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General Resource Guide
Welcome. The Infinitec General Resource Guide
is a great way to learn about the full array of assistive devices
and services available today. You, our site visitors, recommended
many of the organizations and companies listed here. Please use
the left navigation menu to explore this guide.
When searching for specific topics, use the search
option to locate items of interest. For example, you will find sports
organizations listed under Adaptive Winter Sports or Water Sports.
If you can't find something
here or wish to recommend a great resource, please feel free to
email: candace.bennett@sbcglobal.net.
We welcome your comments and suggestions.
AbilityHub.com
www.abilityhub.com
Provides all-around useful information about assistive technology,
including consultation on adaptive equipment and alternative methods
available for accessing computers.
Abledata
www.abledata.com
Source of comprehensive information on assistive technology and
rehabilitation devices and issues.
Abledata Consumer Forum
http://www.abledata.com
Consumers are encouraged to visit this site to report what they
like or dislike regarding technology they use, including AAC devices,
wheelchairs, etc.
Access at Adobe
http://www.adobe.com/accessibility
Information about how people with visual disabilities can access
electronic data, from a major software firm.
The Access Board
www.access-board.gov
Site of the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board, an independent federal agency whose mission is accessibility
for people with disabilities.
ADA Homepage
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
Sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Justice, information relating to
enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
ADA Technical Assistance Program
http://www.adata.org/
Comprehensive resource for information on the Americans with Disabilities
Act
Alliance for Public Technology
www.apt.org
Grassroots organization advocating broad access to usable, affordable
information and communication services and technology, especially
by traditionally underserved populations, such as people with disabilities.
Alliance for Technology Access (ATA)
www.ataccess.org
The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is a network of more than
40 community-based, consumer-driven technology resource centers
in 27 states and territories working collaboratively with 75 technology
developers. ATA provides guided technology exploration for people
with disabilities, as well as parents and supporters. Contact ATA
at (415) 455-4575 V; (415) 455-0491 TTY; (415) 455-0654 FAX; e-mail
them at ATAinfo@ATAccess.org
All Learners
www.infinitec.org/all-learners
An Infinitec newsgroup that focuses on inclusion in the schools
and communities. All-learners is a forum where teachers, professionals,
families and school administrators can share knowledge, ask questions,
and exchange ideas or strategies.
American Association of People with Disabilities
http://www.aapd.com
AAPD, nonprofit organization, was created in July of 1995 to, advocate,
lead and unify persons with disabilities. Membership benefits also
include discounts and financial opportunities similar to benefits
in AARP.
The Arc
thearc.org
The largest and oldest organization serving people with mental retardation.
The Arc offers a technology fact sheet and reports on assistive
technology research.
Arthritis Foundation
http://www.arthritis.org/default.asp
Articles, news, exercises, strategies for relieving pain, and resources
relating to the treatment and care of arthritis patients.
Assistive Technology Act Programs
http://www.ataporg.org/
ATAP was established in 1997 to provide support to state AT Program
members to enhance the effectiveness of AT Programs on the state
and local level, and promote the national network of AT Programs.
ATAP facilitates the coordination of state AT Programs nationally
and provides technical assistance and support to its members. ATAP
represents the needs and interests of the state AT Programs and
is the national voice of the AT Programs.
Assistive Technology Exchange Network
(ATEN)
http://www.ucpnet.org/html/ps_ast_aten_bd.htm
Phone (708) 444-2836
An Infinitec program administered by UCP Chicago, ATEN solicits
and picks up donated computers, printers modems,etc. (mostly from
corporations who are upgrading), reconditions them and sends them
out to Illinois schools who request technology.
Introducing the Assistive
Technology Outcomes and Benefits Journal
The Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits (ATOB) journal is
a new resource for all persons involved in the field of AT. Each
issue presents a range of articles to foster communication, stimulate
innovation and promote effective AT practices. Everyone involved
with AT will benefit from reading this rich resource. ATOB is free
for download and available in multiple accessible formats. Access
the complete journal here:
http://www.atia.org/atob/ATOBV1N1/Documents/ATOBV1N1A1.pdf
Center for Applied Special Technology
(CAST)
http://www.cast.org
Innovative technologies in teaching tools that are universally accessible.
Center for Mental Health Services
http://www.mentalhealth.org/stigma
Information and programs promoting mental health, including anti-stigma
literature.
Center for People with Disabilities (CPD)
www.cpd.usu.edu
Technical assistance programs, interdisciplinary training projects,
service programs, research and personal development.
The Center for Universal
Design
http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud
A national research, information, and technical assistance center
that evaluates,develops, and promotes universal design in housing,
public and commercial facilities.
Closing the Gap
http://www.closingthegap.com
Browse CTG's comprehensive database of assistive technology devices,
applications and uses, as well as producers, price, and product
information.
Cornucopia of Disability
Information (CODI)
http://codi.buffalo.edu
CODI serves as a community resource for consumers and professionals
by providing disability information in a wide variety of areas.
Directory of Centers
for Independent Living
http://www.virtualcil.net/cils
Click on your state for the CILs nearest you.
Disability.gov
http://www.disability.gov
The Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities.
Disability Resources
Monthly
http://www.disabilityresources.org
DRM scours the Internet for resources from A to Z.
The Disability Rights
Activist
http://www.disrights.org
News on hot issues, how you can help, and resources.
DuPage Easter Seals
http://dupage.easter-seals.org
DuPage Easter Seals, located in Villa Park and Naperville, IL, offers
a myriad of services to more than 2,000 infants, children and young
adults each year with developmental disabilities. Services include
evaluations, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy,
medical nutrition therapy, audiology, social services, assistive
technology, social services, community outreach programs, a child
development center, and specialty clinic.
Easter Seal Society
www.easter-seals.org
Easter Seal's assistive tech programs
Easter Seals Metropolitan
Chicago
http://chicago.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ILCH_homepage
Programs include education, community living, recreation, adult
vocation and health care.
Equal Access to Software
and Information (EASI)
www.rit.edu/~easi
An affiliate of the American Association for Higher Education, EASI
provides information and guidance about access to information technologies
by people with disabilities.
Family Center on Technology
and Disability
http://www.fctd.info
Assists organizations and programs that serve families of children
with disabilities by providing information and support on accessing
and using assistive technology. Many resources related to assistive
technology and its funding.
Family Village
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/index.htmlx
Family village is a global community that integrates information,
resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons
with cognitive and other disabilities, for their families, and for
those that provide them services and support. Resources include
information on specific diagnoses, communication connections, adaptive
products and technology, adaptive recreational activities, education,
worship, health issues, disability-related media and literature.
Federal Communications
Commission Disability Task Force
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/
Disability-related issues
Great Lakes ADA Center
http://www.adagreatlakes.org
Posts valuable information and news about disability litigation
and legislation hot off the wires. Join their newsgroup.
IDEA: Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act
www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/IDEA
See this U.S. Dept. of Education Web site focusing on IDEA law.
Illinois Assistive Technology
Project
TechConnect
http://www.iltech.org
Assistive technology evaluations, training, equipment loans, and
funding information.
Leonard Cheshire
http://www.leonard-cheshire.org
Leonard Cheshire International supports over 250 services in 55
countries providing day care, skills training and rehabilitation,
independent living and residential care, as well as help with assistive
devices.
Microsoft Accessibility
http://www.microsoft.com/enable
Microsoft tools, technical features and programs for pwd, including
job opportunities and designs for access.
National Center on Accessibility
http://ncaonline.org/about/welcome.htm
NCA is an organization committed to the full participation of people
with disabilities in parks recreation and tourism. NCA researches
accessibility and educates federal agencies on making that possible.
National Center for Learning
Disabilities
http://www.ncld.org
National support, information, and referral for learning disabilities.
National Council on Disability
(NCD)
http://www.ncd.gov
Law and policy news affecting people with disabilities from an independent
agency created by the U.S. Congress to advise the President.
National Center on Disability
and Journalism (NCDJ)
http://www.ncdj.org
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.
National Institute of
Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/NIDRR
Created in 1978, The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research (NIDRR) is a national leader in sponsoring research. NIDRR
is located in Washington, D.C., and is one of three components of
the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
at the U.S. Department of Education. NIDRR operates in concert with
the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and the Office
of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
National Women's Health
Information Center
http://www.4woman.gov/wwd/index.htm
Information for women with disabilities regarding health, access
to health care, reproductive health, parenting, dealing with abuse,
and many other issues.
New Freedom Initiative
President George W. Bush
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/20010201-3.html
Program initiated by the Bush Administration to reduce underemployment
of Americans with disability, enhance community participation, and
remove barriers to assistive technology and other resources.
New Mental Health Resource
http://www.adscenter.org
A new Web site has been launched to serve as a centralized resource
in collecting and providing information for addressing discrimination
and stigma associated with mental illnesses: The Web site offers
a wealth of useful information related to stigma and discrimination.
Information on resources such as articles, fact sheets, brochures,
books, data bases, and research are provided on issue areas such
as employment, housing, healthcare, the media and many more. Numerous
resource organizations are listed to help landlords, employers,
insurers, healthcare providers, educators, and others better understand
mental illnesses and the people who have them.
Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitation Services
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html?src=mr
Part of the U.S. Dept. of Education site.
Rehabilitation Engineering
Research Center on Technology Transfer
http://cosmos.ot.buffalo.edu/t2rerc/index.html
A non-profit organization that aims to transform inventions into
products for people with disabilities.
Rehabilitation Institute
of Chicago
www.rehabchicago.org
A world-renowned facility and leader of physical rehabilitation
and assistive technology applications.
Rehabilitative Services
Administration (RSA)
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html?src=mr
Part of the U.S. Dept. of Education site.
RESNA
http://www.resna.org
The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society
of North America coordinates U.S. Tech Act state projects and many
federally funded programs; developing equipment testing standards
and assistive technology professional certification programs.
Self Help for Hard of
Hearing People (SHHH)
http://www.hearingloss.org
This organization serves people with hearing loss by providing information,
education, support and advocacy.
Social Security Administration
Office of Disability
http://www.ssa.gov/disability
Information on programs.
Special Needs Family
Friendly Fun
http://www.family-friendly-fun.com
Lots of great resources for families with special needs, including
a newsletter, newsgroup, and ring links. Their mission is to enhance
all aspects of living through shared resources and fun stuff.
Spina Bifida Association
of America (SBAA)
http://www.sbaa.org
The website covers everything from vital information about prescription
level doses of the B-vitamin folic acid for women at risk of having
a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect to information to help
improve the quality of life for those who live with spina bifida.
TASC Network (Technology
Assisted Self Care)
http://www.tascnetwork.net
The TASC Network is made up of individuals, families and health
professionals who believe that attitudes about neurological diseases
and disorders can be changed, that the future is brighter than ever.
Join the TASC Network to exchange ideas and resources, ask questions
of practitioners, and make a difference in your own recovery.
Tech Act Programs (U.S.)
This is where you will find diverse resources about assistive technology
and funding information in your home state. For general information
about each state's tech projects, go to R.E.S.N.A: www.resna.org.
United Cerebral Palsy
Associations
http://www.ucp.org
For 50 years, UCP (a.k.a. United Cerebral Palsy) has been committed
to change and progress for persons with disabilities. The national
organization and its nationwide network of 111 affiliates in 39
states strive to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities
in every facet of society - from the Web to the workplace, from
the classroom to the community. UCP's mission is to advance the
independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral
palsy and other disabilities, through our commitment to the principles
of independence, inclusion and self-determination.
VSA Arts (formerly Very
Special Arts)
http://www.vsarts.org
VSA arts is an international organization that creates learning
opportunities through the arts for people with disabilities. VSA
features arts-based programs in creative writing, dance, drama,
music and the visual arts.
Washington Post—Wheels
Around Washington
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/nation/specials/socialpolicy/ada
Interesting news site about current disability-related events.
World Associations of
Persons with Disabilities
http://www.wapd.org
Bills itself as "the beacon of knowledge and refuge for the
world's largest minority group."
Web Accessibility Initiative
www.w3.org/WAI
The W3 Consortium's initiative is to promote accessibility on the
World Wide Web.
Youreable.com
http://www.youreable.com
Information, shopping, products, and job leads for PWD, based in
the United Kingdom
Disaboom
http://www.disaboom.com
Dynamic disability site with excellent resources
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