Special Needs Directory

Professionals from a variety of disciplines provide expert care, assessment, therapy and parent education to families of children of all ages with special needs. In addition, parents offer the wisdom of their experience through programs and organizations that offer peer support and advocacy. This directory provides excellent and abundant information to help parents make the best decisions for their child’s care, education and development.

See a list of camps and activities.

Children with Disabilities & Special Needs

Adults with Disabilities

  • ACESS PRODUCTS

    Voices for Independence
    724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
    Toll-Free: 1-866-407-0064
    vficil.org

    ADULT DAY PROGRAMS

    PACC (Pa Connecting Community)
    412-621-6151

    ADVOCACY

    ARC Human Services
    724-222-6960
    aadvantageinc.org

    The Arc of Washington County
    724-470-9327
    mccrerey.darrilyn@archumanservices.org

    TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
    724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
    Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
    trpil.com

  • DISABILITY RESOURCES

    Community Living Care
    724-836-8747
    communitylivingcare.com

    Lifesteps
    724-283-1010
    lifesteps.net

    Pathways
    724-229-0851
    yourpathways.org

    Step By Step, Inc.
    570-829-3477 ext. 7416
    StepByStepUSA.com

    The Woodlands
    724-935-6533
    mywoodlands.org

    TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
    724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
    Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
    trpil.com

    UPMC Disability Resource Center
    Forbes Tower

    412-605-1483

    Voices for Independence
    724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
    Toll-Free: 1-866-407-0064
    vficil.org

  • EDUCATION – COLLEGE-BOUND

    ACCLAIM – Watson Institute
    412-914-8800

    AHEADD – Achievement in Higher Education with Autism & Devel Disability
    412-856-7223

    EMPLOYMENT/JOB TRAINING

    Achieva/ARC Bidwell Training Center
    412-322-1773

    Goodwill Job Training
    412-632-1706

    Life’s Work
    412-471-2600

    CLASS
    412-683-7100

    Mainstay Life Services
    412-477-7785
    mainstaylifeservices.org

    PACC
    412-621-6151

    Pathways
    724-229-0851
    yourpathways.org

    Project Freedom (technology skills training)
    412-246-4434

    TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
    724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
    Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
    trpil.com

  • GENERAL RESOURCES

    ADA Phone Line
    800-514-0301

    Allegheny County Family Resource Guide
    412-350-7079

    Allegheny County Department of Human Services Office of Intellectual Disability (OID)
    412-236-2750

    Area Agencies on Aging – Allegheny County
    412-350-4234
    alleghenycounty.us/dhs/olderadults.aspx

    Connections Pittsburgh

    Multicultural Disability Leadership Center

    Educational Rights Network

    PA Health Law Project
    phlp.org

    PA Statewide Information and Referral Resources for Persons with Disabilities
    PA 211 or 1-888-553-5778 or 211

    Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Disability Resources
    1-800-753-8827

    Pennsylvania Polio Survivors Network
    215-858-4643 or 724-283-5814
    papolionetwork.org

    Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging Washington County
    724-489-8080
    swpa-aaa.org

    UPMC Disability Resource Center- Forbes Tower
    412-605-1483

  • HUMAN SERVICES & DISABILITIES

    Mainstay Life Services
    412-477-7785
    mainstaylifeservices.org

  • INDEPENDENT LIVING

    Disability Options Network (Center for Independent Living)
    1-866-652-5121

    CLASS – Community Living & Support Services
    412-683-7100

    Transitional Paths to Independent Living
    724-223-5115

    PACC
    412-621-6151

    Pathways
    724-229-0851
    yourpathways.org

    IN-HOME & COMMUNITY SUPPORT

    accessAbilities
    724-832-8272
    accessabilities.org

    Live-in Disability Solutions
    412-704-5162
    liveindisabilitysolutions.org

    Mainstay Life Services
    412-477-7785
    mainstaylifeservices.org

    Pathways
    724-229-0851
    yourpathways.org

    TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
    724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
    Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
    www.trpil.com

    Voices for Independence
    724-223-5115
    TTY: 724-228-4028
    Toll-Free: 1-866-407-0064
    vficil.org

  • MEDICAID

    UPMC Health Plan
    844-529-7625
    UPMCHealthPlan.com/snp

    MENTAL HEALTH

    Merakey
    merakey.org

  • RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

    ARC Human Services
    archumanservices.org

    Community Living Care
    724-836-8747
    communitylivingcare.com

    Pathways
    724-229-0851
    yourpathways.org

  • SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY

    Pitt School of Dental Medicine
    412-648-3039

    Accessible Dentists
    724-775-0448

    East Liberty Family Health Center
    412-661-2802

  • TRANSITION TO ADULT HEALTH CARE

    Children’s Hospital Advisory Network for Guidance and Empowerment
    412-647-2345

    PA Department of Health Transition Health Care Checklist
    724-830-2701

    TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
    724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
    Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
    trpil.com

    TRANSPORTATION

    ACCESS Shared Ride Service
    412-562-5353

    Community Living Care
    724-836-8747
    communitylivingcare.com

    MATP
    888-547-6287

    Travel Training - Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3
    412-394-5700

  • WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES

    Drivers Education – Special Needs
    866-672-9466

    Port Authority of Allegheny County
    412-442-2000

    Wheelchair Getaways (van rental)
    800-642-2042

CAMPS & ACTIVITIES

Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services Summer Camp for Teens

Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh's Summer Youth Program is for students who are blind, deaf blind or visually impaired. This five-week summer Career and Community Adjustment Program helps students ages 16 through 21 transition smoothly into work and adult life. For information, call 412-368-4400 ext. 2246.

Camp Can Do

This special summer camp program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Division of the American Cancer Society provides children with cancer the opportunity to enjoy a traditional summer camp experience. Any child (age eight to 17) who is or has been treated for cancer in Pennsylvania or Delaware, or who lives in Pennsylvania regardless of where they receive treatment, is eligible to attend Camp Can-Do. Two week-long sessions are held each August at beautiful Mt. Gretna in Lebanon County. Camp-Can-Do is provided free of charge to cancer patients. For more information, call 717-273-6525.

Camp Discovery

The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is proud to offer a camp experience for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, between the ages of 7 to 17. WPSD's Camp Discovery offers campers an exciting week of activities and events that will be sure to create life-long memories and friendships. Their are a limited number of slots so be sure to sign up early. Please visit psd.org for more information and to register online.

Camp Frog

At YMCA Camp Fitch, North Springfield, PA (near Erie), Camp Frog is a fully integrated week-long overnight camp for children ages 8-17 (having completed 3rd grade but not yet graduated high school) with a primary diagnosis of epilepsy. Camp Frog staff includes a neurologist, nurse, and specially trained counselors. Please call for more information and eligibility requirements 1-800-361-5885.

Camp Huff-n-Puff

Camp Huff-n-Puff is a four-day overnight camp adventure for children aged 8-13 with asthma. Camp is held each August at the Jumonville Camp and Conference center in Hopwood, PA. A dedicated group of volunteer physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists work alongside camp counselors to ensure that all campers have a safe and fun experience. To register, visit healthylungs.org or call (800) 220-1990.

Camp Laugh-A-Lot

Camp Laugh-A-Lot, a popular inclusive day camp for children and adults with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities, and mental illness, is offered by Arc Human Services. The camp takes place twice each year; there is a seven-week summer camp plus a one-week winter camp, during school break between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Participants must be at least five years old, and there is no upper age limit. Camp Laugh-A-Lot is in its nineteenth year of operation and is attended by 60 or 70 participants, with a staff of 25. The camp takes place at the Vernon C. Neal Sportsplex, an indoor recreation center in Washington PA, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. The 2021 summer camp begins June 18 and ends on August 3, with an agency-wide carnival which the public can attend. Amanda McCloskey, Activities Coordinator for Arc Human Serv­ices, manages Camp Laugh-A-Lot, which consists of a wide variety of structured, supervised activities: arts and crafts, music, games, swimming, dances, parties and field trips. The registration fee is $100 per week, which covers all activities, the swimming pool, and outings plus lunch. Financial assistance available. To register for Camp Laugh-A-Lot, go to archumanservices.org/camp-laughalot. To contact Amanda McCloskey, call 724-624-74725, or email mccloskey.amanda@archumanservices.org.

Chatterbox Express Basic Social Skills Training

Chatterbox Express is a program to help preschoolers through teenagers (ages 6 to 14) build confidence and express themselves effectively when interacting with others. The program is offered by the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Sessions are held at the Center for Independence in Wexford and at Children's South Communications Disorders in Bethel Park and is open to all children who may be experiencing difficulties with social communication, regardless of diagnosis. More information is available at (412) 692-5580 or chp.edu

Summer Therapeutic Activity Program (STAP)

New Story operates therapeutic programs during the summer months throughout Pennsylvania. Our Summer Therapeutic Activity Programs (STAPs) are designed to meet the needs of children with the most serious and/or complex behavioral challenges. New Story provides a day program offering recreational and social activities within a therapeutic environment to support each child’s continued growth and development.