Achieva | Blog

News

A collection of newsletters, press releases, and media coverage.

Find out what's happening!

Whether you want to learn what's new in the disability world, hear what others have to say about Achieva, or share Achieva's messaging with your audience, this is the place for you. Read all the latest news, or select the category of your choice to narrow down your search results.
"Breaking Down Barriers": A Partnership with VaultArt Studios

"Breaking Down Barriers": A Partnership with VaultArt Studios

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and VaultArt Studio have joined forces to promote the inclusion of artists with disabilities in contemporary art. Works from two VaultArt resident artists are on display in the Cultural District: Kim Bond and Charlie Wallace.

Annaleigh Benefits from Charitable Residual Program

Annaleigh Benefits from Charitable Residual Program

Annaleigh is a lover of many things, especially things out of her wheelchair. Due to her inability to walk, she really enjoys activities like adaptive ballet, adaptive snow skiing, swimming, and bike riding.

Read more

Achieva Honored with 2023 Community Champion Award by UPMC

Achieva Honored with 2023 Community Champion Award by UPMC

On October 25, Achieva accepted the Community Champion Award by UPMC Senior Services and UPMC Western Behavorial Health. The award is given annually to an organization that has shown exceptional organizational leadership to create better communities around the region.

Read more

Honoring Cecil and David Rosenthal means learning to #LoveLiketheBoys

Honoring Cecil and David Rosenthal means learning to #LoveLiketheBoys

Cecil was a greeter at the synagogue each and every Saturday — a role tailor-made for his welcoming spirit, as most will attest. David handed out prayer shawls and Torahs to old friends and new ones - for both boys, there wasn't a difference between the two.

Read more

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Monthly Observances for October

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Monthly Observances for October

National Special Needs Law Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Read more

Achieva Announces Planned Retirement of Gary Horner, Executive Vice President and CFO

Achieva Announces Planned Retirement of Gary Horner, Executive Vice President and CFO

Achieva, one of Pennsylvania's largest providers of services for children and adults with disabilities and their families, announced the retirement plans of Gary K. Horner, an esteemed leader with a nearly three-decade tenure at the organization.

Read more

Gov. Shapiro Orders Rate Study, But Is It Just Business As Usual?

Gov. Shapiro Orders Rate Study, But Is It Just Business As Usual?

Initial reaction to Governor Shapiro's announcement was very positive because it's rare that a governor will even acknowledge the IDA population, their families, or the direct support professionals (DSPs) who care for them, much less acknowledge there's a problem finding and keeping DSPs.

Read more

Governor Shapiro's Bold commitment to the ID/A community: A beacon of hope

Governor Shapiro's Bold commitment to the ID/A community: A beacon of hope

Some battles stretch on for decades in the realm of public advocacy. For people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) and for their families, this has been a harsh reality as they struggle navigating bureaucracy and underfunding.

Read more

Building an Estate Plan for Adult Children with Disabilities

Building an Estate Plan for Adult Children with Disabilities

Parents of adult children with disabilities know that their child's disability needs may change over the course of their lifetime. Planning for the future well-being of an adult child with disabilities is, therefore, a responsive, ongoing process.

Read more

Achieva Announces Retirement of Nancy Murray, Revered President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh

Achieva Announces Retirement of Nancy Murray, Revered President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh

Today, Achieva, one of Pennsylvania's largest providers of services for children and adults with disabilities and their families, announced the retirement plans of Nancy Murray, Senior Vice President of Achieva and President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh.

Read more

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week - September 10 - September 16, 2023

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week - September 10 - September 16, 2023

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a crucial role in supporting and enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Their dedication and hard work deserve recognition and appreciation.

Read more

Disability Pride: Under the Tent

Disability Pride:  Under the Tent

Disability Pride Pittsburgh | Saturday, August 26, 2023 | 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday's festivities will begin with stage performances, emceed by comedian Gab Bonesso, and a parade around Schenley Plaza at 11 a.m.

Read more

Achieva's Two Upcoming Job Fairs Seeking Exceptional Talent

Achieva's Two Upcoming Job Fairs Seeking Exceptional Talent

Achieva Job Fairs

Read more

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Finds 'Significant Increase' In Kids With Developmental Disabilities

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Finds 'Significant Increase' In Kids With Developmental Disabilities

The number of children with developmental disabilities is on the rise with new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that nearly 1 in 11 kids are diagnosed with autism, intellectual disability or developmental delay.

Read more

State Officials Shift Burden to Private Donors

State Officials Shift Burden to Private Donors

Non-profits like Achieva deliver home and community-based services to people with disabilities because the state has chosen it prefers to pay non-government entities to provide such services rather than having state-owned and operated facilities do it.

Read more

Not a Priority for Governor Shapiro, House, or Senate

Not a Priority for Governor Shapiro, House, or Senate

Six days late, the legislature passed a state budget - one that had funding cut for services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). The governor's office, calling it "a budget that delivers on Governor Shapiro's key priorities" approves.

Read more

Disability Related Home Modifications - How Achieva Family Trust Can Help!

Disability Related Home Modifications - How Achieva Family Trust Can Help!

Allegheny County has created a Whole-Home Repairs Program which began taking applications on May 30th, 2023. The program, administered by ACTION-Housing, has $12 million dollars available for grants for eligible Allegheny County homeowners.

Read more

Nancy Murray Honored During Advocacy & Policy Day Conference

Nancy Murray Honored During Advocacy & Policy Day Conference

Nancy Murray was honored for her advocacy and grassroots impact on the supports and services of people with disabilities. She received the M.J. Bartelmay, Jr. Excellence in Advocacy Award from The Arc of Pennsylvania.

Read more

Editorial: It's past time to fully fund state disability services

Editorial: It's past time to fully fund state disability services

The Arc of Pennsylvania executive director Sherri Landis and The Arc of Pittsburgh president Nancy Murray have been tireless advocates for state funding that acknowledges the dignity of people with ID/A, and the work of those who care for them.

Read more

With PNC Park's new adult-sized changing table, everyone can go -- and stay -- at the ballgame

With PNC Park's new adult-sized changing table, everyone can go -- and stay -- at the ballgame

Jordan is "profoundly affected by autism," which lends to incontinence and the need for an adult-sized changing table to stay anywhere for more than an hour or two. Because of advocacy by @Changing Spaces Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Pirates' dedication to accessibility, PNC Park now has one!

Read more

A mom of children with intellectual disabilities asks: When will it be our turn? | Opinion

A mom of children with intellectual disabilities asks: When will it be our turn? | Opinion

Families have become the safety net for the very system that was created to support them. The crisis in the ID/A community is getting worse every day, and we desperately need all of our legislators to make this a funding priority.

Read more

Disability Employment Highlighted at Dan Miller Summit

Disability Employment Highlighted at Dan Miller Summit

People with disabilities are one of the largest untapped labor pools in our economy. While the labor participation rate for adults with disabilities is typically half that of those without disabilities, the disability unemployment rate is consistently twice the rate of people without disabilities.

Read more

Share Your Story with Your Legislator

Share Your Story with Your Legislator

Nearly 60,000 Pennsylvanians with ID/A are at risk of losing or experiencing a reduction of essential services because there are not enough DSPs to care for them.

Read more

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Important Observations in May

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Important Observations in May

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) has designated May "Elder Law Month." NAELA members are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and people of all ages with disabilities.

Read more

System For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Will Collapse Without Increased State Aid, Advocates Say

System For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Will Collapse Without Increased State Aid, Advocates Say

Health and human services organizations ask General Assembly for $430 million increase to stop further termination of programs, closure of facilities.

Read more

Diverse Mission-Sustaining Revenue Sources

Diverse Mission-Sustaining Revenue Sources

A charitable non-profit corporation like Achieva is constantly thinking about financial resources to sustain its mission and provide high-quality services.

Read more