Traditional media helped us to spread the word about the importance of eliminating the stigma against people with disabilities. This kit contains the campaign news release, images for reproduction and additional materials.
Governor Josh Shapiro has issued a proclamation for March to be Brain Injury Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. The Proclamation states: “WHEREAS, brain injuries can range in severity — traumatic and non-traumatic, mild or moderate, and sometimes even go undiagnosed and […]
Are you someone with a developmental disability (DD) who wants to make life better for people with DD in Pennsylvania? Do you care about advocacy and disability policy? Your personal experience and ideas could help shape our planning, projects and […]
Online resource discussion on inclusive play and recreation for families and children with disabilities. Join us for an informative and uplifting discussion with experts from around the country who work in the field of inclusive play and recreation. Learn about […]
The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) is accepting applications from agencies that are local and nongovernmental, and private non-profit groups concerned with services for people with developmental disabilities that are interested in having a seat on the Council. Established through […]
We are currently seeking nominations for Council of individuals with developmental disabilities from Pennsylvania who live or have lived in a state institution or Intermediate Care Facility (ICF). Individuals can nominate themselves or be nominated by another person. About Our […]
PADDC Statement on ACL Announcement (PDF) March 28, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA Yesterday’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will pose significant challenges for state governments and state budgets. The abrupt restructuring, which eliminates the […]
From our Executive Director, Lisa Tesler: “As I think back on this past year, I feel proud of our achievements and the many ways we have improved the lives of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their families. […]
(Listening Tour Announcement 2025 PDF document) The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) is a planning and funding group made up of people with disabilities, and their family members, advocates, and state department representatives who work to create favorable conditions for Pennsylvanians […]
We need your help! Every five years, the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) is required to create a State Plan to guide its work. Creating the plan involves gathering information about the current barriers and concerns faced by individuals with […]
PA Disability Community FY 2024-2025 Budget Priorities In the Spring of 2024, the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) convened leaders from the disability community to talk about Governor Shapiro’s proposed state budget. The group included self-advocacy organizations, family advocates, Centers […]
(Deadline to apply is August 8, 2024) PADDC is seeking nominations for Council members who are: Parent/guardian of a person with developmental disabilities The PA Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) empowers individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to help shape […]
PADDC is working on a project to enhance Pennsylvania’s self advocate leadership to focus on system and policy change. We invite people with developmental and intellectual disabilities (I/DD) and providers or organizations to connect us to self advocates who may […]
We are very excited to share our 2023 Impact Report. The report shows how the Council and our grant partners are working in creative ways to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities and families throughout the Commonwealth. Read […]
It’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Let’s raise awareness of the inclusion and contributions of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life, while also acknowledging the work we still need to do to remove barriers. The 2024 theme […]
On November 30, approximately 200 people gathered in Harrisburg to learn and reflect on Inclusive Education for students with disabilities. The PADDC provided financial support for this important event. In the past, Pennsylvania had key wins for inclusive education. In […]
We are cosponsoring a virtual meeting with Temple University Institute on Disabilities for self advocates on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. The meeting is about The Rehabilitation Act. This is a law that was passed 50 years ago. It ensures that […]
Pre-application Conference Webinars Each grant area will have a pre-application webinar. At these webinars, applicants can ask us questions about the application process. Answers given at this conference are documented in minutes and become an official part of the Request […]
(Our Executive Director, Lisa Tesler, shares this important information from The Majority Staff of the Senate Special Committee on Aging) “In the near future, the Senate Special Committee on Aging will be holding a hearing on guardianships, conservatorships, protective arrangements, and […]
We hope you enjoy reading our Spring 2023 Outlooks Newsletter and 2023 Impact Report! In this issue: Note from the Executive Director 2022 – 2023 Advocacy Agenda New PADDC Grants (starting January 2023) 2022 Council Impacts Advocacy Tip of the […]
We are pleased to announce that the newest Request for Application (RFA) book for our 2022-2026 State Plan is now available for you to download, which includes 15 separate grant opportunities. The deadline to submit applications for these grants is Wednesday, […]
PADDC is seeking nominations for Council members who are: Individuals with developmental disabilities Parents of children with developmental disabilities Family members of adults with developmental disabilities The PA Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) empowers individuals with developmental disabilities and their families […]
The Council has been very active and busy during the past year, including completing much work to update our mission and vision. In this report we are combining our 2021 Impact Report with our Spring 2022 Outlooks Newsletter. The Impact report […]
In a letter to Governor Tom Wolf and the Vaccine Task Force, PADDC Executive Director, Lisa Tesler, outlines the initiatives needed to insure that Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities have full access, and the supports needed, to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. […]
We are saddened by the passing of Graham Mulholland, a great leader and dear friend to many in the disability community. Graham served as the executive director of the PADDC from 1997 through his retirement in 2019. He was a […]
Hello, Pennsylvanians! The DD Council is developing our Five Year Strategic Plan and we need your help. We want to know what you think are the most important issues facing people with disabilities in Pennsylvania. The survey may take you […]
The PADDC Rural Healthcare Access Project, an initiative intended to improve access to healthcare for people with disabilities in rural PA, has just released a report Healthcare Access for People with Disabilities in Rural Pennsylvania. This effort, led by Pennsylvania […]
For the last several years, PADDC has sponsored and hosted the PA Community Alliance Summit as a day of networking, discovering alliances and collaboration-building among diverse organizations throughout Pennsylvania that are led by and/or supporting underserved/unserved populations who experience marginalization […]
Authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) in 2000 and guided by a vision to create inclusive communities where all people with disabilities are valued and thrive, the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council empowers individuals […]
On Tuesday May 12, 2020, U.S. Senator Bob Casey hosted a conference call with the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council, its committees, and staff members. During the call, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, the Senator briefed participants on current pieces of […]
In order to mitigate risk due to the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), PADDC is canceling our face to face meetings scheduled for April 15 and 16, 2020. This decision is based on the directive from the Governor’s Office to […]
The PA Developmental Disabilities Council invites you to apply for funding from our Community Grants Program. These Community Grants are intended to bring together people with and without disabilities in a local community alliance to influence social change and improve […]
Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) Co-chairpersons, Chris Grandy and Shirley Keith Knox, are pleased to announce that Ms. Lisa Tesler has been appointed as its new Executive Director, following the retirement of Mr. Graham Mullholland in May. This appointment was […]
The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council has issued a Request for Application (RFA) for a two-year project on the topic of residential housing and services. Below is a summary of the project. The full RFA is available at www.paddc.org under the […]
Official Statement from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council on the Proposed Closing of Polk & White Haven Centers (Download Statement in PDF Format) The PA DD Council supports the Department of Human Services’ proposed plan to close both Polk/White Haven […]
Harrisburg, Pa. (June 7, 2016)–The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Act Network, which is comprised of the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC), Disabilities Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) and the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, says the movie ‘Me Before You’ is a […]
Harrisburg, Pa. (June 3, 2016)– The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC), the organization that launched the Stigma Project campaign in April to change people’s thinking, behavior and attitudes toward people with disabilities, calls the messages in the recently released movie […]
Provocative statewide campaign draws attention to stigma against people with disabilities Harrisburg, Pa. (April 5, 2016) – This morning all across Pennsylvania, thousands of thought bubbles appeared with harsh stigmatizing statements such as, “Mentally ill people are dangerous,” “Most ‘disabled’ […]