Resources for Differently Abled People

Tava Health

Quick-Start Essentials (U.S.)

Know Your Rights:

ADA.gov - Official ADA Rights & Standards
- Access, employment, transportation, and public accommodations.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - Discrimination and Workplace Rights
- How to request accommodations; file workplace discrimination charges.
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) – Protection & Advocacy
- Find your state Protection & Advocacy (free legal advocacy for disabled people).

General Help:

211 Helpline
- Free 24/7 referrals to local disability, housing, food, transport, and mental health services.

Benefits & Finances:

Social Security Disability (SSDI/SSI)
- Eligibility, applications, and appeals for federal disability benefits.
ABLE National Resource Center
- Compare state ABLE accounts to save without losing benefits.
Ticket to Work
- Employment supports for SSDI/SSI beneficiaries.
Benefit Finder
- Online tool that helps individuals quickly identify federal and state benefit programs they may be eligible for, including disability support.
Food Stamps (SNAP)
- Provides monthly funds on an EBT card to help low-income individuals, including those with disabilities, buy groceries.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
- Free expert guidance on workplace accommodations & ADA.
ODEP - U.S. Dept. of Labor
- Policy and resources to increase disability employment.
State Vocational Rehabilitation
- Job coaching, training, assistive tech; find your state VR agency.
CareerOneStop
- U.S. Department of Labor resource offering job search tools, training programs, resume help, and information on accommodations for job seekers with disabilities.
Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN)
- Provides free resources and guidance to help employers recruit, hire, retain, and advance employees with disabilities.
What Can You Do?
- Public education campaign that promotes positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by challenging stereotypes.
U.S. AbilityOne Commission
- Manages the federal program that creates employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities through government contracts.

Office for Civil Rights – Section 504
- K‑12/college disability rights & complaint process.
IDEA
- Special education rights for children with disabilities (IEPs, evaluations, dispute options).

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- 24/7 call/text/chat 988 for emotional distress, substance use, suicidal crisis.
FindTreatment.gov (SAMHSA)
- Search mental health and substance use treatment providers.
Treatment Locators (SAMHSA)
- Helplines and locator tools (DDH, 988 info, etc.).
VA Disability Benefits
- Benefits and supports for U.S. veterans with disabilities.

HUD – Fair Housing & Reasonable Accommodations
- How to request housing modifications and file complaints.
Centers for Independent Living (via NCIL)
- Find local CILs for peer support, skills training, and advocacy.

National Council on Disability (NCD)
- Independent federal agency that advises the President, Congress, and federal agencies on disability policy to improve laws, programs, and services.
Administration for Community Living (ACL) - Protecting Rights & Preventing Abuse
- Supports community living for older adults and people with disabilities; funds programs that protect rights and prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Voter Accessibility Laws
- Federal protections (such as the ADA and Help America Vote Act) that ensure polling places, ballots, and election systems are accessible to voters with disabilities.

NADTC
- National Aging and Disability Transportation Center; find accessible transit options.
FTA ADA Guidance (Paratransit)
- Official ADA guidance for public transit & paratransit.

AT3 Center
- Directory of State Assistive Technology Programs & device loan libraries.
RESNA
- Find Assistive Technology Professionals; ethics & standards.
Apple Accessibility
- Built‑in accessibility features & support.
Google Accessibility
- Assistive features across Android/Chrome/Workspace.
Microsoft Disability Answer Desk
- Free tech support incl. ASL via video relay for Microsoft products.
Aira
- On‑demand visual interpreting service.
Be My Eyes
- Free app connecting blind/low‑vision people with volunteers and pros.

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
- Civil rights, advocacy, legal resources, ASL info.
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
- Find certified ASL interpreters.

National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
- Advocacy, training, scholarships, community.
AFB – VisionAware (APH ConnectCenter)
- Practical tips & directory of services for vision loss.
Hadley
- Free practical learning & peer groups for adults with vision loss.

United Spinal Association
- Peer support, advocacy, wheelchair skills & accessible travel.
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
- Paralysis Resource Center: info specialists, grants, support groups.
Amputee Coalition
- Peer support, prosthetics info, patient rights.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
- Self‑advocacy, policy, and inclusive guides by autistic people.
The Arc
- Advocacy and services for people with intellectual & developmental disabilities.

Move United
- Adaptive sports network & local clubs.
Special Olympics
- Year‑round sports & health programs for people with intellectual disabilities.

Family Caregiver Alliance
- Education, support groups, and state-by-state services.
ARCH National Respite Locator
- National Respite Locator & how to pay for respite.

WHO – Disability & Health
- Global facts, policy guidance, and disability data.
UN CRPD
- International treaty on disability rights & implementation resources.
UK: Scope
- UK disability helpline, benefits, work & education advice.
Accessible Canada
- Federal accessibility resources & legislation overview.
Australia: NDIS
- National Disability Insurance Scheme supports, eligibility, planning.