This resource list is for information purposes only. The Special Needs Consortium does not endorse any products or services associated with these organizations.
TO MAKE IT EASIER TO FIND INFORMATION IN THIS LIST, SEARCH KEY WORDS BY USING (Ctrl F) AND ENTER YOUR KEYWORD IN THE POP UP SEARCH BOX. this function must be done on each tab.
Disability Options Network
Regis Charlton
rcharlton@disabilityoptionsnetwork.org
http://disabilityoptionsnetwork.org
Disability Options Network is a grassroots advocacy organization concentrating on advocacy around disability rights issues, as well as skills training, peer support, transitioning, and information and referral services.
Disability Pride PA
Ellen Shimberg
Teach Disability access and inclusion through workshops, presentations, and events year-round. Offer products and services to business/organizations to be more inclusive. Provide opportunities for disables people to intern/work with Disability Pride PA and provide resources for accessible workplaces.
Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh
Meredith Peterson
412-997-2297
DSAP is here to support, connect, educate, and inspire individuals with Down syndrome across the lifespan in the Greater Pittsburgh Region.
Duquesne University
Dr. Alia M. Pustorino-Clevenger
412-396-6639
The University hosts the Compass program, a fully inclusive commuter based post-secondary collegian program that began its pilot at Duquesne in 2019.
Empowering Hope
Kelsey Harris
Empowering Hope has 2 programs. Caring for Caregivers raises money to send the caregivers of those affected with a neurologic conditions on an all-expenses paid trip, or day away, while caring for their loved one. Our Equipment Exchange Program takes gently used medical equipment and provides it to families in need.
Empowerment Counseling LLC
Robin Thurman
empowermentcounselingpa@gmail.com
412-716-7265
www.empowermentcounselingpa.com
I am an LCSW Mental Health therapist that specializes in trauma and most diagnosis that are a result of that trauma (PTSD, anxiety, depression, attachment disorder, ect).
EmpowerU Specialty Fitness, Inc.
Coach Joe
401-378-6690
Empower U’s coaches create a safe and inclusive environment for our clients to develop skills for lifelong independence, personal fitness and overall wellness.
Entrusted Legacy Law (formerly Sharek Law Office)
Ashley Sharek, Equire
412-347-1731
We help people protect their life and legacy. Sharek Law Office is an estate planning and elder law firm with a mission of making the lives of families, small business owners, those with special needs, and the elderly better.
ENVISION Blind Sports
Wendy Fagan, Executive Director
wfagan@envisionblindsports.org or envisionblindsports@gmail.com
Blind/Visually impaired, Sports
Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA
Contact: Jordan Hinds
412-322-5880
The Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA (EAWCP) provides public education and supportive services to individuals and families affected by epilepsy/seizure disorders.
Evolve Coaching
Heather Conroy
Supporting individuals with disabilities and our community through education, employment, and the arts.
Exceptional Adventures
Vacation opportunities, events/gatherings
Eye See You I love U
Amanda Campos
724-953-2119
We aim to raise awareness, provide resources, and create a support network for children of Pennsylvania and their families who are affected by Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. Additionally, we provide resources to children of low vision and no vision with any differing diagnoses.
Fiffik Law Group
Claire Fiffik
412-391-1014
Our team of attorneys help people with estate planning, trusts, asset protection, probate, business formation, buying and selling businesses, bankruptcy, divorce, and general civil litigation.
Freedom Area School District
Isaac Tarbell
724-494-0941
https://www.freedomareaschools.org/
Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh
Paige Eddy
412-224-4440 ext. 111
The Friendship Circle is a community-based program that brings together people of diverse abilities and interests.
Giant Eagle
Scott Kerr
412-963-2594
https://jobs.gianteagle.com/us/en
Inclusive Employer
Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania
Jessica Schlie
Glade Run Lutheran Services/St. Stephen's Lutheran Academy
Brandy Dietrich
Special Education and Mental Health services
Grace Community Church
724-779-7997
https://mygcc.org/kids/special-needs/
Grace Community church special needs ministry serves birth to age 21 and includes respite programs and other special needs activities through the year, buddy services for weekend services, specially trained volunteers and buddies who work with your student in the kid’s classrooms, and accommodations for deaf and hearing impaired including ASL interpretation at the Sunday service.
Gratton & Kerr Financial Group
Bryan Gratton
www.grattonkerrfinancialgroup.com
Financial planning investments insurance
Growing Together Aquaponics, Inc.
Marena Toth
growingtogehteraquaponics@gmail.com
330-573-2733
Transition program for persons with disabilities focusing on job training and using an aquaponics farm as the setting. Promotes healthy living as well.
Hidden Hill Horse Farm
Drew Haney
hiddenhillhorsefarm@outlook.com
724-630-6853
Hidden Hill Horse Farm is a therapeutic equine facility focused on using our horses to teach a wide range of life skills during our riding lessons.
Highmark Caring Place
Janet Arida, PhD, RN, LCSW
412-544-1567
The Highmark Caring Place provides support services at no cost for children and their families who have experienced the death of an important person.
Hope Grows
Lisa Story, Executive Director
Counseling and support, therapeutic respite, and education – Hope Grows helps caregivers direct some of their focus on self-care.
Hope Centers
Kristy Benigni
kbenigni@thehopelearningcenter.org
724-933-4673 x1002
https://www.thehopelearningcenter.org/
The Hope Centers provide school based and outpatient academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and therapeutic supports and services for children and adolescents with special needs in the greater Pittsburgh region. Our services include Licensed Private Academic schools, outpatient therapy at 3 locations, school-based services and tutoring services.
IDShield
Phil Berger
pbergerjr@legalshieldassociate.com
https://pbergerjr.wearelegalshield.com
IDShield has been recognized by both Money Magazine and Forbes Advisor for it’s ability to restore a victim’s stolen identity and for the comprehensive benefits it provides. In addition to its full service restoration and unlimited service guarantee in the event of a stolen identity, IDShield monitors all of its members’ personal identifiable information including social security numbers, medical ID numbers, financial account numbers, user names and passwords, and so much more.
Inglis
Abigail Goetz
412-507-9148
We provide Inglis Assistive Tech solutions (IATS)- assessment, training, device acquisition and support for people with disabilities and older adults to use AT to enhance independence, 3D Printing and R&D Lab, and The Inglis Impact Accelerator: an initiative seeking to support emerging entrepreneurs (including those with disabilities) working in disability services and support.
Interact Therapy
Marleah Herman-Umpleby
412-559-2087
As licensed speech-language pathologists, we are passionate about helping individuals with communication difficulties to effectively express themselves and participate fully in their daily lives. We will offer a range of services to support communication, including evaluations, therapy, and AAC assessments and implementation. Our goal is to work closely with clients and their families to develop personalized communication plans that meet their unique needs and goals. We will offer school contracts and consultations, training and in-service, and customized services to meet the needs of each team. If you or someone you know is in need of speech and language support, we would be honored to help. We are offer free consultations.
InVision Customized Services
Debra Hyatt-Burkhart
dhyatt-burkhart@invisionhs.org
724-933-5100
We provide Residential Program, Community Supports, Employment Supports, InVision Behavioral Health.
Jamie’s Dream Team
Jamie Holmes-Ward
412-979-0470
We provide assistance and/or make distributions to or on behalf of qualifying individuals who are handicapped, disabled, terminally ill, severely injured or suffering from a serious condition, disease or trauma.
Kaleidoscope Family Solutions
Amanda Sanabria
asanabria@kfamilysolutions.org
267-295-0320
https://www.kfamilysolutions.org/
KK Connections, LLC
Kris Kenny
412-519-5217
https://autismhealthcarebooks.com
We provide educational consultant services in many different formats to suit your organization’s needs. We also provide educational visual communication books for a person with a communication disorder such as Autism, Intellectual Disability Down’s Syndrome, ect. The books are to help increase their understanding of their healthcare visits.
Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania
Collin Diedrich
We empower individuals with learning disabilities, particularly from underserved communities. We offer free services, including transformative reading tutoring programs and innovative Improv and STEM education resources.
Legacy Fitness
Katie Werner
724-991-7299
We provide quality adaptive needs fitness classes that help empower our participants, not only physically but also mentally!
LegalShield
Kim Berger-Grooms
kimberlyberger@legalshieldassociate.com
https://kimberlyberger.wearelegalshield.com
Month to month affordable and responsive legal advice, estate planning (Wills, Living Wills, and POA’s are FREE), personal document reviews, letters and phone calls if you’re ever mistreated as well as assistance with trusts, adult transition issues, and guardianship questions.
Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians - LAMP
Mark Lee
1-800-242-0586
Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians – LAMP serves residents who have difficulty using standard print materials because of a visual, physical, or reading disability. Materials include digital audiobooks on flash drive cartridges, braille books and downloads, large print books, digital and braille magazines, tactile and braille early literacy kits, audio described DVDs and more.
Life’sWork of Western PA
Babs Sefiane
412-471-2600 x261
At Life’sWork, we believe everyone has a right to share in opportunities for meaningful employment.
Lifesteps
Nancy Ice
724-283-1010
Liken Home Care
Rachel Bauman
724-774-5299
We provide In Home and Community Supports, Companion Services and respite services to ODP clients. We offer in home nursing services, direct support, direct care, activities of daily living and outings.
Love Home & Autism and Changing Spaces Pennsylvania
Christina Abernethy
412-403-7594
https://www.changingspacescampaign.com
I am a passionate advocate for individuals and families impacted by disabilities. My focus is on public speaking, legislative advocacy and providing compassionate support to other parents and caregivers.
McGovern Wealth Group
Ryan Wirth
Provides a comprehensive financial planning process that develops a strategy to care for a loved one with a disability. Focus areas include Special Needs Trusts, strategies to fund the Trust, investment management, and more. Services of the McGovern Wealth Group include life and disability insurance, investment management, financial planning, retirement planning, business planning, and other areas of financial concern.
Merakey Allegheny Valley School
Neyrchel Ludwick
412-299-2224
We provide homes and a full range of services to adults with all levels of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Merakey AVS provides its services through more than 110+ programs and facilities including campuses, community group homes and day program centers in Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Dauphin, Lebanon, Mercer, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
Meerkat Village
Dr. Crystal Morrison
412-204-6150
Meerkat Village is designed to advance integration of services and collaborative care. For initial launch, Meerkat Village is focused on helping parents and guardians of children with special needs. Meerkat Village helps parents build collaboration and communication among all of their child’s caregivers and providers. The village can also create and share strategies and track the child’s progress over time.
Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV
Dr. Wayde Killmeyer, Executive Director
Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey
Christine Hupkovich
Christine.hupkovich@penguinssledhockey.org
https://penguinssledhockey.org/
Milestone HCQU West
Natalie Symons/ Kelly Fisher
nsymons@milestonepa.org / kfisher@milestonepa.org
Milestone’s Health Care Quality Unity (HCQU) West is an integral part of a long-term initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) to support and improve the physical and behavioral healthcare services for citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Minds of All Kinds
Katie Luciani
412-860-1918
Minds of All Kinds is an organization of parents with children on the autism spectrum. We host public events, play dates, private classes, parents events and support groups.
Miracle League of the South Hills
Tim Gebhart
tim@miracleleaguesouthhills.org
412-660-4454
www.miracleleaguesouthhills.org
Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Chris Sherry
The Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania is an organized baseball league for special needs children and adults which enables these children and adults to develop socialization skills and have fun by playing baseball at a field specially designed for them. The Miracle League field located in Graham Park in Cranberry Township is totally handicapped accessible. It has a synthetic surface that allows easy use of wheel chairs, walkers, and other adaptive devices.
Miracle League of Western PA
Harold D. Hicks
412-860-8709
The Miracle League of Western PA provides every person with a disability the opportunity, regardless of ability and age, to play baseball, basketball, soccer, flag football, and net-related sports on a safe synthetic playing surface designed specifically for their needs.
Montour School District
Kris Eichner
https://www.montourschools.com/
Neighborhood Allies
Sarah Dieleman Perry
Neighborhood Allies manages the Asset Building Network, Bank On Allegheny County Coalition, and co-leads the Pittsburgh Coalition on the Intersection of Race, Disability, and Poverty. Programs led by Neighborhood Allies include Fund My Future PGH and the Financial Empowerment Center.
Neighborhood North Museum of Play
Missy Nyeholt
Neighborhood North Museum of Play is Beaver County’s first children’s museum where you’ll find a unique space designed to foster curiosity, learning, and connection.
NeuroAxis Rehabilitation Services
Kelsey Harris
724-585-8145
NeuroAxis Rehab is a neurologic specialized company who provides intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy services all from the comfort of home!
North Allegheny School District
Cynthia McKenzie and Patty Tkacik
cmckenzie@northallegheny.org , ptkacik@northallegheny.org
https://www.northallegheny.org/
Northgate School District
Dr. Caroline Johns
caroline.johns@northgatesd.net
North Way Christian Community – Autism Ministry
Sarah Conway
https://northway.org/ministries/autism-ministry/
Our mission is for families with a child (or children) on the autism spectrum to come as they are, so that together they can all know, experience, and follow Jesus. Your children, both neurotypical and neurodiverse, will be well taken care of as they experience the love of Jesus. At the same time, you will be able to participate in our worship gathering and experience much needed worship, teaching, prayer, and community.
Not Forgotten Home and Community Services
Sonja Williams
Home and Community Supports, Art and Activities Programs: Employment Supports, Respite Services