October is International AAC Awareness Month! AAC Awareness month seeks to raise awareness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and to inform the public about the many different ways in which people communicate using AAC. What is AAC? AAC is all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can
September celebrates the Deaf community! It is a time to celebrate the triumphs within the Deaf community, bring awareness to the barriers Deaf individuals face, and work towards removing them. September is an opportunity to encourage inclusivity, promote sign language education, engage, learn, and grow. Below are three simple ways that you
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is pleased to announce that on September 30th Lynn Pascoa will join ODP as the Director of the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP). Lynn is a dedicated professional with over 20 years of experience in human services, specializing in mental health and community
Governor Josh Shapiro has signed an official proclamation dedicating the week of September 8th through September 14th, 2024 Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week. The proclamation, available to read here, recognizes the vital contributions DSPs provide to address the physical and mental health of individuals with disabilities, as well as veterans and
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The Southwest ADA Center is conducting a study of workplace experiences of people with disabilities, aged 18 and up, who use service animals or emotional support animals. Participants will be interviewed by phone or Zoom, and their information will be kept confidential. Participants will be compensated for their time. For more information,
Autumn is full of transitions. For most it means back to the regular schedule of life. School is starting for both students and teachers, fall sports are making their debut, and the weather is changing. All of these things can bring both excitement and anxiety and all of them can also impact
The 2024 Pennsylvania Regional Collaboratives For Supporting Families Summit sponsored by the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) was held August 14 and 15, 2024. Pennsylvania's Regional Collaboratives for Supporting Families are naturally-connected communities in which ODP stakeholders from all walks of life create local networks of support for the families of
The Pennsylvania Family Network (PAFN) recently certified all of their advisors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Charting My LifeCourse. Charting My LifeCourse introduces self-advocates to the building blocks of Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) which allows them to mentor peers in using the tools. The Charting the LifeCourse framework was created by the University of
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has detected a recent growth in reports of stolen SNAP and TANF benefits in the Erie and Western PA regions due to suspected EBT card skimming. Although these types of fraudulent activities are on the rise nationwide, the recent wave of scams in PA are depleting
