Resources for professionals on disability advocacy and policy

Updated 3/21/08 Back to Professional Resource Directory, Table of Contents

Advocacy and Disability Policy:

Alliance for Health Reform A non-partisan, non-profit group that provides objective health-related information in a number of formats to journalists, elected officials and their staffs, and other shapers of public opinion.

Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy: 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.

Damon Brooks Associates Source of speakers on disability and entertainers with disabilities. They also publish an on-line e-newsletter, APPLAUSE.

DIMENet: Disabled Individuals' Movement for Equality Network.

Federal Register Daily publication announces proposed and final regulations, legal notices from federal agencies, presidential proclamations, executive orders and notices of funding availability.

Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Non-profit, private operating foundation focusing on major health care issues facing the nation. The Foundation is an independent voice and source of facts and analysis for policymakers, the media, the health care community, and the general public.

Inclusion Solutions Simple, effective and affordable access solutions and services for businesses and public entities (such as polling places).

International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals serves a diverse membership practicing in the fields of longterm disability and disability management consulting, case management and managed care, forensics and expert testimony, life care planning, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) consulting.

National Academy for State Health Policy Conducts research into areas of vital importance to states and those who depend on them for health coverage and protection.

National Committee on Quality Assurance. NCQA is an independent, non-profit organization which evaluates and reports on the quality of the nation’s managed care organizations. It provides information useful when deciding which health plan to choose for individual, family, or employee coverage.

National Council on Independent Living membership organization for Centers for Independent Living advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer-driven advocacy.

National Disability Rights Network is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities.

National Health Law Program. National public interest law firm that seeks to improve health care for America's working and unemployed poor, minorities, the elderly and people with disabilities. NHeLP serves legal services programs, community-based organizations, the private bar, providers and individuals who work to preserve a health care safety net for the millions of uninsured or underinsured low-income people.

National Patient Advocate Foundation is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to policy and legislative reform at the state and federal levels that improves access to, and reimbursement for, evolving therapies, therapeutic agents, and devices.

National Rehabilitation Information Center Resources for employment, advocacy, benefits and financial assistance, education, technology, and more.

New Directions for Living Well with a Disability. This 8-week Health Promotion Workshop teaches tools that help people with disabilities continue to do the things they enjoy. Topics include goal setting, problem solving, optimistic thinking, avoiding depression, healthy communication, information seeking, nutrition, physical activity, advocacy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Would you like to facilitate a Living Well with a Disability group? Click HERE to learn more!

Office of the President

Office of Management and Budget

Paralyzed Veterans of America. Provides resources for professionals and for people with paralysis, including "Living with SCI" area, sports and recreation resources, research and education and national advocacy.

Rocky Mountain Americans with Disabilities Act Leadership Network Provides assistance on ADA implementation.

Montana representative: Equal Access Consulting (Missoula), Call Michael Regnier at 406-728-8220 or e-mail Mequall@msn.com

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights. Describes an individual's educational rights under U.S. law and provides many resources for minority students and students with disabilities.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities

State Protection and Advocacy Agencies

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. Has information on the New Freedom Initiatives.

U.S. Dept. of Justice, Civil Rights Division

Americans with Disabilities Act Home Page, U.S. Department of Justice
The Americans with Disabilities Act Questions and Answers
Guide to Disability Rights Law. Booklet describing ten federal disability rights laws that prohibit discrimination and establish the rights of people with disabilities to live a life of independence and dignity in the mainstream of America. Provides information on where to turn for help from the federal government in protecting civil rights.

Project Civic Access U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: First Steps for Cities and Counties Toward Solving Common ADA Problems

www.TheDesk.info Online Medicaid reference desk geared to people with cognitive disabilities, families, advocates, legislators, policy makers, state officials, and service providers.

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Living Well under the Big Sky is a partnership between the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and The University of Montana Rural Institute.

We are funded by The Disability and Health Team, National Center on Birth Defects, Developmental Disabilities, and Disability and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information on Living Well Under the Big Sky, contact:

Meg Traci, Ph.D., Project Director
Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC: Rural)
The University of Montana Rural Institute: A Center for Excellence in Disability Education, Research and Services, 52 Corbin Hall, Missoula, MT 59812-7056
406-243-4956
matraci@ruralinstitute.umt.edu