Category: Resources

October 21, 2026

The Gold Standard of Resources: ODP Releases the Fifth Edition of the Gold Book

The service system can be daunting, confusing and overwhelming for many people who need to access it. The Office of Developmental Programs, or ODP has worked diligently to ensure that people are given resources to help lessen the task of finding answers about their care. The mission of ODP “is to support Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities and their families to...

Categories General/Resources

October 14, 2026

Down Syndrome Awareness

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month and did you know that in our region we are lucky enough to have the Adult Down Syndrome Center (ADSC) at UPMC?  It is one of only ten centers in the United States. Dr. Peter Bulova runs the clinic; he is also the Co-Director of Magee Center for Women with Disabilities. The center is...

Categories General/Resources

September 23, 2026

Control Blood Sugar with Oral Medication and Urinary Output

Did you know there is a class of medication which can help keep blood sugar under control by increasing the amount of sugar in the urine? This class of medication is called SGLT2 inhibitor (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2). They work inside the body targeting the kidneys to prevent reabsorbing sugar back into the bloodstream. This allows excess sugar to be eliminated out...

Categories Resources

September 9, 2026

America The Beautiful: National Park Adventures Made Accessible

The National Parks are offering an Access Pass that is free for US citizens, or permanent residents, with permanent disabilities. This is part of the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Series. Many of the national parks have these passes available on site, but not all of them. Obtain an Access Pass by completing the online...

Categories Community/Resources

August 19, 2026

Have You Heard of the Cost Plus Drug Company?

Dallas Mavericks’ owner and tech entrepreneur, Mark Cuban, has received many business pitches during his lengthy career, but in 2018 a cold email from a man named Dr. Alex Oshmyansky stuck out to him. In the email Oshmyansky asked Cuban for an investment in his company, Osh’s Affordable Pharmaceuticals. Cuban had some ideas of his own regarding affordable medicine, so...

Categories General/Resources

July 22, 2026

New HRST Protocol for PA Providers

The Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST) is like an early warning system for someone’s health. It helps doctors, nurses, and caregivers spot hidden health problems before they become serious emergencies. Instead of waiting for a person to get very sick, this tool helps teams and families take action early to prevent health emergencies. By tracking health changes over time, caregivers can make...

Categories Resources/Technology

May 27, 2026

Very Special Camps: The Experience Made Accessible

Summer is officially here and with summer comes… summer camps!  Perhaps you remember your summer camp days of hiking, swimming, canoeing, playing sports, doing crafts, sitting and singing around campfires, and participating in many other recreational activities.  Oh, and we can’t forget eating the camp food! Summer camps offer people many different opportunities, as well as a chance to establish...

Categories Community/General/Resources

March 11, 2026

The Rise and Fall: Blood Sugar Matters

Many things can affect blood sugar. Gaining an understanding of what factors may cause a change in blood sugar can help in being proactive. It may even prevent hypoglycemic events. What impacts blood sugar levels? Blood sugar levels rise and fall based on what someone eats. Whether or not someone is sick also affects levels. From the weather to the...

Categories General/Resources

January 28, 2026

Wheel the World. Accessibility Gets Real.

Want to explore the great big, wide world? Wheel the World might be your booking companion and tour guide. Maybe you faced accessibility issues in the past and have stayed house bound since. Maybe you support someone and are afraid that leaving the sanctuary of the familiar is just too risky and unknown. Wheel the World might take some of...

Categories Resources

January 21, 2026

Variety Helps Kids, Be Kids

The Thrilling Cycle Do you remember receiving your first bike? Remember how it felt when you got it?  I do.  It was the summer I was 10 years old, and I was playing in the back yard.  I turned around and saw my dad walking through the grass pushing a BRAND-NEW bike. Moreover, he was headed right for me!  To...

Categories Community/General/Resources