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.
FEATURED PROJECT: GATHER FOR CHANGE
The “Gather for Change” project features a series of six educational and empowering events, all aimed at advancing awareness of critical topics for people with disabilities, their families, disability activists, and anyone interested in disability rights and history. Five of the events will be held virtually and one event held in person.
Each of these events will not only provide valuable information but also create spaces for dialogue, understanding, and connection within the community. By addressing the unique needs and perspectives of individuals with disabilities, their families, and advocates, WPDHAC is fostering an environment where the rich history of disability rights in Western Pennsylvania can be celebrated and built upon.
This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council.
WPDHAC BY THE NUMBERS
12+
New collections & materials advanced to repositories.
11
Long-form oral histories recorded.
12
“Intersection of Race and Disability” stories
collected and told in 2022-2023.