Resources on Advocacy and Disability Policy
Accessing Safety Initiative helps organizations and communities meet the needs of women with disabilities & Deaf women who are victims or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, & stalking.
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.
Disability Data in National Surveys The federal government collects extensive disability survey and administrative data used by federal and state agencies for a variety of purposes. This report, from the Mathematica Policy Research Center for Studying Disability Policy, presents the findings from a review of the disability-related information and other key features of 40 existing national surveys sponsored by the federal government.
Disability.gov One-stop online access to disability-related resources, services, and information available throughout the Federal government.
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.
Montana Association for the Blind (MAB) – This statewide, nonprofit, self-help consumer organization works for the social and economic improvement of Montanans with visual impairments.
Montana Chapter-National Association of Social Workers
Montana Fair Housing Full service, private, non-profit organization dedicated to the reduction and eradication of housing discrimination in Montana. Serves Montana housing providers and consumers and responds to inquiries and discriminatory housing complaints. Provides information and support to consumers and industry representatives, investigates allegations of housing discrimination, counsels victims of housing discrimination and assists them in filing federal and state complaints.
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 Disability is an independent federal agency composed of members appointed by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. NCD advises the President, Congress, and executive branch agencies on policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability and empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.
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.
National Technical Assistance Center for Voting and Cognitive Access helps protection and advocacy systems, election officials and people with disabilities make voting accessible for citizens with cognitive disabilities and visual disabilities.
New Directions for Living Well with a Disability Based at The University of Montana Rural Institute, 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.
Facilitate — Learn more about how to facilitate a Living Well with a Disability group.
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.
Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma Describes stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness, how to counter this behavior, and what resources are available. Provides literature, speakers and information.
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
SurveyGizmo is a statistical tool that meets the accessibility and usability standards of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
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 Councils on Developmental Disabilities
State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Association of University Centers on Disabilities. Conduct interdisciplinary training, promote exemplary community service programs, provide technical assistance at all levels from local service delivery to community and state governments, and conduct research and dissemination activities. University Centers for Excellence provide community training and technical assistance to family and individual support service organizations, and work with individuals with developmental disabilities, family members of these individuals, professionals, paraprofessionals, students, and volunteers.
The University of Montana Rural Institute: A University Center for Excellence in Disability Education, Research and Services
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
Web Accessibility Center at The Ohio State University rates survey tools for accessibility features and usability by individuals with disabilities.
www.TheDesk.info Online Medicaid reference desk geared to people with cognitive disabilities, families, advocates, legislators, policy makers, state officials, and service providers.