The ABLE Act created a new type of savings account for people with disabilities.  Similar to a 529 account for college savings, ABLE Accounts allow individuals with disabilities and their families to save money for a range of future uses, without jeopardizing continued benefits and services because these funds are … Read More >

Sexual assault against college women (and men) has been in the news in recent years, with good reason: research consistently finds that about 1 in 5 college women and 1 in 16 college men experience some form of sexual violence.  In southwest Pennsylvania, we have an important story to tell … Read More >

Just a few weeks ago, FISA held a focus group of local high school girls to ask them about sexual harassment at school. These are things they reported happening every day: catcalling, spreading of sexual rumors, jokes and comments about girls’ appearance, being touched inappropriately, sexting. In their high schools (public, private and parochial), there is a culture where young men get laughs and approval from their friends for treating girls like objects, or worse. The comment that stayed with me the most was, “Guys trade nude photos of girls like Pokemon cards.” Read More >

FISA's executive director, Kristy Trautmann, was invited by the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee to testify about the importance of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid on the 1.7 million PA residents with disabilities. She began with this: The Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania and numerous other advocacy groups agree that “the Affordable Care Act has been the most significant law to promote health and well-being of people with disabilities since the Americans with Disabilities Act.” Read More >

Black girls have a unique experience of institutional racism and sexism.  Black girls attending Pittsburgh Public Schools are suspended from school 3 times more often than white girls, though their behavior is not that different.  Across Allegheny County, Black girls are 50% more likely than White girls to experience teen … Read More >

The Coaching Boys into Men program exists to help coaches build respectful behavior among players and help prevent sexual harassment, sexual assault and relationship abuse. This evidence-based leadership program is specifically developed for coaches to be easily incorporated into regular coaching strategy and sessions. To learn more about this program … Read More >

This nightmare scenario has become all too real in today’s world: A fourteen year old girl who really wants to appear grown up responds to the invitation of an older high school student she thought was a friend to come to a party, drink and have fun.  When she wakes … Read More >

Did you know that only 50 years ago, nearly 200,000 people with intellectual disabilities lived in state-run institutions? These facilities were overcrowded and inhumane. As one former resident described, “It was like being in prison.” Thankfully, these kind of institutions are largely a thing of the past. To learn more … Read More >

People with disabilities experience violent victimization at alarming rates—making them one of the most harmed groups in our country. These crimes, however, are not widely reported or addressed, and survivors are often unable to access appropriate supports and services.  In an effort to address this hidden epidemic, FISA Foundation has … Read More >