Celebrates 2026 Autism Walk and $1M OVR Budget Investment

Shapiro Administration Celebrates 2026 Autism Awareness & Acceptance Walk and Resource Fair, Highlights $1 Million Budget Investment to Help Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Find and Keep Meaningful Work

Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal calls for increasing state funding for L&I’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), which helps people with disabilities find employment through personalized services such as goal setting and counseling, vocational guidance and job placement.

April 14, 2026

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Johnstown, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) hosted the 2026 Autism Awareness & Acceptance Walk and Resource Fair at its Commonwealth Technical Institute at the Hiram G. Andrews Center (CTI at HGAC), welcoming more than 600 autism-support students and educators from 18 Pennsylvania schools and community groups to the campus. The Shapiro Administration is committed to supporting and empowering Pennsylvanians with disabilities, which is why Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 budget calls for an additional $1 million investment in L&I’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to expand access to services and assistive technology for individuals who are blind and to expand support services for the DeafBlind community.

“Events like this are a powerful reminder that inclusion is not just a value: it’s a call to action. When we invest in people, remove barriers, and expand access to services like those offered through OVR, we open doors to meaningful employment and independence,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget investment will help more Pennsylvanians with disabilities connect their talents to real opportunities, all while strengthening our workforce and our communities in the process.”

Operated by OVR, CTI at HGAC provides career and technical education, independent living skills training, and therapeutic support on its fully accessible campus in Johnstown, serving more than 1,457 individuals and providing over 4,000 services in 2025. Students can earn associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates while also receiving services such as physical and occupational therapy, counseling, and adaptive technology support. This approach ensures graduates are not only prepared for their chosen professions but also for independent living.

“Our annual walk brings energy, pride, and community together during Autism Appreciation Month. The Commonwealth Technical Institute at the Hiram G. Andrews Center is dedicated to empowering individuals with the skills and opportunities to build meaningful careers and independent lives,” said Jill Moriconi, Director of CTI at HGAC. “We’re proud to sponsor and lead a local celebration of the individuality of every person on the spectrum. With this year’s ‘Art of Appreciation’ theme, we celebrate their creativity and the many ways they enrich our workplaces and communities.”

Governor Shapiro believes every Pennsylvanian should have access to real opportunities and the tools and resources they need to chart their own course. That’s why since taking office, Governor Shapiro has made investing in workforce development a cornerstone of his Administration. Over the past three years, the Commonwealth increased funding for vo-tech, career and technical education (CTE), and apprenticeship programs by nearly 50 percent — from $118 million to $183 million.

As the Governor looks to build upon these historic investments, his 2026-27 budget calls for:

• An additional $18 million for vo-tech, career and technical education (CTE), and apprenticeship programs;
• $7 million for Schools-to-Work to bridge classroom learning with real-world opportunity and align training with in-demand industries and workforce needs across the Commonwealth; and
• $6.3 million to continue building a stronger, more resilient workforce through the Industry Partnership program, which brings together regional business leaders within one industry and public partners to address shared workforce needs. For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

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