CAMP HILL, PA — Pennsylvania officials marked the 40th anniversary of the state’s Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing during the annual Hearing Loss Expo, highlighting ongoing efforts to expand services and accessibility for residents with hearing loss.
What This Means for You
- Pennsylvania’s Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has supported residents for 40 years.
- The governor’s proposed budget includes $1 million more for disability services.
- Officials say the funding would expand assistive technology and support programs.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry held the event on Wednesday, March 11, at the Penn Harris Hotel in Cumberland County.
The Hearing Loss Expo brings together advocates, service providers, and community members to share resources and highlight services available to Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind residents.
Office Provides Advocacy and Support
The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing operates within the Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
The office helps individuals with hearing loss access services by providing advocacy, information, and referrals to support programs.
State officials said the office plays a key role in helping residents navigate systems that may present accessibility challenges.
“For 40 years, the Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing has helped Pennsylvanians access services, navigate challenges, and find support in systems that have not always been built with accessibility in mind,” Labor & Industry Secretary Nancy A. Walker said.
Proposed Budget Increase for Disability Services
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 budget includes an additional $1 million in state funding for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Officials said the funding would expand access to assistive technology for individuals who are blind and strengthen support services for the DeafBlind community.
Walker said the administration’s continued investment reflects a broader effort to improve access to opportunity for Pennsylvanians with disabilities.
“Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, we are continuing to invest in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation because access to opportunity matters,” Walker said. “Every Pennsylvanian deserves the support to pursue independence, participate fully in their community, and build a future defined by possibility.”
Expo Highlights Technology and Resources
The two-day Hearing Loss Expo featured demonstrations of assistive technology, educational sessions, and opportunities for attendees to connect with service providers.
Officials said the event focused on communication access, self-advocacy, independence, and community connection for individuals with hearing loss.
The department said Walker attended the expo and met with attendees, exhibitors, and Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing staff.
Workforce and Employment Support
State officials said the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation continues to play a major role in helping Pennsylvanians with disabilities find employment and build independent lives.
Since 2023, the office has supported 76,000 Pennsylvanians with disabilities and expanded partnerships with employers across the Commonwealth.
Officials said that work has helped strengthen job placement services, pre-employment transition services for students, and on-the-job training opportunities aimed at connecting more Pennsylvanians to employment.
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