602 Office of Social Programs; Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services; public meetings

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE

Office of Social Programs; Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services; Public Meetings

[27 Pa.B. 1982]

   The Department of Public Welfare, Office of Social Programs, Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BVS), under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.A. § 101 et seq.) announces a series of public meetings throughout this Commonwealth. The purpose of these meetings is to allow interested groups, organizations and all segments of the public an opportunity to share their input and suggestions regarding the development of the Bureau's State and Strategic Plans for Federal Fiscal Years 1998-2000.

   These Plans provide for the expenditure of State and Federal funds which may be used to provide goods and services reasonably expected to lead to the Vocational Rehabilitation of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

   These Plans are the compliance documents which are filed with the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, United States Department of Education.

   The Bureau is interested in hearing from persons with disabilities, advocates and the interested public regarding:  (1) views on BVS policies related to the administration of these Plans; (2) plans, policies and procedures regarding the transition to Vocational Rehabilitation services of students with disabilities; (3) procedures and activities regarding the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive system of personnel development; (4) methods to expand and improve services to individuals with the most severe disabilities; (5) due process procedures; (6) rehabilitation technology services; (7) personal assistance services; (8) policies and procedures relating to consumer choice; (9) utilization of community rehabilitation programs; (10) quality, scope and extent of Supported Employment services; and (11) outreach procedures and practices for identifying and serving individuals with the most severe disabilities who are minorities.

   Persons having any special needs in regard to their participation at these public meetings should contact the Manager of the BVS District Office serving the county in which they live. Persons unable to attend these meetings may submit written comments to the appropriate Manager no later than 5 p.m., Friday, May 9, 1997. The schedule of public meetings on these Plans is listed below.

ERIE

(Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango and Warren Counties)
Tuesday, April 22, 1997
11 a.m.--2 p.m.
Blindness and Visual Services
448 West 11th Street
Erie, PA 16501
Telephone No. [phone] (Erie BVS:  Voice)
Telephone No. [phone] (Erie BVS:  TDD)

HARRISBURG

(Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York Counties)
Wednesday, April 23, 1997
12:30 p.m.--3:30 p.m.
Blindness and Visual Services
2923 North 7th Street, Suite B
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Telephone No. [phone] (Harrisburg BVS:  Voice)
Telephone No. [phone] (Harrisburg BVS:  TDD)

PHILADELPHIA

(Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties)
Thursday, April 24, 1997
9:30 a.m.--12:30 p.m.
Penthouse
Philadelphia State Office Building
1400 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130-4064
Telephone No. [phone] (Philadelphia BVS:  Voice)
Telephone No. [phone] (Philadelphia BVS:  TDD)

ALTOONA

(Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Somerset and Union Counties)
Thursday, April 24, 1997
10 a.m.--1 p.m.
Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC)
727 Goucher Street
Johnstown, Pa 15905
Room A-143
Telephone No. [phone] (HGAC)
Telephone No. [phone] (Altoona BVS:  Voice)
Telephone No. [phone] (Altoona BVS:  TDD)

WILKES-BARRE

(Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming Counties)
Monday, April 28, 1997
11 a.m.--2 p.m.
Wilkes-Barre District Office
3rd Floor Conference Room
111 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-3602
Telephone No. [phone] (Wilkes-Barre BVS:  Voice and TDD)

 

PITTSBURGH

(Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland Counties)
Monday, April 28, 1997
3:30 p.m.--6:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Blind Association
Fourth Floor Conference Room
300 South Craig Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Telephone No. [phone]
Telephone No. [phone] (Pittsburgh BVS:  Voice)
Telephone No. [phone] (Pittsburgh BVS:  TDD)

FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 97-602. Filed for public inspection April 18, 1997, 9:00 a.m.]