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.

A preschooler with Down syndrome is at a table concentrating on blocks while a preschool teacher looks on. 'Pennsylvania's Birth -3 3 Early Intervention program for infants and toddlers earned the federal government's highest rating.'

A banner says 'NATIONAL ARCHIVES FEDERAL REGISTER The Daily Journal of the United States Government' Headline: Department of Justice Publishes Notice on Olmstead".
The Department of Justice plans to: ...revisit the Olmstead Guidance to determine whether the Olmstead Guidance is consistent with the "single, best meaning" of the ADA. The Department will not rely upon the Olmstead Guidance in its enforcement of Title Il of the ADA."

The Arc Pennsylvania Disability Health Action Summit, Beyond Barriers, Towards Solutions. May 19th Keynote Speaker: Theo W. Braddy, Executive Director National Council on Independent Living. May 20th Keynote Speaker: Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. May 19 1 - 5 pm, May 20 8 am - 4:30 pm. Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center, Camp Hill PA, thearcpa.org/healthsummit

Policy news from our Policy Information Exchange grantee! A laptop is open on a table. On the screen of the laptop is says, "A Communication from the Policy Information Exchange, Slice of PIE, Volume 27; Issue 1 SPRING 2026"

Celimar Rivera Cosme, a deaf Puerto Rican performer who will be sign language interpreter at the Super bowl half-time show, is standing outside of the Super Bowl arena and pointing up at it. She has shoulder length black curly hair, large black eye glasses, and is smiling.

A teacher is seated on a circular rug in an early childhood or daycare setting. There are 6 young diverse children sitting by her in the circle. All of them are reaching into the middle with their hands on top of each other. Title: After Her son with a disability was expelled from day care, a mom pushed for reform.

PADDC Outlooks Fall 2025

A young woman has her head laying on a dog's head while she embraces the dog. Provide Input on Use of Emotional Support Animals. Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission will use public input to develop draft guidance on emotional support animals.

A group of 4 diverse students, including a girl with Down syndrome, are sitting at a table and looking in a book. One student is standing behind and leaning over to see what is in the book.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

About a dozen people are in view. Most seated at tables, with one speaker with a microphone in front of them. On the back screen is: Inaugural Meeting of the Pennsylvania Disability History Collaborative. May 21, 2025.

Brightly colored spotlights shine down from the top. SPOTLIGHT MAY 2025; Highlighting the Activities and Advocacy Agenda of the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. In a greenhouse setting, a man is leaning on a desk talking with a young woman with Down Syndrome who is sitting in front of a computer screen and is smiling up at him.

Blackboard over a desk, to one side is a container of pens, pencils, markers, and other school material along with brown paper wrapped box and bag. Pennsylvania's Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program is accepting applications for its second cohort through 3:00 PM on Monday, May 12, 2025. Up to $30,000 in grant funding to implement the curriculum over three years.

Harrisburg State Capitol Dome is at the top. Medicaid Threats in Pennsylvania: What's Happening and What You Can Do. Tuesday, April 8, 11 am - 12 pm EST Zoom. Logos for Pennsylvania Health Law Project, Pennsylvania Health Access Network, and Badger Consutants.

Multi-colored spotlights shine on the words Spotlight April 2025. Highlighting the Activities and Advocacy of the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities council. An array of six black and white photographs depict individuals with developmental disabilities of all ages engaged in various community activities.