By Tom E Mathless (from the Wheelchair Store at 1800wheelchair.com)

Statistics from the United States Census Bureau indicate that over 50 million Americans have some kind of disability. As this is a large part of the nation's population it is important that the rights of disabled individuals are protected. Discrimination against the disabled has been made illegal by acts of legislation and technologies have been developed to improve the lives of the disabled. There are several state, national, and international organizations that advocate on behalf of disabled individuals, whether physical or mental. Below is an informative resource guide to disabilities.

Resource Lists and Directories

• Department of Labor Resources: a compilation of sources on disabled individuals in the workforce.
• Recreational Resources: a list of sites about disability accessibility in recreation, arts, and leisure.
• Aging and Disability: a resource page for disabilities in the elderly.
• Cognitive Disability Resources: an informational page on mental disabilities.
• Learning Disability Resources: a list of sites for children and adults with learning disabilities.
• International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet: clearinghouse for online resources.
• Apparelyzed: spinal cord injury peer support.

National Disability Organizations

• American Association of People With Disabilities: the largest all-encompassing disability organization in the United States.
• The ARC: a voluntary organization that works for the welfare of the mentally disabled and their families.
• Disability Education Rights and Defense Fund: a policy center dedicated to protecting the civil rights of disabled Americans.
• Disabled American Veterans: an advocacy non-profit organizations for disabled war veterans.
• National Organization on Disability: this organization works for the full and equal participation of the 54 million disabled Americans.

International Disability Organizations

• International Disability Alliance: promotes the UN convention in the advocacy of the disabled world-wide.
• World Institute on Disability: an international policy organization that researches disability issues around the world.
• TASH: an international institute for the advocacy of disabled individuals and their families.
• Disabilities Studies Quarterly: an international, scholarly journal devoted to the research and advocacy of disability issues.
• The Institute of Human Centered Design: a global community that works towards the adoption of international standards for equal participation of the disabled in all aspects of life.

Assistive Technology

• Glossary: a list of definitions to key terms in assistive technology for families of the disabled.
• Wheelchair Buying Guide - Some ideas about what to think about when purchasing a wheelchair.
• Financing Assistive Technology: a handbook on making assistive technologies affordable.
• Assistive Technology Industry Association: an organization dedicated to creating the best tools and technologies for the disabled.
• Assistive Technology: information including specific technologies and activities to improve the lives of disabled individuals.

Disability Legislation

• A Guide to Disabilities Rights Laws: the Justice Department's overview of 10 of the nation's disability regulations.
• Americans with Disabilities Act: a copy of the 1990 legislation that ensured certain civil rights for the disabled.

Federal Agencies

• National Council on Disability: an independent agency of the federal government that works with policies and programs that create equal opportunities for the disabled.
• ADA: as an agency of the Justice Department, the ADA works on behalf of disabled Americans.
• Equal Opportunity Employment Commission: an agency that works to eliminate discrimination in the workforce based on factors such as age, race, gender, and disability.
• Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services: an agency of the Department of Education that improves the lives of disabled individuals.

Parenting Information and Support

• Parenting a Child with Special Needs: advice for parenting and understanding disabled children.
• Special Needs Children: a resource page of parenting advocacy article for special needs children.
• Parenting Children with Learning Disabilities: tips to benefit the education of students with learning disabilities.
• The Father's Role: specific parenting tips for fathers of disabled children.

This article was reprinted with permission from 1800wheelchair. The original article is here: Disability Resources. 1800wheelchair's mission is to bring high quaility wheelchairs, walkers and scooters (like the Luggie) at great prices.