Acronyms
A
State agency offering comprehensive services for individuals with disabilities over the age of 60.
Organization concerned with intellectual disability and related developmental disabilities.
Organization of brain injury survivors and family members
Federal legislation that aims to ease financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing, and transportation.
Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and serve as the Federal agency responsible for increasing access to community supports, while focusing attention and resources on the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities across the lifespan.
Wide-ranging civil rights law that is intended to protect against discrimination based on disability
A national grassroots, nonprofit membership organization concerned with the independent living issues of people with disabilities living in rural America.
The Center for Independent Living for people living with disabilities in Carbon, Luzerne and Schuylkill Counties.
An umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them.
B
Pennsylvania bureau to assist Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired gain the skills necessary to live and work independently in their communities.
C
Established to advise and inform clients, client applicants, and other individuals with disabilities of all the available services and benefits under the Rehabilitation Act of 197.
A coalition of national consumer, advocacy, provider and professional organizations advocating on behalf of people of all ages with physical and mental disabilities and their families.
A non-profit organization dedicated to helping working people consider income protection as part of their financial health and wellness planning.
Funds local community development activities such as affordable housing, anti-poverty programs, and infrastructure development.
Federal state plan option that allows States to provide home and community-based attendant services and supports to eligible Medicaid enrollees under their State Plan.
Governor directed plan to implement a Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program for older Pennsylvanians and adults with physical disabilities.
A consumer controlled, community based, cross disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities.
The Center for Independent Living for Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Mifflin, and Perry counties.
The Center for Independent Living serving Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tioga, and Union Counties.
The Center for Independent Living for York, Adams, and Franklin counties.
Community based, nonprofit, nonresidential organization that offers services and assistance to enable people with disabilities to expand their options.
Provides services to people with severe physical disabilities.
D
In 1996, the Departments of Community Affairs and Commerce were merged to create the Department of Community and Economic Development.
A cabinet-level state agency in Pennsylvania created to enhance investment opportunities for businesses and to improve the quality of life for residents.
Pennsylvania council engaged in advocacy, systems change and capacity building for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
The Center for Independent Living for Lancaster and Lebanon counties.
A civil rights organization committed to ending discrimination against people with disabilities – all disabilities.
Provides accessible access to the information infrastructure to people with disabilities through Independent Living Centers.
The Center for Independent Living serving Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
Formerly Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania. Organization which protects and advocates for rights of people with disabilities so that they may live the lives they choose, free from abuse, neglect, discrimination, and segregation.
A project of Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) that is funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) focused on promoting voter registration, voting and civic engagement by people with disabilities, our families and allies
E
Federal agency that administers and enforces civil rights laws against workplace discrimination.
Organization promoting independence in people with disabilities affordable, wheelchair accessible housing and waiver programs.
F
The national aviation authority of the United States, with powers to regulate all aspects of American civil aviation.
The percentage rates used to determine the matching funds rate allocated annually to certain medical and social service programs in the United States of America.
G
Grants intended to provide a limited amount of resources for a short term period (usually 12 to 18 months) in order to increase the capability and the resources of local groups to pursue such advocacy initiatives of their choice.
Agency for the establishment and operation of facilities and services directed toward elimination of poverty or causes of poverty.
H
A private not-for-profit organization making stronger and more vibrant neighborhoods in partnership with the communities it serves through the development and management of quality affordable housing.
Also known as Waiver Funded Services or Waiver Programs. Provides for supports and services beyond those covered by the Medicaid program that enable a person to remain in a community setting rather than being admitted to a Long Term Care Facility.
An administration created in 1977 to combine under one administration the oversight of the Medicare program, the Federal portion of the Medicaid program, and related quality assurance activities.
Act designed to protect Pennsylvanians who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make their mortgage payments and are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.
Pennsylvania commission which promotes equal opportunity for all and enforces Pennsylvania’s civil rights laws that protect people from unlawful discrimination.
Federal department created to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
I
The Office of Long-Term Living launched the PA Independent Enrollment Broker, effective December 1, 2010. The Independent Enrollment Broker is a contracted statewide entity to facilitate and streamline the eligibility/enrollment process for applicants seeking services for several Pennsylvania waivers/programs for individuals with primarily physical disabilities. In Pennsylvania, the organization in charge of this since 2011 has been Maximus.
A national center for information, training, research, and technical assistance in independent living.
J
An organization which manages over 20 successful programs that provide in-home personal assistance, skills development, vocational rehabilitation, job readiness and career services, and adult and residential day services.
K
A diverse group of transportation advocates that came together in support of one simple goal: to secure a comprehensive, long-term, multimodal solution to Pennsylvania’s transportation funding needs.
L
An option that allows the elderly to live independently on their own while receiving services and supports that meet the health and personal needs of the individual.
The Center for Independent Living serving Elk, Cameron, McKean, Jefferson, Clearfield, and Potter counties.
Program that helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs.
The Center for Independent Living serving Philadelphia metro and Philadephia, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware counties.
This also refers to Medical Assistance Advisory Committee subcommittee in PA. Also known as Long Term Care Subcommittee.
The Center for Independent Living serving Lehigh and Northhampton counties.
M
Pennsylvania program which provides transportation to medical appointments for Medical Assistance recipients who do not have transportation available to them.
Refers to the delivery of long term services and supports through capitated Medicaid managed care programs.
N
A nationwide grassroots advocacy group, representing families and people affected by mental disorders in the United States.
The library of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR.)
The longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities.
O
A federal law that gives workers who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by the plan under certain circumstances.
Pennsylvania office created to support Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, choice and opportunity in their lives.
Office created to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence.
Federally appointed office created to work to combat and reduce violence against women.
P
Provides grants for states to support systems for protection and advocacy for the rights of individuals with disabilities who are ineligible for services from the Protection and Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (PADD) program and the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program, or whose problems fall outside the scope of services available from the Client Assistance Program (CAP).
Coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the self determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society.
A membership association of Centers for Independent Living (CILs).
R
RAI refers to a standardized approach adopted to examine nursing home quality and to improve nursing home regulation. RAI is used when the resident is admitted first to a nursing home and at least annually to gather definitive information on a resident’s strengths and needs and thereafter to develop the resident’s plan of care.
An interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability.
The Center for Independent Living serving Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tioga, and Union Counties.
S
T
A Center for Independent Living providing service coordination in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, and Westmoreland counties.
The Center for Independent Living serving Washington, Fayette, and Greene counties.
U
An international nonprofit charitable organization consisting of a network of affiliates.
A non-profit organization providing care to the aging, veterans and people with disabilities for a safer, more independent life in their own homes.
W
A nonprofit that works to fully integrate people with disabilities into the communities around them in a variety of different ways.