Join Us for a Special Evening of Celebration, Storytelling, and Advocacy!
About the Event
Save the date and plan to join us for the 2nd annual Beyond History, the Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium’s signature fundraising event.
This special evening brings together community members, advocates, and supporters to celebrate the power of disability history, recognize ongoing work in our region, and support the future of the Consortium’s mission.
📅 Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Heinz History Center (Mueller Center, 5th Floor), Pittsburgh, PA (View accessibility information for Heinz History Center)
🧥 Dress code: Come as you are! Sports or team apparel encouraged!
Ticket Options
Tickets will be available starting Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
We offer several ticket options to help make the event accessible to all attendees. All tickets will include refreshments. Please note that the cash bar is not included in the ticket price.
There is no fee for a personal attendant who accompanies a registered attendee.
- General Admission: $75 per person
Full access to the event program.
- Discounted Tickets: $35 per person
A limited number of reduced-price tickets will be available for individuals for whom the full cost may be a barrier.
Meet Our Featured Speaker
CURTIS PRIDE
Former Major League Baseball Player, First Full-Season Player Who is Deaf in Modern MLB History, and Disability Advocate
Curtis Pride is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and advocate whose life and career have broken barriers and expanded access in professional sports. Born profoundly deaf, Pride became the first and only full-season player who is deaf in the modern era of Major League Baseball, building an 11-season career with teams including the Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Angels.
Pride’s path to the major leagues was marked by both athletic excellence and determination. A standout multi-sport athlete, Pride was a soccer star in high school and played on the United States Junior World Cup team (where he was named one of the top 15 youth soccer players in the entire world!) before then pursuing both college basketball and professional baseball. His major league debut was unforgettable – his first hit, a double, drew a five-minute standing ovation from the crowd, a moment that brought national attention to his journey.
Following his playing career, Pride continued his impact as head baseball coach at Gallaudet University, the world’s leading institution for deaf and hard of hearing students. Over 15 seasons, he transformed the baseball program into the most successful in the school’s history. He has also served as a Major League Baseball Ambassador for Inclusion and was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, reflecting his leadership in advancing access and opportunity.
Today, Pride continues to share his experiences and perspective with audiences across the country. His memoir, I Felt the Cheers: The Remarkable Silent Life of Curtis Pride, offers a deeper look at his life in baseball and beyond.
Meet Our 2026 Honoree
RORY A. COOPER, PhD, PLY
Professor, Director of HERL, National Medal Laureate, Paralympic Medalist
Rory A. Cooper, PhD, PLY, is a National Medal Laureate, Paralympic medalist, and internationally recognized leader in rehabilitation engineering, human-centered design, and disability innovation. He is a Distinguished Professor and Director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) at the University of Pittsburgh, a world-leading center advancing technologies that enhance independence, health, and participation for people with disabilities and older adults.
Dr. Cooper is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a recipient of the International Paralympic Committee Science Award, recognizing his sustained scientific impact on Paralympic sport and disability research. An accomplished scholar, he has authored or coauthored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications and holds numerous patents translating research into real-world solutions. His work spans assistive robotics, mobility technologies, accessible transportation, and adaptive sports, integrating rigorous engineering with lived experience to advance inclusive, high-impact innovation.
Meet Our Emcee
CHAZ KELLEM
Disability Rights Advocate, Nonprofit Leader
Chaz Kellem is a native of Pittsburgh and has been a disability advocate for 25+ years. Professionally, he serves as a Program Manager at Highmark Health within the Institute for Strategic Social and Workforce Programs. Chaz began his career at the Pittsburgh Pirates where he spent 10 seasons, most of which he spent in the Community & Public Affairs department as the Manager of Diversity Initiatives.
Chaz earned his Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Robert Morris University and his Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Edinboro University. Chaz serves as board member and volunteer for organizations, including the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers and the Miracle League of Moon.
Evening Highlights
Keynote by Curtis Pride
Former Major League Baseball player Curtis Pride shares his story, including a short video and a live Q&A with the audience – your chance to hear directly from and ask questions of a former big leaguer.
Honoring Rory A. Cooper
Each year, we celebrate an individual whose leadership and dedication have helped advance disability rights and inclusion in our community.
Networking Reception
Enjoy an evening of conversation and connection with fellow attendees, along with a selection of heavy hors d’oeuvres available throughout the evening and a cash bar.
Art Sale
Browse and purchase artwork created by local students with disabilities. Participating organizations will manage sales, and proceeds will directly support their work.
Our Event Sponsors
Our 2026 Beyond History sponsorship packet will be available soon and posted here. In the meantime, we welcome inquiries about sponsorship opportunities -please contact Cindy Leonard, Executive Director, at info@wpdhac.org.
For Questions about the Event
For event-related questions, please contact Cindy Leonard, Executive Director, at info@wpdhac.org.
