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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

Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium Receives National Recognition

01/18/2019

This week the History Consortium received exciting news: "The Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium has been selected to receive the American Association on Intellectual and … [Read more...] about Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium Receives National Recognition

July 22 Virtual Disability History Event

01/17/2019

Learning from our History: Living Beyond the Walls of the Institution Wednesday, July 22, 4:30-6:00pm Join the Western Pennsylvania Disability History Consortium, Temple University Institute on … [Read more...] about July 22 Virtual Disability History Event

Bruce Baker, Creator of Minspeak Obituary

01/01/2019

This week, Bruce Baker, creator of the Minspeak system died. "The key to Minspeak’s success is that it uses hieroglyphics for input rather than an alphabet. Instead of laboriously typing in each word … [Read more...] about Bruce Baker, Creator of Minspeak Obituary

Hamburg State Center

Closing of Hamburg Center brings Pennsylvania a Step Closer to Becoming an “Institution-Free” State

09/17/2018

By Tina Calabro The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services closed Hamburg Center, a 60-year-old institution for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, on August 3. The … [Read more...] about Closing of Hamburg Center brings Pennsylvania a Step Closer to Becoming an “Institution-Free” State

University of Pittsburgh Calls Attention to a Dishonorable History in Experimentation

08/15/2018

Removal of researcher’s name from University of Pittsburgh building calls attention to the dishonorable history of experimentation on human subjects, including racial minorities, children, and people … [Read more...] about University of Pittsburgh Calls Attention to a Dishonorable History in Experimentation

Post Gazette newspaper screenshot

Above the Fold-W. PA Consortium Featured in Post Gazette

06/27/2018

Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium A-1 Story Pittsburgh Post Gazette May 21st 2018 Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium was featured in the … [Read more...] about Above the Fold-W. PA Consortium Featured in Post Gazette

W. PA Consortium Visits Museum of DisAbility History in Buffalo, NY

06/27/2018

Yesterday, the Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium was treated to an all-access tour of The Museum of Disability History in Buffalo, NY. Curator Doug Platt shared his … [Read more...] about W. PA Consortium Visits Museum of DisAbility History in Buffalo, NY

Photo of Michael Gamel-McCormick, Disability Policy Director for U.S. Senator Bob Casey

Looking to the Future Using Lessons from History

06/27/2018

Photo of Michael Gamel-McCormick, Disability Policy Director for U.S. Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania Close to 100 people gathered on May 31 for our first 2018 event, “Let’s Not Repeat the Past: … [Read more...] about Looking to the Future Using Lessons from History

Save the date: October 18, 2018

06/01/2018

Thanks to all who attended our May 31 event! Mark your calendars now for next event on October 18. We'll focus on Employment, Housing and Transportation through the lens of the same theme: Let's Not … [Read more...] about Save the date: October 18, 2018

Cover of MARAC April 2018 meeting program

Archivists collaborate across Pennsylvania to preserve disability history

05/15/2018

A lively and well-attended session titled Archives and Advocacy: Preserving Pennsylvania’s Disability History was offered at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC) in April. Sierra … [Read more...] about Archivists collaborate across Pennsylvania to preserve disability history

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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.
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