Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council (PaRC) Newsletter: February 6, 2026

Benefits Counseling can be one of the most important tools for the successful attainment and maintaining employment for individuals with a disability. It can also be complicated but very much worth the effort. That is why members of the PaRC have created a ‘Benefits Corner’ which is a compiled list of helpful resources of both benefits counseling topics and OVR services included below. Check the PaRC's Benefits Corner regularly for more updates and resources at https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/benefits-corner/

Benefits Counseling Resources,

Videos, Webinars, and More

Introduction to Social Security's Ticket to Work Program

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFeMvDUjneA

Top 3 FAQs About Working While Receiving Disability Benefits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WST8mN8IADg

Ticket to Work for America's Veterans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6QQCHIISdM

Ticket to Work - Support on Your Employment Journey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ku3H5Vr4y8

Debunking the 3 Biggest Myths about Disability Benefits and Work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM9yKRV3VU8

Working for Yourself with Ticket to Work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1-QhosN16E

Ticket to Work and Reasonable Accommodations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeAaz6nPHB4

Presenting Your Best Self to Employers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu-iZH1UxRU

What is Ticket to Work?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUv-tIIakG8

Meet Your Employment Team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbH7M-OAquI

Start Where You Are

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXGZGAJ4qeM

Training - Learn How the Ticket to Work Program Can Work for You

https://choosework.ssa.gov/training/

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) 5 Tracks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49eWvGitLPw

Webinars - PA ABLE and Social Security Disability Programs

https://paable.gov/webinars/

PA CareerLink Resources for Individuals with Disabilities

https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov/jponline/Persona/PersonaPage/IndividualDisabilities

PA Department of Human Services - Employment and Training Programs

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/for-residents/employment-training-programs.html

Ticket to Work Service Provider Outreach Toolkit

https://yourtickettowork.ssa.gov/related-resources/service-provider-outreach-toolkit.html

Ticket to Work Success Stories

https://choosework.ssa.gov/success-stories/

WISE Webinars

Are you interested in learning about how work will affect your Social Security benefits? Social Security hosts free online Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinars. WISE webinars can help you and your family members learn about the Ticket to Work Program and other Social Security work incentives. They’re generally held on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

https://choosework.ssa.gov/wise/

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Help spread the word!

PaRC has continued to expand its Social Media outreach as part of fulfilling our mission to inform and educate on the diverse issues affecting employment of people with disabilities. Please show your support by following us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

In case you missed it, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) and its Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) have announced the launch of The Whole Story – a new publication series highlighting the real impact of OVR across the Commonwealth. The Whole Story can be found at the following link. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/disability-and-vocational-rehabilitation/vocational-rehabilitation/ovr-success-stories

Discover important highlights, successes, and initiatives that drive our mission forward. We are proud to share in this journey and be the consumer voice for the VR program! OVR's Annual Report can be found at the following link:

https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/OVR-2024-Annual-Report.pdf

PaRC Social Media / Outreach Committee would like to continue to highlight additional OVR Employment Success Stories on the PaRC website, social media, Annual Report, and other communications. If you or someone you know would be interested in sharing an important employment related milestone achieved with the assistance of OVR services, please let us know. Such achievements may include attaining a dream job, a promotion, an important anniversary of successful integrated competitive employment, or other successes.

Spotlighting the important work and successful attainment of employment that is made possible through OVR services is the foremost mechanism for the PaRC to fulfill its mission. Please feel free to contact us with your information, questions, or comments at parc@parehabilitationcouncil.org

Help spread the word about the PaRC Newsletter by inviting your friends and colleagues to sign up!

Our newsletter is intended to broaden the conversation about the diverse issues affecting employment of people with disabilities. Those interested in receiving our newsletter may send an email to parc@parehabilitationcouncil.org with their contact info or fill out the contact form provided on the PaRC website at the following link: https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/contact/

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Is advocacy for Disability Rights

and employment for people with disabilities

something you are passionate about?

Please help spread t he word!

The Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council (PaRC) is accepting applications for candidates to fill the following categories of representation that are currently open:

Business/Labor/Industry
General Advocacy
Intellectual Disabilities
Mental Health
Physical Disabilities
Sensory Disabilities
State Department of Education
Young Adult

As of July, 2026 the categories of representation listed below will also be available. PaRC encourages all applicants to apply as early as possible to ensure a timely transition of membership:

Sensory Disabilities
Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)

If you are interested or know of someone who is interested in becoming a member of the PA Rehabilitation Council, please go to our new website (https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/get-involved/become-a-member/) and fill out an application.

Cover image of PaRC Annual Report includes a black road 2 street signs with the words Employment and Independence There is text below the road graphic which reads WHY FUNDING MATTERS Every Mile Begins with Support and is followed by the PaRC mission

In case you missed it, the PaRC 2024-2025 Annual Report is now available!

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires State Rehabilitation Councils (SRC) to submit an annual report to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and to the Governor of the State on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs operated within the State. The report also provides an excellent resource to learn more about the vital work of OVR and the PaRC.

To access the 2024-2025 PaRC Annual Report, please click the link below.

https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2024-2025_PaRC-ANNUAL-REPORT.pdf