TRPIL respects the power of the media: journalists, photographers, bloggers, and editors are in a unique position to shape the public image of people with disabilities.
We are dedicated to increasing the awareness of people-first language and assisting in avoiding negative (and positive!) stigmas when communicating stories about people with disabilities.
TRPIL in the News
- 5K Raises Funds for TRPIL – 05/16/2022
- TRPIL Consumers Receiving Raised Planter Boxes – 05/09/2022
- VFI/TRPIL Plan ‘Walk*Run*Roll’ 5K at Wild Things Park – 05/01/2022
- TRPIL/Voices: ‘One Stop’ for Independence – 04/30/2021
- VFI/TRPIL Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – 11/14/2020
- TRPIL Debuts New Headquarters – 11/13/2020
- Longtime Independent Living Advocate to Retire – (9/27/2019)
- TRPIL announces merger with Erie disabilities organization – (9/27/2019)
- Conference aims to combine technology and do-it-yourself making to assist people with disabilities – (9/23/2019)
- LETTER: LSA supports community needs – (4/26/2019) Letter to the Editor, Observer-Reporter
- TRPIL — Assisting People With Disabilities – (4/25/2019) Western Pennsylvania Guide to Good Health (page 42)
- Insurer, state assist TRPIL’s rehab of old YWCA – (4/15/2019)
- Gateway gives to TRPIL – (9/17/2018)
- TRPIL advocates heard at city council meeting – (9/15/2018)
- County to benefit from $7.5M in state redevelopment grants – (9/14/2018)
- TRPIL construction halted for mold – (9/12/2018)
- Judge decides against TRPIL in parking lot dispute – (9/5/2018)
- TRPIL offers free camp – (6/28/2018)
- YWCA building a trove of memories – (6/27/2018)
- Geauga Christian Youth Missions partners with TRPIL again – (6/22/2018)
- Business news of local interest – (6/14/2018) Second item in article is about the acquisition of PCR and its rebranding as TRPIL Home Health
- TRPIL buys central Pa. home health agency – (6/9/2018)
- Hope Shot Washington Talks About TRPIL – (4/20/2018) Audio on Soundcloud: “Patrick Arena interviews Nan Sninsky of TRPIL about our organization, next week’s Walk-Run-Roll, and the upcoming move to our new HQ in the refurbished YWCA building in Little Washington.”
- Students help TRPIL create assistive devices – (4/10/2018)
- TRPIL makes progress on new site – (3/19/2018)
- Navigating through health plans before Dec. 26 deadline – (12/11/2017) VIDEO
- Will Pennsylvania get swamped by the silver tsunami? – (11/26/2017)
- TRPIL receives EQT donation – (11/25/2017)
- TRPIL awarded certificate to train CNAs – (10/28/2017)
- Faith in Action to hold orientation – (9/19/2017)
- Local restaurateur sues TRPIL – (9/15/2017)
- Disabled Washington woman to receive Comeback Award – (8/29/2017)
- TRPIL Breaks Ground On New Office – (7/31/2017) – text replicated in Facebook post; no permanent WJPA news archive
- TRPIL begins phase one of project – (7/31/2017)
- Voices for ABLE account finally heard – (7/16/2017) – Subscribers only
- The Mission of TRIPIL, Disability Matters with Joyce Bender – (6/13/2017) – “Joyce welcomes Daniel Kleinmann, special project coordinator for Traditional Paths to Independent Living (TRPIL) in Washington, PA. TRPIL is a Center for Independent Living that brings together individuals who face common barriers – equal access, assistive technology, education, employment, housing, and transportation – in order to solve these problems. Mr. Kleinmann will discuss this organization’s mission in depth during the show.”
- Organizations compete to serve disabled in Pittsburgh area – (5/30/2017)
- Free program offers assistive devices – (5/23/2017)
- Trinity raises $3,600 for TRPIL – (5/20/2017)
- Regional caregivers’ lawsuit settled – (5/12/2017)
- Anti-Stigma Disabilities – (5/10/2017) – Press conference on YouTube for the release of the anti-stigma documentary “What Are You Thinking?”, which TRPIL staff assisted with; PA State Representative Sheryl Delozier speaks.
- Nonprofit’s rebranding signifies transition – (4/10/2017) “A slight acronym change and a new logo reflect expansion and progress for an area nonprofit.”
- TRPIL brings six-ton spud to Washington – (4/10/2017) “Big Idaho Potato Truck helping center raise money for relocation”
- Living with a disability is living nonetheless, advocates say – (3/2/2017)
- Man leaves D.C., finds peace in Washington – (2/26/2017) “[Shawn English] worked for the [City Mission], collecting donations, and eventually, got a position as a personal home care attendant for TRIPIL Services. He took care of elderly clients overnight and worked at a gas station during the day. English rode a bicycle everywhere, no matter the time or weather, and got encouragement from people who would acknowledge his familiar figure biking through the snow or rain.”
- Town Halls Are Becoming Increasingly Contentious – (2/24/2017) – several radio interviews with TRIPIL staff during the Peoples’ town hall on 2/22/2017
- PA Constituents Call For Town Hall Meetings With Or Without Their Representatives – (2/22/2017)
- As elected officials miss town halls, constituents ask: Where are our congressmen? – (2/22/2017)
- Murphy says he wasn’t invited to town hall event – (2/21/2017) “Kathleen Kleinmann, chief executive officer for TRIPIL, said an invitation was extended to Murphy through his Washington, D.C., office, though she conceded there “may have been some confusion.”
- TRIPIL to hold Walk, Run, Roll 5K – (2/20/2017)
- Puskar to perform for TRIPIL fundraiser – (1/30/2017)
- TRIPIL receives funding for project – (1/28/2017)
- Monongahela leads the way on accessibility – (1/8/2017) letter to the editor
Quick Suggestions for Respectful Reporting
It’s important for all of us to be aware that it’s better to convey a positive, objective view of an individual instead of a negative, insensitive image.
- Put the person first, not his or her disability.
- Emphasize abilities, not limitations.
- Do not focus on a disability unless it is essential to a story.
- Bypass condescending euphemisms.
- Do not portray successful people with disabilities as heroic overachievers or long-suffering saints.
- Avoid sensationalizing and negative labeling.
- Do not equate disability with illness.
- Respect the person.
TRPIL on Facebook
The TRPIL Facebook Page provides current events, organization announcements, shared links of interest, and social media connections.
More Information
Download these helpful resources:
- Disability Language Style Guide (PDF)
- Guidelines: How to Write & Report About People with Disabilities (HTML) / (PDF)
- Beyond the AP Stylebook: Language and Usage Guide for Reporters and Editors
- People-first Language
