Introducing Beyond Definition: A New PHLP Collaboration to Amplify Voices and Empower Self-Advocacy in the Developmental Disability Community
PHLP is pleased to announce Beyond Definition, a new educational initiative developed in collaboration with Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation's (PATF) Project Beyond Diagnosis and led by Heather Tomko (@theheatherreport) and Jessica Tomko (@jessicatomko), two disability self-advocates and content creators based in Pittsburgh. The social media advocacy campaign will educate Pennsylvanians on the topic of developmental disabilities through the authentic voices and stories of disabled people.
"Developmental disability" is a term that is frequently misused and misunderstood. In Pennsylvania, how this term is defined has real consequences for the services and supports people can access through waivers run by the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The differences between these two systems, and what they mean for consumers and families, aren't always clear.
Beyond Definition aims to change that. Through a series of social media posts, newsletters, podcasts, and blog content, the project will break down how developmental disability is defined and implemented in Pennsylvania—and explore how gaps in the current system affect real people. The project will explore developmental disability through a number of lenses, including access to housing, employment, financial literacy, and the mental health impact on both people with disabilities and their caregivers.
The project will officially launch in January and culminate in summer 2026 with a webinar and shareable toolkit, empowering disability advocates statewide to create meaningful change. Follow along starting in January at @beyond_def — and look for deeper dives right here on our website and PHLP's newsletter throughout the upcoming months.
For questions or comments, please email projectbeyonddefinition@gmail.com.
Special thank you to The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) for providing funding for this project through the Pennsylvania Disability Advocacy Fund.
