ARC, Pennsylvania - The Arc-Pennsylvania works toward the goal of having people with mental retardation fully participate in civil, social, educational, health and employment activities in the communities in which they reside, with the opportunity to grow to their fullest potential in every way. 717-234-2621, 1-800-692-7258

ARC, Philadelphia - The Arc of Philadelphia supports individuals with disabilities and family members through staff who are parents of offspring with mental retardation. The Arc provides: 1) Support for parents and referrals to early intervention programs for the newborn or preschool child with a developmental delay or who is at-risk for delay; 2) Aid to obtain appropriate public school programs for the school-aged child with special needs; 3) Help to the graduating young adult and his or her family with the transition from school to community-based services;  4) Reinforcement to individuals and families to deal with life’s on-going challenges; 5) Advocacy for system-wide issues, such as the Waiting List and 6) Education about mental retardation for the general public. 215-229-4550

American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT) - focuses on promoting services in the community instead of warehousing people with disabilities in institutions and nursing homes.

• Jimmi Schrode 215-634-2000   Click here to send E-mail
  Erik von Schmetterling 215/627-7255 v/tty
 Click here to send E-mail
• Nancy Salandra 215-634-2000 215-634-2272 215-568-3519 v/tty

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Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association - (EPVA) is dedicated to enhancing the lives of veterans with a spinal cord injury or disease by assuring quality health care, promoting research, and advocating for civil rights and independence. EPVA is a chapter of the congressionally chartered Paralyzed Veterans of America and has over 2,000 members residing in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

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Epilepsy Foundation of Southeastern Pennsylvania
The Epilepsy Foundation of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a non-profit, voluntary health organization that provides education, support and advocacy for people with epilepsy and their families. The Foundation also promotes understanding of seizure disorders through a wide variety of programs presented to business, government and school communities, professional audiences and the general public. Contact them for information on adult issues such as transportation, housing, medical, employment, legal issues and more. The Foundation also provides family support services and community education. The Epilepsy Foundation can be contacted at:

Liberty Resources 1341 N. Delaware Ave., Suite 105, Philadelphia PA 19125– is a non-profit, consumer driven organization that advocates and promotes Independent Living for persons with disabilities. It provides peer support, skill training and information on advocacy, housing, managed care, news calendar, election guide; jobs, social and recreational activities and a day care resource data base. 215-636-2000

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Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities

Municipal Services Building
Room 900
1401 JFK Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Roger Margulies
215-686-2762

The National Coalition on Self-Determination - is a national coalition of people with disabilities, parents, and family members who work to promote federal policies that support the five principles of Self-Determination: self-advocacy, freedom, authority, responsibility, and support. The Coalition also supports the Community Imperative, a declaration asserting the fundamental human right of all people, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, to community living.

Parents Exchange - is an information, referral, and advocacy service for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and professionals who work with families. Founded in 1986 by a group of parents of children with disabilities, our main goal is to help parents avoid the need to 'recreate the wheel' every time they encounter an issue.

Parents Involved Network (PIN) - is a statewide network of parents and others interested in children' s mental health issues. They provide resources such as information, support and serve as an advocacy voice for children with emotional, behavioral and/or mental disorders and their families.

Parent's Union - assists students and parents with school-related problems including special education and acts as a liaison between parents and school administration or faculty.

228 W. Chelten Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
E-mail: parentsu@aol.com

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Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) 7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 6th Fl., Philadelphia PA 19105-  is about making the lives of Philadelphia, and the region's children better, whatever it takes. PCCY fights for children to get their fair share of City and State budgets, for homeless children, for abused children, for children who can't afford to get to school cause they can t afford the bus fare, for children whose parents are being taken off welfare, for those children who have no safe place to go and nothing to do in the non-school hours, for children being threaten by lead paint poisoning or those receiving inadequate health care. 215-563-5848, info@pccy.org

Pennsylvania Council on Independent Living - serves as Pennsylvania's Association of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) working to advance the Independent Living movement. Have a new fully accessible website including Policy, Information, and Exchange (PIE), local CILs, live streaming of disability news, discussion boards, and legislative news and resources.
        101 South Second Street, Suite 4
        Harrisburg, PA 17101
        717-920-0530 (Voice/TTY) email: pcil@paonline.com

Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council - is made up of people with disabilities, family members, advocates, and state department representatives who work to create favorable conditions for people with developmental disabilities and their families in the Commonwealth. Created under a federal act and Governor’s Executive Order, the Council accomplishes is mission through planning for public policy and by funding proposals from groups and organizations through a competitive bid process. (See their Web site for yearly funding opportunities).

Harrisburg Office: Room 569 Forum Bldg., 

Commonwealth Avenue, Harrisburg PA 17120

Phone: 717-787-6057

email: info@paddc.org

Pittsburg Office:  8500 Brooktree Road, Suite 100

Werford PA 15090

714-933-1655

Policy Information Exchange (PIE) - It is the mission of the PIE to educate and inform Pennsylvanians with disabilities, their families and advocates, and the general public, regarding public policy issues and to further the exchange of policy information between the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council and federal, state and local policy makers.

Pennsylvania Parents and Caregivers Resource Network (PPCRN) P.O.Box 4336, Harrisburg PA 17111- is a statewide cross-disability, grassroots network that supports parents' and caregivers' efforts to help their children and adult family members with developmental disabilities. PPCRN helps them to form local groups and to network with other parents in their regions and across the state. The PPCRN promotes inclusionary practices in all areas of life among parents and caregivers of children and adults with developmental disabilities.1-800-572-7368, 717-561-0098

Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy - is the federally funded, nonprofit agency responsible for providing protection and advocacy services to people with disabilities. If you are experiencing discrimination related to your disability or have questions regarding the rights and services related to your disability, please contact PP&A, Inc. at:
        1424 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103
        717-236-8110 V/    800-692-7443 V/   717-236-0192 FAX
        717- 346-0293        877-375-7139 TTY  E-mail: ppa@ppainc.org

Philadelphia Interagency Coordinating Council (PICC) - is a group of parents and professionals from agencies and programs serving children with special needs ages birth to five years. The group provides suggestions on local service development for children and their families.
Telephone: 215-731-2100.

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Speaking For Ourselves 502 W. Germantown Pike, Suite 550, Plymouth Meeting PA 19462- is a self-advocacy group which began in February, 1982. Speaking For Ourselves seeks to be an independent community organization controlled by people with disabilities. Their mission is to help individuals with disabilities find a voice, teach the public about the needs, wishes and potential of people with disabilities, speak out on important issues and support each other through sharing, leadership development, and helping and encouraging each other. 610-825-4592

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Special Kids Network 1901 Olde Homestead Lane, Lancaster PA 17605- is a free, statewide network for families, like yours, with children who have special needs or disabilities. This number will connect you to an information and referral specialist in one of six regional areas. They can help you get connected to a range of resources and supports services in your community. The Special Kids Network works closely with Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania which links parents of children with disabilities to other parents in similar situations. 800-986-4550 for voice or 877-986-5432 TTY.

Vision For Equality - is an agency committed to people with disabilities and family members of people with disabilities. Vision For Equality can help you find an advocate or help you solve your health care problems.

NATIONAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS

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