Vision For Equality

Join PhillyFam tonight for an interactive session!

Advocate to Success!

Starting Strong: What you Need to Know for the School Year Ahead

Know the Rules. Know Your Rights, Be Prepared
How to work with the team to support your child
What you can do when it is not working
Philly Fam is a partnership with Vision for Equality

The sessions are Always Live, Always Interactive

For Families, by Families

You can Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lkr4ddyKSP269LgnITF0Ow #/registration

¡Únete a PhillyFam esta noche para una sesión interactiva!
¡Aboga por el éxito!
Comenzando con fuerza: lo que necesitas saber para el próximo año escolar
Conoce las reglas. Conoce tus derechos. Prepárate.
Cómo trabajar con el equipo para apoyar a tu hijo
Qué puedes hacer cuando no funciona
PhillyFam es una colaboración con Vision for Equality
Las sesiones siempre son en vivo, siempre interactivas
Para familias, por familias
Puedes registrarte aquí: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lkr4ddyKSP269LgnITF0Ow #/registration

Sharing for our friends at TechOWL, a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education and Human Development, presents

Free one-hour webinars every October Wednesday at noon

Register Here:
https://disabilities.temple.edu/assistive-technology/aac-awareness-month-webinar-series

October 7: Funding AAC Across the Lifespan
How do you fund an AAC device at different life stages? This session will focus on funding options available in Pennsylvania. By the end of the session, participants will be able to describe the language needed for a speech-generating device insurance request, and recall at least two potential funding sources for AAC in Pennsylvania.

October 14: Communication Partner Instruction: Considerations for Supporting Adults who use AAC
Adults who use AAC interact with various staff members across residential, day, and community settings. How do we support and empower the multifaceted team of individuals who work with this population in implementing AAC? This presentation will discuss coaching strategies, tips and tools for helping teams understand and support individuals who use AAC.

October 21: Click, Connect, Communicate: Virtual AAC Services Across the Lifespan
Literature suggests stakeholder coaching leads to better outcomes in AAC acquisition, implementation, and use; however, there remains a need for greater supports in AAC service-delivery. Individuals, families, and teams face a shortage of experienced AAC providers and other systemic limitations. This session will provide insight into TechOWL’s AAC Community initiatives and focus on services within Pennsylvania.

October 28: Sub, Grinder, Hoagie, Hero, Cosmo, or Zep: Exploring Regional and Dialectical Differences in AAC

Whether you say, “Youz want wooder?” or “Yinz want pop?”, regional and dialectical differences help create a sense of community. But are we making sure these linguistic variations are accessible for AAC users? In this session, we’ll look at dialectical and regional differences in Pennsylvania and discuss ways to incorporate them into AAC systems.

Register separately for each webinar!

• All webinars begin at 12 Noon, Eastern Daylight Time.
• Registration is required for each individual webinar.
• Automated Zoom captioning will be available. To request reasonable accommodations, please email [email protected] by September 25, 2026.

AAC Awareness Month Webinar Series Lunch and Learn Webinars Each Week in OctoberOctober 2026 is AAC Awareness Month. TechOWL, a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education and Human Development, will present a free webinar Lunch and Learn series throughout October.AAC Topics Wednesdays at NoonS...

Provi has worked with Colleen for many years! Provi and Colleen like to go out in the community, go to the movies, community events, visit the Mall, library and more. Each year, Provi and Colleen dress up together for Halloween.

Thank you Provi! You are an incredible DSP!

This week, we celebrate Direct Support Professionals who are essential to supporting individuals with disabilities. Their contributions are invaluable, and we extend our gratitude for their dedication. Join us in recognizing their efforts during Direct Support Professional Recognition Week from September 13-19, 2026. We encourage all to participate in upcoming events, including the 2026 Cities of Inclusion Disability Summit, which aims to foster inclusive communities.

Family Connections News: Connect & Advocate Email from Vision for Equality, Inc. Discover Vital Resources for Families and Celebrate a DSP Today! Family Connections Weekly Newsletter Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week is an oppo

Kathleen Laverty has advocated for her brother Chris for many years. Together, they meet with legislators to enact change, educate them about Home and Community-Based Services, and advocate for people with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism. Kathleen and Chris are a great team! Kathleen was nominated for a Points of Transformation Award, she will receive the Where Ability Leads the Way award on Friday, September 25, 2026. Congratulations Kathleen!

Congratulations to Natasha!
Thank you for being an incredible Direct Support Professional!

Congratulations to Natasha Wallace! Natasha was chosen as this year's recipient of Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability Length of Service Award. Natasha has supported Gina for over 20 years. They have experienced many of life's milestones and trials together. Thank you, Natasha for your unwavering support!

Join us to explore caregiver guilt, how to recognize it, and ways to cope with it. This workshop is for caregivers, by caregivers, to help you address this common feeling with compassion and confidence.

Monday, September 21st
6:30pm- 7:30pm
bit.ly/4wXCaYf

Wednesday, September 30th
6:30pm- 7:30pm
bit.ly/4izeBRU

It’s National Voter Registration Day!

Your voice matters - and registering to vote is the first step in making it heard. Take a few minutes today to register, check your registration status, or update your name or address.

Get started at vote.pa.gov

Key Pennsylvania election dates:
- October 19: Last day to register to vote
- October 27: Last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot
- November 3: General Election Day- polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- November 3 at 8 p.m.: Deadline for your county election office to receive your completed mail-in or absentee ballot

Thank you Governor Shapiro for recognizing the great work that our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide every day!

It’s DSP Week. Celebrate the DSP in your life, whether they work with your son, daughter, family member, friend or you.

On a day that began with a beautiful, clear blue sky, our world changed forever. Today, we pause to honor the innocent lives lost on
September 11, 2001, and to remember the incredible bravery of the first responders. We must never forget.




Photo description: a part of the United States Flag, with small candles in the center and to the left. At the top center, a fancy circle, then these words: Vision for Equality,
11th September, We Remember, Honoring lives lost and the heroes among us.