Pittsburgh Center for Disability Justice

03/16/2026

Hey folks! Join our Executive Director Opal, and our Director of Advocacy Daeja, for this in person event! MASKING ENCOURAGED! We would hope anyone from our community joining us would make sure to wear a mask!

FREE reception, film screening, and discussion panel! March 23rd, Point Park University. See the flier for registration info!

We're so excited to see you in person!

[Image description: Near the top in a neon pink strip is a black Just Films logo with information about the screening to the right of it. The film's title, "Patrice: The Movie," is above smaller text that indicates the date, time, and location, as listed in the caption. All sponsors are listed above this strip and sponsors with social media are tagged in the end of caption. The majority of the image is pastel pink with three circular photos of the panelists listed in the caption. Register now at Just Films PGH dot org.]

03/10/2026

Come to this FREE film screening, and hear our Executive Director speak afterwards! The space is ADA accessible, MASKING ENCOURAGED, and there are captions.

March 23rd, 5:30pm, Point State Park University! Join us!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17MuFVbvhV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

[IMAGE : Near the top in a neon pink strip is a black Just Films logo with information about the screening to the right of it. The film's title, "Patrice: The Movie," is above smaller text that indicates the date, time, and location, as listed in the caption. All sponsors are listed above this strip and sponsors with social media are tagged in the end of caption. The majority of the image is pastel pink with three circular photos of the panelists listed in the caption. Register now at Just Films PGH dot org.]

Join Just Films Monday, March 23 at Point Park University's GRW Theater (414 Wood St) for a screening of "Patrice: The Movie." The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with free refreshments, and the film starts at 6:00 p.m. followed by a panel discussion. 🎬

March's screening is a "documentary rom-com" about the next phase of marriage equality: disability. Patrice has finally found the love of her life, Garry, who is also disabled. They want nothing more than to get married, but if they do – or even if they just move in together – the government benefits they need to survive would be cut. Despite the scrutiny they’re under, they decide to plan a commitment ceremony that could risk their entire future. 💍

Panelists:
◼️ Teaira Collins, Founder, Lion of Judah Enterprises & Board Member and President of Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations
◼️ Opal, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Center for Disability Justice
Moderator:
◼️ Camila Rivera-Tinsley, Chief Executive Officer, The Women and Girls Foundation

Free and open to the public, register now at justfilmspgh.org or the link in bio! 🔗 Masking is recommended, but not required for this event. Please refer to the comments for an image description.

Other partners include:
Chatham University Arts, Design & Communication
Women's Institute
Point Park University Community Engagement
Point Park Film and Animation
Women's Law Project

03/02/2026

Thank you all for joining us in vigil yesterday. We had so many viewers, and so much great feedback! We appreciate your support.

If you missed the live program, you can still watch the video on our website, or YouTube! The website it linked below.

1st, 2026 – 7 PM ESTYouTube ∞ Facebook Over 700 disabled people have been murdered by their caregivers in the past 5 years. We must stand together to condemn these acts and change the way…

02/28/2026

Join us tomorrow, Sunday March 1st, at 7pm EST for our virtual Disability Day of Mourning vigil. Hear from speakers, hold space for those we've lost, come together in community.



[IMAGE : White test on a dark background reads 'Every year on March 1st we gather to remember disabled people killed by their parents and caregivers. Join our livestream at 7:00pm EST. A link to the website linked below is listed]

https://autisticpgh.org/ddom-2026/

02/27/2026

In just two days, we come together to mourn those we've lost to murder by their caregiver, and to fight like hell to dismantle the structures that lead to our murders and the narrative that our lives, as opposed to our deaths, are the tragedy. Join us in our virtual vigil at 7pm EST.

[IMAGE : White text on a black background reads 'March 1st is Disability Day of Mourning. Join our virtual vigil. It then lists the website linked below. Beneath the text are three lit votive candles]

https://autisticpgh.org/ddom-2026/

02/25/2026

Join us virtually for our vigil and program on March 1st at 7pm EST.

Each year on March 1st, the Pittsburgh disability community comes together to mourn and call for justice for the dozens of disabled people murdered by their parents and caregivers. As we come together for the thirteenth year in Pittsburgh, we embrace our community and reject narratives that dehumanize us and cast our deaths as good or justified.

People with disabilities are twice as likely as non-disabled people to be victims of violent crime. Every year, the national media covers dozens of stories about murders of people with disabilities by family members or caregivers, and many more go unnoticed. Too often, the coverage focuses on sympathy for the murderer, because they had to live with or care for a person with a disability. The message to the public is that our lives—not our deaths—are the tragedy.

[IMAGE : Light text on a dark background reads 'March 1st is Disability Day of Mourning. Join our virtual vigil. 7:00pm EST. The website linked below is listed. Several candles with lit flames appear below the text]

https://autisticpgh.org/ddom-2026/

02/24/2026

Meet our Speakers!

Disability Day of Mourning is March 1st. Every year we come together in vigil, to mourn for our community who have been murdered because of their disabilities. Join us as we hold space together, for the 13th year in Pittsburgh. Our vigil is virtual.

Bethany Stevens (she/her) is a q***r femme wheelchair-using sexuality educator completing a doctoral degree in sociology. Trained as an attorney and holding a Master of Arts in Sexuality Studies, she has a diverse background of interests that ground her work in human rights. She has lectured and offered workshops internationally and taught courses in public health, disability studies, and social work across the country. Bethany lives in Atlanta with her wife, a tiny chihuahua named Theo, and an elegant polydactyl tuxedo cat Raven. Connect with and follow her on Instagram, TikTok, & YT .

[IMAGE : Black text on a white background reads "Disability Day of Mourning. Meet our speakers:” A photo of Bethany, a white femme with brunette hair, is seated outside in her power wheelchair. The image is up-close on her face, her soft smile, and her favorite black Kangol hat. Bethany wears a black tank top, a silver-and-amethyst choker, and red guitar-pick earrings. Blurred trees in the background of this image.]

https://autisticpgh.org/ddom-2026/

https://facebook.com/events/s/ddom-2026/1420154426560238/

02/23/2026

Meet our Emcee!

Disability Day of Mourning is March 1st. Every year we come together in vigil, to mourn for our community who have been murdered because of their disabilities. Join us as we hold space together, for the 13th year in Pittsburgh. Our vigil is virtual.

Opal M. (they/them) serves as the Executive Director of PCDJ. They live at many marginalized intersections. Opal works faithfully for a world that is just, equitable, and joyful.

[IMAGE : Black text on a white background reads "Disability Day of Mourning. Meet our emcee: Opal M.” A photo shows Opal, a white person with short hair, smiling at the camera. They are wearing a blue blazer, light blue shirt, and blue flower shaped lapel pin.]

https://autisticpgh.org/ddom-2026/

https://facebook.com/events/s/ddom-2026/1420154426560238/

02/22/2026

Meet our speakers! Please join us at our virtual vigil. Links at the bottom of this post, after the image descriptions.

Disability Day of Mourning is March 1st. Every year we come together in vigil, to mourn for our community who have been murdered because of their disabilities. Join us as we hold space together, for the 13th year in Pittsburgh. Our vigil is virtual.

Dr. Bethany Ziss(she/her) is a disabled person and a doctor, who believes the two are not mutually exclusive.

Alisa Grishman is a Pittsburgh-based disability advocate and professional rabble rouser. When she’s not fighting the good fight, she enjoys knitting and spending time with her cats.

[IMAGE : Black text on a white background reads "Disability Day of Mourning. Meet our speakers. March 1st, 7 pm EST” One photo shows Dr. Bethany Ziss, a white woman with dark hair pulled back and glasses, wearing a pink shirt and smiling at the camera. Another photo shows Alisa, a smiling white woman with curly brown hair sitting in a power chair. She wears a black t-shirt and has tattoos on her arms.]

https://autisticpgh.org/ddom-2026/

https://facebook.com/events/s/ddom-2026/1420154426560238/

02/21/2026

Meet our speakers!

Disability Day of Mourning is March 1st. Every year we come together in vigil, to mourn for our community who have been murdered because of their disabilities. Join us as we hold space together, for the 13th year in Pittsburgh. Our vigil is virtual.

Kayte Rose (they/she) is a disabled activist, artist, troublemaker, and problem solver. They have always been angry.

Aviva Ron (she/her) is a disabled, q***r and Mad person doing the best that she can. Her love of stories leads her towards justice.

[IMAGE : Black text on a white background reads "Disability Day of Mourning. Meet our speakers. March 1st, 7 pm EST” One photo shows Kayte, a fat white person standing in front of a brick wall. They are looking to the side, and not at the camera. They are wearing glasses, their hair is brown and green, and they are holding paintbrushes. There is paint on their hand. A second photo shows Aviva, a person with dark curly hair, a short, dark beard, and glasses, wearing a pink t-shirt and smiling at the camera.]

https://autisticpgh.org/ddom-2026/

https://facebook.com/events/s/ddom-2026/1420154426560238/

11/25/2025

Giving Tuesday is fast approaching. We hope that you will honor us with your support this year.

Your donations allow us to provide a vast array of services and supports at no cost to our disabled community in the SWPA region.

What kinds of supports and services? Peer support, therapeutic groups, resource coordination, case management, social events, workshops, skill shares, mutual aid facilitation, community connections, in the field support for all sorts of things from attending medical appointments to going shoe shopping to delivering meals, body doubling, volunteer coordination for direct support of disabled adults, advocacy in legislative spaces, direct advocacy, and so much more.

We are a gap-filling organization. If our community needs something, we figure out how to do it! Out work is critical, vital, and necessary. Your donations go such a long way with us!

11/14/2025

Hello all! As we transition into our new name, we would also like to introduce you to our new team! Look for our newsletter to begin coming to your inbox again within the coming weeks, along with new offerings, ways to connect, be involved, and support our vital work!

Meet our new Mutual Aid Coordinator, Adrienne Totino!

Adrienne is a longtime advocate and recent mutual aid organizer. She is most skilled at building relationships, connecting people, writing, and teaching. Her neurodivergence and dynamic disabilities bring lived experience to this work.

From a young age, Adrienne has been passionate about social justice. She immediately felt at home joining DPMA (Disabled Pittsburgh Mutual Aid, a project of PCDJ), and took on a leadership role in the community as soon as she could.

In her spare time, Adrienne’s head is either buried in a book, or she is enjoying the outdoors, in awe of the natural world.

Adrienne will be taking some limited peer support clients in 2026! Look for ways to connect with her directly in our newsletter, coming soon!

[IMAGE: The photo shows a white woman from the shoulders up, with long brown hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a maroon colored tank top. The blue sky is bright behind her.]