FISA Foundation

10/13/2026

Final days to apply!

Our partners at Disability Lead are accepting applications for the 2027 Southwestern PA Institute through Friday, October 16 at midnight ET.

This year-long fellowship brings together emerging disabled leaders who want to explore their disability identity, strengthen their leadership, and learn how to lead with power and influence alongside a community of committed peers.

Know a disabled leader who should be part of this experience? There’s still time to encourage them to apply or to nominate someone in your network.

Apply and learn more at https://www.disabilitylead.org/apply

10/09/2026

Join UPMC for Voices, Values, Visibility: Advancing Disability Equity Together, a virtual conference focused on advancing disability equity in healthcare, on Friday, October 23.

We’re excited that FISA Foundation Executive Director Kristy Trautmann will be among the speakers, contributing to the day’s learning and conversation.

Friday, October 23 | 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Register by noon on October 22

Learn more and register:

This conference aims to highlight the critical importance of developing and strengthening cross-disciplinary partnerships in the care of our most vulnerable patient populations. Researchers and advocates will share insights into the barriers to care and the distinct challenges individuals with disab...

10/08/2026

What does disability inclusion look like in your workplace?

Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities and also examine the policies and practices that shape their experiences at work.

One place to start: reasonable accommodations. FISA Foundation’s Access for All toolkit was created to help organizations formalize their commitment to accessibility through thoughtful reasonable accommodation policies.

Use this month as an opportunity to review your organization’s policies and identify your next step toward a more accessible workplace.

Check out the Toolkit: https://fisafoundation.org/fisa_impact/reasonable-accommodations-policy-toolkit/

Photo credit: Justin Kaneps for All In Frame Stock Collection

10/06/2026

Healthcare policy is changing, and people with disabilities need clear, trusted information about what comes next.

Join Breaking Barriers on November 4 from 12-1 p.m. for a conversation with Erin Gabriel of Pennsylvania Health Access Network to learn more about changes to Medicaid, how they may affect healthcare coverage and affordability, and what people with disabilities can expect in 2027.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/medicaid-changes-affecting-people-with-disabilities-tickets-2000262947321?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/05/2026

On October 23rd, our partners STANDING FIRM and the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh are hosting the 2026 Supporting Survivors Summit. This day of learning, connection, and collaboration focuses on supporting survivors and strengthening community response efforts.

If you work in survivor services, advocacy, housing, health care, social services, or a related field, this summit offers an opportunity to connect with colleagues and explore strategies for better serving survivors.

Learn more and register by October 12:

10/02/2026

The images we choose help shape how people understand and see disability.

That’s why we are excited to share All In Frame, a free stock photo library created by LaVant Consulting and Where the Buffalo Roam. The collection centers genuine images of daily life, moving past stereotypes and narrow portrayals of disabled people to create a resource that truly reflects the disability community. We invite our partners and peers to explore this resource and consider how the images they use can help advance inclusion and belonging.

Explore the collection: https://www.allinframestock.com/

[Image Description: A black man who is a little person is seated in his power wheelchair in a dark teal home office. He types on a laptop on his desk, his hand held up in concentration. An abstract art piece is on the wall behind him. He has closely cropped black hair, brown eyes, and is wearing a rust-orange knit quarter-zip sweater with white vertical stripes, light khaki trousers, and a small stud earring. Photo credit: Justin Kaneps]

09/29/2026

Whether we live in suburban towns or city neighborhoods, everyone in Allegheny County deserves safe, reliable, and dignified access to the places we need to go.

Across the county, 30% of people don’t drive a car. For many people with disabilities, driving may not be an option, making accessible public transportation, sidewalks, and other ways of getting around essential to participating fully in our communities.

Week Without Driving PGH (October 1–8, 2026) is part of a nationwide movement that asks us to consider what it’s like to navigate our communities without relying on a car and to learn directly from the experiences of disabled people and other non-drivers.

Learn more and get involved: weekwithoutdrivingpgh.org

Pittsburghers for Public Transit Access Mob Pittsburgh Bike Pittsburgh Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh Complete Streets at Pitt

09/24/2026

Pittsburgh Center for Disability Justice is hosting a virtual skill share on Sep 29, 2026, at 06:30 PM, focused on tenant rights and Pittsburgh-specific protections, including how local laws can help fill gaps.
The session will feature Rachel Shepherd, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations, Pittsburgh’s civil rights law enforcement agency. Rachel is committed to empowering Pittsburghers to understand their rights, challenge discrimination, and help build a more inclusive and equitable city.

Come learn about housing protections within the city with us! Share widely! https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3R3FsVE9S-K6e-cYHWR1og

Registration required, ASL and CC provided. This event will NOT be recorded or streamed!

[IMAGE : A flyer for an event. Dark gray text on a light blue background reads :

Housing protections in Pittsburgh : A virtual skill share. 9/29/26 6:30pm.

Join PCDJ & Rachel Shepherd to learn about your rights as a Pittsburgh tenant. This 90 minute zoom will include a Q&A! ASL and CC are provided. For other access needs email [email protected]. Registration is REQUIRED!

Pictured are a QU code for registration, Rachel Shepherd, the PCDJ logo, the PCHR logo, and a brownstone building. All are on a sky blue background with clouds.]

09/22/2026

Celebrate Disability Pride this Saturday!

Our partners at Disability Pride Pennsylvania are hosting Disability Pride Pittsburgh on Saturday, September 26, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Schenley Plaza.

This FREE community event will feature Mayor Corey O'Connor and Dr. Josie Badger, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities! There will be resource tables and vendors, family-friendly activities, and accessibility supports, including ASL interpretation, sensory spaces, and a visual guide.

Disability Pride Pittsburgh is THIS SATURDAY!!

Saturday, September 26
12 PM - 4 PM (please note that this year's event start time is different than prior years)
Meet us at Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Avenue - we'll be set up on the opposite corner of the plaza.

We have speakers from 12 - 12:30 includes Kick off speaker Mayor Corey O'Conner and Key Note speaker Dr Josie Badger

There will be 55+ resource tables and vendors

Make sure to check out the oversized games, face painter, caricature artist, and airbrush tattoo artist

Two options for sensory spaces: inside of Carnegie Library in the Director's Room (masks required) or outside talk a walk across the street to the Mary Schenley Fountain (quieter space with benches)

ASL provided during speeches and then they will be available to assist participants one on one. A visual guide is available for participants who are blind or have low vision. Please come to the Disability Pride table to access these services.

There are two dedicated tented areas with tables and seating: one near the stage area and one near Dippy the Dinosaur.

More information at DisabilityPridePA.org/pittsburgh

09/16/2026

What would your workplace look like if employees with disabilities were fully supported to lead, innovate, and shape organizational culture?
Join FISA Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, and The Pittsburgh Foundation for Cultivating Authentic Leadership of Employees with Disabilities, a conversation about fostering workplace cultures where disabled professionals can thrive and lead authentically. Learn from leaders with disabilities as they share insights on accessibility, career growth, disclosure, and building more inclusive organizations.
September 23, 2026 | 1:00 to 2:30 PM ET
Register today:

Part of the Race + Disability Initiative, a partnership of FISA Foundation, The Heinz Endowments and The Pittsburgh Foundation