Advocacy & Education Organizations
ADD Resources
223 Tacoma Ave S #100
Tacoma WA 98402
(253) 759-5085
ADD Resources is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to help people with ADD develop their full potential. Their website offers the National ADHD Directory, the most complete listing of ADHD service providers and products on the Internet and many great articles by national authorities as well as adults with ADD for free downloading.
Alliance for the Mentally Ill of
Minnesota
800 Transfer Road, Suite 7A
St. Paul, MN 55114
(888) 473-0237
Provides assistance and education to individuals and family members affected by a mental illness. The Alliance also works on legislation and does individual advocacy, usually over the phone.
American Association of People With Disabilities
1629 K Street NW, Suite 503
Washington, DC 20006
(800) 840-8844 (V/TTY)
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. AAPD works in coalition with other disability organizations for the full implementation and enforcement of disability nondiscrimination laws, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Association on Higher Education and
Disability (AHEAD)
P.O. Box 540666
Waltham, MA 02454
(781) 788-0003 (V/TTY)
AHEAD is an international, multicultural organization of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities. The Association is a vital resource, promoting excellence through education, communication and training. The site has an excellent publications catalogue.
Association for Late-Deafened
Adults, Inc.
1131 Lake Street, #204
Oak Park, IL 60301
(866) 402-2532 (V/TTY)
ALDA began in Chicago, Illinois in 1987. Today, ALDA's membership is international in scope. 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 support their goals. Late-deafened is usually defined as deafness occuring post-lingually — any time after the development of speech and language. Often it means after the age of adolescence (13 and above). Usually a late-deafened adult (LDA) has identified with hearing society through schooling, social connections, etc. They are usually unable to understand speech without visual aids such as speech-reading, sign language, and/or Computer Aided Real-time Transcription (CART). They also may have lost their hearing suddenly or gradually as a result of inherited causes, accident, illness, medication, surgery, noise or other factors. LDAs also share in the common experience of having been raised in the hearing world and having become deaf rather than having been born deaf.
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 467-5730
The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is one of the nation's leading legal advocates for people with mental disabilities. Their advocacy is based on the principle that every individual is entitled to choice and dignity.
Brain Injury Association of America
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 611
McLean, VA 22102
(800) 444-6443
The Brain Injury Association of America was founded in 1980 by a group of individuals who wanted to improve the quality of life for their family members who had sustained brain injuries. The organization encompasses a national network of more than 40 chartered state affiliates across the country, as well as hundreds of local chapters and support groups.
Brain Injury Association of Minnesota
34 13th Avenue N.E., Suite B-001
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(800) 669-6442
Brain Injury Association of Minnesota provides information on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), available services, and practical assistance for survivors and their families. It also provides support-group information.
The Brain Injury Recovery Network
840 Central Avenue
Carlisle, OH 45005
(937) 743-9949
The Brain Injury Recovery Network has developed a Web site in an attempt to provide practical, actionable advice with a goal to see that victims of brain injuries are given every chance possible to recover. Providing information and support for both the crisis phase and the long-term care phase of recovery as well as prevention programs. They offer information to brain injury victims and families on the site and also have a toll free support line, all at no cost to the families.
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
40 Harvard Mills Square, Suite 3
Wakefield, MA 01880-3233
(781) 245-2212 (Voice)
(781) 245-9320 (TTY)
Founded in 1984 as the Center for Applied Special Technology, CAST is a not-for-profit, education research and development organization that works to create opportunities for all students, especially those with disabilities, by using technology to make education more flexible and accessible.
Children and Adults with Attention
Deficit Disorder (ChADD)
8181 Professional Place, Suite 201
Landover, MD 20785
(800) 233-4050
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) was founded in 1987 in response to the frustration and sense of isolation experienced by parents and their children with AD/HD. This national non-profit organization provides education, advocacy and support for individuals with AD/HD. Countless individuals and families dealing with AD/HD turn to CHADD for information, public advocacy, and support. The lifeblood of CHADD is its dedicated volunteers throughout the country who play an integral part in the organization's success. Whether you are seeking the most recent research about AD/HD ... looking for help for yourself, your child, or your family ... or seeking to make a difference in public policy ... CHADD can make a difference!
Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.
102 N. Krohn Place
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(800) 642-6410 (Voice)
(866) 273-3323
CSD (also known as Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing broad-based services, ensuring public accessibility and increasing public awareness of issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Through global leadership and a continuum of quality communication services and human service programs, CSD provides the tools conducive to a positive and fully integrated life. Although CSD was founded primarily to provide interpreting services, they have grown into an organization that also provides relay services, holds the nation’s largest deaf-related consumer tradeshow, operates a camp for deaf youth and a myriad of other functions, and even more. You can even schedule an interpreter online or find the solution to your business needs.
Cornucopia of Disability Information (CODI)
Center for Assistive Technology
University at Buffalo
322 Stockton Kimball Tower
Buffalo, NY 14214-3079
(800) 628-2281
CODI serves as a community resource for consumers and professionals by providing disability information in a wide variety of areas. It consists of both an Internet Directory of Disability Information and a repository of electronic disability documents, dating back to the early 1990s. Many of the documents on CODI are publicly available nowhere else on the Internet.
DeafBlindinfo.org is an online directory of worldwide resources for and about people with combined vision and hearing loss. The website showcases a vast collection of deafblindness information and resources in Minnesota and from around the world. Its Consumer Resource Guides aim to inform and empower adults, youth, families, and senior citizens with dual sensory impairment.
DeafBlind Services Minnesota
726 2nd Street Ne
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 362-8454 (Voice)
(612) 362-8422 (TTY)
Founded in 1986, DeafBlind Services Minnesota is dedicated to serving deafblind children, adults, and their families throughout the state of Minnesota. The agency's mission is to assist DeafBlind children and adults achieve their highest level of independence.
Disability Advocacy Work With Networking
Disability Advocacy Work With Networking (SAWWN)IS A guide to disability information & resources on the Internet. connect to specific pages with further information in areas related to disability advocacy, assistance, education and more.
DisabilityInfo.gov is a comprehensive online resource designed to provide people with disabilities with the information they need to know quickly and easily. The site provides access to disability-related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects, including civil rights, community life, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology and transportation.
HEATH Resource Center
The George Washington University
HEATH Resource Center
2121 K Street, NW, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20037
(800) 544-3284
The HEATH Resource Center of The George Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, is the national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Support from the U.S. Department of Education enables the clearinghouse to serve as an information exchange about educational support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, and opportunities at American campuses, vocational-technical schools, and other postsecondary training entities.
International Dyslexia Association
Chester Building, Suite 382
8600 LaSalle Road
Baltimore, MD 21286-2044
(410) 296-0232
Voice Message Requests for Information: (800) 222-3123
The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them. IDA is the oldest learning disabilities organization in the nation — founded in 1949 in memory of Dr. Samuel T. Orton, a distinguished neurologist. Throughout their rich history, their goal has been to provide the most comprehensive forum for parents, educators, and researchers to share their experiences, methods, and knowledge.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
PO Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080
(800) 526-7234 (V/TTY)
The Job Accommodation Network is a service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) of the U.S. Department of Labor. JAN is one of several ODEP projects. JAN's mission is to facilitate the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, people with disabilities, their family members and other interested parties with information on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities and related subjects. JAN's efforts are in support of the employment, including self-employment and small business ownership, of people with disabilities. JAN represents the most comprehensive resource for job accommodations available. JAN's work has greatly enhanced the job opportunities of people with disabilities by providing information on job accommodations since 1984. In 1991 JAN expanded to provide information on the Americans with Disabilities Act. JAN consultants have obtained at least one Master's degree in their specialized fields, ranging from rehabilitation counseling to education and engineering. The development of the JAN system has been achieved through the collaborative efforts of the U.S. DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy, the International Center for Disability Information at West Virginia University, and private industry throughout North America.
Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
(412) 341-1515
In March of 1963, parents of children with learning disabilities representing local support groups from around the country gathered in Chicago for a national conference. These concerned families organized into a national organization which was incorporated in 1964 as the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD). From those beginnings, the Learning Disabilities Association of America has grown to serve tens of thousands of members with learning disabilities, their families and the professionals who work with them. Today, LDA is the largest non-profit volunteer organization advocating for individuals with learning disabilities and has over 200 state and local affiliates in 42 states and Puerto Rico. LDA's international membership of over 40,000 includes members from 27 countries around the world. The membership, composed of individuals with learning disabilities, family members and concerned professionals, advocates for the almost three million students of school age with learning disabilities and for adults affected with learning disabilities.
Learning Disabilities Online
2775 South Quincy Street
Arlington, VA 22206
LD OnLine is a national educational service of public television station WETA in Washington, D.C. It is operated in association with the Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities and is made possible by generous support from Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes®. LD OnLine offers online services and produces video programs dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with learning disabilities and ADHD. LD OnLine.org is the leading information service in the field of learning disabilities, serving more than 200,000 parents, teachers, and other professionals each month. Launched in 1996, it was the first and is by far the most visited learning disabilities site on the web. LD OnLine features thousands of helpful articles on learning disabilities and ADHD, monthly columns by noted experts in the field, a free and confidential question and answer service, active bulletin boards, and a Yellow Pages referral directory of professionals, schools, and products. LD OnLine is often the first destination for parents and educators seeking information on how to help children and adults with learning disabilities.
Mental Health Association of Minnesota
2021 East Hennepin Avenue, Suite 412
Minneapolis, MN 55413-2726
(612) 331-6840
(800) 862-1799
The Mental Health Association of Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that responds to the needs of individuals with mental illnesses, and their family
members. They offer services in Advocacy and Education:
- individual advocacy case services
- community support referrals
- educational materials
- workshops and community presentations
- Best Mental Health Practices in the Workplace
- suicide prevention training
- family support groups
- public policy advocacy
Midwest Center for Postsecondary Outreach
St. Paul Technical College
235 Marshall
St. Paul, MN 55102
(612) 221-1337
The Midwest Center for Postsecondary Outreach (MCPO) was established at
Saint Paul College — A Community & Technical College
under a five year contract in October of 1996 by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. The purpose of the MCPO is to increase and improve postsecondary educational opportunities for individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the following twelve midwestern states:
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
Minnesota Deafblind Technical Assistance Project
4001 Stinton Avenue, Suite 210
Minneapolis, MN 55421
(612) 638-1525 or 1526
(612) 706-0808 (TTY)
(800) 848-4905
The MN DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project is federally funded under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). The Project provides technical assistance which supports Minnesota children and youth, birth to 21 years, who have BOTH a vision and hearing impairment. These services are in addition to those provided by schools, and other state and local agencies.
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Boulevard., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
(800) 950-6264
Founded in 1979 as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, NAMI today works to achieve equitable services and treatment for more than 15 million Americans living with severe mental illnesses and their families . Hundreds of thousands of volunteers participate in more than one thousand local affiliates and fifty state organizations to provide education and support, combat stigma, support increased funding for research, and advocate for adequate health insurance, housing, rehabilitation, and jobs for people with mental illnesses and their families.
National Association of the Deaf
814 Thayer Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4500
(301) 587-1789 (TTY)
(301) 587-1788 (Voice)
The mission of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is to promote, protect, and preserve the rights and quality of life of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), established in 1880, is the oldest and largest constituency organization safeguarding the accessibility and civil rights of 28 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans in education, employment, health care, and telecommunications. A private, non-profit organization, the NAD is a dynamic federation of 51 state association affiliates including the District of Columbia, organizational affiliates, and direct members.
National Attention Deficit Disorder Association
P.O. Box 543
Pottstown, PA 19464
(484) 945-2101
The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) is designated as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service. This international organization has been in existence since 1989. The mission of ADDA is to provide information, resources and networking to adults with AD/HD and to the professionals who work with them. In doing so, ADDA generates hope, awareness, empowerment and connections worldwide in the field of AD/HD. Bringing together scientific perspectives and the human experience, the information and resources provided to individuals and families affected by AD/HD and professionals in the field focuses on diagnoses, treatments, strategies and techniques for helping adults with AD/HD lead better lives.
National Center for Learning Disabilities
381 Park Avenue S., Suite 1401
New York, NY 10016
(212) 545-7510
Since 1977 NCLD has reached out to individuals with LD, their families, educators, researchers, and others committed to increasing public awareness of and opportunities for people with LD. They are commited to serving children and adults with learning disabilities, as well as their families. There are urgent challenges in the world of LD that call for innovative solutions. More than a third of adolescents with learning disabilities drop out of high school, only 30 percent earn a diploma, and a mere 14 percent enroll at a two- or four-year college. The problems reflected in these statistics have roots in early childhood, and affect individuals throughout their lifespan. We must fight to ensure that early identification is guaranteed for all children with LD, that school officials play an active and cooperative role in that identification, and that promising research is applied more effectively throughout our schools. We must also train our teachers to be well-prepared to work with students who learn differently, educate the public on what learning disabilities truly are, and provide parents of children with LD with adequate support, reliable information, and messages of hope that will allow them to advocate for their children. Learning disabilities do not go away. They endure a lifetime. But given the proper support and encouragement, people with LD can succeed in achieving their potential. Knowledge is power. NCLD want people to have that power to hope, to learn, and to succeed.
National Clearing House of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCHRTM)
Oklahoma State University
206 W. Sixth Street
Stillwater, OK 74078-4080
(800) 223-5219
Since 1961, the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) has been
providing educational materials to the rehabilitation community. Whether you are an educator, student, individual with disabilities or family member of
an individual with disabilities, they provide a full range of services that include the following:
- Rehabilitation training materials: manuals, videos including interpreter training videos, CD-ROMs, guides, and directories
- Counselor education curriculum and syllabi
- Customized research services
- Research journals and Institute on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI) monographs
- Links to other disability and rehabilitation related sites
National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
(703) 684-7722
Mental Health Resource Center
(800) 969-6642
(800) 433-5959 (TTY)
The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide. NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million individuals with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service. NMHA was established in 1909 by former psychiatric patient Clifford W. Beers. During his stays in public and private institutions, Beers witnessed and was subjected to horrible abuse. From these experiences, Beers set into motion a reform movement that took shape as the National Mental Health Association. NMHA's work has resulted in positive change. They have educated millions about mental illnesses and reduced barriers to treatment and services. As a result of their efforts, many Americans with mental disorders have sought care and now enjoy fulfilling, productive lives in their communities.
National Rehabilitation Information Center
4200 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 202
Lanham, MD 20706-4829
(800) 346-2742
The National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) is a library and information center on disability and rehabilitation. Funded since 1979 by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), NARIC collects and disseminates the results of federally funded research projects. NARIC's document collection, which also includes commercially published books, journal articles, and audiovisuals, grows at a rate of 250 new documents per month.
Nonverbal Learning Disorders Association
2446 Albany Avenue W
Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 570-0217
The Nonverbal Learning Disorders Association (NLDA) is an international non-profit corporation committed to facilitating education, research and advocacy for children and adults who manifest disabilities associated with the syndrome of nonverbal learning disorders. The NLDA volunteer workforce includes individuals with learning disabilities, their families and associates, and those who provide professional care and intervention. They strive to enhance the lives of all individuals with NLD by encouraging effective identification and intervention, fostering research, and protecting the rights of learning disabled individuals. The NLDA seeks to accomplish this through awareness, advocacy, empowerment, education, and service. The NLDA is dedicated to a world in which all individuals with NLD can thrive and participate fully in society; a world in which the assets of the syndrome are as recognizable as the deficits, and a world in which NLD is understood and addressed with care and compassion.
Postsecondary Education Programs Network
Western Region Outreach Center & Consortia (WROCC)
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8267
(888) 684-4695 (V/TTY)
Serves: Alaska, American Samoa,
Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Marianas
Islands, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Midwest Center for Postsecondary Outreach (MCPO)
St. Paul Technical College
235 Marshall
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 221-1337 (V/TTY)
Serves: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio,
South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Postsecondary Education Consortium (PEC)
The University of Tennessee
2229 Dunford Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996-4020
(423) 974-8427 (V/TTY)
Serves: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia,
Virgin Islands and West Virginia.
Northeast Technical Assistance Center (NETAC)
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
a college of Rochester Institute of Technology
52 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
(716) 475-6433 (V/TTY)
Serves: Connecticut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Puerto Rico, Rhode Island and Vermont.
PEPNet provides Technical Assistance to Postsecondary Institutions Serving Individuals Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. PEPNet is funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education. The mission of PEPNet is to promote coordination and collaboration among the four Regional Postsecondary Centers for Individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. PEPNet’s purpose is to provide technical assistance to postsecondary educational institutions providing access and accommodation to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
333 Commerce Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-0030 (Voice)
(703) 838-0459 (TTY)
The philosophy of RID is that excellence in the delivery of interpretation and transliteration services among people
who are Deaf, or Hard of Hearing, and people who are hearing, will ensure effective communication. As the professional association for interpreters and
transliterators, the RID serves as an essential arena for its members in their pursuit of excellence. It is the mission of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., to provide international, national, regional, state, and local forums and an organizational structure for the continued growth and development of the professions of interpretation and transliteration of American
Sign Language and English. RID has worked diligently to provide the "three Q's" of interpreting: Quantity, Qualifications and Quality," namely, the RID Triad:
- Training for new and professional Interpreters through the Professional Development Committee (PDC), and the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP)
- Continued certification through RID's National Testing System (NTS)
- Self-regulation through a national Ethical Practices System (EPS).
Society for Disability Studies
Joy Hammel, OTR/L, Ph. D., Executive Officer
Department of Disability and Human Development
University of Illinois at Chicago (MC 626)
1640 W. Roosevelt Road#236
Chicago IL 60608-6904
(312) 996-4664 (Voice)
Founded in 1982 as the Section for the Study of Chronic Illness, Impairment, and Disability (SSCIID), the organization was renamed the Society for Disability Studies in 1986. The Society maintains affiliation status with the Western Social Science Association (WSSA) through its Chronic Disease and Disability Section. The Society for Disability Studies (SDS) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the exploration of disability through research, artistic production, and teaching. Disability Studies encourages perspectives that place disability in social, cultural, and political contexts. Through their work they seek to augment understanding of disability in all cultures and historical periods, to promote greater awareness of the experiences of disabled people, and to contribute to social change.
STAR Program
50 Sherburne Avenue, Room 309
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 201-2640 (Voice)
(888) 234-1267 (Voice)
MN Relay 711
(800) 627-3529 (TTY)
A System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) was created by the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act. STAR's activities are funded by the federal Assistive Technology Act of 1998, amended 2004. STAR informs Minnesotans about issues of assistive technology, opens the door to assistive technology for the citizens of Minnesota through state and federal legislation, works with state agencies and builds/maintains community collaborative and communication efforts.
United Cerebral Palsy
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
(800) 872-5827
(202) 776-0406 (Voice)
(202) 973-7197 (TTY)
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.