Disabilities Resources on the Web ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 PIONEER LIBRARY SYSTEM

2557 State Route 21, Canandaigua, NY 14424     585-394-8260

 

Note: Most national organizations that provide services to people with disabilities have websites, e.g. United Cerebral Palsy, Autism Society of America, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, etc. You can use a search engine such as Google, AlltheWeb, Teoma, Vivisimo, or Yahoo to locate these organizations and other disabilities resources. The sites often have links to local resources.

 

General Sites

ABLEDATA   http://www.abledata.com

  • An electronic database of information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers in the U.S.

Advocacy Center   http://www.advocacycenter.com

  • Rochester-based organization serving 15 Finger Lakes and Western NY counties. Provides education, advocacy, and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and their families. Site contains information about resources, training opportunities, and a database of local recreational facilities.

ASCLA   http://www.ala.org/ascla/access_policy.html

  • The Association Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies is a division of the American Library Association. Important issues to the division include the ADA, blind and physically handicapped, equity of access, and impaired elderly library patrons.

Bobby   http://cast.org/bobby

  • Bobby is a free online service that lets you test single pages of web content for quality, accessibility, and privacy issues.  

Caregivers Website   http://www.stls.org/caregiver

  • Information and resources to assist caregivers of people with developmental disabilities; developed by the Southern Tier Library System.

Center for Universal Design   http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud/

·         Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The Center for Universal Design is a national research, information, and technical assistance center that evaluates, develops, and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products.

Disability Access Symbols   http://www.gag.org/resources/das.php

  • The Graphic Artists Guild is a national union of illustrators, designers, Web  creators, production artists, surface designers and other creatives who have come together to share their experience and to raise industry standards. You can download the twelve symbols on their "Disability Access Symbols" page to promote and publicize accessibility of places, programs, and other activities for people with various disabilities.

Disability Information and Resources   http://www.makoa.org/

  • Jim Lubin, creator of this Website, is a C2 quadriplegic, completely paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe. He uses a keyboard/mouse emulator with a sip and puff switch to type. The site contains hundreds of links to other disability resources. He constantly adds new sites although it sometimes takes a while to get them organized.

The DRM Guide to Disability Resources on the Internet http://www.disabilityresources.org  

Disability Resources is a nonprofit organization that provides information about resources for independent living.

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EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information)   http://www.rit.edu/~easi

  • Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI) delivers online training on accessible information technology for persons with disabilities.

ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education http://ericec.org

  • ERIC is an acronym for the Educational Resources Information Center. ERIC EC (Eric Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education) is one of 16 federally funded clearinghouses in the Eric System. ERIC EC gathers and disseminates professional literature, information, and resources on the education and development of individuals of all ages who have disabilities and/or who are gifted.

IDEA: Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access  http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea

  • A federally funded research center in the area of universal design that also provides numerous services for people with disabilities including home modification design, technical assistance and product research.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped http://www.loc.gov/nls/

  • The NLS, a service of the Library of Congress in cooperation with a network of regional and sub-regional libraries provides a free library program of Braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail.

 

Legal Issues, Statistics, ADA, etc.

Access to Disability Data   http://www.infouse.com/disabilitydata

  • The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/NIDRR) conducts comprehensive and coordinated programs of research and related activities to maximize the full inclusion, social integration, employment, and independent living of disabled individuals of all ages. The InfoUse project provides access to disability data through an extensive collection of statistical charts, tables, and surveys.

ADA Home Page   http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

  • Provides current information about the Americans with Disabilities Act and its enforcement including new or proposed regulations, technical assistance program, settlement information and ADA mediation.

Disability Tables   http://www.icdi.wvu.edu/disability/tables.html

  • State, national and international disability tables from the International Center for Disability Information (ICDI) at West Virginia University.

Legal Information Institute   http://www.law.cornell.edu/

  • Cornell's Law School's Legal Information Institute provides full text to all the major federal disability laws and state statutes.

NYS Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities http://www.oapwd.org

  • The New York State Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled (CQC) and the New York State Office of Advocate for Persons with Disabilities (OAPwD) have been merged to form a new agency, the New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (CQCAPD).  The new agency continues to carry out the functions formerly assigned to both CQC and OAPwD, with an increased emphasis on outreach and advocacy for individuals with physical disabilities.

U.S. Department of Justice   http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/cguide.htm

  • This "Guide to Disability Rights Laws" describes ten federal laws that prohibit discrimination and establish the rights of people with disabilities to have a life of independence and dignity in the mainstream of America. It lists 800 numbers and Websites that tell where to turn for help. 

Wrightslaw: The Special Ed Advocate   http://wrightslaw.com

  • A well organized site that provides accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and effective advocacy for children with disabilities. Includes the text of federal statues and regulations, advocacy articles, cases, newsletters, and resources.

Learning Disabilities

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders   http://www.chadd.org

  • A non-profit organization representing children and adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, founded in 1987. Includes information about legislative action, articles about AD/HD, research studies, links, and a chat room.

International Dyslexia Association   http://www.interdys.org

  • The IDA is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia and their families.

Learning Disabilities Association   http://www.ldanatl.org

  • This national organization provides information on learning disabilities, practical solutions and a comprehensive network of resources.

National Attention Deficit Disorder Association   http://www.add.org

  • ADDA provides information, resources and networking to adults with AD/HD and to the professionals who work with them including such things as publications, audio and video tapes, a web site, AD/HD teleclasses and advocacy for adults with AD/HD. 

National Center for Learning Disabilities    http://www.ncld.org

  • Basic information about learning disabilities and an extensive resource section, NCLD also offers referral services, develops and supports innovative educational programs, and advocates for more effective policies and legislation to help individuals with learning disabilities.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities             http://www.nichcy.org

·         -NICHY or the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities serves the United States as a central source of information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children and youth; IDEA, the law authorizing special education; No Child Left Behind, as it relates to children with disabilities; and information on effective educational practices. 

 

Cool Stuff for Kids and Parents

AbilityOnLine Support Network   http://www.ablelink.org

  • A free Internet community that connects young people with disabilities or chronic illnesses to role models, mentors and friends.

The DRM WebWatcher   http://www.disabilityresources.org/PARENTS-OF.html

  • Contains links to sites for, by, and about kids with disabilities and chronic illnesses in DRM’s (Disability Resources Monthly) "Just for Parents (and Service Providers)" section.

Family Voices   http://www.familyvoices.org

  • National, grassroots clearinghouse for information and education concerning the health care of children with special health needs.

Parents Helping Parents  http://www.php.com

·         The site contains an easy-to-search database and extensive list of support groups for parents of children with disabilities.

 

 

 

Compiled for Pioneer Library System by Patricia Stocker of Patricia Stocker Library Consulting; pslc@rochester.rr.com

Updated 01/09/06