Disability Resources

For information about Deaf culture and non-medical resources for people with hearing loss, check the Deaf Culture page.

The Starfish Story - an encouraging fable.

AIDS

[AIDS] [Blind/Deaf-Blind] [Brain Disorders & Disabilities]
[Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants & Accessories A-M] [N-Z] [Medical]
[Education] [Legal & Employment A-E] [F-Z] [Psychology & Recovery]
[Nonspecific Disability A-H] [I-Q] [R-Z] [Computers A-F] [G-M] [N-Z]
[Technology - A] [B-D] [E-K] [L-N] [O-S] [T-Z] [Back to top]

AIDS Alert, American Health Consultants, Atlanta, Georgia. Subscription newsletter and free search engine.

AIDS Info BBS Database, San Francisco, California. Information about AIDS dating back to 1985 and continuing to the present. Searchable. (Some features require Javascript.)

The Archives of the CDC AIDS Daily Summary, San Francisco, California. News and notices about HIV and AIDS from 1993 to the present. (Direct access)

AIDS-NYC.Org, by the HIV/AIDS Information Outreach Project of the New York Academy Of Medicine, New York, New York. Links to AIDS-related community organizations in New York City.

AIDS Research Information Center, Inc. (ARIC), Baltimore, Maryland. Publishes the Direct Information on Research and Treatment (DIRT) quarterly newsletter.

The Body, New York, New York. HIV/AIDS information from leading organizations and experts.

CDC National National Prevention Network, Rockville, Maryland. The National AIDS Hotline for TTY users is 800-243-7889.

HIV/AIDS Page by S. Hall. Links to daily news sources, recent news, and sites covering most HIV/AIDS topics.

Immunet, New York, New York. AIDS Treatment News, searchable archive and bookstore. Immunet is a nonprofit AIDS service organization.

The International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC), Chicago, Illinois. Working to maximize the survival and quality of life of all people affected by HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.

sci.med.aids FAQ, answers to frequently asked questions about AIDS and the sci.med.aids newsgroup.

Blind/Deaf-Blind

Accessibility by Tiddy Ogg. Blind web accessibility and links to speech-friendly sites.

American Council of the Blind (ACB), Washington, DC. Striving to improve the well-being of all blind and visually impaired people. With the exception of the secretary and the treasurer, all members of the board of directors are required to be legally blind. The ACB has 51 state and regional affiliates and 20 national special interest and professional affiliates. The state and regional groups meet statewide once or twice yearly and many of these organizations also have local chapters that meet monthly. The national special interest affiliates meet annually during the ACB national convention and many of these groups have state or metropolitan chapters.

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), New York, New York. Dedicated to addressing critical issues of literacy, independent living, employment, and access through technology for the ten million Americans who are blind or visually impaired. In addition to headquarters in New York City, AFB maintains offices in Chicago, Illinois and Dallas, Texas; a National Literacy Center in Atlanta, Georgia; a National Employment Center in San Francisco, California, a Governmental Relations Office in Washington, D.C.; and a Technology and Employment Center in Huntington, West Virginia. The New York office is also home of the Helen Keller Archives, the only collection of its kind in the world, containing her correspondence, documents, photographs, and memorabilia.

American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, Kentucky. Providing blind and visually impaired people with special media, tools, and materials needed for education and life.

A-Z to Deafblindness by James Gallagher, Glasgow, Scotland. Resources for Deaf-Blind people.

Camera Obscura by Gregory J. Rosmaita, New York, New York. Encyclopedic listing of speech-friendly websites.

Blindring, hosted by Betsy Walker, Needham, Massachusetts. Web Ring for home pages and web sites that are either run by blind individuals or are for blind people.

Cathy's News Stand by Cathy Anne Murtha, Assistive Technology Specialist, Sacramento, California. Speech-friendly news links for blind and visually-impaired people. A service of the Access Technology Institute.

Cyber Blink by Jim Shaffer, Pflugerville, Texas. Blind-related web page with links to text or speech-friendly web sites.

DB-LINK, Monmouth, Oregon. The National Clearinghouse On Children Who Are Deaf-Blind. A federally-funded clearinghouse for information and referral services relating to deaf-blind children from birth to age 21. Services are free. Six rganizations pool their expertise in DB-LINK: American Association of the Deaf-Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, the Helen Keller National Center, Perkins School for the Blind, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, and Teaching Research. Questions related to deaf-blind adults should be directed to the Helen Keller National Center at TTY/V: 800-255-0411, ext. 311, or Fax: 516-944-8751.

Guiding Eyes For the Blind Inc., Yorktown Heights, New York. Training Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds to become guide dogs for blind and visually impaired people.

National Federation of the Blind (NFB), Baltimore, Maryland. The largest organization of the blind in the U.S. BBS Files is a keyword searchable index of free NFB computer files including Braille translation software and other useful tools.

Retina International, Zurich, Switzerland. Seeking a cure for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Macular Degeneration, Usher Syndrome and allied retinal distrophies. RP is an inherited eye disease and affecting approximately 100,000 people in the United States.

Greg Roggeman's Point of View, New Orleans, Louisiana. Text friendly page by a man with RP. Surf here for links to other text-friendly sites.

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), London, UK. The largest organisation helping people with serious sight problems in the UK.

Brain Disorders & Disabilities

Asperger Syndrome Webring by Barbara L. Kirby. Asperger's Syndrome is the medical term for mild autism.

Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), Chicago, Illinois. ADDA's mission is to help people with ADD lead happier, more successful lives. The focus is mostly on adults and young adults, but parents of children with ADD are also welcome.

Autism Network International, Syracuse, New York. An autistic-run self-help and advocacy organization for autistic people.

Autism Resources, Syracuse, New York. Information on autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Epilepsy Circle of Support Web Ring by Ted Bergeron.

Family Village, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. For individuals and families of children with cognitive and other disabilities.

4MyChild, Birmingham , Michigan. Support, Help & Resources for parents of children with Cerebral Palsy. Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorders, and Deafness from the National Technical Institute on Deafness at Rochester Institute of Technology (NTID/RIT), Rochester, New York. Information about the identification, nature, accommodation, and remediation of learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders in deaf children and adults. Resources for parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, researchers, and deaf individuals with LD or ADD.

LD Resources, New Preston, Connecticut. Learning Disabilities information and useful links.

National Council for the Jewish Disabled (NCJD), New York, New York. Helping to bring developmentally disabled and hearing impaired Jewish youth in the U.S. and Canada into the mainstream of Jewish life.

Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants & Accessories A-M

Advanced Bionics Corporation, Sylmar, California. Mfrs. of Clarion cochlear implants. TTY: 800-678-3575. Other offices in Valencia, California as well as one each in Columbia and France.

Buyer's Haven, Saint Paul, Minnesota. Hearing aid batteries, assistive devices for hard of hearing people, BTE hearing aid repair tools and supplies, hearing aid accessories and repair services. Product prices include shipping and in most cases are discounted off the manufacturer's suggested retail prices.

Cirrus Healthcare Products LLC., Cold Spring Harbor, New York. Custom hearing protection. EarPlanes protect from discomfort while flying; Aquaears and EarGuards keep water out while swimming; EarFilters protect from excessive noise; Naustrips prevent motion sickness.

Cochlear Corporation, Lane Cove New South Wales, Australia. Mfr. of Nucleus cochlear implants, founded by the inventor of cochlear implants. U.S. offices in Englewood, Colorado. TTY/V: 800-458-4999. Other offices located in numerous cities around the world.

Cochlear Implants, medical information from The Voice Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia.

Earhelp.com, Dulles, Virginia. Audiological resources for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Earmold Design, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota. Custom earmolds, custom ear plugs and accessories. Earbands, neoprene "Ear Band-It" keeps water out of ears while swimming.

Ear Technology Corporation, Johnson City, Tennessee. Dry & Store, best hearing aid dehumidifier on the market.

Brad Ingrao's Electronic Deaf Education Network (EDEN), Framingham, Massachusetts. Information about hearing disorders, various education methods for Deaf children, hearing aids, and other information.

Everett Assistive Resources Co., mfr. of WhistleSTOP telephone adaptors that prevent feedback when using telephone and hearing aids without T-coil. The devices are available in square and round shapes and snap onto the telephone handset, no batteries required.

P.O. Box 3353
Everett, WA 98203
Voice: 800-669-7371 or 206-353-5680

EZears, Liberal, Kansas. Hearing aids, batteries and assistive listening equipment.

Hearing Aid Telephone Interconnect Systems (HATIS), Walnut Creek, California. HATIS systems work with telecoil-equipped hearing aids to provide improved understanding of telephone conversations for hard of hearing people.

Hear USA, Inc., St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Hearing aids, batteries, assistive listening aids and hearing care accessories.

Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants & Accessories N-Z

National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Position Paper: Cochlear Implants.

Oticon Inc., Denmark. Hearing aid manufacturer, U.S. offices in Somerset, New Jersey.

Petroff Audio Technologies, Palmdale, California. Developer of the DTM line of tinnitus maskers for home use.

Phonak AG, Staefa, Switzerland. Digital hearing aids and FM amplification systems. U.S. offices in Warrenville, Illinois.

Phonic Ear, Inc., Petaluma, California. Personal FM, sound field and commercial listening systems for deaf and hard of hearing people.

PowerPalace by Etheridge Incorporated, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Hearing aid batteries and hearing aid tubes and accessories, alarm clock with flasher.

Shure Inc., Evanston, Illinois. PSM Personal Monitors - in-ear sound monitor systems for musicians; protect musicians from loud sounds that can damage hearing.

Siemens AG, Munich, Germany. U.S. headquarters in Piscataway, New Jersey. Mfr. of digital and analog hearing aids, assistive listening equipment, and audiological software and accessories.

Solar-Powered Hearing Aid (Article), developed by the Camphill Community Trust Botswana and Botswana Technology Centre, Gaborone, Botswana, Africa.

Sound & Fury: Cochlear Implants. 2001 Academy Award nominated movie about a family of Deaf and hearing people split by the debate on cochlear implants.

Westone Laboratories Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado. Designer and manufacturer of custom earmolds for hearing aids, hearing protection, etc. Other offices in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Renton, Washington.

Widex Hearing Aid Company Inc., Long Island City, New York. Hearing aid manufacturer.

Medical

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA.), Rockville, Maryland. Medical information about hearing and speech disorders.

Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Elmira, New York. Fact sheet on Newborn Hearing Screening.

Boys Town Hereditary Hearing Impairment Resource Registry (HHIRR), Boys Town, Nebraska. Research and information on hereditary causes of hearing loss and congenital hearing disorders.

Canadian Hearing Society, Toronto, Ontario. Providing services that enhance the independence of deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people, and encourage prevention of hearing loss.

Commonwealth Society for the Deaf, London, UK. Also known as Soundseekers; a registered charity which raises funds in Britain to assist Deaf people in developing countries.

The Deafness and Family Communication Center (DFCC), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Providing clinical services for children and adolescents who are deaf or hard of hearing, and training and research addressing the impact of hearing loss on the mental health and well-being of the child, adolescent and family.

Hearing Concern, London, UK. An advocacy group for deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK and British Isles. A service of the British Association of the Hard of Hearing.

Information about Deafness from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center's Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Biocommunication and Kresge Laboratory of the South, New Orleans, Louisiana.

National Cued Speech Association (NCSA), Rochester, New York. NCSA regards Cued Speech as the most desirable vehicle for a severe-to-profoundly hearing-impaired child for acquisition of a verbal language and for clear communication in that language. Use of Cued Speech does not preclude the use of a sign language and many Deaf children become bilingual by using both.

Promoting Awareness in Healthcare, Medical and Deaf (PAH, MD), University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York. Meeting some of the unique needs of medical students and deaf and hard of hearing individuals in their local communities.

Resources for Improving Health Care to Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, Easton, Maryland. A joint project of Gallaudet University, Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care, and Health Care Financing Administration for professionals, students, and consumers. An article from American Medical News explains the project.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Other Infant Death (SIDS/OID), Ledyard, Connecticut. Information and support.

Tinnitus & Hyperacusis, London, UK. Links to information about tinnitus and hyperacusis.

Tinnitus FAQ. Frequently asked questions from the newsgroup alt.support.tinnitus.

Understanding Your Audiogram By Dr. Allan S. Mehr, FAAA. (American Academy of Audiology), Salem, Oregon.

The Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA), Portland, Oregon. A nonprofit organization providing information and support to people with inner-ear balance disorders such as Meniere's disease, BPPV, and labyrinthitis.

Education

California Department of Education, Clearinghouse for Specialized Media & Technology (CSMT), Sacramento, California.

Classroom Acoustics, Saugerties, New York. Dedicated to providing essential information for those concerned about meeting the anticipated higher standards for acoustically designed classrooms.

EASI - Equal Access to Software & Information, located at Rochester Institute of Technology, New York. (An Affiliate of the American Association for Higher Education.) EASI's mission is to serve as a resource to the education community by providing information and guidance in the area of access-to-information technologies by individuals with disabilities.

Family to Family Network, Grand Forks, North Dakota. People helping families of children with disabilities of all types with local educational issues, having meetings, and providing social contacts with people who understand what parents are going through.

The National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP), Newton, Massachusetts, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, promotes the effective use of technology to enhance educational outcomes for students (preschool to grade 12) with sensory, cognitive, physical, and social/emotional disabilities.

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER), Minneapolis, Minnesota. A nonprofit organized coalition of families helping families of children and adults with disabilities through local, state, regional, and national projects.

Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEPNet), Northridge, California. A consortium of four regional centers to assist postsecondary institutions across the nation to attract and effectively serve individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Project DO-IT at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Increasing participation of disabled people in science, engineering and mathematics academic programs and careers.

Special Education Resources from About.com.

Teach Me Language, Langley, British Columbia, Canada. A language manual for for parents and educators of children with autism, Asperger's syndrome and related developmental disorders.

Transparent Language, Hollis, New Hampshire. English Now (for Mac or Windows) is a language tutor and includes grammar, stories, skill-building games, and grammar-pro quizzes. The price is reasonable: $89.95. It is an excellent tool for deaf students because it has fascinating visual aids, including captions. Also available in several major languages for foreign language learning.

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC. TTY: 202-205-8198. Provides assistance to states for educating children with disabilities, and for adults seeking rehabilitation services.

Legal & Employment A-E

Accommodating Workers with Visual and Hearing Disabilities by the Program on Employment and Disability @ Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Technical Assistance Program, McLean, Virginia. information, materials, technical assistance, and training on the ADA. Ten regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) work with businesses in their region to facilitate voluntary and effective compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). TTY/V: 800-949-4232 - this number automatically routes callers to the regional center nearest their calling area. You may also visit individual regional websites for local information resources and services.

Region 1 (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) New England DBTAC at the Adaptive Environments Center, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts. TTY/V: 617-695-0085.
Region 2 (NJ, NY, PR, VI) Northeast DBTAC at Cornell University's Training & Management Division, Ithaca, New York. TTY: 607-255-2891.
Region 3 (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV) Mid-Atlantic DBTAC at TransCen, Inc., Rockville, Maryland. TTY/V: 301-217-0124.
Region 4 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN) Southeast DBTAC at UCP National Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia. TTY/V: 404-385-0636.
Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) Great Lakes DBTAC at University of Illinois/Chicago, Department on Disability & Human Development, Chicago, Illinois. TTY/V: 312-413-1407.
Region 6 (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX) Southwest DBTAC at Independent Living Research Utilization, Houston, Texas. TTY/V: 713-520-0232.
Region 7 (IA, KS, MO, NE) Great Plains DBTAC at the ADA Project, University of Missouri/Columbia, Columbia, Missouri. TTY/V: 573-882-3600.
Region 8 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY) Rocky Mountain DBTAC at Meeting the Challenge, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado. TTY/V: 719-444-0268.
Region 9 (AZ, CA, HI, NV, Pacific Basin) Pacific DBTAC at the California Public Health Institute, Berkeley, California. TTY: 510-848-1840.
Region 10 (AK, ID, OR, WA) Northwest DBTAC at Northwest ADA/IT Center, Portland, Oregon. TTY: 503-418-0296.

Audiology Awareness Campaign: How Do We Read an Audiogram?

Breaking New Ground, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Information and resources on rehabilitation technology for people living in agricultural and rural communities..

The Center For Human Policy, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. Policy, research, and advocacy on the rights of people with disabilities.

Disability Advocacy Clinic (DAC), Albuquerque, New Mexico. Non-attorney representatives in SSI and Social Security disability cases. DAC provides services to individuals denied Social Security/SSI disability benefits from initial applications through the Appeals Council. Website has articles and links.

DisAbility.gov, Washington, DC. One-stop online access to resources, services, and information available throughout the Federal government for people with disabilities.

EDLAW Inc., Seattle, Washington. Education law text references.

Effective Communication for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Providing a Sign Language Interpreter under the ADA by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), Morgantown, West Virginia.

Legal & Employment F-Z

Financial Planning by Richard W. Fee, Ph.D. A four-part series to give families the knowledge and the tools they need to plan for the future of a child with a disability, regardless of the child's age or disability.

Global Applied Disability Research and Information Network on Employment and Training (GLADNET), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Seeks to identify and disseminate practical and cost-effective solutions to the problems faced by governments, employers and workers' organizations concerning ways to effectively integrate persons with disabilities into the mainstream of working life.

Job Accommodations Network, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. Employer consulting service providing information about Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA): job accommodations, the ADA, and employability of people with disabilities.

Legal Rights: The Guide for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People by Marc Charmatz, Sarah Geer, Mary Vargas, Kelby Nathan Brick, and Karen Peltz Strauss. 5th Revised Edition. National Association of the Deaf. ISBN 1-56368-091-2, 6 x 9 softcover, 264 pages, illus., references, index. ($24.95)

Mainstream, Inc., Takoma Park, Maryland. A national, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Mainstream provides specialized services and acts as a bridge that links people with disabilities, employers, and service providers.

National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Position Statement on Communication Access by Law Enforcement Personnel with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals.

Presidential Task Force On Employment of Adults With Disabilities, Washington DC. A U.S. federal agency with information about employing individuals with disabilities.

Silent Justice: Court Experiences of People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (1997), is a video produced by The American Judicature Society, Chicago, Illinois. Interviews of people with varying levels of hearing loss who have had frustrating experiences in the courts. Hosted by nationally known deaf comedienne Kathy Buckley, it describes what courts can do to ensure that people who are deaf or hard of hearing can participate fully in the court process. [#793 $25]

The Strange World Created by the Supreme Court, by Bonnie Poitras Tucker, J.D., Professor of Law, Arizona State University College of Law. Discusses the inadvertent negative effect of Supreme Court rulings on Deaf and hard of hearing people who have successfully mainstreamed into hearing society.

Untangling the Web: Where Can I Go to Get Disability Information?, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. Information on disability, rehabilitation, relevant employment regulations, and education.

Psychology & Recovery

The ASAR.M Welcome Center, Haarlem, New Hampshire. Website for newsgroup alt.sexual.abuse.recovery.m.

The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis.

Allies in Healing: When the Person You Love Was Sexually Abused As a Child, a Support Book, by Laura Davis.

National Organization on Male Sexual Victimization, Washington, DC. A resource for men who have experienced sexual abuse.

Minnesota Chemical Dependency Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Established in 1989 as a model treatment program for deaf and hard of hearing people with chemical dependency, almost closed in 1996 due to budget cuts, but survived to serve its 500th client. Patients from 43 states and four Canadian provinces have participated in chemical dependency treatment. Of those clients, the majority have been deaf (88%) with the remaining 12 percent of the clients being hard of hearing. Many of the program staff are Deaf, with a portion of these also in recovery. Clinical staff have worked with clients from age 16 to 74, from diverse ethnic backgrounds. For more information, call TTY/Voice: 800-282-3323 or 612-672-4457, or send e-mail to: deafhoh1@fairview.org.

Sexual Abuse Recovery - links to support sites for survivors of sexual abuse. (English/French)

Survivors of the System: Foster Children United, Seattle, Washington. A collaborative effort of two former foster children. Information and resources.

TygerWolf Crew Den - resources for sexual abuse survivors with MPD/DID.

Nonspecific Disability A-H

Abilityonline UK, Wirral, Merseyside, UK. Disability information, news & opinions.

Access-Able Travel Service, Wheatridge, Colorado. Information on travel with disabilities, mature travel, disabled magazines, access guides, accessible transportation, wheelchair travel, scooter rental, handicapped travel forums, accessible transportation, etc. A TTY and Relay Page contains TTY and voice telephone numbers for hotels & motels, transportation services and U.S. states.

The Center for An Accessible Society, San Diego, California. National organization designed to focus public attention on disability and independent living issues by disseminating information on independent living issues.

Concrete Change: Join the Campaign on Visitability, Decatur, Georgia. An international effort to make all homes visitable by requiring principles of accessible design in home building codes.

Julio G. Ciamarra's Internet Resources for Special Children (IRSC), North Bend, Ohio. Communicating information on a global basis to parents, family members, caregivers, friends, educators and medical professionals about the needs of children with disabilities.

CODI - Cornucopia of Disability Information @ SUNY Buffalo, New York. TTY/V: 800-628-2281 or 716-829-3141.

Norman De Forest's Handicapped Tips, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. A mixed bag of stuff, something for everyone.

Disability Advocacy Work With Networking (DAWWN), Los Angeles, California. Disability resources.

Disability Statistics Center at UC San Francisco. A national center of research and training in disability statistics. Report abstracts can be read online. TTY: 415-502-5205.

Disabled Businesspersons Association (DBA), San Diego, California. Dedicated to assisting enterprising individuals with disabilities maximize their potential in the business world, and work with vocational rehabilitation, government and business to encourage the participation and enhance the performance of disabled people in the workforce.

ENABLEnet, Disabled People's Association, Singapore. Disability-related links.

Nonspecific Disability I-Q

Independent Living Centre, Shenton Park, Western Australia.

The Institute on Disability, a university affiliated program at the University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire. Promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities into their communities.

Japanese Society for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, Japan. Online captions for Japanese TV programs, requires browser that can read Japanese Kanji characters. Support organization for people with disabilities in Japan.

Jim Lubin's disABILITY Information & Resources, Kenmore, Washington. Variety of disability links.

Home Modifications, from the Rural Institute On Disabilities at University of Montana, Missoula, Montana. Information on modifying an existing home for accessibility. Main focus is physical modifications for wheelchair users and the elderly, but resource lists include mfrs. of equipment for a variety of needs, including flashing signal systems and alternative means of communication. TTY/V: 406-243-5676.

National Home Of Your Own Alliance, A Technical Assistance Center at the University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire. A cooperative effort between the Federal government and nationally recognized advocates and leaders whose goal is to create housing and support opportunities that people choose and control.

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), Silver Spring, Maryland. A library and information center on disability and rehabilitation. You can search their databases at the Instant Disability Information Center.

Queensland Advocacy Inc. (QAI), Brisbane, Australia. An advocacy organization promoting, protecting and defending the fundamental needs, rights and lives of people with disabilities in Queensland.

Quota International Inc., Washington, DC. An international organization promoting service and friendship. Committed to assisting disadvantaged women and children and increasing public awareness of issues facing deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired people. TTY/V: 202-331-9694.

Nonspecific Disability R-Z

Rehabilitation Research & Training Center for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, University of Arkansas, Little Rock. TTY/V: 501-686-9691

Through the Looking Glass, Berkeley, California. A research, advocacy, and service organization for families in which a parent or child has a disability or medical condition.

United People With Dis-abilities, Palmetto, Florida. Umbrella group for people with disabilities.

The U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB), Washington, DC. The only independent federal agency whose primary mission is accessibility for people with disabilities. TTY: 800-993-2822 or 202-272-5449.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Disability programs & services, Washington, DC. TTY: 202-708-1455.

The U.S. National Council on Disability, Washington, DC. An independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting Americans with disabilities. The NCD is composed of 15 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. TTY: 202-272-2074.

The U.S. National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), Washington, DC. Quietly seeking improved systems, products, and practices in the rehabilitation process by means of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements with universities, Indian tribes, research groups, nonprofit organizations, some for-profit companies, and individuals. TTY: 202-205-4475.

Web Rugby, Paramatta New South Wales, Australia. International home of Quad Rugby. A cross between rugby and basketball played in wheelchairs.

We Magazine, New York, New York. Disability news and information.

World Association of Persons with Disabilities (WAPD), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Working to break down cultural, social and economic barriers for disabled people.

World Institute On Disability (WID), Oakland, California. A non-profit public policy center dedicated to the promotion of independence and full inclusion in society of people with disabilities. TTY: 510-208-9496.

Computers A-F

Accessible Web Page Design - assorted links.

ALVA Access Group, Inc., Oakland California. Speech products for the blind including inLARGE for Macintosh, outSPOKEN for Macintosh and Windows, and Braille displays. Division of Alva BV, Arnhem, the Netherlands.

American Council for the Blind (ACB) Radio, Washington, DC. Use Windows Media Player, Winamp or RealPlayer to listen to the news.

Apple Computer Disability Solutions. Links to information about accessibility features of Macintosh computers.

Artic Technologies, Troy, Michigan. Developer of Speech Synthesizers, Braille & QWERTY Note Talker Devices, DOS & Windows Screen Readers for Blindness & Magnifiers for Low Vision. Artic has speech packages for most IBM and compatible desktop and laptop computers.

The Association of Access Engineering Specialists (AAES) is dedicated to the development of Access Engineering. Members come from many backgrounds but all share a common goal of advancing the technology and effective implementation of disability access solutions in today's technology. The AAES purpose and mission is to initiate, foster and promote an on-going dialogue between the disability community and industry.

Bavisoft, Dewitt, New York. Software for blind and visually impaired people. Grizzly Gulch Western Extravaganza^tm, a sound-based game set in the old West.

Deaf & Disability-Related Chat and Mailing Lists

Dolphin Computer Access, Worcester, UK. Hal screenreader. Hardware and software for blind people.

Dvorak Keyboard Information. Dvorak keyboards were developed to reduce strain on the hands and wrists and are helpful for avoiding symptoms of repetitive stress.

Freedom Scientific, St. Petersburg, Florida. JAWS screenreader and other products and services for blind and low vision people.

Computers G-M

Gallaudet University Technology Assessment Program (TAP), Washington, DC. Links to useful technology sites for deaf/deaf-blind people. Includes the answer to the question "Can I use a regular computer modem to call a TTY?" and "TTYs and TTY Compatibility," a discussion of text telephones and various applications for communicating with them.

IBM ViaVoice, White Plains, New York. Computer Software for Speech Recognition. TTY: 800-426-3383.

Intelligent Products Co., Framingham, Massachusetts. SoftTTY^tm - software developed by Adam Skwersky, a Deaf programmer, which enables Macintosh computer users to communicate with TTYs.

Links to Speech Recognition Resources - Stephen J. Opalka, Portage, MI.

Microflip, Inc., Glenn Dale, Maryland. Manufacturer of TTY modems and TTY Software for DOS, Windows 3.x/9x/NT since 1990. Modem designer is Deaf. WinTalk Software features include Cut & Paste, Answering Machine, Transfer Call, Rolodex, Touch Tone Pad to access Voice/TDD mail, 4 Phone Directories, Send edited note to caller via TTY to save typing, Folders to organize all your messages, and Customized Auto Memo for morning, afternoon and evening messages.

Microsoft's Accessibility and Disabilities Web site features Active Accessibility, a Windows-based technology add-on from Microsoft that will make it easier for people with disabilities to use personal computers. Active Accessibility will also make it easier for software developers to create products of their own that are more compatible with other software. Covers Windows 98, 2000, Millenium, XP, Internet Explorer 5+, and various office and other applications contemporary with these versions of Windows.

Microsoft: AccessDOS. AccessDOS was developed by the Trace R&D Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with support from IBM and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. It contains features that make the MS-DOS operating system more accessible for those with motion and hearing-related disabilities and is compatible with most systems running MS-DOS 3.3 or higher. The AccessDOS software and explanatory information have been archived locally.

Microsoft: Customizing Windows for Individuals with Disabilities. Information on how to access or implement accessibility features for Windows 3.0, 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.1, 3.11, NT Server versions 3.1, 3.5, 3.51, 4.0, NT Workstation versions 3.1, 3.5, 3.51, 4.0, and NT Advanced Server. Includes links to any accessory files needed to make these changes. The accessory files and explanatory information have been archived locally.

MyTTY, Windows-compatible software for communicating with text telephone users or other Baudot-compatible services. Developed by IDRT, Silver Spring, Maryland. (Requires a voice modem.)

Computers N-Z

Net-Tamer, Satellite Beach, Florida. A DOS PPP-TCP/IP dial up access program which requires no TSR packet driver. The program supports NNTP (Usenet), FTP, POP3 & SMTP (EMAIL), HTTP (WWW), TELNET, DAYTIME, QUOTE OF THE DAY, FINGER, PING, TIME, and other protocols. Features includes an offline reader for email and usenet. The program is speech and braille friendly for visually impaired users, but there are optional inline WWW graphics and sound for the 386 and higher version. There are versions for almost any PC compatible that is not at least a 386 including older PC's, the POQET palm top, and the HP100/200 or OG700.

NXi Communications Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah. Sells ASCII/Baudot high-speed modems with their own brand of software.

Opera, Oslo, Norway. Web browser can be run without a mouse, runs fast even on slow PCs, supports the latest HTML, CSS, clientside imagemap, tables, forms, user friendly for disabled people, available in English, German, Norwegian, Castilian & Mexican Spanish, Swedish and more. (Win3.x/32S/95/NT/Linux/BeOS/OS/2 - not all language versions available for all OS) Versions also available for pocket computers. (Shareware)

Phone TTY, Parsippany New Jersey. Telecommunications products for Deaf and hard of hearing people. Authorized vendor for Futura TTY software. TTY: 973�299�6626.

Premier Programming, Dewitt, Michigan. ScanN'Read Light (Free) and Pro ($149.95), and other software for people with impaired vision.

QuickStar Fax Pro (QFAX), Bakersfield, California. A compact size, easy to use and fast FAX program. Because it is a command line fax program many blind users find it very easy to use. QFAX now has 4 separate parallel versions: DOS, Palmtop, Chinese, and Hebrew.

ScanSoft Inc., Peabody, Massachusetts. Dragon Dictate voice recognition system and other speech-recognition products.

Sorenson Vision Inc., Logan, Utah. EnVision Personal Videoconferencing System for the Deaf; desktop video solution which is designed to allow communication using American Sign Language (ASL) over standard analog telephone lines. A special version without audio has been developed. (Removing the audio preserves bandwidth for video.)

Trace Research & Development Center and ftp site for Disability-Related Shareware. Specializing in communication, electronic control mechanisms and computer access needs of disabled people, and technical solutions. Located at the Waisman Center and Dept. of Industrial Engineering, Univ. of Wisc-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. TTY: 608-263-5408.

[V.18] Recommendation V.18 Operational and interworking requirements for DCEs operating in the text telephone mode can be purchased online in the language and format of your choice from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva, Switzerland. The ITU is an international organization within which governments and the private sector coordinate global telecommunication networks and services.

V.18: New Modem Standard with TTY Capacity - from the Technology Assessment Program at Gallaudet University.

Technology - A

Access Mozilla, Fremont, California. Project to build an accessible web suite: browser, email, news, composer and chat that conforms to W3C accessibility standards.

Adco Hearing Products, Inc., Littleton, Colorado. TTYs, closed caption decoders, books, videos and sign language gifts. TTY/V: 800-726-0851 or 303-794-3928.

AllHeart.com, Woodland Hills, California. Medical scrubs and supplies; amplified stethoscopes appropriate for Deaf or hard of hearing people.

AT&T Relay Services. Corporate information about TTY relay from the company that pioneered the first national relay service. AT&T TTY Operator: 800-855-1155.

Ameriphone, Garden Grove, California. Assistive devices for Deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY: 800-772-2889.

Aspiro Mobile TextPhone Services, Sweden. Offering full-featured Mobile Text Messaging Service and Instant Mobile Internet Access. U.S. offices in San Francisco, California. [Formerly known as Telesta]

Athelstan, Houston, Texas. Specializing in technology and second language learning.

Audex, Longview, Texas. Assistive listening devices; T-Coil, Cochlear, and TTY Compatible Cellular Phone Systems (hearing aid use requires T-coil) The phones are 3rd party phones which have been modified by Audex. They can also modify Ultratec Compact TTYs to use plug-in wire adapters for direct-connect cell phone and landline TTY calls.

Audiological Engineering Corporation, Somerville, Massachusetts. Chorus Universal Receiver assistive listening device, tactile aids.

Auditech, Vicksburg, Mississippi. Assistive listening, alerting and communications products for Deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY/V: 800-229-8293.

Aura Systems Inc. has a product called the Interactor Cushion which might be of interest to deaf and hard of hearing people for media applications. According to the fact sheet: "The Interactor Cushion...has a new technology magnetic transducer that transmits vibrations in the 20-80 Hz. range directly to your body, completing the sound spectrum provided by your regular speakers or headphones." It can be plugged into any audio output: CDs, home computers, stereos, video games, TVs, VCRs, boom boxes, portable stereos. Built-in controls allow output to be fine-tuned and the unit comes with its own amplifier and adapters for a variety of systems. To add to your fun, now there's also the Interactor Vest which costs a bit less than the cushion. You can find these products sold by companies specializing in Virtual Reality equipment.

Australia National Relay Service, Stones Corner, Queensland, Australia.

Technology B-D

Bell Atlantic's Accessibility Products & Services.

bit.listserv.deaf-l FAQ - Assistive Technology, information on assistive technology used by deaf and hard of hearing people.

Jamie Berke's Closed Captioning Web on Line 21 captioning. (Canada/U.S.)

Professor Frank Bowe " Broadband and People with Disabilities." A discussion of the benefits that Digical Subscriber Line (DSL) service will provide for people with disabilities, particularly Deaf people. Includes links to useful resources for those interested in getting DSL service for their home or business.

CapiTel Communications, Springfield, Illinois. Sells refurbished TTYs (Ultratech.) For more information e-mail sales@capitel.net, or call toll-free TTY: 888-745-3689.

The Caption Center at WGBH, Boston, Massachusetts. Captioning services. TTY/V: 617-300-3600. Other offices in Burbank, California and New York City.

The Captioned Media Program, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Free loan of open-captioned videos, some computer CD's, and DVD's. TTY: 800-237-6819 or 864-585-2617.

Caption Max, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Closed captioning services. Viewer Information explains the captioning process, style guides and more. Other offices in Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, DC.

Cheetah Systems Inc., Sacramento, California. Captioning agency. Other office in Tucson, Arizona.

Consumers' Guide To Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) - a publication of the Federal Communications Commission�s Disabilities Rights Office (DRO), Washington, DC. TTY: 888-835-5322 or 202-418-2555.

Custom AllHear, Lynwood, Washington. Portable staging, choral and band risers, noise management tools, portable sound systems and classroom amplification systems.

Duartek, Inc.. Deaf-owned company selling TTYs, signaling devices and other assistive equipment for Deaf and hard of hearing people.

11150 Main St., Suite 105
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
TTY/V: 800-382-7835
TTY: 703-352-2286
Voice: 703-352-2285
Fax: 703-352-2287

Technology E-K

Emergency E-mail Network, Jacksonville, Florida. Free service passes weather and disaster alerts based upon zip code to registered users via e-mail. Used by many Deaf people with text pagers to stay alert to emergencies in their vicinity.

Gallaudet University Department of Television, Photography and Digital Media, Washington, DC. TTY: 202-567-7890.

General Technologies, Fair Oaks, California. Products for deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY/V: 800-328-6684 or 916-962-9225.

Gentex Corporation, . Strobe Photo-electric Smoke Detectors. 710 LS AC, plug-in US$196, 7109 LS AC, plug-in, includes battery backup for audible alarm only US$205. Available from assistive devices dealers.

Global Assistive Devices, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Assistive devices for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Guide To Dvd Subtitles and Captioning by Scott E. Johnston. Explanation of Closed Captions, Open Captions, Subtitles, and Intertitles.

The Hal4 FAQ, answers to frequently asked questions about Hal 4 Screenreader developed by Dolphin Computer Access.

Hamilton Telecommunications, Aurora, Nebraska. Telephone company and telecommunication relay provider for Nebraska and a few other states. Interstate TRS TTY: 800-833-5833, V: 800-833-7833, TTY/V Customer Service: 800-618-4781.

Harris Communications, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Deaf-owned company selling equipment and accessories for deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY: 800-825-9187 or 952-906-1198.

Hearing Aid Center (HAC) of America, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Hearing aids, TTYs, assistive listening devices and more for Deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY/V: 800-445-9968.

Hear More Products, Farmingdale, New York. Products for deaf and hard of hearing people. Deaf-operated. TTY/V: 800-881-4327.

HITEC Group International, Inc., Westmont, Illinois. Products for Deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY: 800-536-8890.

HumanWare Inc., Loomis, California. Information access and management hardware, software and support services for blind or visually impaired people.

Technology L-N

The Lexington Center Rehabilitation Engineering Resource Center (RERC) on Hearing Enhancement and Assistive Devices, Jackson Heights, Queens, New York. The only RERC in the United States that addresses the special needs of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. The RERC has been operating at Lexington School for over 15 years, and has contributed to the development of many innovations, including digital hearing aids, diagnostic instruments, alerting devices, and telecommunications technology. TTY/V: 718-350-3203.

Lifeline Amplification Systems, Platteville, Wisconsin. Mfrs. of sound field speaker systems for classrooms.

Lightspeed Technologies Inc., Lake Oswego, Oregon. Audio amplification systems and accessories for deaf and hard of hearing children and adults.

LS&S Group, Inc., Northbrook, Illinois. Products for visually impaired, blind, hard of hearing, and deaf people. TTY: 800-317-8533. Free catalog may be requested by sending name and address information to catalog@LSSonline.net

LS Systems, Rochester, New York. Deaf-owned company selling assistive devices and equipment for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Maryland Relay Service, Baltimore, Maryland. Customer Service TTY/V: 800-552-7724.

Massachusetts Assistive Technology Partnership at Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Administered by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, MATP works to increase access to assistive technology for people of all ages and all disabilities TTY: 617-355-7301.

MCI Global Relay and MCI IP Relay

Motion Media Technology Ltd., Horton, Bristol, UK. Desktop videophones used for communicating in sign language. U.S. offices in Wilmington, North Carolina.

MYCAP USA, Irvine, California. V: 800-692-2788, E-mail: mycapusa@aol.com. Manufacturers of MYCAP Junior decoder, the smallest set-top closed caption decoder in the world. It can display CC-1, CC-2, and Text-1, Text-2, and is compatible with current closed captioning technology. Requires a television or VCR with Audio/Video input jacks. Available from many assistive device sellers for around $100. Technical Support Voice: 310-763-1967.

National Captioning Institute Inc., Vienna, Virginia. Non-profit corporation which developed and continues to develop closed-captioned television service for the benefit of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. TTY/V: 703-917-7600. Other offices in Burbank, California and New York City.

Nationwide Flashing Systems (NFSS) Communications, Silver Spring, Maryland. Assistive devices and equipment for deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY/V: 888-589-6670.

Technology O-S

On A Roll with Greg Smith is a live weekly syndicated radio talk show on disability issues.

Oval Window Audio, Nederland, Colorado. Researches, develops and manufactures inductive loop systems and other assistive equipment for deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY/V: 303-447-3607.

Philips PR0925B 9" AC/DC Remote Color Portable has built-in closed caption capability and AC/DC power options. If you're looking for something to keep for emergencies, or if space is limited, this might do the job. Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $229.

Potomac Technology, Rockville, Maryland. Assistive devices and technology for deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY/V: 800-433-2838.

Gary Robson's Captioning FAQ for line 21 captioning (Used in Canada and the U.S.)

Sight Systems, Olympia Fields, Illinois. Electronic magnification rentals for the visually impaired.

Silent Call Communications Corporation, Clarkston Michigan. Mfr. of wireless signaling systems and assistive devices for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Sonic Alert, Troy, Michigan. Mfr. of wireless signaling systems and assistive devices for deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY/V: 248-577-5400.

Soundbytes, New York, New York. Assistive devices and equipment for deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY/V: 800-667-1777.

Speech Recognition Resources - Links.

Speech Systems for the Blind by Stephen Theberge, Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Sportaid, Loganville, Georgia. Wheelchairs and wheelchair accessories: titanium, lightweight, folding wheelchairs.

Sprint Relay Service - now providing Telecommunications Relay Services to over half the U.S. as well as the federal government. TTY Relay Customer Service: 800-676-3777.

Technology T-Z

Telesensory Systems, Sunnyvale, California. Personal Reading Systems and Computer Magnification Systems to enlarge text for people who are visually impaired, and Optical Character Recognition Equipment.

Telex Communications Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sound systems.

Ultratec Inc., Madison, WI. Mfrs. and sells TTY's, amplified telephones, assistive signalling devices and accessories. TTY/V: 800-482-2424 or 608-238-5400.

The U.S. Access Board's Market Monitoring Report on Accessible Telecommunications. Telecommunications providers and equipment manufacturers are required to make their equipment as accessible as possible. People who are interested in the actual track record can view progress at this website.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission Disability Rights Office. There is also a list of state TRS numbers with contact information.

U.S. Federal Relay Service, and the latest edition of the U.S. Government TDD/TTY Directory.

Universalink, Brookfield, Wisconsin. Assistive listening equipment and devices for deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY: 800-755-1553 or 414-790-1940.

Universal Security Instruments, Inc., Owings Mills, Maryland. V7300 and V7310 closed caption decoders, available from many accessible equipment sellers.

Vitac, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Closed captioning services. TTY: 724-514-4100. Other offices in Arlington, Virginia; Marietta, Georgia; and North Hollywood, California.

Walkeasy, Delray Beach, Florida. Crutches and walking aids for people with poor balance, weak muscles, or similar mobility problems.

WCI, Santa Monica, California. Assistive devices and technology for deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY/V: 800-233-9130. (Requires Javascript)

Williams Sound Corporation, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Assistive listening devices for deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY: 952-943-9675.

Wynd Communications, San Luis Obispo, California. Wyndtell Pagers for Deaf and hard of hearing people. TTY Sales: 800-549-2800, TTY Dealer Locator: 800-549-9600, TTY Customer Service: 800-501-0555.

Omer Zak's Deaf-L TTY FAQ.