Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503

814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us

1917 PL 64-347 = Smith-Hughes Act

1918 PL 65-178 = Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Act

1920 PL 66-236 = Smith-Fess Act

1935 PL 74-271 = Social Security Act = Established State/Federal VR Programs

1936 PL 74-732 = Randolph-Sheppard Act

1938 PL 75-739 = Wagner-O’Day Act

1943 PL 78-113 = Bardon-LaFollette Act

1954 PL 83-565 = Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments

1965 PL 89-333 = Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments

1967 = Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)

1968 PL 90-391 = Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments

1973 PL 93-112 = Rehabilitation Act of 1973

1978 PL 95-606 = Rehab, Comprehensive Services, & Development Disabilities Amendments of 1978

1984 PL 98-221 = Rehabilitation Act Amendments

1986 PL 99-506 = Rehabilitation Act Amendments

1988 PL 100-407 = The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act

1990 PL 101-336 = Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503

814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us

Vocational Rehabilitation Legislative History up to the Americans with Disabilities

Act

Mission To assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence.

Vision

Through our actions, we shall earn and maintain the highest degree of respect from our customers and be viewed by them as a world-class organization.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503

814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503

814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us

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= BVRS = BBVS = Central Office = HGAC 2 1

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5 = ODHH Erie BVRS District Office

Erie BBVS District Office

OVR: Agency Organization

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) =

Executive Director = Mr. Stephen Suroviec

Bureau of Central Operations (Central Office) =

Training, Administration & Fiscal, Special Programs

Bureau Director = Mr. Ryan Hyde

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (BVRS) =

15 District Offices

Bureau Director = Ms. Denise Verchimak

Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS) =

6 District Offices

Bureau Director = Mr. David DeNotaris

Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ODHH) =

3 District Offices

Director = Ms. Sharon Behon

Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC) =

Commonwealth Technical Institute

Director = Ms. Carol Mackel

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OVR/BVRS: Eligibility

Presence of Impairment

Impediment to Employment

Benefit from Services to Achieve Employment Outcome (presumed)

(at the time of application)

Order of Selection

Rehabilitation Act Sec. 101(a)(5)

In the event that vocational rehabilitation services cannot

be provided to all eligible individuals with disabilities

who apply for services, the State plan shall show the

Order to be followed in selecting eligible individuals to

be provided vocational rehabilitation services; provide

the justification for the Order; assure that individuals

with the most significant disabilities will be selected first;

and provide information and referral services to

individuals who do not meet the Order.

Order of Selection

MSD = Most Significant Disabilities

Impairment(s) seriously limit 3 or more employment barriers

Expected to require 2 or more vocational rehabilitation services for

at least 6 months from the date of the IPE (Individualized Plan for

Employment)

SD = Significant Disabilities

Impairment(s) seriously limit 1-2 of the employment barriers

Expected to require multiple vocational rehabilitation services

NSD = Non-Significant Disabilities

Does not meet the definitions for MSD or SD

7 Employment Barriers

1 = Mobility

2 = Self Care

3 = Work Tolerance

4 = Interpersonal Skills

5 = Work Skills

6 = Communication

7 = Self Direction

Order of Selection

Services Overview

Diagnostic Services & Assessment

Guidance & Counseling

Vocational Evaluations

Restoration Services

Transition Services

Training Assistance

College/University/Technical Schools

Placement Services

On-the-Job Training (OJT)

Job Coaching

Vehicle Modifications

Home Modifications

Small Business Development

Assistive Technology

Team Effort!

Make sure basic needs are met.

OVR does not do but it is needed for employment to be successful.

Identify vocational limitations, prioritize, and identify which

team member(s) are best able to work with the person to

address.

Allow the person to grow, make decisions, and mistakes.

Make realistic goals

Support the person so they can find employment.

OVR is not an employment agency or temp agency

The person is the lead team member

OVR is not an entitled service. The person has to do their part.

Employer Services

Business Solutions

Staffing: pre-screened candidates; consultation services; accommodation solutions

Accessibility Analysis: Job analysis & Worksite modification consultation; Reasonable

accommodations consultation; Assistive technology information

Financial Incentives: On-the-Job Training reimbursement; Tax credits

Disability Awareness: Sensitivity & Disability Etiquette training; Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA) consultation

Consultation Services

Publication of “How to Hire PwD Guide”

Recruitment

Qualified Employees

Learn about disability-related issues

Short & Long Term Support

Hiring Process; Employment; Promotions; Issues; Separation; Layoffs; Questions;

Accommodation Guidance; and much more.

OVR Statewide Priorities

Customer Service

Individuals, vendors/partners, businesses have a positive experience.

Transition (School to Work)

Transition to adult life, higher education, or work.

Stakeholder Relations

Develop constructive relationship & input from external organizations.

Workforce Development Collaboration

Working with Local L&I’s Workforce Development.

Public Awareness Outreach

People with Disabilities and businesses know about us.

OVR/BBVS

Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS) 6 District Offices

Bureau Director = Mr. David DeNotaris

Erie District Administrator = Ms. Dawn Sokol

Eligibility

Vision 20/70 or worse in best eye with correction & Visual Field of 20 degrees or less

Services

Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Rehabilitation Teaching

Orientation and Mobility Instruction

Independent Living for the Older Blind (ILOB) Program

Specialized Children’s Program

Specialized Services for Adults

OVR: ODHH

Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ODHH) 3 District Offices

Director = Ms. Sharon Behon

Erie Office = Mr. Gerald Penna

Eligibility

Anyone seeking information regarding Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Services

Advocacy

Information

Referrals

OVR: HGAC

Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC) Commonwealth Technical Institute

Director = Ms. Carol Mackel

12 acre barrier-free campus

Eligibility

OVR Customer

Acceptance via application process

Services

Associate Degrees

Certificate Programs

Support Services

Independent Life Skills

Local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs)

• FISCAL ARM OF WIB •Chief Executive Office

•Manage Budget

•Compliance

•Manage Contracts

• PROGRAMATIC ARM OF WIB • Venango Training & Development Center

• Bureau of Workforce Development Partnership

• Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

•Commonwealth CWDS System

•CORE Services

•Intensive Services

•Adult & Dislocated Services

•Training Services

•Employer Services (under development)

•Youth Program

JOB SEEKERS & EMPLOYERS

Venango County

Fiscal

PFP = Staff

to the WIB

Core Services (free & available to everyone seeking employment)

Enrollment on the CareerLink® website

Assistance with resume preparation

Tips to help in searching & applying for jobs

Referrals to job openings

Orientation to CareerLink®

Job Search Workshops

Information on financial aid

Labor Market Information

Referrals to other programs & services

Eligibility determination for WIA Intensive Services

Intensive Services (18 or older ; unable to secure employment through Core Services; WIA eligible)

Development of an Individualized Employment Plan (IEP)

Intensive Assessment

Training Services (18 or older ; unable to secure employment through Intensive Services; WIA eligible)

Contingent upon funding availability and appropriateness of employment plan. Not an entitlement program.

Occupational Skills Training at an approved school

Employer Based Training (On the Job or Customized)

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503

814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us

If eligible OVR can help………But not alone. With the person and their support team involved!

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503

814.871.4551 | 800.541.0721 www.dli.state.pa.us

Thank you!

Jack J. Hewitt, M.A. | District Administrator

PA Department of Labor & Industry | Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

3200 Lovell Place | Erie, PA 16503

814-651-9607

814-871-4551 (switchboard) | 1-800-541-0721 (PA toll free - switchboard)

814-871-4535 (TTY) | 1-888-217-1710 (PA toll free - TTY)

814-871-4631 (fax)

jhewitt@pa.gov

www.dli.state.pa.us

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/disability_services/10355 = OVR webpage

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=606842&mode=2 = OVR Publications

https://www.cwds.state.pa.us = Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS)