Your Road To Independence
WHAT IS BBVS?
The mission of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence. OVR's Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) provides services to assist Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired to work and maintain independent lives. BBVS has six district offices that provide a wide range of services throughout Pennsylvania.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program assists eligible individuals who need services to prepare for or retain employment. Services may include employment evaluation, counseling and guidance, training, job placement, assistive technology, adjustment to blindness, occupational tools and equipment, orientation and mobility training, and vision rehabilitation therapy. Services are based on the individual's needs and choices that are necessary for the person to enter or retain employment.
A VR counselor will determine eligibility for services after gaining a thorough understanding of the individual's abilities, limitations, interests and aptitudes. Together, the customer and counselor develop an employment goal and plan to identify the steps needed to achieve it.
The plan states what services will be provided and what is expected of both the customer and BBVS, including responsibilities and costs.
Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
Vision Rehabilitation Therapy helps individuals safely and efficiently carry out their daily activities at home, on the job and in the community. Each customer is evaluated to determine what activities they need help with, and then a plan of instruction is developed. Services may include Braille instruction, home management, in-home orientation and personal management.
Orientation and Mobility Training
Orientation and Mobility Training teaches individuals how to travel independently and safely within their homes, workplaces and communities. After an evaluation is completed, a training plan is developed to meet the individual's specific needs.
Business Enterprise Program
BEP can assist qualified, interested persons in developing creative business ventures ranging from a vending machine route to a full cafeteria that involves direct and frequent public contact.
Specialized Services Program
Specialized Services assists adults and children in achieving safety and independence within their homes and communities. Specialized Services for adults and children may include vision enhancement services, advocacy, counseling, information and referral, vision rehabilitation therapy, and orientation and mobility services.
Specialized Services for children may also include advocacy for educational services, transition to employment and assistive technology.
Independent Living Program
The Independent Living Program helps people aged 55 and older become more self-sufficient and independent in their homes and communities. Available services are similar to those provided under the Specialized Services program.
For more information about services, please email
bbvs@pa.gov or contact the BBVS district office nearest to you. Alternate formats of this brochure are available upon request.
ALTOONA BBVS
1130 12th Avenue, Suite 300
Altoona, PA 16601
Voice: 814-946-7330/866-695-7673
TTY: 844-242-1060
Counties Served
Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Somerset and Union
ERIE BBVS
4200 Lovell Place
Erie, PA 16503
Voice: 814-871-4401/866-521-5073
TTY: 814-871-4599/888-884-5513
Counties Served
Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango and Warren
HARRISBURG BBVS
Forum Place
555 Walnut Street - 8th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Voice: 717-787-7500/866-375-8264
TTY: 717-787-1733/888-575-9420
Counties Served
Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York
PHILADELPHIA BBVS
801 Market Street, Suite 6034
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Voice: 215-560-5700/866-631-3892
Counties Served
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia
PITTSBURGH BBVS
531 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Voice: 412-565-5240/866-412-4072
TTY: 412-392-5921/888-870-4474
Counties Served
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland
WILKES-BARRE BBVS
8 W. Market St., Suite 200
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Voice: 570-826-2361/866-227-4163
TTY: 570-820-4848
Counties Served
Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming
CENTRAL OFFICE
1521 N. Sixth St.
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Voice: 717-787-5244/800-442-6351
TTY: 866-830-7327
"Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities"
"Equal Opportunity Employer/Program"
OVR-BVS-525 (Rev. 05-19)