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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
      • MENTAL HEALTH & DISABILITY
      • RACE & DISABILITY
      • WOMEN & DISABILITY
    • 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

Disability History Now Part of Pennsylvania School Curriculum

08/23/2022

On July 8, 2022, the PA legislature passed an amendment approving disability inclusive curriculum in Pennsylvania schools. The bill (H.R. 1642), introduced by PA Representative Joe Hohenstein … [Read more...] about Disability History Now Part of Pennsylvania School Curriculum

New “Voices of Change” Video Features Shirley Pickens, Former Director of Polk Center

08/23/2022

Shirley Pickens, director, Polk Center, 2008-2020 Video not displaying correctly? Watch it on YouTube. Shirley Pickens retired in 2020 as director of Polk Center, a state institution for … [Read more...] about New “Voices of Change” Video Features Shirley Pickens, Former Director of Polk Center

Press Release: Disability History Consortium Documenting Stories of People of Color who have Disabilities

08/02/2022

Download this press release in PDF format. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:Alonna Carter- Donaldsonalonna.carter@gmail.com Disability History Consortium Documenting Storiesof People of … [Read more...] about Press Release: Disability History Consortium Documenting Stories of People of Color who have Disabilities

Intersection of Race and Disability Project: Florence Reed

08/02/2022

By Alonna Carter-Donaldson, Project Scholar When thinking about Western Pennsylvania’s storied past, what comes to mind? Andrew Carnegie and the steel mills? Fort Pitt as Revolutionary War … [Read more...] about Intersection of Race and Disability Project: Florence Reed

The History of Systemic Abuse at Pennhurst State Hospital

07/01/2022

History has not been kind to people with disabilities. The sad part is the actual living humans were subject to these conditions in state hospitals such as Pennhurst. WPDHAC … [Read more...] about The History of Systemic Abuse at Pennhurst State Hospital

WPDHAC Project Director Pancho Timmons participated in the 9th Annual Disability & Change Symposium

06/02/2022

WPDHAC Project Director Pancho Timmons participated in the 9th Annual Disability & Change Symposium, sponsored by Institute on Disabilities at Temple University on March 30th.  Disability and … [Read more...] about WPDHAC Project Director Pancho Timmons participated in the 9th Annual Disability & Change Symposium

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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.

Copyright by Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium. All rights reserved.
Website development by Cindy Leonard Consulting.