
Photo credit: Tari Hartman Squire. Used with Permission.
USING DISABILITY HISTORY TO ENSURE DISABILITY RIGHTS
The Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium preserves and shares the historic struggle of Western Pennsylvanians with disabilities to attain human and civil rights. We educate the public about disability history in order to improve community access, participation and equal opportunity, and to ensure disability rights through existing and new policies and laws. We join stakeholders across Pennsylvania to advocate on policies that ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities.
Beyond History: Framing the Past, Shaping the Future
Join Us for a Special Evening of Celebration, Storytelling, and Advocacy!
This fall marks 10 years of the Western Disability History and Action Consortium’s work in preserving, sharing, and advancing the disability history of our region – and you’re invited to help us celebrate!
Join us on October 22, 2025 for Beyond History: Framing the Past, Shaping the Future, an evening that honors the past, spotlights present-day advocates, and looks boldly toward a more inclusive future.
WPDHAC BY THE NUMBERS
22+
New collections & materials advanced to repositories (to date).
13
Long-form oral histories recorded (to date).
162
“Gather for Change” event attendees in 2024.
130,000+
Visitors to Heinz History Center’s “A Woman’s Place” exhibit viewed artifacts from the disability community, many collected in partnership with the Consortium.
OUR PARTNERS
The Consortium collaborates closely with the following valued community partners, whose support we deeply appreciate:


