Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL)

Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) "Empowering persons with all types of disabilities to achieve independence."

As the only cross-disability organization of its kind in the area, LVCIL provides services for persons with all types of disabilities living in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. LVCIL provides four core services for its consumers: Information and Referral, Peer Support, Individual and Systems Advocacy, and Independent Living Skills. In addition to its four core services, LVCIL also provides Special

ized Housing Search and Support, services for landlords through the Landlords for All program, a 24-hour Sign Language Interpreter Referral Service, autism waiver services, and youth transition services through the Transition: School to Life (S2L) and Career Path programs. LVCIL also offers many consumer groups and community outreach programs, including the Common Playgrounds in-school assembly, CommUnity Club social group for young adults with disabilities, Lehigh Valley Action Team, and LVCIL Freewheelers athletic club. LVCIL also relies on volunteers for help during mailings, special events, and also at the front desk.

On Wednesday, May 13th, 6p-7:30p, Dungeon Master Tyler will be hosting a learn to play Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) night....
04/30/2026

On Wednesday, May 13th, 6p-7:30p, Dungeon Master Tyler will be hosting a learn to play Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) night.

“Dungeons & Dragons is more than just a game— it’s a chance to tell stories, solve problems, and create unforgettable adventures with friends.
Whether you enjoy fantasy worlds, strategic thinking, or roleplaying unique characters, D&D offers something for everyone. Come learn how to play!”- DM Tyler

This is a free event, open to all ages.

You are welcome to bring a snack or drink to share, if you want. We recommend eating dinner before attending.

To RSVP (by 5/6 please) or to ask any other questions, please contact Jessica DeMaio (JessicaDeMaio@lvcil.org).

An assistive tech tip from LVCIL’s AT and Accessibility Team:TechOWL’s “Free Special Phone Program” provides specialized...
04/30/2026

An assistive tech tip from LVCIL’s AT and Accessibility Team:

TechOWL’s “Free Special Phone Program” provides specialized equipment to eligible individuals who have trouble using a telephone due to a disability. If a person already has a smartphone, the built-in accessibility features may be all the individual needs to use the device independently.

has a Comprehensive Accessibility Guide that is a great tool when exploring what various mobile devices can do. The guide also includes information on additional accessibility features, such as Closed Captioning for televisions.

https://www.verizon.com/about/accessibility/resources-support

(Please note: TechOwl does not endorse any specific carrier and recipients are responsible for their own mobile service.)

For more information on this program, or to schedule a demonstration of a phone, please contact the Accessibility and Assistive Technology Team at atinfo@lvcil.org or 610-770-9781 x123.

This information is brought to by LVCIL, the TechOWL Assistive Technology Resource Center serving Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, Schuylkill, Berks, and Luzerne counties.

Image Description: The Apple accessibility logo features a blue human figure inside a blue circle, symbolizing inclusivity and accessibility

Thank you  to the good folks from Guardian Life who took part of their meeting today to fill bags of non- perishable foo...
04/29/2026

Thank you to the good folks from Guardian Life who took part of their meeting today to fill bags of non- perishable foods for LVCIL consumers. Please feel free to reach out to LVCIL if you are in need of food.

Picture description
Pictures 1&2- LVCIL and Guardian staff in front the Guardian sign
Pictures 2 and 3- Guardian staff work on filling bags with food.

LVCIL is all over the place today! Come on out to see us at Yergey Brewing in Emmaus for a fundraiser for the Cil. $1 fo...
04/25/2026

LVCIL is all over the place today!
Come on out to see us at Yergey Brewing in Emmaus for a fundraiser for the Cil. $1 for each pint comes back to LVCIL!

Looking for a fun family event to do today? Come stop by the Allentown Bilingual Disability Resource Fair from 11Am-2PM ...
04/25/2026

Looking for a fun family event to do today? Come stop by the Allentown Bilingual Disability Resource Fair from 11Am-2PM at Luis Ramos Elementary School!!!

LVCIL is hiring!The summer is a busy time for our Transition and Employment Department.  We are looking forward to addin...
04/24/2026

LVCIL is hiring!
The summer is a busy time for our Transition and Employment Department. We are looking forward to adding to our team.

Transition & Employment (T&E) Summer Staff: Part-Time, temporary summer position (up to 25 hours per week).

For the full details, check out the posting on Indeed https://bit.ly/3NvSqyR

Application Submission Process:
• Apply through Indeed.com
• Or mail cover letter and resume to: Seth Hoderewski, Executive Director, at LVCIL, 713 North 13th Street, Allentown, PA 18102

Image description: Graphic "We are hiring. Join our team"

Cedar Crest College’s Student Accessibility Services and the Performing Arts Department proudly present Embodied Express...
04/21/2026

Cedar Crest College’s Student Accessibility Services and the Performing Arts Department proudly present Embodied Expression, a celebration of Deaf culture through dance, coming to the college April 29th ! The performance will be at 5 PM in Samuel’s Theater, which is located in the Tompkins College Center building.

To purchase tickets: https://cur8.com/schedule/item/18389/376200?event=138019&date=376200

The Gallaudet Dance Company, founded in 1955, is a performing group of Deaf and hard of hearing dancers. All members of the company are undergraduate or graduate students at Gallaudet University, the world’s only accredited liberal arts university for deaf and hard of hearing students.

The dancers come from diverse backgrounds, with a range of hearing levels, preferred communication modes, primary school education, and current major field of study as a university student. They rely on their vision as their primary mode of communication and express themselves through their dancing in a variety of styles including modern jazz, hip-hop, modern dance, lyrical ballet, and dance that uses American Sign Language (ASL) as its foundation. The company is acclaimed for performances at the White House, and on stages in Egypt, Israel, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Peru, Barbados, St. Lucia, Brazil, Guatemala, South Korea, the Bahamas, and France. Gallaudet Dance Company was also featured in the international Dance movie, “Dancing Joy.”

This event features a 1.5 hour performance from Gallaudet Dance Company followed by a 30 minute talk-back with the director and dancers. (There will be a 10-minute intermission).

To support an accessible experience for all, ASL interpreters will be present throughout the event.

Image Description:
Embodied Expression: A celebration of Deaf culture through dance
Picture includes a group of people dancing on a stage

Scaling Independent Living Employment Programs Through Funding Diversification and Partnership Disability Employment Tec...
04/21/2026

Scaling Independent Living Employment Programs Through Funding Diversification and Partnership

Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC)

Results and Innovation in Systems Excellence (RISE) e-Learning Community

Scaling Independent Living Employment Programs Through Funding Diversification and Partnership Development

Applications Due: Friday, April 24, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)

Open only to federally-funded Centers for Independent Living (CILs)

Learn More and Apply Here!

https://mailchi.mp/tash/wrapping-up-2025-a-message-from-the-detac-team-11047167?e=f6492cb987

As trusted disability-led, community-based organizations, CILs play a vital role in advancing competitive, integrated employment (CIE). CILs provide services, supports, and community connections to support job seekers with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and thrive in the workforce. This action‑oriented learning community will equip CILs with increased knowledge and capacity to develop, sustain, and scale employment programs, while navigating an evolving landscape for funding and partnerships. Participants will build skills in business development and communicating their value/impact to prospective partners by hearing first-hand about approaches and lessons learned from high‑impact CIL peers. The community will explore practical, replicable models to position organizations to scale partnerships and expand capacity to offer sustainable employment services and supports. CILs will also take steps toward a set goal to build or scale their own new partnership or funding stream by participating in facilitated workshops and completing brief pre-work assignments between certain sessions.

Facilitators

This community will be facilitated by DETAC Senior Advisor Amy Gonzalez, with support from co-facilitator, Mary-Kate Wells, Director of Programs from the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). The community will also feature CIL guest speakers from the following CILs during Sessions 1-4:

Session 1: Able South Carolina (South Carolina)

Session 2: Direct Advocacy and Resource Center (Arizona)

Session 3: Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (Pennsylvania)

Session 4: Independence Inc. (Kansas)

As trusted disability-led, community-based organizations, CILs play a vital role in advancing competitive, integrated employment (CIE). CILs provide services, supports, and community connections to support jobseekers with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and thrive in the workforce. This action‑o...

LVCIL's Women's Medical Advocacy Skills SessionHow You can speak up for you Please join us: Friday, April 24th at 1pm713...
04/20/2026

LVCIL's Women's Medical Advocacy Skills Session
How You can speak up for you

Please join us:
Friday, April 24th at 1pm
713 N 13th St Allentown Pa 18102

Presented by:
Moravian University Students

Please RSVP:
To: Deb Rozear
610-770-9781 or
debbierozear@lvcil.org
by April 20th

Image description:
Two women, sitting, speaking over coffee
Flowers and branches
A woman smelling a flower

Congrats to LVCILs own Julianna Rodrigues for receiving Moravian Universities Health Science Champion Award! Her work in...
04/17/2026

Congrats to LVCILs own Julianna Rodrigues for receiving Moravian Universities Health Science Champion Award! Her work in the Community Inclusion for Young Children Project took her back to her Alama Mater for some great collaborative work with the University. Thanks Julianna for all you do for LVCIL, people with disabilities, and the community!

Moravian University

Image description:
Photo 1 - Julianna holding her award.
Photo 2 - A picture of the award with the following words “ Moravian University, Julianna Rodrigues, 2026, Health Sciences Champion Award”.
Photo 3 - A photo of a large screen with a projection of Juliannas name and award name.

04/16/2026

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed three executive orders to help people with disabilities — and to protect their data from the Trump administration.

Address

713 N 13th Street
Allentown, PA
18102

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+16107709781

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