National Organizations Resource Page

The following list contains forty items, some with sub categories, which will supply links to sites of organizations covering the entire U.S. These national organizations will often lead to information relating to more local areas.

  1. Nationally, ADAPT focuses on promoting services in the community instead of warehousing people with disabilities in institutions and nursing homes. Attendant services (help with things like eating, dressing, toileting, moving from wheelchair to bed, etc.) are the cornerstone to community based services for people with severe disabilities. ADAPT is working to get 25% of the Medicaid long term care funds redirected to pay for a national, mandated attendant services program.
    ADAPT started as American Disabled for Accessible PublicTransit. ADAPT now also stands for American Disabled For Attendant Programs Today. It has been instrumental in the passage of the ADA.
  2. The American Association of University Affiliated Programs (AAUAP), is involved in many consumer activities. There are 58 University Affiliated Programs (UAP) throughout the United States and its territories. UAPs serve as a bridge between institutions of higher education and communities in order to assure that appropriate and effective services are available to persons with disabilities
  3. The Autism Resources Page is a complete index of online information and resources on the developmental disabilities Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. This page is an organized list of resources about Autism that are available on the net.
    Thanks to John Wobus for all the work mainting this deep file.
  4. The American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR)
  5. The American Association of Disabled Persons, though relatively young, has a powerful Board with members of other major national organizations. Justin Dart, a strong voice for the disability community on Capitol Hill, is one of many. Get in touch and get all the information.
  6. The Alliance for Technlogy Access works to redefine human potential, making technolgy a regular part of the lives of people with disabilities. The Alliance is a nationwide network of resource centers (43) and technology vendors (60), in 29 states. Refer to my Technology Page for further details.
  7. ARTSUSA contains organizations which assist differently abled artists by providing programs, exhibition opportunities or information.
  8. The ARC has more than 1,100 affiliated chapters and 140,000 members across the United States. It is the country's largest voluntary organization committed to the welfare of all children and adults with mental retardation and their families.
  9. The American Foundation for the Blind has established a Home Page. The web site allows for presentation of different formats of information, and the latest edition of "AFB News." The site has come through a gift from the MCI Corporation. Other AFB Internet addresses are:
  10. The Directory of National Information Sources on Disabilities (NIS) is recognized as a standard reference for providers of information, referral, and direct services to people with disabilities. This directory describes an extensive array of nationwide resources for disability-related information and services.
  11. The Directory of American Electronic Information Sources on Disabilities is a bulletin board system closely related to the National Information Sources on Disabilities (NIS).
  12. Disabled Businesspersons Association
    Urban Miyares, President
    9625 Black Mountain Rd., Suite 207
    San Diego, CA 92126-4564
    619/586-1199
  13. DisabilityInfo.gov is the federal government's one-stop Web site for people with disabilities, their families, employers, veterans and service members, workforce professionals and many others. It connects people with disabilities to the information and resources they need to actively participate in the workforce and in their communities.
  14. The Down Syndrome Home Page is compiled from contributions of members of Down Syndrome Listservs
  15. The Family Village is a global community that integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with cognitive and other disabilities, their families, and those that provide them services and supports. Stop in, stroll around, and visit some of the Family Village's attractions.a cornucopia of useful information.
  16. Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit at the University of Washington is a research unit dedicated to the prevention, intervention and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE).
    Here is the site without frames.
  17. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has a mission to ensure equality of opportunity by vigorously enforcing federal legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment.
  18. Information and Resources are provided here by Jim Lubin. It is an in depth site with a very wide range of information to explore.
  19. The Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Guide to Organizations Providing Epilepsy Support and Education is the most in depth guide to Epilepsy information I have found. It covers local, national, and international sites for assisting you.
  20. The Mosaic Disability Access Page Development of this page is under the Mosaic Access Project with support from the National Science Foundation. The short term goals of this project are to identify some of the major barriers people with disabilities encounter using NCSA Mosaic. Where feasible, solutions will be designed and implemented.
  21. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill is a complete link to the organization and its affiliates. You will also find links to the Webpsych Partnership and the Mental Health Net, both with further information and contact links.
  22. The National Arts and Disabilities Council, working through the University Affiliated Programs at UCLA, is a resource for any and all arts throughout the country.
  23. The National Association of Developmental Disability Councils is an informative link to State Developmental Disability Councils across the country, and assorted links of interest to the community
  24. The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency comprised of 15 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. NCD makes recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting 49 million Americans with disabilities. In its 1986 report, Toward Independence, NCD first proposed that Congress should enact a civil rights law for people with disabilities. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law.
    NCD's overall purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature of severity of the disability; and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.
  25. The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) is an information clearinghouse that provides free information on disabilities and disability related issues. Children and youth with disabilities (birth to age 22) are their special focus. NICHCY is also reachable at this internet address
  26. The National Information Center on Deafness (NICD) is a centralized source of information on topics dealing with deafness and hearing loss. NICD collects, develops, and disseminates information on deafness, hearing loss, and services and programs related to people with hearing loss. The NICD operates through Gallaudet University, a school focused on the education of members of the Deaf Community.
  27. The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) is part of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in the U.S. Department of Education.
    NIDRR contributes to the independence of persons of all ages who have disabilities by developing improved systems, technology, engineering, products and practices in the rehabilitation process.
  28. The National Organization on Disability
  29. The National Parent Network on Disabilities (NPND) was established to provide a presence and national voice for parents of children, youth, and adults with special needs. NPND shares information and resources in order to promote and support the power of parents to influence and affect policy issues concerning the needs of people with disabilities and their families.
    A special thank you to Emily McWhorter, Information Specialist.
  30. The National Sport Center for the Disabled invites you to visit their mountain to see why it has been dubbed the "mountain full of miracles." Outdoor recreation for everyone is the philosophy. Each year sharing a love of adventure, freedom, and the determination of the human spirit through sport and outdoor activity.
  31. Parents Helping Parents, Inc. provides a searchable on-line human services resource directory with a focus on the needs of children; condition & disability files and shareware; and much more. Internet mail and usenet is available.
  32. Parent to Parent is a Family Resource Center guide. Go from A to Z and find your state if you like or pick from addresses across the nation. Family Support is available to be found.
  33. Our Kids is a web page devoted to raising kids with special needs. You will find links to other parents along with specific disability areas.
  34. Saint John's University (Electronic Rehabilitation Resource) is an in depth gopher list for researching disability topics.
  36. TASH is an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm. TASH is an organization of members concerned with human dignity, civil rights, education, and independence for all individuals with disabilities.
  37. The Upside Down Syndrome is an informal society of individuals, parents, and freinds involved in the world of Down Syndrome
  38. The Web Server for the Visually Handicapped will provide you with useful information pertaining to the disabled, especially the visually handicapped. Please send your comments and suggestions to
  39. The World Association of Persons With Disabilities, Inc. (WAPD) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan world association, dedicated to residents of planet earth that are striving to be Alive! .. Involved! .. Effective! in their daily living.
  40. The World Institute on Disability (WID) is a public policy, research and training center committed to equality of opportunity and improving quality of life for all people with disabilities. WID is working in local, state, national and international arenas to achieve these goals. A majority of WID's staff and board have disabilities. WID believes that people with disabilities know their own needs best and should be used as experts in the crafting of disability policy and services.

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