Our Purpose
PennTASH believes in full community inclusion and the self-empowerment of every individual, regardless of abilities. It has been said that a society will not be judged by its wealth, power, or military strength, but by the ways in which it helps its most vulnerable citizens.
To that end, and in accordance with our bylaws, our purpose is to:
- Help ensure full human, civil, and legal rights for persons with disabilities, especially those:
- most at risk for being excluded from the mainstream of society;
- perceived by traditional service systems as being most challenging;
- most likely to have their rights abridged;
- most likely to be at risk for living, working, playing, and/or learning in segregated environments;
- least likely to have the tools and opportunities necessary to advocate on their own behalf;
- historically labeled as having severe disabilities;
- most likely to need on-going, individualized supports in order to participate in inclusive communities and enjoy a quality of life similar to that available to all citizens;
- Create opportunities for collaboration among families, self-advocates, professionals, policymakers, and other advocates;
- Advocate for equity, opportunities, social justice, and rights;
- Disseminate knowledge and information;
- Support excellence in research that translates to excellence in practice, promoting individualized, quality supports;
- Work toward the elimination of institutions, other congregate living settings, segregated schools/classrooms, sheltered work environments, and other segregated services, and toward replacing these with quality, individualized, inclusive supports;
- Support legislation, litigation and public policy consistent with TASH’s mission;
- Promote communities in which no one is segregated and everyone belongs;
- Function exclusively as a charitable, scientific, and educational organization within the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.