The Disability Connection
1-877-755-5222
dconnection@alleghenycounty.us
The Disability Connection
441 Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
In order to elevate the issues of quality of life, equal opportunity and effective participation in the community for all people with disabilities in Allegheny County, the Department of Human Services (DHS), through the Office of Community Relations, has created The Disability Connection to help coordinate efforts to improve services to people with disabilities.
For purposes of nondiscrimination laws (e.g. the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act), a person with a disability is generally defined as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. (from the US Department of Labor www.dol.gov/odep/faqs/federal.htm)
The Disability Connection embraces the concept that a person should not be defined by his or her disability. If the physical environment were universally accessible and the community’s attitudes open and accepting, disability would cease to be a barrier to full inclusion in the community.
2009 H1N1 Flu Information for People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers or Personal Assistants
Pennsylvania Property Tax /Rent Rebate Program
Voices of Our Region
The Disability Connection is celebrating and preserving the life stories of people with disabilities in the Western Pa. region by recording them and making them available through the public library system.
Visitability Tax Credit Program
Measure offers tax incentives to build disability access into new or renovated housing.
Youth with Disabilities in the Foster Care System: Barriers to Success and Proposed Policy Solutions
Report by the National Council on Disability, February 26, 2008
Social Security Commissioner: Disability Is Our Most Pressing Challenge
Funding
Human Services Integration Fund and Other Foundation-Funded Projects