Disability Health Action Network (DHAN)
The Disability Health Action Network (DHAN) is a statewide collaborative initiative by The Arc of Pennsylvania, committed to advancing the health and wellbeing of people with disabilities in Pennsylvania. Established following statewide efforts to address inequities experienced by people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, DHAN continues this work by fostering effective communication among stakeholders, promoting equitable access to quality healthcare, and enhancing overall health outcomes. By forging partnerships among people with disabilities, physical, oral, and behavioral healthcare professionals, disability stakeholders, advocacy groups, government agencies, researchers, and community organizations, DHAN strengthens our collective ability to address the multifaceted healthcare needs of people with disabilities.
Read our 2025-2026 End-Of-Year Summary
Key Objectives
Foster effective communication between stakeholders.
DHAN seeks to foster partnerships across sectors and with people who have lived experience of disability to strengthen our collective ability to address the multifaceted healthcare needs of individuals with disabilities. DHAN recognizes the potential to improve health outcomes through the power of communication and collaboration.
Promote equitable access to healthcare.
DHAN seeks to promote equitable access to quality healthcare by dismantling barriers experienced by people with disabilities, including physical accessibility, communication barriers, and discrimination. Through collaboration, advocacy, and shared learning, DHAN advances more inclusive healthcare environments that promote respect and optimal health outcomes for people with disabilities.
Enhance overall health outcomes.
DHAN seeks to enhance overall health outcomes for people with disabilities across Pennsylvania. By advancing collaboration, education, and innovative approaches, DHAN aims to improve the quality of healthcare and support people with disabilities in leading fulfilling and healthy lives.
Structure
DHAN is structured to support statewide communication, cross-sector collaboration, and coordinated action. The network includes an Advisory Committee and Work Groups, with The Arc of Pennsylvania serving as the coordinating organization. People with lived experience of disability are included throughout the network to help ensure that DHAN’s priorities and activities reflect the perspectives of the communities it seeks to support.
The Advisory Committee provides strategic guidance, identifies emerging issues and opportunities, shares information about related initiatives, and helps establish priorities for the network. Members also connect DHAN with the communities, organizations, and systems they represent. Work Groups provide focused opportunities to examine priority issues, exchange knowledge, and advance collaborative activities. They are established according to priorities identified by the Advisory Committee and may change from one action-plan year to the next as needs, opportunities, and emerging issues evolve.
For 2026 – 2027, the Work Groups are focused on Technological Innovation, Workforce, and Equitable Access.
2026-2027 Priority Areas and Goals
Read our 2026-2027 Action Plan
The goals for 2026 – 2027 are organized by the Work Group that will take the lead in advancing each area. While each goal has a designated Work Group lead, DHAN’s progress depends on collaboration across all Work Groups and the Advisory Committee. By July 31, 2027, DHAN will work to:
Technological Innovation
- Complete Phase 2 development of the DHAN Resource Finder – a multi-filter search engine that improves access to disability-inclusive resources collected through DHAN’s 2025–2026 Work Groups.
- Develop and implement a DHAN Resource Hub Awareness Campaign to increase awareness and use of the Hub among the disability community.
- Promote the disability-informed, ethical, and accessible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare.
I. Education: Increase awareness and understanding of related opportunities, risks, and considerations.
II. Policy & Advocacy: Advocate for related recommendations and policies.
Workforce
- Expand and evaluate the Disability-Inclusive Healthcare Communication Campaign to increase healthcare professionals’ understanding of disability health equity and connect them with established disability-inclusive educational resources.
- Strengthen opportunities to expand disability-inclusive healthcare curriculum within continuing education (CE) and continuing medical education (CME).
Equitable Access
- Advance disability-informed strategies to strengthen the collection, accessibility, and use of disability health data in Pennsylvania.
- Promote meaningful disability representation in the development and implementation of Pennsylvania’s State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP).
Learn more about participating in a Work Group by completing the interest form here or clicking on the button below. We will get in touch with you!
History & Background
DHAN was established by The Arc of PA in 2023 to address longstanding health disparities experienced by people with disabilities. DHAN grew out of The Arc of PA’s Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among People with Disabilities, a project funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health that revealed significant systemic barriers to equitable healthcare – challenges that were magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August 2023, The Arc of PA published its landmark report, “Recommendations for Addressing COVID-19 Health Disparities Among the Disability Community,” which outlined solutions for advancing health equity across the Commonwealth.
Building on this foundation and the drive to advance these solutions, DHAN was formed as a statewide coalition of self-advocates, families, providers, public health professionals, and policymakers committed to health equity.
Visit DHAN’s website to learn more.