Easter Seals Disability Services

Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania's History

The Easter Seals Society of Allegheny County was founded in 1934 and formally incorporated in 1935. Our society was organized by Kiwanians to provide transportation services to and from area hospitals for surgery and brace fittings for children with disabilities.

This eventually led to the opening of a clinic for children with cerebral palsy and later a school which was located in classrooms on the South Side of Pittsburgh. As these children grew up, the Easter Seals staff was aware that there was nothing productive available for these young adults to do. In the tradition of Daddy Allen, Easter Seals' founding father,  once a need was identified, action was taken.

A facility was opened in downtown Pittsburgh where these young people worked on hand made crafts which were sold to the public. Several years later, a newspaper clipping service was started that employed adults with disabilities.

In 1995 the Easter Seal societies of Allegheny, Cambria/Somerset, Clarion/Jefferson, Fayette and Venango counties merged to form the Easter Seal Society of Western Pennsylvania.

In December 2004, Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania moved its corporate headquarters from 632 Fort Duquesne Boulevard to 2525 Railroad Street in the Strip District.

From a small voluntary agency, Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania has grown to an organization that provides comprehensive therapeutic, educational and vocational rehabilitation services to children and adults with disabilities and other special needs and their families. Last year more than 19,500 people received services in 20 counties throughout western Pennsylvania.

Programs & Services

Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania offers the following services in children's and adult programs:

• Adult Senior Services
• Children's Services (school program)
• Early Intervention
• Medical Rehabilitation
• Hearing Screenings
• Central auditory processing evaluations and therapy
• Fitting and Repairs
• Hearing Aids
• Hearing Aid Evaluation
• Hearing Testing
• Hearing Evaluations
• Occupational Therapy
• Outpatient Feeding Program
• Outpatient Speech/ Hearing Serives
• Physical Functioning Assessments for ACCESS Transportation Systems
• Physical Therapy
• Preschool Speech, Language and Hearing Screening
• Recreation
• Learn to Swim
• T-Ball
• Residential Housing Program
• Support Services
• Developmental Screenings
• Disability Awareness Programs
• Information and Referral
• Medical Equipment Loan
• Parent Groups
• Sibling Groups
• Social Services
• Workforce Development
• Employment Planning Services
• Job Placement Program
• School to Work Program
• Vocational Evaluation Services
• Work Services Program