Employment, Disability Rights, and Advocacy Resources
The Council works closely with a diverse group of professionals from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) along with a wide range of PaRC stakeholders, disability rights organizations, and community advocacy organizations.
The Resources listed below are separated by various categories and may include both state and national organizations. Many of the organizations listed are recommended by the Council to use as a resource and are in no way affiliated with the PaRC.
Frequently referenced:
Disability Related Resources on the Internet:
Certified Rehabilitation Counselors
- Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals
- American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA)
- Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)
- Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
- National Rehabilitation Association
- Pennsylvania-Delaware (Penn-Del) Chapter of The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)
- Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Association
- Pennsylvania Counselor Career Opportunities
- Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association
Disability Specific Resources
Autism:
Blind and Low Vision:
- American Foundation for the Blind
- Greater Berks Chapter, National Federation for the Blind Pennsylvania
- National Federation of the Blind improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.
- Pennsylvania Association for the Blind
- Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services
- The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind
Brain Injury:
Cerebral Palsy:
- Cerebral Palsy Guidance
- United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania provides both community and center-based programs and services in fifteen Central Pennsylvania counties
- United Cerebral Palsy Associations (National)
- United Cerebral Palsy Pennsylvania Affiliates
Deaf-Blind:
- Healthbridges
- National Center on Deaf-Blindness
- Pennsylvania Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Pennsylvania Partnership for the DeafBlind
Deaf and Hard of Hearing:
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Healthbridges
- National Association of the Deaf
- Pennsylvania Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Developmental Disabilities:
- Pennsylvania Developmental Disability Council works to create favorable conditions for people with developmental disabilities and their families in the Commonwealth.
- The ARC of Pennsylvania
- National ARC
Down Syndrome:
- Local Down Syndrome Organizations in Pennsylvania
- National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC)
- National Down Syndrome Society
- Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition (PDSAC)
Mental Health:
- Mental Health America
- Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania
- Mental Health Resources in Pennsylvania
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) national organization providing advocacy supports
- Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association
Mobility:
- Canine Partners for Life places assistance dogs with individuals who have mobility impairments
- United Spinal Association
Multiple Sclerosis:
- Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Pennsylvania Multiple Sclerosis Centers
Muscular Dystrophy:
Spina Bifida:
Employment
For employers:
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
- Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
- Office of Vocational Rehabilitation provides resources for employers and are available to screen and refer applicants meeting the employer’s job-related specifications.
- U.S. Department of Labor
- What Can You Do Campaign
- Workforce Recruitment Program
Seeking employment:
- Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)
- Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
- Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation provides individualized services to assist people with disabilities to pursue, obtain, and maintain satisfactory employment.
- Commonwealth Workforce Development System
- Job Accommodation Network for questions about workplace accommodations and the Americans with Disabilities Act
- www.gettinghired.com where people with disabilities gather, network, and find success in the workplace with employers.
- Ticket to Work (SSA Employment Network)
- U.S. Department of Labor
Legislative and Governmental Resources
In Pennsylvania:
- Pennsylvania’s Web site
- Pennsylvania General Assembly
- Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives Members Home Pages
- Pennsylvania Senate
- Online Network:
Federal government:
- Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)
- Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) Information on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Library of Congress Home Page
- US Congress
- US House of Representatives
- US Senate
- Veteran’s Benefits Administration
- White House
- Online Network:
National and Other Resources
- CARF – The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission locate a CARF accredited service provider.
- Centers for Independent Living (CIL)
- Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency was created to provide affordable housing for older adults, persons and families of modest means, and persons with disabilities.
- Housing and Mortgages for People with Disabilities resources for buying a home and about financial assistance programs available for people with disabilities.
Students
- IDEA
- Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership Center (PEAL Center)
- Pennsylvania’s Information on IDEA-B Regulations and Policies
- We Connect Now, a Web site to serve college students with disabilities in an effort to connect and integrate them more as a virtual community with a voice on important issues.
Transportation
- Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association (PPTA)
- Public Transportation Services and Programs Map: For Public Transportation in all Pennsylvania Counties. Click on your county for helpful links and information.