Disability Rights Pennsylvania

Image on right of youth detention center bedroom containing a bookshelf, desk, chair, bed and metal toilet. All furniture is secured to the wall and there is a narrow window with reinforced glass and bars. DRP logo in bottom left corner. Text: Settlement reached to address abuses at state-run youth facilities.

“These changes are a step forward in the treatment of youth who are being incarcerated in increasing numbers in recent years.” said Kelly Darr, Legal Director at Disability Rights Pennsylvania.

Read more here: www.disabilityrightspa.org/newsroom/set...

Red background with boxes. DRP logo in bottom left corner and caution symbol in lower right corner. Text: Social Security Changes Impacting the Disability Community in PA.

We want to inform you about recent Social Security Administration (SSA) changes that may impact the disability community in Pennsylvania:
- SSA Resumes Debt Collections
- New ID Proofing Requirements
- Office Closures and Reduced Staff

www.disabilityrightspa.org/spotlights/s...

A black and white photo of a mental health therapist talking to a group of students in a classroom. The students are seated on desks and chairs, attentively listening. On the right side of the image, a purple gradient overlay features bold black text that reads 'FACES OF MEDICAID.' Below, a quote in black text states: 'I am a mental health therapist in a school setting, 90% of the students I serve are on Medicaid.'

Sarah, a school mental health therapist, shares: '90% of my students are on Medicaid. In past roles, all my clients needed Medicaid to access care.'

Medicaid matters—contact your representatives today! secure.everyaction.com/tZYmQsJTmUCS...

#FacesOfMedicaid #ProtectMedicaid

Blue background with gray circles. DRP logo in lower right corner. Text: Disability Rights Pennsylvania Announces Jennifer Garman as new CEO

“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Garman as our next CEO,” said Shirley Keith Knox, Chair of the DRP Board of Directors.

Read more here: www.disabilityrightspa.org/newsroom/dis...

Red phone on left side with DRP logo beneath. Text: Our intake will be closed next week! Live intake will be closed from March 24 to 28. We will not answer intake calls or respond to online requests until March 31, 2025. Callers will not be able to leave voicemail messages or complete our intake form during this time. We look forward to returning after this scheduled break for internal quality assessment.

Our Intake System will be closed from March 24- 28, 2025 for internal quality assessment.

You can access the resources on our website for self-advocacy assistance & file a grievance using our online grievance form at any time.

www.disabilityrightspa.org/newsroom/our...

There is still time to Protect Medicaid! Use this action alert to #SaveMedicaid

Take action now: ow.ly/lZVR50VilIe

Image of people holding hands

"Administration officials say that, because of limited funding, the state can’t provide rate hikes for the roughly 270,000 agency workers in the commonwealth."

www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/p...

Orange background with dots. Black circle in middle with an image of a telephone. Text: PA Telecommunications Relay Service Advisory Board Seeking Public Members.

The PA Public Utility Commission is looking for public members of the Telecommunications Relay Service Advisory Board. The Board functions as a user group providing guidance in such areas as problem solving and future enhancements.

You can find out more here: www.puc.pa.gov/telecommunic...

Image of prison bunk beds and jail bars on left. Text: DRP and PILP file case to ensure effective communication during incarceration. DRP logo on bottom of image.

“It is unconscionable that the DOC is refusing to provide Mr. Topper with a communication tool they have known he needs for years.”

www.disabilityrightspa.org/spotlights/t...

Image of the U.S. Capitol dome

“But I think a lot of people forget that the ADA was the floor. It was not the ceiling. So it was the beginning of rights for us, but it was not the end.”

Yesterday was the 35th anniversary of the Capitol Crawl. Learn more here:

www.pbs.org/wgbh/america...

High school can shape destiny for teens with disabilities Pennsylvania schools must help 14-year-old students with IEPs to plan their future. With 500 school districts, including Pittsburgh, that process is far from uniform. A state panel aims to compel impr...

"A person with a disability who gets paid workplace experience as a student is four times as likely to become employed as someone who does not..."

www.publicsource.org/high-school-...

Blue background with image of city on bottom. Text: #AdvocacyMatters DRP Sign on Letter Opposing Cuts to Medicaid

Disability Rights PA along with other Pennsylvania disability organizations sent a letter to Congress opposing cuts or changes to the Medicaid program.

Read more here: www.disabilityrightspa.org/spotlights/d...

#HandsOffOurMedicaid #AdvocacyMatters

Teal background. Image of cell phone with QR code on upper right corner. Image of hand holding in lower right corner. Text: We want to hear from you! Disability Rights Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association, PMHCA are interested in learning about your personal and professional experiences with Peer Support Services. Use the QR code or the link in the description to access the survey and share your expertise.

We want to hear from you!

Use the QR code or the link below to access the survey and share your expertise on Peer Supports in Pennsylvania.

Link to survey: form.jotform.com/243463120036...

Blue background with white lines. Text: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. DRP logo in bottom left corner.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! DRP celebrates the contributions of people with developmental disabilities. People with developmental disabilities are valuable members of our communities and deserve full participation in all aspects of life.

The U.S. House is voting this week on a budget bill that would drastically cut funding for Medicaid.

Use this easy form to email your members of Congress to demand they protect Medicaid and the vital services it provides!

secure.everyaction.com/tZYmQsJTmUCS...

Tell them #HandsOffOurMedicaid

DRP logo in top right corner. Text: Contact Congress Today to Save Medicaid. Go to this website to find who represents you: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Medicaid keeps people in their homes and communities. Proposed cuts would gut essential services, leaving millions of older adults, people w/ disabilities, and caregivers struggling.

Use this link to contact Congress: ow.ly/XSJ950V33oq

Call today to tell them #handsoffourmedicaid

Our intake will be closed. Live intake will be closed for staff meetings in the afternoon on both February 18th and 20th. Our intake will resume as usual on Friday, February 21. You will not be able to speak with or leave a voicemail message for our intake staff, file an oral grievance, or complete our online intake form during the closures.

Our intake will also be closed in the afternoon on both February 18th and 20th for staff meetings.

www.disabilityrightspa.org/newsroom/pre...

DRP will be closed in honor of President's Day. Live intake will be closed starting at 12pm on Friday, February 14th and on February 17, 2025. You will not be able to speak with or leave a voicemail message for our intake staff, file an oral grievance, or complete our online intake form until February 18, 2025 at 9am. Image: DRP logo.

DRP will be closed for President’s Day beginning at 12pm on Friday, February 14th and on February 17th.

You can access the resources on our website for self-advocacy assistance here: disabilityrightspa.org/resources/

Read more here: www.disabilityrightspa.org/newsroom/pre...

Need an accommodation to complete the survey?

Contact the Office for People with Disabilities at (215) 686-2798 or email ada.request@phila.gov

Text: Help Improve Disability Access in Philadelphia! The Disability Access Survey is now live! Your voice matters! Participate in a quick confidential survey. Image: Philadelphia City Hall with blue cloudy sky.

Thank you to Speaking for Ourselves for sharing. The Philadelphia Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (OPD) wants to hear from individuals w/ disabilities about access to resources in your neighborhood.

Complete the survey here: bit.ly/OPD_Disabili...

Text reads: Upcoming Webinar Disability Community Briefing: What You Can Do to Stop the Attack on Section 504. February 12, 2025 at 9:30 AM Pacific / 12:30 PM Eastern. The DREDF logo is in the corner

Join us on February 12 at 9:30 AM PT / 12:30 PM ET for a Disability Community Briefing on #TexasvBecerra — a lawsuit that threatens #Section504. Section 504 is a crucial disability rights law that ensures equal access to schools, healthcare, and more.

Register: dredf-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

We are preparing for proposed cuts to Medicaid. $2.3 trillion in cuts to Medicaid are on the table – The disability community will be impacted.

@ndrnadvocates.bsky.social made it easy to reach out to Congress and tell them #HandsOffOurMedicaid

Click on this link to act now:
ow.ly/2Ybx50UVgs4

We're sharing this important opportunity! NDRN is gathering stories to show the importance of Medicaid and how it benefits people w/ disabilities. Complete this survey to share your story about accessing Medicaid services.

The survey link is here: forms.office.com/r/LvQKiqpDeg

#ProtectMedicaid

Image of U.S. Capitol at top center. Text: Medicaid Day of Action: Contact Your Members of Congress and tell them #HandsOffOur Medicaid. Image of DRP logo in center bottom.

Today is the Medicaid Day of Action!

Tell Congress: You can't cut $2.3 trillion from Medicaid without hurting people with disabilities. Our voice matters.
Call your lawmaker now at 866-426-2631 and tell them: NO CUTS TO OUR HEALTH CARE.

#handsoffourmedicaid