Many of the resources within the Advocacy Library are shared on behalf of external organizations. If you discover a broken link, please email us at info@achieva.info.
Americans with Disability Act |
Disability Rights of PA |
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation |
Assistive Technology Industry Association |
Autism Connection of PA |
Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative |
PA Health Hotline: This hotline can provide individuals with the appropriate COVID-19 vaccine and healthcare provider information | 1-877-724-3258 |
Persevere PA: This hotline is designed to link callers with counselors to assist with the mental health impacts of COVID-19. They can also assist a caller in finding a healthcare provider to administer the vaccine when their corresponding phase arrives. Resources in both English and Spanish are available. | 1-855-284-2494 |
PA Relay Services: These services are designed to assist individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to receive information via telephone. | 711 |
CDC |
Pennsylvania Developmental Disability Council |
Extended School Year (ESY) | Extended School Year (ESY) services are special education and related services provided to students with disabilities beyond the regular 180-day school year. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal special education law, requires school districts, intermediate units, andncharter schools to provide ESY services if a student needs these services to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). |
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) | Least restrictive environment (LRE) means students who receive special education should be in the same classrooms as other students as much as possible. LRE isn't a place — it's a principle that guides a child's education program. The LRE for each child may look different because each child is unique. |
Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) | |
Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) - Resolution Manual | Understanding Special Education Due Process Hearings - A Guide for Parents |
Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) - Family Resource Library | |
Parent Education Resources | Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) works with the Bureau of Special Education (BSE), Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), to provide a full array of professional development and technical assistance targeted to improving student results. |
Special Education Timelines and Notices
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The IEP must be completed within 30 calendar days after the evaluation team issues its Evaluation Report. The IEP must be put into action as soon as possible, but no later than 10 school days after the IEP is completed. Your child’s program is reviewed every year at an IEP meeting or more often if requested by you or any other IEP team member. Whenever there are concerns about or changes to the IEP, a meeting may be requested by you or any other member of the IEP team. |
The Right to Special Education in Pennsylvania | Special education is an educational program designed to meet the particular needs of a child with a disability at no cost to the parents. State and federal laws provide special protections for children with disabilities in public school and require that certain services and supports be available to help your child succeed in school. |
Center For Disease Control FXS Facts |
Fragile X 101 |
FXS Factsheets for Schools and Parents |
Future Planning Conference |
Understanding Governement Benefits and Reasons for a Trust |
Making healthy choices and living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing serious diseases and help you have a better quality of life. | PA Dept. of Health Programs |
Achieva Disability Healthcare Initiative (DHI) is providing statewide leadership on improving access to health care for disabilities through education, public policy and advocacy | Disability Healthcare Initiative |
Per the CDC, health equity is achieved when every person has the opportunity to "attain his or her full health potential" and no one is "disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances." | PA Dept. of Health Health Equity Health Equity for Inclusive Communication |
Resources to help you guide your family in making choices that will lead to healthier lives. | Healthy Family Resources |
Housing Resources In PA | |
Homelessness-Supports and Services | Pennsylvania administers a variety of homelessness support programs and services. These programs support people and families who are experiencing homelessness: |
Housing Resources in Pennsylvania | A Quick Reference Guide of Housing Programs and Services in PA |
Public Housing Contact by City and County | |
Housing Voucher Fact Sheet | |
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) | |
Supporting Education and Equal Access for Students Experiencing Homelessness, Foster Care and the Juvenile Justice System |
Crisis HelpIf you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for help. Call 911: If there is an immediate risk of endangering oneself or others, contact 911. Inform the operator that you are calling about a mental health crisis. Crisis Text Line: Text PA to 741741 to start the conversation 24/7. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 If you or someone you care about is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the Lifeline. (Español: 888-628-9454) PA Crisis Hotlines: Find a crisis line in your county. |
Discover tools for planning, problem-solving, and leading a life of personal significance! Learn more about person-centered planning using the LifeCourse Framework with Achieva or begin by reviewing the resources below.
Charting The Lifecourse |
Person-Centered Planning - PA Department of Human Services |
Everyday Lives |
Person-Centered Service Planning |
Heating Assistance |
Rental Assistance |
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) |
Water Bill Assistance |
View the The Integrated Transportation Resource Guide in English and Spanish on ODP's website.
For Professionals:
For Self-Advocates and Families:
A student who does not qualify for special education services via an Individual Education Program (IEP) may still qualify for services under a 504 plan.
Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.