PA Labor & Industry Announces Adaptive Driving Evaluation, Training Services Grantees

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Services to increase mobility for people with disabilities will get a $1.3 million boost from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Department of Labor & Industry's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation today announced the grants to seven organizations that provide adaptive driving evaluation and training services. The grants will be used to modify vehicles and equipment, or to expand inventories.  

"Accessibility to personal transportation is a key component in being independent in one's personal and professional life," said Bill Gannon, executive director of OVR.

Adaptive driving equipment and technology allows individuals with severe disabilities to be more independent with their transportation to and from employment. These funds can also benefit local businesses, as the vehicles will be purchased from and modified by Pennsylvania-based companies. Grant awardees anticipate being able to increase staff because of their expanded inventories.

Pennsylvania businesses annually hire approximately 10,000 OVR customers who pay more than an estimated $50 million in federal and state income tax.

"There are many enterprising and hard working women and men who come to OVR," Gannon said. "They are great assets to any business.  

"With increased independence, workers are able to do more and better provide for themselves and their families," he said. "This program benefits individuals, families, employers, communities and the economy across Pennsylvania."

Media contact: Sarah Cassin, 717-787-7530.

Editor's note: A list of grant recipients with the counties they serve follows.  

Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties

• $177,353 grant – University of Pittsburgh

Adams, Clinton, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata and Lancaster counties

• $254,707 grant – Penn State Hershey Medical Center

Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties

• $161,435 grant –Transportation Solutions

Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties

• $107,945 grant – Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital

Dauphin and York counties

• $263,695 grant – Brants Driving School

Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill counties

• $30,692 grant – Good Shepherd Rehab Network

Statewide

• $110,800 grant – Hiram G. Andrews Center
• $208,000 grant – Moss Rehab Driving School

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry