links

Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council

The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council is a group made up of people with disabilities, family members, advocates, and state department representatives who work to create favorable conditions for people with developmental disabilities and their families in the Commonwealth.

United Way of Allegheny County

http://www.uwac.org

United Way of Allegheny County is a not-for-profit organization which seeks to measurably improve the quality of life for those in need in the community. (Make sure to search the volunteer opportunities section of the website for Working Order)

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=128&Q=168255

The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) serves persons with impairments that present a substantial impediment to employment. Services are provided to individuals who can benefit from and who need services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain employment. Vocational Rehabilitation is a direct service program provided through fifteen district offices located through the Commonwealth.

Social Security Administration

http://www.ssa.gov

Social Security Online has numerous online resources that will help you understand the current program and to frame the discussions of the future of Social Security.

United States Small Business Administration

http://www.sba.gov

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created by Congress in 1953 to help America’s entrepreneurs form successful small enterprises. Today, SBA’s program offices in every state offer financing, training and advocacy for small firms. In addition, the SBA works with thousands of lending, educational and training institutions nationwide.

NOLO – Law for All

http://www.nolo.com

To help people handle their own everyday legal matters — or learn enough about them to make working with a lawyer a more satisfying experience — we publish reliable, plain-English books, software, forms and this website.

U.S. Business Advisor

http://www.business.gov

Over 60 different federal organizations exist to assist or regulate business. With this many sources of information, finding what you want can be complicated and time-consuming. In keeping with the Administration’s e-government vision of using information technology to enable better customer service, federal agencies worked together to build the U.S. Business Advisor – a one-stop electronic link to the information and services government provides for the business community.

Small Business Development Center

http://sbdcnet.utsa.edu

The mission of the Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse (SBDCNET) is to meet the information needs of the SBDC community in the United States and its territories. SBDCNET serves as a resource providing timely, relevant research, web-based information, and training to SBDC counselors and their small business clients.

Internal Revenue Service

http://www.irs.ustreas.gov

The homepage of the Internal Revenue Service. Once the homepage displays, click on the link entitled “Businesses.” Once you link to this page, click the link entitled “Small Business/Self-employed” to find helpful general and tax information for your business.

Three Rivers Free Net

http://trfn.clpgh.org/

The Three Rivers Free-Net (TRFN) is a comprehensive web resource for the Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania community (It includes a nonprofit wish list!)

The Bureau of Contract Administration and Business Development

http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/dgs/site/default.asp

The Bureau of Contract Administration and Business Development provides the necessary resources and inspiration for their customers, the women and minority business owners, to compete for and participate in the state contracting process. The office certifies minority and women businesses based on ownership criteria and teaches these business owners how to pursue the opportunities available through state contracting. In addition, the office administers the statewide contract compliance program which ensures that suppliers and contractors are not discriminatory in hiring, firing and subcontracting arrangements.

Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program

http://www.penntap.psu.edu/

The program focuses on helping smaller businesses that normally do not have the in-house expertise or time to resolve specific technical questions or needs. PENNTAP technical specialists assist small businesses by providing technical advice, technical information, and referrals to other expertise, resources or programs.

Americans with Disabilities Act

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Information and technical assistance on the Department of Justice’s ADA homepage.