Supports and promotes the interests of the blind and the prevention of blindness through a wide range of services, including: - Vocational Services - Rehabilitation and Social Services teach vision impaired persons and their family's techniques and use of adaptive equipment to promote independence - Glaucoma screenings, Kid Sight screenings - Vision Voucher Program - Referrals to local ophthalmologists for diagnosis and treatment, eye examinations and refractions for low income individuals without medical insurance - Assistance for the purchase of single lens eyeglasses for low-income individuals - Braille Transcription - Sight Loss Support Groups

Offers individualized vocational assessment, community based work assessment, job seeking and placement services, supported employment, post employment services, post secondary education support, social skills groups, community integration and inclusion, independent living skills training, transportation, financial coordination services, and outpatient counseling.

The initial step for most individuals entering our programs is a vocational evaluation to determine your needs and our ability to meet them. The evaluation is scheduled after the intake interview and can last from 5 to 20 days. During this time we will assess your interests, aptitudes, achievement levels, work behaviors and skills. We will use standardized tests, work samples and production tasks in the workshop or participation on a community work crew. When the evaluation has been completed, we will meet with you and your team members to discuss the results. Our Vocational Evaluator will forward a written report to your referral source and anyone else authorized to receive a copy.

Offers assessments by licensed optometrists, prescriptions for optical aids, and the opportunity to try out aids ranging from magnifiers, writing guides, special lighting devices, and closed-circuit TVs. Prevention of blindness programs including free vision screenings for children 12 months to 6 years of age. Transportation: This free door-to-door service provides rides to essential medical appointment or critical service need, such as obtaining a photo ID or grocery shopping. Individuals must live in Allegheny County and meet the program criteria. Appointments requested to be made in advance.

Enables individuals with disabilities, people who abuse drugs or alcohol, or people who have emotional problems to obtain the training and employment experiences they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Services may include vocational evaluation, work adjustment, work experience, training in marketable skills and placement in a competitive integrated employment facility.

Evaluated medical, psychological, occupational and educational abilities, and limitations for employment.

Assists Pennsylvanians with disabilities in gaining the skills necessary to live and work independently in their communities. OVR services include: diagnostic services, vocational evaluation, vocational counseling, job training, medical services and assistive technology equipment to help clients pursue and achieve employment, and job placement assistance.

Offers monthly virtual support groups, on-site vision support services, trainings, and informal group meetings. Loans vision-related assistive technology, conducts eye exams, and supplies eyeglasses for those who cannot afford them through referrals or funding. Also provides employment opportunities for individuals who are legally blind, and public education to prevent blindness and vision impairment.

Offers comprehensive rehabilitative services provided through school program for children ages 2 to 8. Offers nursery school speech, language, hearing, and tympanometric screenings to preschool-age children. Vocational rehabilitation, sheltered employment program, and competitive employment for adults.

Provides a workforce development program for adults experiencing a variety of barriers to employment while providing cost effective outsourced labor solutions to customers, including packaging, assembly, kitting, shrink-wrapping, and mailing.

Provides comprehensive services to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. Services available include skills assessment, training, counseling, placement assistance, evaluation for assistive technology and ongoing support services. The Hiram G. Andrews Center offers post-secondary education at the Commonwealth Technical Institute, and also provides career opportunities and independent living skills. The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides information, referral and advocacy to adults and children who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as their employers, relatives and friends. An online database of qualified sign language interpreters is available.

Offers financial assistance for vocational training and equipment required for employment.

Offers supportive services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Services include early intervention for children, an adult training facility and day care, vocational rehabilitation, and respite care.

Provides a supportive environment for people whose lives have been interrupted by mental illness to pursue their living, working, and learning goals.

Supports individuals who are transitioning to competitive integrated employment through work that occurs in a location other than one of Lark's facilities.

The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. OVR provides services to eligible individuals with disabilities, both directly and through a network of approved vendors. Services are provided on an individualized basis. The OVR counselor, during face-to-face interviews, assists customers in selecting their choice of vocational goals, services and service providers. An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is developed, outlining a vocational objective, services, providers and responsibilities. Certain services are subject to a Financial Needs Test (FNT) and may require financial participation by the customer. Counseling and guidance, diagnostic services, assessments, information and referral, job development and placement, and personal services such as readers or sign language interpreters are provided at no cost to the individual. Also, by law OVR customers receiving

Helps develop functional skills and discover talents through volunteer opportunities and engaging social activities. Activities include visiting parks, swimming, bowling, horseback riding, baseball games, fitness, and more. Instructs clients in a variety of social, community, technology, personal and vocational skills. Offers volunteer opportunities including assisting in delivering meals, at food pantries, local churches, hospitals, community gardening, animal shelters, libraries and more.

The Work Ordered Day Program consists of six work units: Clerical, Food Service, Education, Administrative, and Transitional Employment. New members may choose to experience each unit during an orientation period in order to determine which area is of greatest interest to them. The Clerical Unit’s duties involve receptionist work, scheduling of appointments, outreach, and member intakes and orientation. Computers are available for training in word processing, database development, preparation of monthly newsletters, and research. Additional responsibilities include Database Management, Network Management, Internet Services, Web site Administration and Computer User Technical Support. Finally, this unit is also responsible for the ordering of supplies, photocopying and filing. The vanAmerigen Food Service Unit’s responsibilities include meal preparation, grocery shopping, menu planning, outreach, cashiering, bank deposits, financial procedures, and operation of food service equipment and maintenanc

Provides vocational assessment, career planning assistance, job training, and supported employment for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Offers individualized vocational assessment, community based work assessment, job seeking and placement services, supported employment, post employment services, post secondary education support, social skills groups, community integration and inclusion, independent living skills training, transportation, financial coordination services, and outpatient counseling.

Provides hands-on vocational training, and helps individuals gain skills and confidence. Via offers a safe and productive environment where individuals work on a variety of projects, improve independence and enhance work skills.

Provides vocational assessment, training, work experience, habilitative supports, job placement, and retirement activities.

Provides a work activities center where individuals are trained by skilled professionals on a continual basis to comfortably handle a wide variety of contracts, and to cost-effectively provide business customers with a quality job that is delivered on time and on budget.

Provides supportive services to individuals with substance use disorders who are looking to enter or reenter the workforce. Offers job coaching, vocational assessment, and job search assistance.

Psychiatric rehabilitation services including transitional employment opportunities, educational supports, social opportunities, etc.