Thank you for 20 years of trust, partnership, and shared purpose, and for helping keep the promise of IDEA real for families today. Here’s to what we’ll build together next.

At PEAL, we understand the real impact on families, students, and schools. When resources are reduced or leadership shifts, families often face new challenges in getting the services and supports their children need to learn and thrive.

The Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center is proud to announce that Dr. Tricia H. Shelton has been voted in as the incoming Chair of the Board of Directors.

We were thrilled to welcome Meredith Peterson, PEAL Center’s Executive Director, to our Philadelphia office during her quarterly visit!

The PEAL Center and Life’s Work of Western Pennsylvania recently partnered in May, 2025 to support youth with disabilities in navigating the transition from high school to adulthood and employment. Their collaborative event, Lead the Way: Your Future, Your Voice, empowered 25 young participants through leadership development, career simulations, and self-advocacy training. Youth engaged in interactive job exploration and discussions on disability identity and decision-making, while parents gained valuable tools for guiding transition planning. United Way’s Ana Kay Yaghoubian praised the joint effort, highlighting its impact on fostering inclusive futures and reinforcing the voices of young people with disabilities.