This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Disability Access and Accommodation
issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Accommodating Health Needs in School: 504 Plans - What Can a Parent Do if a Child has a Health Need that Requires Support or Services in School?
There are many steps that schools must take to make sure that children with health needs are supported to learn and are included in all parts of school. This fact sheet explains the rights that children with health problems have in school, including the right to be identified, evaluated, and receive an accommodations plan and the right to be free from disability discrimination. The goal is to make sure every student with a disability can fully participate in school. Accommodations help students with disabilities succeed at school and create a level playing field for the child. [PDF] (August 2024)
Americans with Disabilities Act
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (February 2019)
Apply for a Person with Disability Special Registration License Plate
Information from the PA Department of Transportation about who is eligible for a disability special license plate, the different types of special plates that are available, and how to apply for the special plate.
Community HealthChoices Toolkit
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is a new waiver program for individuals over 21 years old with a disability who previously received services through the Independence, CommCare, or Aging Waivers. This toolkit was developed by the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Health Law Project to provide information on CHC.
Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and Registration Plate Eligibility Requirements
Information from the PA Department of Transportation about the eligibility requirements for persons with disabilities parking placards and registration plates. Application forms are also available here.
Persons with Disability Parking Placard/Plates - Frequently Asked Questions
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation about special parking privileges and registration rights for persons with disabilities related to the operation and ownership of vehicles.
Workers with Disabilities
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act for workers with disabilities
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and Registration Plate Eligibility Requirements
Information from the PA Department of Transportation about the eligibility requirements for persons with disabilities parking placards and registration plates. Application forms are also available here.
Persons with Disability Parking Placard/Plates - Frequently Asked Questions
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation about special parking privileges and registration rights for persons with disabilities related to the operation and ownership of vehicles.
Community HealthChoices Toolkit
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is a new waiver program for individuals over 21 years old with a disability who previously received services through the Independence, CommCare, or Aging Waivers. This toolkit was developed by the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Health Law Project to provide information on CHC.
Workers with Disabilities
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act for workers with disabilities
Americans with Disabilities Act
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (February 2019)
Access to Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities
This fact sheet from Disability Rights Pennsylvania provides a brief overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act's physical accessibility requirements with which public accommodations and commercial facilities must comply. (November 2017)
A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment
If you are seeking a job or are new to the workforce, you should become familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), a federal civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination and enable individuals with disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of society. One fundamental principle of the ADA is that individuals with disabilities who want to work and are qualified to work must have an equal opportunity to work. This brochure from the U.S. Department of Justice answers questions you may have about your employment rights under the ADA. (February 25, 2020)
Apply for a Person with Disability Special Registration License Plate
Information from the PA Department of Transportation about who is eligible for a disability special license plate, the different types of special plates that are available, and how to apply for the special plate.
Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and Registration Plate Eligibility Requirements
Information from the PA Department of Transportation about the eligibility requirements for persons with disabilities parking placards and registration plates. Application forms are also available here.
Persons with Disability Parking Placard/Plates - Frequently Asked Questions
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation about special parking privileges and registration rights for persons with disabilities related to the operation and ownership of vehicles.
Accessibility and Accommodations Publications from Disability Rights Network of PA
Publications on Accessibility and Accommodations from Disability Rights Network of PA.
Assistive Technology for Persons with Brain Injury
Information from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania on the use of assistive technology for persons with brain injury. (January 2018)
Curb Ramps: Getting From Here to There
This Fact Sheet from Disability Rights Pennsylvania provides general information about the obligations of governments and public accommodations to assure access to sidewalks, including installing curb ramps (sometimes called curb cuts), under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (November 2017)
Discriminatory Zoning and the Fair Housing Act
This booklet from Disability Rights Pennsylvania is designed to acquaint people with disabilities, advocates, providers, and attorneys with the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and, in particular, its impact on state and local zoning laws and land use regulations. [PDF] (April 2018)
How to Appeal a Medical Assistance Denial of Assistive Technology
This manual from Disability Rights Pennsylvania will explain your rights when Medical Assistance, including your Medical Assistance managed health care plan, denies prior authorization or denies a program exception. This includes an approval of something less or different than what your doctor prescribed. [PDF] (January 2018)
Inmate Rights under the ADA
This brochure from Disability Rights Pennsylvania is designed to provide general answers to a few commonly-asked questions about how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to inmates. (February 2018)