FISA Foundation

11/19/2025

FISA honors the life and memory of disability advocate Alice Wong. Alice was the founder of The Disability Visibility Project, a prolific author and editor, a MacArthur Fellow, and a fierce supporter of Medicaid access.

Learn more about her incredible life and impactful work: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/us/alice-wong-dead.html

11/18/2025

Join us this Thursday to learn how you can create a more inclusive emergency plan in your community!

Building Inclusive Emergency Preparedness: Centering Resilience in the Disability Community on Thursday, November 20, from 1-2:30 PM EST

Hear from organizational leaders who are championing inclusive emergency planning and disaster response. Moderated by Shaylin Sluzalis and Germán Parodi from The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, we'll explore the ecosystem of organizations already doing this critical work, discuss Pennsylvania-specific disaster risks like flooding and extreme heat, and provide concrete ways you can advocate for more inclusive emergency planning in your community.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-inclusive-emergency-preparedness-tickets-1815901733969?aff=oddtdtcreator

11/14/2025

Did you know that children with disabilities and special healthcare needs may qualify for PA Medicaid regardless of parental income?

Learn more about Pennsylvania's PH95 Medical Assistance coverage from Achieva's "Our Health" Project in the post below:

Medicaid, called “Medical Assistance” in PA, covers physical and behavioral health services and supports that other insurance doesn’t. Kids getting Social Security (SSI) automatically receive Medicaid, while others need to apply.

Get the information you need to apply at: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/medicaid/medicaid-children-special-needs-ph95 You can also check out the Pennsylvania Health Law Project’s Guide to Getting Medical Assistance for a Child with a Disability at: phlp.org/en/resource-library

To learn more about our partners and the "Our Health" Project, visit: Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo

Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. It features a smiling boy with light skin and short brown hair, wearing a red polo shirt. He is reaching towards a cluster of floating bubbles, with his right arm extended and his left arm bent at the elbow. His expression is joyful and playful. The background is a soft-focus view of green foliage, likely a park or outdoor setting. This creates a natural and inviting atmosphere. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Children with disabilities and special healthcare needs may qualify for PA Medicaid regardless of parental income." The words "regardless of parental income" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads, "To learn more about our partners and the 'Our Health' Project, visit Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo."

FISA Foundation, Achieva Advocacy, The Arc of Indiana County, The Arc of Washington PA, Allegheny Family Network, PEAL Center, PA Elks Home Service Program, Pennsylvania Health Law Project, Special Olympics Pennsylvania, VisAbility, Voices For Independence

11/12/2025

Don’t forget to register for tomorrow’s Breaking Barriers webinar with Dr. Ann Deschamps and Dr. Josie Badger!

Furthering Disability Rights and Patient Advocacy: The Role of the ADA in Healthcare with Dr. Ann Deschamps
November 13, noon – 1:00 pm

This webinar will explore how healthcare systems, providers, and advocates can improve accessibility, uphold patient rights, and navigate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/furthering-disability-rights-and-patient-advocacy-with-dr-ann-deschamps-tickets-1680613402929?aff=oddtdtcreator

Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

11/10/2025

Building Inclusive Emergency Preparedness: Centering Resilience in the Disability Community

Thursday, November 20 | 1-2:30 PM EST

Join us for a conversation on how our communities can better support multiply marginalized people, particularly people with disabilities, in disaster preparedness and emergency response. Hear from Ciawanda McDonald, CEO of Disability Solutions for Independent Living, Inc., and Misty Dion, CEO of Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living, as they share real-world examples of community-led responses to disasters, COVID-19, and other emergencies. Moderated by Shaylin Sluzalis and Germán Parodi from The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, we'll explore the ecosystem of organizations already doing this critical work, discuss Pennsylvania-specific disaster risks like flooding and extreme heat, and provide concrete ways you can advocate for more inclusive emergency planning in your community.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-inclusive-emergency-preparedness-tickets-1815901733969?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Heinz Endowments The Pittsburgh Foundation

11/07/2025

Film Pittsburgh is hosting the Three Rivers Film Festival November 12-23!

For opening night, Film Pittsburgh, ReelAbilities International, and Evolve Coaching will co-present HORSEGIRLS on November 12th. Learn more about the film below and make sure to get your tickets! Use code FISA25, for $3 off tickets to any film in the festival.

Get your tickets at: https://filmpittsburgh.org/pages/three-rivers-film-festival

11/06/2025

Access, independence, and safety for people with disabilities are central to this new project from the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, which aims to reimagine the wheelchair.

FISA/PVA Professor Rory Cooper, PhD, director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, is leading this groundbreaking endeavor and notes in the article why Pittsburgh is the perfect place for this work! Check out this article from Pittsburgh Magazine to learn more:

Pitt engineers will lead a $41.5 million federal project that aims to 'change the field.'

11/05/2025

The Alliance for Access and Assets: Building Financial Power Together will host a virtual panel discussion led by Dr. Josie Badger, on November 10th at 2 PM

The program will cover topics important to our community in this moment! The discussion will explore how to take care of yourself and your community by learning more about:

- Understanding changes to Medicaid, SNAP, and other benefits.
- Advocating for policies and programs that support people with disabilities.
- Building financial stability and security.
- Mindful movement.

Register at: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=1LmNwQN9AEGNhUsoEW7NojKT785uMwZKoLQb9R54y6NUQUxCNkpGUVhWTldSR1U2TjZVTUVMRVRRSC4u&origin=QRCode

11/03/2025

Tomorrow is Election Day! If you have not submitted a mail-in ballot, make sure you have a plan to vote!

Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education has a great resource answering frequently asked questions about in-person voting for people with disabilities:
https://disabilities.temple.edu/resources/pa-voter-resources/pa-voter-fact-sheet-person-voting

To confirm your polling place, check out: https://www.pa.gov/services/vote/find-your-local-polling-place

Find your Local Polling Place

10/30/2025

Building Inclusive Emergency Preparedness: Centering Resilience in the Disability Community

Thursday, November 20 | 1-2:30 PM EST

Join us for a conversation on how our communities can better support multiply marginalized people, particularly people with disabilities, in disaster preparedness and emergency response. Hear from Ciawanda McDonald, CEO of Disability Solutions for Independent Living, Inc., and Misty Dion, CEO of Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living, as they share real-world examples of community-led responses to disasters, COVID-19, and other emergencies. Moderated by Shaylin Sluzalis and Germán Parodi from The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, we'll explore the ecosystem of organizations already doing this critical work, discuss Pennsylvania-specific disaster risks like flooding and extreme heat, and provide concrete ways you can advocate for more inclusive emergency planning in your community.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/building-inclusive-emergency-preparedness-tickets-1815901733969?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Heinz Endowments The Pittsburgh Foundation

10/29/2025

Important information from our grantee partner, Autism Connection of Pennsylvania, on the disruption of SNAP benefits starting November 1st and the impact on the autistic community. Learn more about immediate actions steps you can take.

If you or someone you know needs food, use the Find Food Guide at www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/findfood or call 2-1-1.

10/28/2025

FISA Foundation is thrilled to announce that Judge Kim Berkeley Clark, Nancy A. Hubley, Suzie Lachut, and Alexis James Steals have been elected to serve on our Board of Directors!

The newly appointed board members bring a distinguished collective background in championing equitable education, advancing justice, eliminating food insecurity, and nurturing leadership development. Their combined years of experience reflect a deep commitment to FISA’s mission of advancing equity, justice, safety, and inclusion for women, girls, and people with disabilities, and to addressing structural racism.

To read more about FISA’s newest board members, click here: https://fisafoundation.org/fisa-foundation-announces-new-board-members-oct-2025/