Labor & Industry's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services Host Annual Blindness Awareness Expo

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Labor & Industry today announced the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, along with the Advisory Committee for the Blind of Pennsylvania, will host the annual Blindness Awareness Expo at the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.

"OVR's mission is employment and independence for Pennsylvanians with disabilities," Executive Director Stephen Suroviec said. "This event will highlight the potential of individuals who are blind or visually impaired and demonstrate the technology that has created educational and employment opportunities."

The theme of this year's expo will be "Braille: Education, Employment, Equality," and will focus on the importance of Braille and its link to literacy and employment.

"This expo is an excellent opportunity to emphasize the capabilities of visually-impaired individuals as employees," Labor & Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway said. "Governor Corbett, myself and this administration remain committed to helping people with disabilities secure and maintain employment."

An awards ceremony will be held to recognize students with visual impairments who have demonstrated academic excellence. Awards will also be given to a Pennsylvania business that actively recruits and hires employees who are visually impaired, as well as an organization or business that has made their products or services more accessible to individuals who are visually impaired.

In addition, the expo will feature a vendor exhibition, focusing on Braille and other related technologies used in classrooms and the workplace.

The Blindness Awareness Expo is free and open to the public. The awards ceremony will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Keystone Atrium Building. Vendor exhibits will be held in the East Wing Rotunda of the Capitol from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about the expo, email [email protected] or call 800-622-2842.

Media contact: Sara Goulet, 717-787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry