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Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium

Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium

Honoring the historic struggle of Western Pennsylvanians with disabilities to attain human and civil rights.

  • ABOUT
    • MISSION, VISION, & OBJECTIVES
    • EXECUTIVE & STEERING COMMITTEES
    • ADVISORS
    • STAFF
    • FUNDING
    • SPEAKERS BUREAU
    • IMPACT REPORTS
      • 2025 IMPACT REPORT
      • 2024 IMPACT REPORT
      • 2023 IMPACT REPORT
    • CONTACT
  • HISTORIC RESOURCES
    • HISTORIC TIMELINE
    • WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA DISABILITY HISTORY COLLECTIONS
    • PENNSYLVANIA DISABILITY HISTORY RESOURCES
    • NATIONAL DISABILITY HISTORY RESOURCES
    • MEDIA ITEMS
    • RESEARCH INSTITUTIONAL RECORDS
    • HISTORIC MATERIALS SURVEY
  • OUR PROJECTS
    • VOICES OF CHANGE PROJECT
    • RACE & DISABILITY PROJECT
    • OTHER STORIES
    • POLK CENTER PROJECT
    • GATHER FOR CHANGE
      • Medical Safeguarding (Webinar)
      • A Vision for Families (2-part webinar)
      • The Camera’s Eye: Telling the Story of Disability through the Power of Film (Webinar)
      • The History of Human Services (2-day, in-person workshop)
    • PENNSYLVANIA DISABILITY HISTORY COLLABORATIVE
    • ADVOCACY
  • EVENTS
    • BEYOND HISTORY (10/22/2025)
    • COMMUNITY CALENDAR
  • GET INVOLVED
    • JOIN THE CONSORTIUM
    • OUR CURRENT SUPPORTERS
    • NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
    • READ OUR ARCHIVED NEWSLETTERS
    • NEWS
    • HISTORIC MATERIALS SURVEY
  • DONATE

News

Dr. Cupples head shot

New Scholarship Honors Educator Dr. J. Kaye Cupples

10/04/2021

Dr. J. Kaye Cupples devoted his career to students with disabilities, seeking to create learning environments of support and inclusion. When Dr. Cupples passed away in 2019 at age 68, the Pittsburgh … [Read more...] about New Scholarship Honors Educator Dr. J. Kaye Cupples

Mary Brougher smiling while seated at a table

Remembering Mary Brougher (1964-2021)

10/04/2021

The Consortium notes the sudden passing of disability employment advocate Mary Brougher in a tragic accident on August 10, 2021.  Mary was a lifelong disability rights advocate and a … [Read more...] about Remembering Mary Brougher (1964-2021)

Josie Badger using her wheelchair

HISTORY MAKERS: Dr. Josie Badger honored for advocacy for disability employment policy in Pennsylvania

10/04/2021

In recognition of advocacy that propelled changes in the employment landscape for people with disabilities, as well as continuous efforts to advance rights, Dr. Josie Badger was awarded the third … [Read more...] about HISTORY MAKERS: Dr. Josie Badger honored for advocacy for disability employment policy in Pennsylvania

Job Posting – Project Scholar

07/30/2021

Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium is seeking candidates— historian, archivist or graduate-level scholar—for a project to research and document the history of Black, … [Read more...] about Job Posting – Project Scholar

Photo of Kate Bayer, seated for the video interview

New “Voices of Change” video features Kate Bayer, former teacher at Polk State Center

06/04/2021

The Consortium is pleased to announce the premiere of its latest video in the “Voices of Change” series, an interview with Kate Bayer. As a graduate student in special education at Clarion University … [Read more...] about New “Voices of Change” video features Kate Bayer, former teacher at Polk State Center

Disability Pride Virtual PA June 2021

Second Annual Disability Pride Virtual PA includes Western PA speakers

06/04/2021

The Consortium, in partnership with Staunton Farm Foundation, will participate in the second annual Disability Pride Virtual PA event with three sessions focused on mental health. “Everything You … [Read more...] about Second Annual Disability Pride Virtual PA includes Western PA speakers

Nurses and residents at Polk State Center

“Researching Institutional Records” webinar and new book about Pennhurst provide insight into institutional era

06/04/2021

On April 15, 2021, Heinz History Center hosted a webinar designed to help genealogists, family members and others learn about researching records of formerly institutionalized Pennsylvanians. The … [Read more...] about “Researching Institutional Records” webinar and new book about Pennhurst provide insight into institutional era

American Democracy exhibit at Heinz History Center includes disability rights

06/04/2021

Don't miss the chance to explore the history of what it means to be an American citizen at the exhibit American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith, on exhibit at Heinz History Center through October … [Read more...] about American Democracy exhibit at Heinz History Center includes disability rights

HERL earns patent for enhanced mobility wheelchair

06/04/2021

In February, researchers from the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) were granted a patent for an innovative new wheelchair. The Mobility Enhancement Robotic Wheelchair, or MEBot for … [Read more...] about HERL earns patent for enhanced mobility wheelchair

Dick Thornburgh head shot

Remembering Dick Thornburgh and Stanley Holbrook

03/16/2021

The Consortium remembers the life and legacy of two notable members of the Western Pennsylvania disability community who passed away at the end of 2020. Dick Thornburgh (July 16, 1932 - December … [Read more...] about Remembering Dick Thornburgh and Stanley Holbrook

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NOTE TO WEBSITE VISITORS

The language and terminology used in historical materials on this site reflect the context and culture of the interviewee(s), and may include stereotypes in words, phrases, and attitudes that were wrong then and are wrong now.

Rather than remove this content, Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium wants to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it, and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together.

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