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Physical Disabilities & Aging

Time is running out — early bird rates for the 2024 RCPA Conference end next Friday, August 23! Register today to reserve your spot and gain access to over 60 engaging, educational workshops. You can view our registration brochure for complete details, including Connections Hall networking opportunities, plenary and keynote speakers, and booking your hotel room. You can also visit our Conference website for the latest information.

Register Here for the 2024 RCPA Conference

Contact Carol Ferenz, Conference Coordinator, with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the Hershey Lodge!

The Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ODHH) is pleased to offer the following webinar on August 28, 2024, from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm entitled “Interpreting vs. SSP: What’s the Difference?” When working with people who are Deaf and use American Sign Language (ASL), non-Deaf professionals can confuse the role of the interpreter and Support Service Provider (SSP). An experienced ASL interpreter and an experienced SSP will discuss their roles and responsibilities. View the flyer for more info!

Please contact ODHH for additional accommodations or info:
ODHH’s email
717-783-4912 v/tty
717-831-1928 videophone


In addition to the webinar, the Advisory Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ACDHH) has issued a community survey to gather feedback from Pennsylvanians who are D/deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind. ACDHH is seeking feedback about the services individuals are getting from their communities, with the goal of developing a strategic plan for future ACDHH advocacy efforts. Each question on the survey is written in English and signed in American Sign Language. If you need help filling out this survey, please contact the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing via email. Don’t delay! The deadline is Friday, September 6, 2024.

Complete the survey here.

The meeting documents from the August 7 Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Subcommittee meeting are now available. These documents include the transcript and PowerPoint presentations. You can view them below:

The next LTSS Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for September 4, 2024, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm in the PA Department of Education’s Honors Suite at 333 Market St. in Harrisburg, PA. The option to participate via webinar is also available.

To participate in the meeting via webinar, please register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you plan to participate via phone, the dial-in number is: 613-992-3221; Access Code: 953 985 828#.

The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) has announced they will be hosting Transportation Summit 3 (via Zoom) on September 17, 2024, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.

The Transportation Summit is an open forum for anyone interested in discussing transportation-related issues in the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Program. There will be staff from various programs on the call, including the managed care organizations (MCO) and transportation brokers, Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). They will be on the call to listen to feedback and answer questions as they can.

During the webinar, there will be three ways for individuals to ask questions.

  1. You can submit your questions to OLTL in advance by emailing Cortney Alvord.
  2. They can be read during the meeting, where you will use the “Raise Hand” feature during the meeting, be unmuted, and ask your question.
  3. You can type your question into the “Chat” box located on the right side of your screen during the meeting.

To participate in the Transportation Summit, please register using this registration link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced the annual publication of the Resource Guide for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Individuals. This guide offers resources in one central location for those who support or care for someone who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind and receives supports from ODP.

The Resource Guide is available here or on MyODP’s website under Topics > Special Population Services > Deaf Services. For questions, email ODP Deaf Services.