New Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities brings “Western Pa. energy” to Governor’s office

Josie Badger, the new Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities , has taken the helm of one of the state’s most important new(ish) commissions. Badger, a nationally recognized disability advocate from Pennsylvania, sat down with Pittsburgh City Paper to discuss the experience.   The commission last existed under former Pa. Gov. Ed Rendell’s leadership from 2006 to 2011, and then lay dormant until the Shapiro administration met with disability advocates, including The Arc of Pennsylvania , who asked that it be resurrected. They made it clear that the commission needed to be composed of advocates with disabilities.  Shapiro’s administration agreed and issued Executive Order 2026-02 to create the commission. Its job is to ensure that concerns are brought forth to the governor’s office and addressed at the state level. “[Shapiro’s order] establishes this commission and also the staff for it,” Badger explains. “This time, having someone with a disability running the commission within the governor’s office, it gives a more direct connection from the disability community, the voice of folks with disabilities and families, right into the system that is making policies that are often affecting folks with disabilities more than the average citizen.” Of the 28 commissioners appointed, five are from Allegheny County. “Pittsburgh has done phenomenal amounts of work in moving Pittsburgh forward towards full inclusion, but the reason it has done that is because of the self-advocates and other allies in the community,” says Badger. “We have representation from diverse populations with different disabilities. In that area, we’re really hoping that we can bring more of the Western Pennsylvania energy throughout the state.”  Shapiro’s support comes at a time when many states are cutting funding for disability programs. Badger met with Shapiro recently and emphasized the fear t