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Vision for Equality has spearheaded change and progress in Pennsylvania’s Intellectual Disability Rights Movement for the past 28 years. Alongside many advocates, supporters, and leaders a legacy has been built: click here to learn more about the Visionary Voices | Leaders Lessons Legacy project of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University that collects the stories of those who played a part, or were first hand witness, to the events that changed the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in Pennsylvania.

Learn more about the Right to Special Education and the 50-year fight for it here

2005
City Ordinance Passed
City Ordinance Passed

Philadelphia City Council, through the efforts of Vision for Equality, passed an Ordinance entitling ALL public employees to allow retirement benefits to be paid to trusts for their disabled children and adopted disabled children thus passing a portion of their pension onto them when the employee passes away. CONTINUES TODAY…Read More

Mentors for Self-Determination Joined

Mentors for Self-Determination joined Vision for Equality to mentor and train families in Central Pennsylvania and provide Mentor Family Connections statewide. …Supporting families to connect with each other within their homes and community.

PA Training Partnership for People with Disabilities and their Families Founded

Vision for Equality was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Training Partnership for People with Disabilities and their Families – empowering people and families about how to “navigate” the intellectual disability and autism systems, which included: Vision for Equality, Temple University, ACHEIVA, Mentors for Self-Determination, Self-Advocates United as 1 and…Read More

2006
Celebrated 10th Anniversary
Celebrated 10th Anniversary

Vision for Equality celebrated their many accomplishments at their 10th Anniversary Gala with 500 friends and allies in attendance. …Celebrating people with disabilities and their families many achievements.

2008
Self-Advocates United Formed
Self-Advocates United Formed

Vison for Equality was instrumental in forming Self-Advocates United as 1 (SAU1). This self-advocacy group brought together people with developmental disabilities throughout Pennsylvania to break down walls and build bridges to an Everyday Life. …Supporting the rightful role of self-advocates in shaping their own future.

“Money Follows the Person” Program
“Money Follows the Person” Program

Vision for Equality participates in the “Money Follows the Person”program that encourages states to look at ways to facilitate nursing home residents’ transitions into living in the community. CONTINUES TODAY …Supporting people moving from Nursing Homes back to their community.

2009
The Latino Project Formed
The Latino Project Formed

The Latino Project was formed to assist people, families and caregivers who have sons and daughters with disabilities in the Latino community who often have a language barrier to receive accurate up to date information and support so that they can effectively obtain services they so desperately need. CONTINUES TODAY…Read More

2010
Adult Protective Services Act 70 Enacted
Adult Protective Services Act 70 Enacted

Adult Protective Services, Act 70, was finally enacted by the state of Pennsylvania after Vision for Equality fought for ten long years to create a system which addresses abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 59. CONTINUES TODAY …Assuring that people are safe in…Read More

2012
The Family Forum Newsletter Published
The Family Forum Newsletter Published

The Family Forum, the quarterly print newsletter published for Philadelphia Intellectual disAbility Services commenced publication under Vision for Equality. It provides up-to-date information on development in advocacy, events, activities and trainings. In 2016, the first edition of the Spanish Family Forum was published.  CONTINUES TODAY …Providing Families and Self-Advocates with…Read More

2015
Alert System Safety Net
Alert System Safety Net

Vision for Equality fought for a successful Alert System, after the tragic death of Christina Sankey, putting into place in the City of Philadelphia a safety net to protect vulnerable adults with disabilities when they go missing so they are found and returned before a tragedy occurs. CONTINUES TODAY …Serving…Read More

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