FISA Foundation

06/19/2026

Thank you, The Arc of Pennsylvania, for sharing this important resource!
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission issued new guidelines outlining when it may be a reasonable accommodation for venues to provide free or discounted admission for Personal Care Attendants (PCAs).
We encourage arts leaders, event organizers, venue staff, and community members to learn more about how these guidelines can support greater access and inclusion.

Did you know that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission issued new guidelines which explain when it would be a reasonable accommodation for venues to provide Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) free or discounted admission? This ensures that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunity to participate in public life.

While the guidance states that providing free admission for PCAs is not automatically required, it does identify a number of situations where providing free admission is generally required, as when the venue charges general admission with no reserved seating or when the venue is not sold out or otherwise at capacity. Types of venues covered by this guidance include museums, concert halls, sporting events, theaters, amusement parks, and zoos.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4oz7fig

06/17/2026

PeoplesHub is now accepting applications for its Group Training: Building a Disability Politic & Access-Centered Cultures—with one open slot for August 2026.

This series supports organizations and movement groups in applying a disability justice framework to their work and building shared, access-centered practices.

Learn more and apply for the August opening:

Access is a practice, culture, and value. Not a destination. For groups ready to deepen their approach to access and disability.

06/13/2026

Thank you to Pittsburgh Regional Transit for sharing this incredible tribute to Pittsburgh disability rights advocate John L. Tague, Jr. John was a lifelong champion of the independent living movement, accessible transit and housing, and the preservation of disability history in Western Pennsylvania. He served as the Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium’s first Project Director, a PRT Board member, and in many other roles that advanced disability justice and inclusion in the region.

06/09/2026

Learn how Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) works and how to smoothly transition to Workers with Job Success when you exceed the income limit:

Pennsylvanians with Disabilities can work and earn wages and still get Medicaid/Medical Assistance and Medicaid Waiver coverage. Start with Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) and move to Workers with Job Success when wages increase above the MAWD limit!

Find information and sign up at: pa.gov/services/dhs/apply-for-medical-assistance-for-workers-with-disabilities-mawd.html Visit the Pennsylvania Law Project’s resource library to learn more about MAWD and Workers with Job Success: 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 woman of color, she has her dark hair pulled back. She is wearing a light green button up shirt and is seated in a library. She is holding a phone and using headphones to listen to something. 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: "Earn more and keep your Medicaid (and waiver)!" The words "keep your Medicaid" 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."

06/04/2026

Accurate records matter—especially for healthcare coverage.

This resource from our grantee partner, Pennsylvania Health Law Project, explains how to update your Medicaid case file after a legal name or gender marker change.

Something as simple as updating a name or gender marker can directly impact someone's ability to receive respectful, uninterrupted care. That’s why understanding how to update Medicaid information is an important step toward more equitable healthcare access.

See our resource guide here: https://buff.ly/w6zX7Fa

05/21/2026

This article from PublicSource is a powerful reminder of why accommodations and supports are so important for people with disabilities — and what happens when they’re out of reach.
The story highlights Gus Psaros and the encouragement and resources that helped him reach the incredible milestone of graduating from college.
But his story also points to a persistent issue: people with disabilities are far less likely to earn bachelor’s degrees, and cost can be a major barrier to accessing the supports needed to thrive.

Gus Psaros, an autistic student, graduated from Kent State. Family support, therapies and accommodations helped, but many families can’t afford them.

05/19/2026

Do you want to connect with a network of leaders with disabilities in Southwestern Pennsylvania? The application is OPEN for the 2027 Disability Lead Institute! The Institute is a year-long fellowship that is the only leadership program in the nation specifically for leaders with disabilities, and that makes connections to opportunities for civic engagement and leadership. Go to www.disabilitylead.org/apply to submit an application today!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Institute!

The Institute is the only leadership program in the nation specifically for leaders with disabilities, and that makes connections to opportunities for civic engagement and leadership. The Institute is a year-long fellowship that centers disability identity to explore leadership skills, civic engagement, and understanding of self and others.

What you need to apply.
1️⃣ Live in Chicagoland or Southwestern Pennsylvania
2️⃣Part one and two of the application
3️⃣Answer the (3) essay questions in part two of the application
4️⃣A completed nomination form

Application deadlines
☀️ Early Bird – Wednesday, July 1, 2026*
🗓️ Final – Wednesday, September 9, 2026

*Applicants who submit their application by the early bird deadline are guaranteed an interview.

Are you ready for a transformative leadership development experience? Apply today. www.disabilitylead.org/apply

05/18/2026

Disability remains one of the strongest social predictors of poverty, with disabled people experiencing poverty at significantly higher rates than their non-disabled peers.
Join FISA's grantee partner, Pittsburgh Center for Disability Justice, for How to Save Money When There's No Money to Save on May 27th at 6:30 PM
In this session, learn foundational financial literacy strategies, explore tools to support financial stability, and connect with the Financial Empowerment Center.
This event is free to attend and will include ASL interpretation and automatic captions. For additional access needs, please contact [email protected].
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/X7IQrnrnRqig2KdJ5BQwtg

Join us for a virtual Skill Share! Managing Money When There Is No Money! Register here : https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/X7IQrnrnRqig2KdJ5BQwtg #/registration

[IMAGE : On a beige background with brown and dark grey writing, the text reads:

How to Save Money When There's No Money to Save

Join PCDJ and the Financial Empowerment Center for a free virtual workshop, 5/27 at 6:30 p.m. EST. Amber will introduce financial tools for managing money while living in poverty. This event will include captions & ASL.

Amber Book has over 20 years of experience working with people from all walks of life from a wide variety of non-profit organizations.

The flyer includes the Pittsburgh Center for Disability Justice logo, as well as a photo of Amber. She has short hair and wears a wrap sweater and an array of jewelry, while smiling confidently.]

05/14/2026

The City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Equal Protection is hiring an ADA & Disability Resources Coordinator!
This role is a great opportunity for someone committed to disability justice and equitable access to public services. The coordinator will:
• Support community members through accommodation requests and grievances
• Serve as liaison between City departments and residents
• Coordinate the implementation of the City’s ADA compliance efforts
• Serve as a resource on disability inclusion and policy
If you’re passionate about making Pittsburgh more accessible, learn more and apply below:

The Office of Equal Protection (OEP) is an enforcement and compliance office that seeks accountability in workers’ rights, civil rights, and public safety. The ADA & Disability Resources Coordinator works as part of the OEP team to advance its mission, including by: managing disability accommodati...