Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium

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

Consortium Attends Inaugural Meeting of Pennsylvania Disability History Collaborative in May

Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium was pleased to participate in the inaugural meeting of the Pennsylvania Disability History Collaborative on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Pennsylvania Archives in Harrisburg.

Sierra Green, Chief Senior Outreach Archivist at Heinz History Center (center) and Dana Thompson, Project Officer at the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (right) and others participate in a small group discussion about the goals of the new Pennsylvania Disability History Collaborative. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Disability History Collaborative
Sierra Green, Chief Senior Outreach Archivist at Heinz History Center (center) and Dana Thompson, Project Officer at the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (right) and others participate in a small group discussion about the goals of the new Pennsylvania Disability History Collaborative. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Disability History Collaborative.

The meeting was an opportunity for the state-wide disability history community to come together to craft the vision and scope for the Collaborative, as well as to share information about individual efforts. About 50 people attended in person and online, including individuals with disabilities, family members, and representatives of the following organizations:

  • The Arc of PA
  • PA Blind Association, Elwyn
  • Keystone Human Services, Shadowfax
  • Wilkes University
  • Shippensburg University
  • Community Options
  • The Center for Independent Living of Northcentral PA (Freedom to Roads)
  • Community Living and Support Services (CLASS)
  • The Heinz History Center
  • Disability Options Network
  • The Arc of Lancaster & Lebanon
  • East Stroudsburg University
  • Millersville University
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Temple University Institute on Disabilities
  • The Disability Empowerment Center
  • The Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services
  • PA State Archives
  • Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council

The day was filled with discussions on current historical work, cooperative possibilities, and the future of a statewide collaborative, followed by recognition of Michael Gamel-McCormick for outstanding service as the Disability Policy Director for Senator Bob Casey. Those who attended in person were invited to a private tour of the state-of-the-art facilities at the Pennsylvania State Archives and were given access to historical documents about Pennsylvanians with disabilities.

The PA Disability History Collaborative intends to expand and continue its work. To receive updates about future work, such as meetings and a newsletter, you can submit your name, email, (and organization, if applicable) to danathomps@pa.gov.

Information about the new Collaborative can also be found here.