Free disability-rights training series opens registration Sept. 1

Families and caregivers of people with disabilities can sign up starting Tuesday, Sept. 1, for a free 10-session virtual training series hosted by The Arc of Chester County.

The Chat n' Chew series, officially called the 2026-27 Education & Systems Advocacy Speaker Series, runs on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning Sept. 23 and continuing through Dec. 2. Participants can register for one session, several or all 10.

All sessions are free.

Topics span special education law, Social Security disability benefits, mental health access in Chester County, employment supports and adult decision-making rights.

The first session on Sept. 23 covers special education basics: disability categories, evaluations, applicable laws and the essential components of an Individualized Education Program. Arc education advocates will lead that training, described as valuable for parents, educators, providers and anyone supporting a student with special needs.

Shelby Hallman, director of Comprehensive Employment Services at The Arc of Chester County, leads the Sept. 30 session on waiver-funded employment supports and partnerships with local businesses.

Richard Gaudiosi, a public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, presents a two-part series on SSI, SSDI, the appeals process and the Ticket to Work program on Oct. 7 and Oct. 14.

Joshua Warfield, mental health clinical services coordinator for the Chester County Department of Mental Health, leads the Oct. 21 session on accessing services locally. The session description notes that a national workforce shortage of mental health professionals has made finding care more difficult.

Later sessions cover connecting services and natural supports (Oct. 28, with Julie Moyer from the county's MH/IDD Department and a parent sharing firsthand experience), Life Sharing residential options (Nov. 4, with Carmen Saur of the Chester County Department of MH/IDD) and self-directing waiver services (Nov. 11, with Jillian Simmons, assistant director of Agency with Choice at The Arc of Chester County).

The series closes with two sessions on adult rights and the Individual Support Plan. On Nov. 18, Tyree Lewis, CJ McGowan and Janet Schneider present on decision-making options, privacy and rights restrictions. On Dec. 2, Stephanie Kilcoyne, Carmen Saur and Julia Moore from the Chester County Department of MH/IDD cover navigating the Individual Support Plan.

The Arc of Chester County is based at 900 Lawrence Drive in West Chester and can be reached at 610-696-8090. Registration opens Sept. 1 at arcofchestercounty.org/events-activities.

Upcoming dates: