PEP serves nearly 300 people with intellectual or physical disabilities from Philadelphia and the nearby suburbs each year.  Disability is a term used when a person has certain limitations in mental or physical functioning and adaptive skills, such as processing information, communicating, taking care of him or herself, and/or social behavior. These limitations can range from mild to severe.

According to the Arc, as many as 3% of Americans have intellectual disability.  People with disabilities tend to lack employment, transportation, social opportunities, adequate income and education as much as two to three times more often than people without disabilities, according to the National Organization on Disabilities Survey on Americans with Disabilities 2004.

But despite these cited limitations, people with intellectual disability have great capabilities in many areas, and PEP strives to encourage and strengthen these capabilities.  We match individuals with activities and employment that fit their abilities, needs, and interests.  And PEP’s experienced and dedicated staff achieve this each day with individual attention to each person we serve.