Our Team

Cathy has extensive experience in all  things special educatio services. She created and delivered trainings to families regarding special education services, including inclusive education. Her previous position was at the Institute on disability as Director of Leadership Development. Cathy has been a supporter of PEAC for many years.  She is now a board member to support its continued growth.

Chelsea worked for 10 years at City Year Philadelphia, serving as both an advocate for public education equity, and as an education group working to improve education outcomes in the city. She currently support Future Doctors Teach, affiliated with the FNC and their work in the promotion of science education and increase of diverse representation in the medical field. 

As a child, she had an IEP and understands the challenges that it can present, especially if you’re the eldest child, or a first time parent. She worked in the city of Philadelphia for the past decade promoting equity in education through her tenure at City Year Philadelphia. She is eager to comingle these two fundamental parts of her identity in service to PEAC and it’s mission.

 Abbigayle Jackson worked at a summer camp, called AHRC the Lodge (or its long name: Katy Isaacson Elaine Gordon Lodge) for adults with disabilities. Ever since, I have become passionate about advocacy for and inclusion of disability communities. My experience at the Lodge instilled leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution, active listening, adaptability, and flexibility skills as well as clinical knowledge about various disabilities and health conditions. 

Abby believes strongly in inclusion, equity, empowerment, advocacy, and accessibility. PEAC’s mission to facilitate successful education for people of “all abilities and backgrounds in their neighborhood schools with a general education curriculum” strongly resonates with my desire to de-stigmatize disabilities and enable social inclusion. With my perspective as an aspiring occupational therapist, I consider it an occupational right for all people to participate in education how they want to, and people with disabilities should have the same options available as able-bodied people. Also, I think implementing accessible education into general school curricula provides opportunities for school administrators and stakeholders, teachers, and fellow students to learn from, understand, and accept people with different abilities. This prevents maintaining a separation between people who are able-bodied, neurodivergent, and/or disabled. Lastly, I deeply appreciate PEAC’s approach to empower families to make these changes in their communities. The most powerful changes come from those directly involved, in their context, and equipped with effective knowledge, skills, and resources. The partnership between various professional disciplines provides an eclectic and collaborative effort for advocacy and empowerment as well. 

Diane Perry is one of the founding members of PEAC. Her vision for successful inclusion has positively impacted a plethora of lives. She has single-handedly brought many family members to become fierce advocates for their children. Diane has twenty years of education, advocacy and family leadership under her belt. She is the Eastern Region Parent Advisor for the PEAL Center in Philadelphia. In addition to her work at PEAL, Diane serves as on the State Special Education Advisory Panel.

Diane’s son David received special education services; he is currently attending college, working part time, and being mentored with Self Advocates United as 1(SAU1).