National Organizations and Resources

The sites listed on this page are not created, maintained, or endorsed by the Fairfield County Board of MRDD.

ABLEDATA "A federally funded project whose primary mission is to provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the United States." http://www.abledata.com/

American Association on Mental Retardation "AAMR promotes global development and dissemination of progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities." http://www.aamr.org/

The Arc the United States The Arc (formerly Association for Retarded Citizens of the United States) is the country's largest voluntary organization committed to the welfare of all children and adults with mental retardation and their families. The Arc is a 501 ( c) (3) charitable non-profit organization supported by contributions from the general public. The Arc, with its rich history in advocacy and services, is comprised of individuals with mental retardation, family members, professionals in the field of disability and other concerned citizens. http://thearc.org

The Family Village of Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison "A global community that integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with mental retardation and other disabilities, for their families, and for those that provide them services and support. Includes informational resources on specific diagnoses, communication connections, adaptive products and technology, adaptive recreational activities, education, worship, health issues, disability-related media and literature, and much, much more!"
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/index.htmlx

The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) A nationally recognized medical rehabilitation facility for persons with disabilities. http://www.tirr.org/

Mainstream- Magazine of Able-Disabled "For 23 years, MAINSTREAM has been advocating for disability rights. Produced by, for and about people with disabilities, MAINSTREAM covers news & current affairs, new products & technology, profiles of movers & shakers, education, employment, sexuality & relationships, housing, transportation, travel & recreation." http://www.mainstream-mag.com/

National Benevolent Association "The National Benevolent Association will provide social and health services to meet the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of persons, in the loving and caring spirit of Christ." http://www.nbacares.org/

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities. NCD's overall purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature of severity of the disability; and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. http://www.ncd.gov/

The National Organization on Disability-NOD "Promotes the full and equal participation of America's 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. N.O.D. was founded in 1982 at the conclusion of the United Nations International Year of Disabled Persons. N.O.D. is the only national disability network organization concerned with all disabilities, all age groups and all disability issues." http://www.nod.org/

Rural Institute on Disabilities "The Montana University Affiliated Rural Institute on Disabilities is guided by values of independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families." "The Rural Institute is part of the national network of programs funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) committed to assisting in the provision of interdisciplinary training, research, service demonstration programs, leverage of funds, and information dissemination which increases and supports the independence, productivity, and inclusion into the community of persons with developmental disabilities." http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/

Special Olympics "Special Olympics is a nonprofit program of sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides year-round training and athletic competition for more than one million athletes in nearly 150 countries and all 50 states in the United States."http://www.specialolympics.org/

Social Security Administration On line http://www.ssa.gov/