April 15, 2025 - Johnstown, PA
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) joined more than 550 autism-support students and educators from 16 Pennsylvania schools for the 2025 Autism Awareness & Acceptance Walk and Resource Fair held at the Department's Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC). The Shapiro Administration is committed to supporting and empowering Pennsylvanians with disabilities, which is why Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed 2025-26 budget calls for an additional $5 million investment in L&I's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to assist people with disabilities in finding employment through personalized services such as goal setting and counseling, vocational guidance and job placement."At L&I, we're not just raising awareness - we're transforming lives by breaking down barriers for Pennsylvanians with autism and other disabilities," said Jill Moriconi, Director of the Commonwealth Technical Institute at HGAC. "Through our work at HGAC, we're creating pathways to independence and meaningful careers where every person is supported and celebrated. Governor Shapiro's proposed investments in vocational rehabilitation reflect our commitment to building a Commonwealth where disability is not recognized as a limitation, but as a powerful source of innovation, resilience, and strength for our communities and our economy."Established in 1959 and operated through OVR, HGAC specializes in providing barrier-free education and job-readiness programs to people of all backgrounds and ability levels, serving more than 1,300 individuals in 2024. The HGAC campus includes the Commonwealth Technical Institute (CTI), an accredited postsecondary trade and technical school specializing in education for individuals with disabilities. CTI offers three associate degree programs that prepare students for work in medical offices, the culinary arts, and networking technology. CTI also offers five diploma programs for careers in automotive technology, culinary assistant, early childhood education, nurse aide, and welding technology.
An Official Pennsylvania Government Website