Information and Referral/Resources

How Can We Help?

The following is a general listing of disability resources. 


We do not accept online solicitations or suggestions for additions to this page.

Primary Contact


Cindy Zook

Information/Referral Specialist

Contact Me

ADA Information

Advocacy

  • ARC Pennsylvania

    The ARC Pennsylvania   


    Pennsylvania chapter of The Arc, which is the largest advocacy organization in the United States for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. The Lancaster chapter holds weekly meetings for 

  • Disability Rights PA

    Disability Rights PA 

    Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) is an independent, statewide, non-profit corporation designated as the federally-mandated protection and advocacy agency in Pennsylvania.

  • National Organization on Disability

    National Organization on Disability   


    The National Organization on Disability researches, develops, and demonstrates creative approaches to disability employment issues.

  • Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council

    Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council  


    Information for state and federal advocacy and opportunities for getting involved.

  • Self Advocacy Online

    http://selfadvocacyonline.org/ 

    Find Self-Advocacy Groups, View Stories from Self Advocates, and learn about Self-Advocacy 


  • TASH

    TASH

    TASH is an international leader in disability advocacy. Founded in 1975, TASH advocates for human rights and inclusion for people with significant disabilities and support needs – those most vulnerable to segregation, abuse, neglect and institutionalization. TASH works to advance inclusive communities through advocacy,

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

  • Keystone Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    https://kdhhs.net/

    Services for individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, such as: Assistive Technology and Hearing devices as well as Hearing Screenings

  • Online College Guide for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

  • Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

    https://rid.org/ 

    The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID), a national membership organization, plays a leading role in advocating for excellence in the delivery of interpretation and transliteration services between people who use sign language and people who use spoken language. In collaboration with the Deaf community, RID supports our members and encourages the growth of the profession through the establishment of a national standard for qualified sign language interpreters and transliterators, ongoing professional development and adherence to a code of professional conduct.

Education

  • Office of Disability Services at Penn State University

    Office of Disability Services at Penn State University  


    Accommodations and services for students with disabilities.

  • Online Guide to Succeeding in Graduate School with Disabilities

  • PaTTAN -Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network

    Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.
  • Temple University Disability Resources

    Temple University Disability Resources   


    Resources and services for students, faculty, administration, and families with disabilities.

  • We Connect Now

    We Connect Now   


    Dedicated to uniting people interested in rights and issues affecting people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on college students and access to higher education and employment issues.

Elder Care

Employment

  • Pennsylvania CareerLink

    Pennsylvania CareerLink   


    Advocacy for people with disabilities administered by the Center for Disability Law & Policy.

  • Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program

    Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program 


    Advocacy for people with disabilities administered by the Center for Disability Law & Policy.

  • Works for Me

    Works for Me 


    Assists people in: finding a job, obtaining job training, keeping health insurance, getting assistive technology, finding additional support.

Equipment & Assistive Technology Devices

  • ABLEDATA

    ABLEDATA   


    The premier source of links to assistive technology.

  • Assistive Technology Lending Library

    Assistive Technology Lending Library   


    A free service that loans assistive technology devices to people with disabilities, available to Pennsylvanians of all ages and disabilities.

  • Accessible Pharmacy

    www.accessiblepharmacy.com  

    Welcome! Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind is a comprehensive, home delivery pharmacy service specializing in the needs of people who are blind, DeafBlind and have low vision. We are the only provider of its kind and the largest blind-owned healthcare company in the country.

  • Changing Hands Equipment Exchange Program

    https://www.ucpcentralpa.org/services/assistive-technology/changing-hands/ 

    Changing Hands is an equipment exchange program that provides restored and refurbished home medical equipment to Pennsylvania residents of all ages.

  • Choosing the Best Medical Alert System

  • Computer Accessibility for the Blind

    Computer Accessibility for the Blind  


    This page contains information and links for computer accessibility for legally blind individuals.

  • GiveTech

    GiveTech   


    Provides computer tools specifically for disabled individuals.

  • Healthy Hearing

    Healthy Hearing   


    Information and resources for hearing aids and hearing loss.

  • Reagan's Journey

    https://www.reagansjourney.org/

    Reagan’s Journey exists to make life better for

    children with special needs in (3) ways.

     


    1. Pediatric Equipment & Supply Closet to make sure families/caregivers/therapists have access to the right equipment to help a child reach their full potential. Often times, insurance will only cover one piece of equipment every five years and the average wait time to receive a custom piece of equipment is 6 months. That is a hardship to families when children experience growth spurts and developmental changes. We’ve been able to partner with many local agencies, therapists, and hospital social workers to keep our closet full of equipment and supplies.


    2. Family Events that are meant to create an environment where each child’s uniqueness is not only welcomed, but celebrated!  We want families to be themselves and enjoy each other without reservation.  These events become a fantastic springboard to facilitate friendships and create a sense of community.  


    3. Resources: We’ve been operating our online resource group since 2012.  The group has become a hub to share resources and information as well as link arms with families facing similar experiences with disability.  It has doubled in size from 2022-2023.  We also pride ourselves in offering a “Resource Sheet” during our in-person appointments and with social workers/therapists.


  • Smartcare

    Smartcare


    Assistive Technology to help you live a safer, healthier, and more independent life.

Healthcare

  • Healthcare.gov

    Healthcare.gov   


    The official government site for the Affordable Care Act and the Healthcare Marketplace.

  • Patient Advocate Foundation

    Patient Advocate Foundation   


    Provides assistance with medical debt crisis, insurance access issues, and job retention issues.

  • Pennie.com

    Pennie.com 

    Pennie is Pennsylvania’s official health and dental coverage marketplace and the only place to get financial assistance to help lower the cost of coverage and care.

Home Care

  • PA Home Care

    PA Home Care   


    Information and resources for home care services throughout Pennsylvania.

Housing & Home Modifications

  • Fair Housing Act

    Fair Housing Act 

    prohibits discrimination by direct providers of housing, such as landlords and real estate companies as well as other entities, such as municipalities, banks or other lending institutions and homeowners insurance companies whose discriminatory practices make housing unavailable to persons based on Race/color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability. 

  • Homemods.org

    Homemods.org 


    An information clearinghouse on home modifications for people with disabilities.

  • Inglis Home Home Modification Program

  • Lancaster City Housing Authority

    Lancaster City Housing Authority 

    Lancaster City Housing Authority (LCHA) owns and operates 564 Public Housing units consisting of 259 family units and 305 elderly/disabled units set in six communities.


    Housing is also provided through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The LCHA administers Vouchers by matching up eligible applicants with participating private landlords.

  • Lebanon County Housing and Redevelopment Authority

    Lebanon County Housing Authority


    The Redevelopment Authority administers Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME, and other state/federal community development programs. The City of Lebanon receives about one million dollars annually of CDBG funding. The County of Lebanon receives about $450,000 of Small Cities CDBG. HOME funding has been averaging about $500,000 per year.

  • Off The Streets Now

    http://lancaster.offthestreetsnow.com/

    Off the Streets helps families and individuals in Lancaster, PA get off the streets and into permanent housing.   We fill critical missing pieces to transition those who are homeless into housing.  We work with local service agencies to identify those who need help and then we provide:


    a security deposit sent directly to the landlord

    basic furnishings and household items

  • PA Housing Search

    PA Housing Search   


    Offers a free resource to help you find a home that fits your needs and budget.

  • Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

    Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency   


    Housing assistance for people renting and buying homes in Pennsylvania through loan and grant programs.

  • Tenfold

    Tenfold


    Tabor and LHOP are now Tenfold. With 80 years of collective expertise, we will continue to serve as your trusted community partner offering a broader continuum of services to address homelessness to affordable rental housing to homeownership, and the creation of new housing units through Tenfold Community Lending.


    At Tenfold, we are committed to sparking the power in all people to achieve equitable housing and financial security. We walk alongside our clients and help them unlock a new path forward to a brighter future.


    By collaborating as one team, we can take a holistic approach to serve as your trusted community partner focused on achieving quality, fair and affordable housing that is inclusive to  all people through:


    Proactive coaching

    Education

    Lending

    Advocacy

    Together, the Tenfold team is multiplying its impact by leveraging our team’s combined expertise and community partners to develop new and innovative ways of addressing the wide range of critical housing needs within our community such as homelessness, renting, homeownership, and community lending.


  • UDS Home Modifications

    United DIsabilities Services Home Modifications 

    Accessible home modifications make your home safer and better suited to your needs. Every area of your home can be modified to ensure accessibility and convenience.

Independent Living Resources

    Legal Information

    • American Bar Association

      American Bar Association   


      The American Bar Associations Commission on Disability Rights.

    • Disability Rights PA

      Disability Rights PA

      DRP is the federally authorized, protection and advocacy system, in Pennsylvania to provide legal and advocacy services to persons with disabilities.


      DRP staff works diligently statewide to:


      improve disability service and social systems

      work to ensure civil rights and to empower the community

      provide technical and training assistance

      Each fiscal year, Disability Rights Pennsylvania’s Board of Directors adopts priorities based on feedback from individuals with disabilities, family members, advocates and professionals about the work that DRP should prioritize.


      The priorities for Fiscal Year 2022 are found here:


      People with disabilities will not be subject to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or rights violations.

      People with disabilities will not be subject to unnecessary segregation and institutionalization, including, but not limited to, unnecessary segregation in home and community-based settings.

      People with disabilities will have access to high-quality, consumer-controlled, consumer-driven, person-centered, and recovery-oriented services and benefits to enable them to live and thrive in their own homes and communities.

      People with disabilities will not be subject to discrimination and will be fully integrated in all aspects of society.

    • Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

      Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund


      The National Civil Rights Law and Policy Center.

    • MidPenn Legal Services-Lancaster

      https://www.midpenn.org/file_download/inline/4e892c51-4b2d-4cf8-ac93-bb3e976edf5f  

      MidPenn Legal Services is a non-profit law firm providing free civil legal aid to low-income families in crisis. We provide legal advice and counsel to help very low-income

      families solve problems that focus on improving their personal safety, family stability

      and economic security. MidPenn attorneys and paralegals handle cases involving

      domestic violence, housing law, public benefits, expungement, supportive benefits,

      consumer law, family law, tax controversies and elder law.

    • Midpenn Legal Services-Lebanon

      https://www.midpenn.org/file_download/inline/60a59dfe-f4e2-4651-a3c0-c7e5724d4894 


      MidPenn Legal Services is a non-profit law firm providing free civil legal aid to low-income families in crisis. We provide legal advice and counsel to help very low-income

      families solve problems that focus on improving their personal safety, family stability

      and economic security. MidPenn attorneys and paralegals handle cases involving

      domestic violence, housing law, public benefits, expungement, supportive benefits,

      consumer law, family law, tax controversies, and elder law.


    • PA Legal Aid Network

      https://palegalaid.net/ 

      The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network is a statewide consortium of independent legal aid programs. We coordinate the delivery of civil legal assistance to the Pennsylvanians who need it most.

    • PALawHELP.org

      https://www.palawhelp.org/

      a guide to legal information and free civil legal services for low-income persons and seniors in Pennsylvania. Here you can locate information on a variety of legal issues, as well as information on how to contact programs providing legal assistance in Pennsylvania. This includes basic eligibility and contact information for the programs proving free legal assistance in Pennsylvania.

      .

    • Steve Gold’s ADA

      Steve Gold’s ADA   


      A Philadelphia attorney, providing valuable information on the enforcement of the ADA act.

    LGBTQIA+ Resources

    • Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition

      Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition

      At Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition, we are committed to building a supportive and enriching community abundant in opportunities for LGBTQQIA+ individuals and those with a stake in creating a more inclusive Lancaster County.

    • The Trevor Project

      www.thetrevorproject.org

      is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention to queer youth

    Medicare

    • Medicare.gov

      Medicare.gov   


      The official government site for Medicare.

    • Medicare Solutions

      Medicare Solutions   


      Provides a wealth of information about medicare including providers and plans.

    Mental Health Resources

    • Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

      Lancaster BHDS BH/DS is mandated by state and federal law to provide services to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, children and youth with emotional disturbance, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and children age birth to three years old who have developmental delays.

    • Lebanon County MH/ID/EI

      Lebanon County Mental Health Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention The Lebanon County MH/ID/EI Program provides services to Lebanon County residents who have certain mental health diagnoses, a diagnosis of intellectual disability, or to children from birth up to the age of three who have a developmental delay or are at risk for a developmental delay. Through case management, MH/ID/EI provides intake, assessment, and coordination of the following services: outpatient psychotherapy, psychiatric and psychological evaluation, medication monitoring, vocational and social rehabilitation, short-term inpatient, partial hospitalization, early intervention services (birth to three years) and 24-hour emergency services. Consultation and education services are available upon request.

    • MHA of Lancaster County

      MHA of Lancaster County 

      Promotes optimal Mental Health through advocacy, education and support

    Parenting

    Recreation

    • Access to Recreation, Inc.

      Access to Recreation, Inc.   


      Source for adaptive recreation equipment.

    • Easterseals Western and Central PA

      https://www.easterseals.com/wcpenna/

      Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania is proud to offer various camping and recreational programs for children and adults with disabilities and other special needs. The programs vary from residential and day camps, weekend respites, community-based programs, and adaptive adventure sports.  All of our programs offer opportunities for individuals with disabilities to play and have fun while working on goals that can improve quality of life such as socialization, fine and gross motor skills, attention to task, and more.

    • Empower, SCI

      https://www.empowersci.org/ EmpowerSCI is a non-profit corporation established to enable individuals with spinal cord injuries to lead happier, more meaningful and more independent lives. EmpowerSCI seeks to fill the gap in the rehabilitation industry that has been created by a decrease in length of stays at rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient services during the recovery from a spinal cord injury.

    • Fitness 4 Focus

      https://www.fitness4focus.com/ 

      INDIVIDUALIZED FITNESS COACHING

      We have created a fitness program that challenges athletes both physically and mentally. Over the past ten years, our curriculum has been designed and modified to give each athlete the very best. Our athletes are guaranteed a full body workout each time they come to the gym, but they get much more than that.

    • IM Able

      IM Able   


      Support for active lifestyles for individuals with disabilities including adaptive equipment, inclusive fitness, and advocacy.

    • Pennsylvania Special Olympics

      Pennsylvania Special Olympics  


      Site for Pennsylvania Special Olympics events.

    • Pennsylvania State Parks

      Pennsylvania State Parks   


      Information about accessibility and visiting PA State Parks.

    Social Security/Social Security Disability

    Taxes/Financial information

    Transition

    Transportation

    • Lancaster EMS

      LEMSA   Lancaster EMS is equipped to provide both Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance services, community paramedicine, medical stand-bys for your event or gathering, and non-emergency wheelchair and sedan transport.

    • Red Rose Transit Authority

      RRTA The public transit system in Lancaster County PA. 

    • Lebanon Transit

      Lebanon Transit   Lebanon Transit (LT) is one of the premier public transportation agencies in Pennsylvania. LT is dedicated to providing our local community with affordable and environmentally-friendly service throughout the entire county and beyond. Whether you’re going to work, running errands, visiting friends or exploring the county, LT is the convenient, reliable and friendly way to get there.

    Traveling

    • Disabled Travelers

      Disabled Travelers   


      Dedicated to providing accessible travel information.

    • Travel Accessibility Resources for the Disabled

      Travel Accessibility Resources for the Disabled 


      An interesting article about traveling and special considerations, as well as many links to other resources for traveling with a disability.

    Veterans

    • DAV

      DAV   


      A veterans advocacy and assistance group.

    • Job Opportunities for Disabled Veterans

      Job Opportunities for Disabled Veterans   


      A job board for Disabled Vets.

    • Paralyzed Veterans of America

      Paralyzed Veterans of America   


      Healthcare assistance, job opportunities, and more for paralyzed veterans.

    • The PA Veterans Registry

      The PA Veterans Registry


      An online application that allows veterans, family members, and veteran advocates to connect with the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to request information related to the valuable state benefits, programs, and services they have earned. By connecting with DMVA, registrants can also opt-in to receive the weekly DMVA DIGEST, filled with valuable veteran-related news, job opportunities, and events.

    • The Veterans Crisis Line

      The Veterans Crisis Line 


      A free, confidential resource that’s available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. The caring, qualified responders at the Veterans Crisis Line are specially trained and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances.

    • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

      U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs  


      The official government site of the VA.

    • Veterans Guide

      Veteransguide.org  

      Our mission is to assist veterans with the array of issues they may face, including obtaining proper disability compensation, financial assistance, information on the GI bill, and more. We have created some helpful guides and will continuously be adding more. 

    Vision

    • Guide for Visually Impaired College Students from All About Vision

      Guide for Visually Impaired College Students With the help of this guide, blind or visually impaired students can feel confident setting out on their academic journey.

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