Nothing is changing about Medicaid Right Now!
July 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
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Everyday generic technology can be a game-changer for people with developmental disabilities. We funded Tech OWL - Technology for Our Whole Lives to highlight the "what" and "how" of the technology and it's created guides that you can download here: techowlpa.org/at-champions...
Logo for PADDC, PA Developmental Disabilities Council. Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities will learn to use generic technology to meet their personal goals. An Amazon Alexa device is on a table. Next to it is an image of someone using a lap top and a phone being used for social media.
July 9, 2025 at 2:23 PM
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What is July? Disability Pride Month, celebrated every July to recognize the history, achievements, and ongoing struggles of the disability community.
The background is black with the colors of the disability flag slanted across (red, yellow, white, blue, green) logo for the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. July is Disability Pride Month. A group of people with various disabilities are in the lower left hand side.
July 1, 2025 at 1:12 PM
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The Pennsylvania Dept. of Human Services (@pahumanservices.bsky.social‬ ) is hosting a webinar on understanding how autism-related challenges—like trouble with social cues or communication—can lead to justice system involvement. Learn more and register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The hand and arms of a police officer in partial view is writing a ticket while standing next to a car. June 12, 2025; 10 -11 am. Virtual with Zoom. Bridging the Gap: Understanding Skill-Based Vulnerabilities of Adults with Autism in the Criminal Justice System
June 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM
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The Policy Information Exchange (PIE) at The Arc of PA seeks Advisory Committee members! Current & future Pennsylvania leaders with disabilities are welcome to apply. We fund PIE to educate our Council and others about important disability policy issues. Apply here: thearcpa.org/pie-advisory...
A woman wearing a white shirt is seated in her wheelchair facing her computer screen which sits on a desk. On the screen are 12 people in a virtual meeting. Join the Advisory Committee for the Policy Information Exchange (PIE) at The Arc of Pennsylvania.
June 4, 2025 at 4:38 PM
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We're PROUD of all these families & advocates with developmental disabilities who went to Harrisburg to express their views & advocate with lawmakers! We're also pleased to fund the Family Information & Advocacy Grant at Vision for Equality that supported them! therecord-online.com/site/archive...
four different photos show dozens of self advocates and families in the Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda for a Medicaid Matters rally. They are holding red, white, and blue signs. In one, a young woman with Down Syndrome is at a podium speaking.
June 3, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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Please read our June Spotlight Newsletter. Lots of information! mailchi.mp/pa.gov/spotl...
Colored spotlights are along the top on a black background. SPOTLIGHT JUNE 2025 Highlights of the activities, advocacy and interests of the PENNSYLVANIA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL
June 3, 2025 at 6:01 PM