DISABILITY AWARENESS
Mason Resources | Local
Resources | National
Resources | Cool Links
Mason Resources
Disability Resource Center is available to serve all students with disabilities, including those with cognitive (e.g., learning, psychological, and closed head injury), sensory, mobility, and other physical impairments. The Center offers services, registration, forms for downloading, and additional resources. http://www.gmu.edu/student/dcr/
Office of Equity and Diversity Services monitors the university’s continuing commitment to affirmative action and equal opportunity both in its employment and educational practices. It ensures that members of the campus community understand their rights and responsibilities to learn and work in an environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, and age through education, training and resolution of complaints. http://www.gmu.edu/equity/
Helen A. Keller Institute for Human Disabilities provides individuals
with disabilities access to technology, which is available to all employees
and students. It offers information about the joint project, assistive
technology and services. http://chd.gse.gmu.edu/ati
<back
to top>
Camp Optimism – Summer Residential Camp for Physically Challenged or Disabled Children. Located in Prince William County, the camp has programs for swimming, boating, softball, volleyball, soccer, crafts, games and nature trails. It also has a complete medical facility, a dining hall, and a craft hall along with an amphitheater and outside pavilion. Rules of common sense, good behavior and friendship toward others are all they ask. For further information on contributions, enrollment, volunteering, or other concerns: http://novaplaza.com/campoptimism/.
The HEATH Resource Center is a 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. http://www.heath.gwu.edu/
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) collaborates with the public and private sectors to provide and advocate for the highest quality services that empower individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence and full inclusion into society. http://vadrs.org/ <back to top>
AmeriCorps Program – offers a section for youth with disabilities. It offers many opportunities for voluntary service for the disabled. For more information about employers, service providers, and advocates, visit http://ssa.gov/work/Youth/americorps.html.
Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD) is funded through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. It is a unique consortium composed of large and small universities, well-known national employers and U.S. Government agencies focused on the career employment of college graduates with disabilities. The web site offers news and events, profiles, training services, a list of sponsors, and other helpful links. http://www.cosdonline.org/index.shtml
Delta Society National Service Dog Center® (NSDC) provides information and resources for people with disabilities who are considering getting a service dog or who are currently partnered with a service dog. It offers frequently asked questions, basic information about service dogs, life with a service dog, whose service dogs can help, and much more information. http://www.deltasociety.org/
Department of Justice (DOJ) – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offers a wealth of information on general publications, businesses and non-profit service providers, and state and local government guides to rights and laws. A list of other Federal Agencies that the ADA is responsible for includes, Employment (EEOC), Public Transportation (DOT), Telephone Relay Service (FCC), and many others. http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
DisabilityInfo.gov is a comprehensive online resource designed to provide people with disabilities with the information they need to know quickly and easily. With just a few clicks, 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. http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/
LD Online is a national educational service of the public television station WETA in Washington, D.C. The web site offers information service in the field of learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and other professionals. It offers “this month’s focus,” tips, and recent news. http://www.ldonline.org/
National Center on Secondary Education and Transportation (NCSET) creates opportunities for youth with disabilities to achieve successful futures. It provides technical assistance and disseminates information focused on four major areas: improved access in secondary education, positive post-school results, participation in educational and post-school decision making, improved system linkages and networks at the national, state, and local levels. http://www.ncset.org/
National Center on Workforce and Disability/Adult offers information about employment and youth with disabilities. Materials on practices, policies, and procedures in workforce development are available as a resource for One-Stop Career Centers, state and local Workforce Investment Boards, and policymakers. http://www.ncwd-youth.info/
National Federation of the Blind is the nation’s largest and most influential membership organization of blind persons. The web site offers links to scholarships available, literature and publications about blindness, aids and appliances, and the development and evaluation of technology. For more information visit http://www.nfb.org/
National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) is one of the largest outdoor sports and therapeutic recreation programs that positively impact the lives of people with physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral challenges. It offers a list of disabilities served, (but of course is not limited to these). The web site also offers links to programs, events, donations and sponsors, volunteers, media, and other links and resources. http://www.nscd.org/
National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) is dedicated to advancing the next generation of disability leaders. It offers the history of NYLN, the by-laws of the governing board, a list of sponsors, and how to subscribe. It also has a newsroom, resources, and a link to youth experts. http://nyln.org/
Social Security Administration (SSA) offers information to help youths with disabilities, their parents and families, teachers, and counselors. It offers personal experience articles and a long list of links to other related resources. http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11017.html
ETS® Disabilities and Testing provides information to applicants with disabilities who seek approval of reasonable testing accommodations. The web site offers tests, services, research, frequently asked questions, a career center, and the latest in news and media. The site also offers links to guides related to physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, ADHD, learning disabilities and many others. http://www.ets.org/disability/index.html
Deafmail.net offers a list of sites for Deaf people regarding singles connection, hearing impaired products, a sign language interpreter, and many other accessories to help Deaf people in today’s world. http://www.deafmail.net/
The Icarus Project was created in the beginning of the 21st century by a group of people diagnosed as Bipolar or Manic-Depressive. It includes publications, workshops, and support groups regarding those topics. http://www.theicarusproject.net/
The International Dyslexia Association is a non-profit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of the learning disability, dyslexia. The web site offers “what’s new,” frequently asked questions, a fact sheet, information regarding research, and public policy to name a few. http://www.interdys.org/
Schwab Learning offers a section dedicated to a guide for helping parents
with children who have learning difficulties. The web site offers free,
reliable, research-based content to help parents identify and manage
learning and attention problems, connect with other parents, and locate
helpful resources. Also available in Spanish. http://www.schwablearning.org/
VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization that creates a society
where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in, and
enjoy the arts. http://www.vsarts.org/
Work World is a decision support software for personal computers designed
to help people with disabilities, advocates, benefit counselors, and
others exploring and understanding how to best use the work incentives
associated with the various Federal and State disability and poverty
benefit programs. http://www.workworld.org/
World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international, non-governmental central organization of national associations of Deaf people. With members in 127 countries, WFD emphasizes improving the status of national sign languages, better education for Deaf people, improving access to information and services, and promoting the establishment of Deaf organizations. http://www.wfdeaf.org/ <back to top>