In 1952, a group of determined Lehigh Valley parents of adult children with disabilities opened a daytime activity program. The program, which provided training and socialization opportunities for their sons and daughters, was staffed by parents and volunteers and operated in the basement of a church. After two years of successful operation, the parents decided they needed to hire staff. In 1954, the first executive director of the newly incorporated Lehigh County Association for Retarded Children (LARC) was hired. In 1967, LARC became the Lehigh Valley Association of Rehabilitation Facilities.
In 1997 the Lehigh Valley Association of Rehabilitation Facilities merged with United Cerebral Palsy of the Lehigh Valley. The combined entity became known as Via of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. Today, Via is the largest provider of services to people with disabilities in the Lehigh Valley.
1950
Parents form an organization called the Association for Retarded Children (ARC) and hold programs in church basements in Philadelphia because public schools do not require education for children with disabilities.
1954
The Northampton County chapter of the Association for Retarded Children is started by fourteen families.
1964
The Northampton County chapter of ARC merges with another ARC to become the Lehigh Valley Association for Retarded Children, (LARC) and begin lobbying for equal education opportunities in public schools.
1966
Public Education Law grants children with disabilities free education but in separate classes or facilities.
1967
Kurtz Furniture warehouse on Spruce Street in Bethlehem closes and donates the land and the building to LARC. The warehouse is used as a sheltered workshop training center and changes its name to the Lehigh Valley Association for Rehabilitation Centers (LARC).
1972
Early Intervention program is created to identify and address developmental delays, disabilities and special needs of infants and young children in our community.
1975
National Public Education Law 94-142 is passed requiring public schools to provide free, appropriate public education to all children who have disabilities through age 22.
1979
LARC establishes the Adult Training Program for job training. LANTA is established to provide transportation for people with disabilities in the Lehigh Valley.
1993
Supported Employment Program is expanded after receiving a grant of $250,000 and LARC begins to shift the focus of programs to community employment and create real job opportunities for people with disabilities at competitive wages
1997
LARC and local United Cerebral Palsy organizations merge to form Via of the Lehigh Valley doubling agency's service capacity.
2000
Via's board of directors makes a commitment to transition all programs and services to community settings in response to requests from individuals and their families for inclusive programs.
2007
Via of the Lehigh Valley celebrates 10 years of serving over 1000 individuals and families in the Lehigh Valley each year.
