Relationship Resource Guide

Three Black and disabled folx (a non-binary person resting one hand on the wall and the other on her cane, a non-binary person sitting in a power wheelchair, and a femme leaning while standing) rest and chat outdoors on a sunny day.

Logo that reads: True Friendships: Friendship is for Everyone!

Welcome to the True Friendships: Friendship is for Everyone Relationship Resource Guide!

True Friendships hopes to make it easier for all people to make and keep friendships. The True Friendships project is focused on creating opportunity and capacity for friendships for all.

We will continue to build this guide as we progress with the project. Keep checking back to see what else we have added!

If you have any resources you would like us to consider adding, please email them to AuthenticFriendships@Viapa.org.

Below you will find categories of information related to building and maintaining friendships. Click through the categories and explore the resources!

How to Make Friends

This section has information and tools you can use to make and maintain friendships. This includes explainers for what friendship can look like, how to start conversations with new people, and much more!

Click Here to Explore How to Make Friends

Where to Meet Friends

This section has ideas and resources for where you can make friends. This includes in-person or virtual events, places to find social things happening near you, and resources for finding friends through social media.

Click Here to Explore Where to Meet Friends

Research and Resources

This section has information for people who like to learn about the science of friendship. You’ll also find some resources that may not specifically be about friendship, but may be helpful in different ways.

Click Here to Explore Research and Resources

Learning Session Materials

This section has materials that were shared during our Learning Sessions. This includes presentations, and any tools and resources that we shared. We will keep adding to this section as we host more Learning Sessions.

Click Here to Explore Learning Session Materials

School-Aged Resources

This section has resources for people with I/DD who are under the age of 21. This includes Technical Assistance services for babies, and resources for skill development.

Click Here to Explore School-Aged Resources

Family Resources

This section includes resources for family members of people with I/DD. This includes support services, and community connection opportunities for family members in Pennsylvania.

Click Here to Explore Family Resources

The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $3,095,416.00 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS.  Council efforts are those of the grantee and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Copyright © 2024 Values Into Action and Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. Permission to reprint, copy and distribute this work is granted provided that it is reproduced as a whole, distributed at no more than actual cost, and displays this copyright notice.  Any other reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Page last updated: 8/5/24