Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council
A nonprofit, cross-disability, consumer-controlled organization, the mission of the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council is to use our collective power and legal mandate to develop and secure public policies that ensure civil rights and expand options for all people with disabilities in all aspects of life.
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Independent Living
Independent living, is a philosophy and a worldwide movement of individuals with disabilities working for equal opportunities, self-determination, and self-respect.  It stems from the fundamental principle that people with disabilities are entitled to the same civil rights, options and control over choices in their own lives as people without disabilities.
STATE PLAN FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (SPIL)
We are looking for your input on issues that affect your daily life.
Centers for Independent Living
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are consumer‑controlled, community‑based, cross‑disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agencies operated by individuals with disabilities, providing an array of independent living services.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), will be conducting a webinar on the topic of the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.
A PA ABLE account provides eligible individuals with qualifying disabilities, and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts. The presentation will be given by a representative from the PA Treasury Department.
OLTL Service Coordinators, Direct Service Providers, Community HealthChoices (CHC) managed care organizations (MCOs), staff, and any individuals that work on employment are strongly encouraged to participate in this webinar that will help you understand the PA ABLE Program and how it can benefit the OLTL participants you serve.
Please register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you have questions regarding this email, please contact Ryan Dorsey at OLTL. ... See MoreSee Less
PA ABLE Savings Program Webinar Planned for December 6 - RCPA
www.paproviders.org
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Long-Term Living ...Comment on Facebook
"People with disabilities face barriers when attempting to gain access to health care settings. Using qualitative analysis of three physician focus groups, we identified physical, communication, knowledge, structural, and attitudinal barriers to care for people with disabilities. Physicians reported feeling overwhelmed by the demands of practicing medicine in general and the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 specifically; in particular, they felt that they were inadequately reimbursed for accommodations. Some physicians reported that because of these concerns, they attempted to discharge people with disabilities from their practices. Increasing health care access for people with disabilities will require increasing the accessibility of space and the availability of proper equipment, improving the education of clinicians about the care of people with disabilities, and removing structural barriers in the health care delivery system. Our findings also suggest that physicians’ bias and general reluctance to care for people with disabilities play a role in perpetuating the health care disparities they experience." ... See MoreSee Less
‘I Am Not The Doctor For You’: Physicians’ Attitudes About Caring For People With Disabilities | Health Affairs Journal
www.healthaffairs.org
People with disabilities face barriers when attempting to gain access to health ...Comment on Facebook
"25% of U.S. adults live with a disability. Experts say many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities do not have long-term plans for when family members lose the ability to help them get access to government services or to care for them directly. Families, researchers, government officials, and advocates worry that the lack of planning — combined with a social safety net that's full of holes — has set the stage for a crisis in which people with disabilities can no longer live independently in their communities. If that happens, they could end up stuck in nursing homes or state-run institutions."
[Image description: A young man sits in a sunny home, looking towards the camera.] ... See MoreSee Less
Americans with disabilities need an updated long-term care plan, say advocates
www.npr.org
Nearly 75% of Americans with disabilities live with a family caregiver, many of ...Comment on Facebook
From NCIL: The White House is hosting a Summit on COVID-19 Equity and What Works Showcase next week to highlight interventions and approaches that have moved the needle on equitable COVID-19 outcomes, and to showcase a path forward. You are invited to join the White House Summit on Covid-19 Equity and What Works Showcase virtually on Wednesday, November 16th, from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Three Centers for Independent Living have been invited to be showcased! More info at the link. ... See MoreSee Less
White House to Host Summit on COVID-19 Equity and What Works Showcase
advocacymonitor.com
The White House is hosting a Summit on COVID-19 Equity and What Works Showcase n...Comment on Facebook
Wheelchair Repair Workshop hosted by TechOWL & Neighborhood Bike Works
Learn about wheelchairs
Get hands-on experience with repair and maintenance
Take home the tools you need
Monday November 21st
6:30-8 PM EST
3939 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Visit us online at ow.ly/6el250LE3sO or scan the QR code to register.
For more info, contact: Caitlin at 215-204-5974
TechOWL@temple.edu
@TechOWLpa ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations to Theo Braddy! "A longtime advocate from Central Pennsylvania, Theo Braddy, recently added a new job to his resume: a member of the National Council on Disability, appointed by President Joe Biden. Members appointed to the National Council on Disability make recommendations to the President and Congress on policies affecting millions of Americans with disabilities." ... See MoreSee Less
Longtime central Pa. disability activist named to national council: ‘We don’t need to be fixed’
www.pennlive.com
After 40 years of advocating for disabled residents in central Pa., Theo Braddy ...Comment on Facebook