Health Committee for People with Disabilities
The why that directs what we do:
- To provide an intentionally inclusive space for people with disabilities (all disabilities: physical, mental, behavioral, developmental, cognitive, sensory, cross-disabilities), family members, advocates, and community members to gather for a shared purpose in a welcoming environment.
- To define and remove barriers to quality, affordable, and accessible health care for people with disabilities throughout life.
- To increase community-based resources and supports so that people with disabilities can live full, independent, and self-sufficient lives.
- To ensure the coordination of physical health and mental health care.
How we do “that thing we do:”
- Monthly meetings of the Health Committee for People with Disabilities. We meet on the third Wednesday of every month at UCP of Pittsburgh (4638 Centre Avenue).
- Our meeting motto is: “We don’t meet unless we eat.”
- Every meeting includes an “Action and Advocacy” component.
Who does the work?
- We all do. Our advocacy comes from a grassroots perspective where each one has a role to play and a shared responsibility.
- We have two workgroups that meet monthly:
- The Neighbor Team: Meets the second Monday of the month from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm @ the Panera Bread on 3401 Boulevard of the Allies. Please click here to learn more about the Neighbor Team.
- The Physical Health and Mental Health Workgroup: Meets the second Tuesday of the month from 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm @ Panera Bread on 3401 Boulevard of the Allies.
Please click here for the Workgroup’s “Guide to Being a Proactive Patient.”
To join either the Neighbor Team or the Physical Health/Mental Health Workgroup please call Sally Jo (412) 456-1877 x 203 0r
2010 HCPD NEWS and ACTIONS
THE YELLOW BRICK BUNCH
ACADEMY OF EMPOWERED CONSUMERS
SESSION 2:
Sunday, 14 March 2010 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
All Academy classes are held at the One Smithfield Building, Downtown and FREE Parking
THIS IS A FREE EVENT!
“Woo-Hoo’s and Way-to-Go’s!”
Doing Fine in 2009!
Highlights of the advocacy and action from 2009:
- By the numbers: We average 40 persons a month that participate in our monthly work groups and committee meetings.
- Approximately 250 persons participated in our special programs, rallies and special events.

- We sent over 5500 postcards in our Mayview advocacy!
- We had incredible press around the Mayview advocacy: radio, television, a feature story on WDUQ, and mentioned and quoted in 5 Post-Gazette articles on the subject!
- To great acclaim, we created the “CHC PROACTIVE PLAYERS” who write and perform skits to support our Proactive Patient workshops.
- Held a very successful “We Are Better Than This!” State Budget rally — approximately 100 persons in attendance and radio, paper, and television coverage.

- Held Phone Slams and did a very creative “It’s Raining” mailer (cocktail umbrellas included) around the State Budget.
- Anchored the advocacy wing in the first ever “Ability Pittsburgh” event at the Heinz History Center.
- Drafted and “Top 10 Shames of the Governor and PA Legislature” and mailed it extensively!
- Created, signed, and mailed our annual holiday card, this time it was a modern day re-telling of a Christmas Carol…PA version.
- Added new members!
2008 Committee Highlights:
- Legislative Breafast: 125 Attendees and 15 Legislators/Staffers
- Participated in the “60 Sucks” Rally in Harrisburg to increase the Personal Care Home Allowance
- 2008 – 2009 State Budget “Power Left Blitz” Play Book
- Over 500 House Postcards Sent to state elected officials
- Distributed over 4500 “I AM YOUR NEIGHBOR” Buttons















