National and International Links

The Links and Listservs below provide information of interest to people with disabilities. We do not attempt to include all links pertaining to disabilities. If you have a link that you think we should include, contact us at:

email: abilitymaine@gmail.com

Or Snail Mail at:
AbilityMaine
PO Box 106
Wilton, ME 04294

Lists

NATIONAL LINKS

INTERNATIONAL LINKS

MAGS & RAGS:  Online Disability Publications

The Ability Maine List is open to anyone who wants to talk about disability issues. It is focused on Maine and the concerns of Maine people.
http://www.topica.com/lists/AbilityMaine/

Access Board Electronic Newsletter
The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. It operates with about 30 staff and a governing board of representatives from Federal departments and public members appointed by the President. Key responsibilities of the Board include:
http://www.access-board.gov/news/Access%20Currents/General.htm

The Maine Blind Listserv-Here's an invitation for blind persons and their families and friends to join a listserv. This E-mail list is a way to communicate and learn about what's happening in Maine and nationally and to discuss issues of importance to persons living in Maine who are blind. To read the communications, or sign up, go to:
http://www.topica.com/lists/TheMaineBlind/

A Global Activist Listserv:
Traditional disability rights activists have largely been missing from the anti-globalization movement. Since disabled people in countries forced into structural adjustment- a process in which public structures are privatized and social programs are eliminated order to raise capital-- are in mortal danger of death of serious illness, disability rights activists should naturally play a major role. This list will discuss ways disabled people are affected by globalization and the ways in which we as disabled people can participate in the anti-globalization campaign.
To subscribe, send a blank email message to:
disabled-global-action-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Justice for all E-mail Network
http://www.jfanow.org

The National Council on Disability (NCD)Listserv
NCD's new listserv will provide up-to-date information on issues affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities and their families. This will include NCD's monthly newsletter, NCD Bulletin, and news releases and media advisories on NCD activities and current issues before the Administration, Congress, and the Supreme Court. To subscribe, simply send a blank e-mail to add-bulletin@list.ncd.gov. There is no need to write anything in the subject line or body. Subscribers will receive approximately five e-mails a month from NCD. For more in-depth information, visit the NCD Web site at: http://www.ncd.gov/

Disability Rights Advocates
Disability Rights Advocates has begun a new national listserve called Disability-Civil-Rights. This listserve is intended to be a national forum for news, discussion, and strategizing concerning disability rights and access issues. To join the listserve, please send a message to general@dralegal.org with the subject heading "Join Listserve". The listserve includes lawyers, activists and other people interested in working on enforcement of disability rights laws, as well as defending and advancing the disability rights movement. The listserve welcomes postings and discussion on all issues relating to disability rights. There is no editing of what is posted - all members are free to post and respond to postings without restriction. The only rule is that all members must be respectful of other members.

THE ACCESS BOARD - a federal agency committed to accessible design
This site contains pretty much everything you would ever want to know about access standards. It includes new standards for web access. It is easy to use and has a pile of information.
http://www.access-board.gov

ACCESS EXPRESSED
Provides access information about cultural programs around the country
http://www.accessexpressed.net/

ADA Homepage
US Department of Justice
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

ADA DOCUMENT PORTAL
AN on-line library of ADA documents available on the Internet.
http://www.adaportal.org/

ADA
http://thearc.org/faqs/adaqa.html

ADAPT
We are fighting so people with disabilities can live in the community with real supports insted of being locked away in nursing homes and other institutions.
http://www.adapt.org

ADA WATCH
Many years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people with disabilities -- and all Americans -- are faced with threats from those who seek to eliminate these important federal protections. ADA WATCH online is our answer to these threats.
http://adawatch.org

Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA)
ALDA works collaboratively with other organizations around the world serving the needs of late–deafened people and extends a welcome to everyone, late deafened or not, who supports our goals.
http://www.alda.org/

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
AAPD is the largest national nonprofit cross-disability member organization in the United States, dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities.
http://www.aapd.com

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS UNIVERSAL DESIGN SITE
This AARP site has a primer on universal home design.
www.aarp.org/universalhome

THE ARC
Organization of and for people with cognitive, intellectual, developmental disabilities, and their families.
http://thearc.org

BENDER CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.
At Bender Consulting Services, Inc. our mission is to provide superior technology consulting services to our customers while creating employment and career opportunities, independence and freedom for people with disabilities.
http://www.benderconsult.com/index2.html

BENEFITSCHECKUP.ORG
This National Council on Aging site will help older and disabled people identify benefits that are available to them.
http://www.benefitscheckup.org

BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TOLL FREE COMPUTER ASSISTANCE LINE
The Chicago Lighthouse's assistive technology support line helps blind and visually impaired people in the United states and Canada successfully resolve many computer problems. New inquiries are welcome.
1. 888.825.0080
10 AM to 5:30 PM (Eastern time)
Monday through Friday

BOOKSHARE.ORG
is a new online community that enables people in the United States with visual or other print disabilities to legally share scanned books.
http://www.bookshare.org

Brain Tumor

National Brain Tumor Foundation http://www.braintumor.org.
The patient information line is 800-934-CURE

The American Brain Tumor Association, patient info 800-886-2282, email: info@abta.org

The Healing Exchange Brain Trust: http://www.braintrust.org

BRIDGES4KIDS
"We are a community of equal partners coming together to provide a circle of support for ALL children from birth to adult life with a special focus on those who have disabilities, special needs, or who are at-risk."
A very active Michigan based website.
http://www.bridges4kids.org

CENTER FOR AN ACCESSIBLE SOCIETY
The Center for An Accessible Society is a national organization designed to focus public attention on disability and independent living issues by disseminating information developed through NIDRR-funded research to promote independent living.
http://www.accessiblesociety.org

CENTER FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS
...Working for the full integration, independence, and civil rights of people with disabilities.
http://www.rochestercdr.org/index.php

CENTER FOR THE STUDY AND ADVANCEMENT OF DISABILITY POLICY (CSADP)
The Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy (CSADP) provides public education, leadership development and training, technical assistance and information dissemination, and conducts action-research and analysis of public policy issues affecting individuals with disabilities and their families.
http://www.disabilitypolicycenter.org/

CHEMICAL INJURY INFORMATION NETWORK
focuses primarily on education, credible research into Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and the empowerment of the chemically injured.
http://www.ciin.org

CONCRETE CHANGE
An international effort to make all homes visitable.
http://www.concretechange.org/

DAC - DISABLED ACTION COMMITTEE
A Virginia based site with much useful information. Produces an email newsletter.
http://members.aol.com/DAC4VA/main.htm

DISABILITYINFO.GOV
This government site lists most, or all, US Federal Government resources.
http://disabilityinfo.gov

DISABILITYGUIDE.COM
This site has information about where to find accessible dining and entertainment in the Washinton D.C. area. They also provide accessibility information about many popular tourist sites in the city. The site owners hope to expand the site and eventually provide information about other areas of the country.
www.DisabilityGuide.com

DISABILITY HISTORY MUSEUM
The site is currently under construction (December 2001). This link takes you directly to exhibits on the library page. Use the second link to enter the splash page. The third link takes you to the text only site.
http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/browse_detail.html
http://www.disabilitymuseum.org
Text only: http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/text.php

DISABILITYRESOURCES.ORG
This informational site promises to be updated Monthly. It has absolutely gobs of links and information, enjoy!
http://disabilityresources.org

DISABILITY RIGHTS ECUCATION AND DEFENSE FUND (DREDF)
Founded in 1979 by people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF) is a national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy, technical assistance, and education and training of attorneys, advocates, persons with disabilities, and parents of children with disabilities.
http://www.dredf.org/

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY SECRETS
The purpose of this site is to distribute information——crucial information that, nine times out of ten, it's impossible to get from the person taking your claim for Disability and ssi benefits offered through the Social Security Administration.
http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/

DISABILITY SOCIAL HISTORY PROJECT
The Disability History Project is a community history project and we welcome your participation. This is an opportunity for disabled people to reclaim our history and determine how we want to define ourselves and our struggles. People with disabilities have an exciting and rich history that should be shared with the world.
http://www.disabilityhistory.org

EMERGENCY INFO ONLINE, FOURTH EDITION
A resource directory for emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and accessible communications
An extensive and useful guide from Bridge Multimedia.
http://www.emergencyinfoonline.org/eas/index.php

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
The EEOC coordinates all federal equal employment opportunity regulations, practices, and policies. The Commission interprets employment discrimination laws, monitors the federal sector employment discrimination program, provides funding and support to state and local Fair Employment Practices Agencies (FEPAs), and sponsors outreach and technical assistance programs. Any individual who believes he or she has been discriminated against in employment may file an administrative charge with the EEOC.
http://www.eeoc.gov/

Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST is a new initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designed to promote compliance with the Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements.
http://www.fairhousingfirst.org/index.asp

FREEDOM CLEARINGHOUSE
A site dedicated to the implimentation of the Olmstead decision.
http://www.freedomclearinghouse.org/

GOVBENEFITS.GOV
The GovBenefits Web site asks citizens to answer a series of simple questions about their own personal circumstances. The system then provides the citizen with a list of government benefits for which they may be eligible to receive along with information on how to apply.
http://www.govbenefits.gov

HANDICACHING
Handicaching aims to improve the accessibility of Geocaching for disabled people all over the world.
By rating caches using a simple system, disabled geocachers can quickly find the caches they are able to do. Too often a 1 star or 2 star rated cache turns out to be impossible, causing dissapointment. Our ratings aim to avoid that.
http://www.handicaching.com

US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
This link connects directly to HUD's disability page.
http://www.hud.gov/groups/disabilities.cfm

HUD'S LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT DATABASE
Connects to the HUD database. You can search for available low income housing.
http://lihtc.huduser.org

IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
For parents and educators who are looking for guidance, assistance, and best practices in the implementation of IDEA;check out this online monthly newsletter at:
http://www.ideapractices.org/

IDEA - SPECIAL EDUCATION & REHABILITATIVE SERVICES IDEA 2004 Resources
News and information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), the nation's law that works to improve results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html

INSTITUTE FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE - SOCIAL SECURITY SUPERPAGE
http://socialsecurity.ourfuture.org

INTERSEX SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA
The Intersex Society of North America (ISNA) is devoted to systemic change to end shame, secrecy, and unwanted genital surgeries for people born with an anatomy that someone decided is not standard for male or female.
http://www.isna.org/

JOB ACCOMMODATION NETWORK'S SEARCHABLE ONLINE ACCOMMODATION RESOURCE (SOAR)
The Job Accommodation Network's Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) system is designed to let users explore various accommodation options for people with disabilities in work and educational settings.
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/soar/

KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION MEDICARE AND MEDICAID GUIDES
http://www.kff.org/medicare/med020705pkg.cfm

KIDS AS SELF ADVOCATES
KASA is a national, grassroots network of youth with special needs and our friends, speaking on behalf of ourselves.
http://www.fvkasa.org/

MEDICARE RIGHTS CENTER
The Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is a national, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that helps ensure that older adults and people with disabilities get good affordable health care.
http://www.medicarerights.org/Index.html

MINDFREEDOM.ORG
This Support Coalition International affiliated site provides mental health consumers and their allies with information.
http://www.mindfreedom.org

MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY REFERRAL AND RESOURCES
Professional outreach, patient support, and public advocacy devoted to the diagnosis, treatment, accommodation and prevention of MCS disorders.
http://www.mcsrr.org

NATIONAL CENTER ON DISABILITY AND JOURNALISM
National Center on Disability and Journalism (NCDJ) is a new non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the fairness, accuracy and diversity of news reporting on disability. We do this by developing tools to help journalists and educators examine the complexity of disability issues from differing perspectives.
http://www.ncdj.org

NATIONAL CENTER ON SECONDARY EDUCATION AND TRANSITION
Creating Opportunities for Youth with Disabilities to Achieve Successful Futures
http://www.ncset.org/default.asp

National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange
A comprehensive one-stop resource for people with disabilities, exchange and disability staff interested in study, work, intern, volunteer, research or teach abroad programs, a project sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
http://www.miusa.org/ncde

NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
http://www.ncpssm.org/index.html

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON THE AGING
They have created a confidential, on-line service designed to help older Americans identify Federal and state assistance programs and provide application information.
http://www.benefitscheckup.org/

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY
An independent federal agency that makes recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities.
http://www.ncd.gov

NATIONAL HOME OF YOUR OWN ALLIANCE
The National Home of Your Own Alliance is funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities to promote opportunities for people with disabilities to own and control their homes.
http://alliance.unh.edu/

NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER ON PSYCHIATRIC ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
Psychiatric advance directives (PADs) are relatively new legal instruments that may be used to document a competent person's specific instructions or preferences regarding future mental health treatment, in preparation for the possibility that the person may lose capacity to give or withhold informed consent to treatment during acute episodes of psychiatric illness.
http://www.nrc-pad.org/

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY
The National Organization on Disability promotes the full and equal participation of America's 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. Funded entirely by private sector contributions, N.O.D. is the only national disability network organization concerned with all disabilities, all age groups and all disability issues.
http://www.nod.org

THE NATIONAL SPINAL CORD INJURY ASSOCIATION (NSCIA)
NSCIA is the oldest national organization serving civilians with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D). Extensive information on SCI/D can be found there through its Resource Center as well as news, studies and other information.
http://www.spinalcord.org

NEW ENGLAND ADA & ACCESSIBLE IT CENTER
A comprehensive source for information on the Americans with Disabilities Act and accessible Information Technology (IT). Providing toll-free technical assistance (800-949-4232 Voice/TTY), training and materials on the ADA, Sections 508 & 255 and accessible IT.
http://adaptiveenvironments.org/neada/site/home

NORTHEAST PASSAGE
Providing "Barrier Free Recreation" to individuals with physical disabilities, friends, and families for over 12 years. Located in Durham, New Hampshire.
http://www.nepassage.org

NOT DEAD YET
Disabled people opposing assisted suicide.
http://www.notdeadyet.org

OASIS: Online Asperger Syndrome Information & Support.
http://www.aspergersyndrome.org

ODD SHOE EXCHANGES
http://www.amputee-coalition.org/fact_sheets/oddshoe.html

PACER Center
The mission of PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.
http://www.pacer.org/index.htm

PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
http://www.pva.org/

PASSPLAN.ORG
A Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) allows a person with a disability to set aside income and/or resources for a specific period of time to realize a work goal.
http://www.passplan.org/

REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
The (RSA) oversees formula and discretionary grant programs that help individuals with physical or mental disabilities to obtain employment and live more independently through the provision of such supports as counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other individualized services. RSA's major Title I formula grant program provides funds to state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to provide employment-related services for individuals with disabilities, giving priority to individuals who are significantly disabled.
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html

THE ROLLING GOURMET
Your Guide to New Hampshire Restaurant Accessibility
http://www.drcnh.org/restaurant.htm

SATH
Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality
http://www.sath.org

SERVICEANDINCLUSION.ORG
Service & Inclusion: A Multimedia Resource for Inclusive Community Service. Service & Inclusion documents in text, sound and image the active participation of people with disabilities in community service.
http://serviceandinclusion.org

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
http://www.ssa.gov

Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST)
BEST is to help people identify any benefits for which they may be eligible. It takes only a few minutes to complete the on-line questionnaire. No identifying information is requested (such as your name or Social Security number) and all information is erased when you exit the site.
http://best.ssa.gov/

How to figure your retirement benefit:
http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/index.htm

Disability Report Tool: This wizard takes you through the process of filing a new adult disability claim (SSA-3368). It can help you gather information for your claim.
http://www.ssa.gov/disabilityformhelp/

The "Blue Book" provides disability definitions and medical criteria for evaluating Social Security disability claims.
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/

Representing Clients - Information about Social Security's hearings and appeals process.
http://www.ssa.gov/representation/

SPEACH TO SPEACH
Telephone access for people with speech disabilities
http://www.stsnews.com/

TASH
Disability Advocacy Worldwide (formerly The Association of Persons with Severe Handicaps)
http://www.tash.org

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS (TLG)
Through the Looking Glass (TLG) is a nationally recognized center that has pioneered research, training, and services for families in which a child, parent or grandparent has a disability or medical issue.
http://www.lookingglass.org

US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
http://www.hhs.gov

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (EEOC) http://www.eeoc.gov/

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, ADA HOME PAGE
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

WIRED ON WHEELS
Wiredonwheels.org offers an online community where you can rate accessibility, find out what other reviewers think about a destination, and make informed decisions about where to go. Together We Can Rate America for Accessibility, One Destination at a Time.
http://www.wiredonwheels.org, or AOL Keyword WOW

WorldEnable
WorldEnable is an Internet accessibility initiative in support of the international goals of equalizing opportunities for, by, and with persons with disabilities.
http://www.worldenable.net/

WRIGHTSLAW
Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, up-to-date information about effective advocacy for children with disabilities.
http://www.wrightslaw.com

Zuzu's Place
Zuzu's Place is a housing co-op for people who have struggled with overwhelming emotional experiences.
http://zuzusplace.org/

abilityinfo.com
A multi-featured news, jobs, and discussion resource for students from around the world studying to support and work for individuals with disabilities.
http://www.abilityinfo.com/index.html

INDEPENDENT LIVING INSTITUTE
The Independent Living Institute offers resources for persons with extensive disabilities and develops consumer-driven policies for self-determination, self-respect and dignity.
http://www.independentliving.org/indexen.html

AccessWorld
AccessWorld, the American Foundation for the Blind's technology magazine is now a free, web-only publication.
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

DEAF-BLIND PERSPECTIVES
Deaf-Blind Perspectives is a free publication with articles, essays, and announcements about topics related to deaf-blind people.
http://www.tr.wou.edu/tr/dbp/

DISABILITY STUDIES ONLINE MAGAZINE
http://www.disabilitystudies.com/

DISABILITYWORLD.ORG
A bimonthly web-zine of international disability news and views
http://www.disabilityworld.org

ENABLEDONLINE.COM
A National magazine style site with lots of articles
www.enabledonline.com

INDEPENDENT LIVING USA
A source for National disability news.
http://www.ilusa.com/

LISTEN TO OUR STORIES
Listen to Our Stories is an anthology of words, pictures, and songs by children and young adults with disabilities. It includes poetry, essays, interviews, songs, journal writing, letters, and pictures. Contributors range in age from 5 through 21 and have widely varied backgrounds and disabilities.
http://www.listentoourstories.com

MAINE INDEPENDENT MEDIA - THE MAINE COMMONS
Often contains articles of import for people with disabilites.
http://print.maineindymedia.org/index.htm

MAINSTREAM ONLINE
Magazine of the Able-Disabled
http://www.mainstream-mag.com/

MOUTH
Voice of the disability nation.
http://www.mouthmag.com/

OUCH!
British online Mag of disability humor
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/

RAGGED EDGE MAGAZINE ONLINE
http://www.ragged-edge-mag.com/