Community Resources

Alternative Format Textbooks

  • Bookshare®
    Bookshare® is free for all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities, thanks to an award from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). A searchable online library, Bookshare offers approximately 125,000 digital books, textbooks, teacher-recommended reading, periodicals and assistive technology
  • Learning Ally
    Records books into alternate formats for people who are blind, visually impaired, or dyslexic.

Assistive Technology

  • Able Data
    Provides objective information about assistive technology products and rehabilitative equipment.
  • Ability Hub
    Provides information for people who find operating a computer difficult or impossible. This site directs users to adaptive equipment vendors and more.
  • Alliance for Technology Access (ATA)
    The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is the national network of community-based resource centers, developers, vendors, and associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies. Includes information for students transitioning to postsecondary education.

ATTENDANT CARE SERVICES

  • Personal Attendant
    Tips for Choosing a Personal Attendant. The DARS link above contains link(s) to assist stakeholders to develop resources for attendant care. DARS does not endorse and is not affiliated with these links.
  • Community Attendant Services
    Community Attendant Services (CAS) is a non-technical, non-skilled service providing in-home attendant services to people who need help with personal care tasks. CAS is available to eligible adults and children whose health problems cause them to be functionally limited in performing activities of daily living.
  • Attendant Care Services
    The University of Houston operates one of a few personal care assistance programs nationwide at an institution of higher learning that is specifically structured to help physically-challenged students achieve their dream of a college education. Attendant Care Services (ACS) assists physically-challenged students with activities of daily living so they can live on campus independently while working toward their academic goals.

College Preparedness

  • Resource Guide on Higher Education for People with Disabilities - Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
    Includes information on college financial aid, testing and study skills, employment, and individual colleges and universities.
  • FirstGenerationStudent.com
    FirstGenerationStudent.com is one of the top resources for first generation college students online. Our content features writers from highly respected groups such as College Board and FinAid.org, and our popular blog offers insights from university presidents, founders of education non-profits, and first generation students themselves.
  • BestColleges.com
    Prospective students with disabilities will find that many campuses are equipped with offices and services that address accessibility, accommodation, and assistive technology.

Education

  • Easter Seals Greater Houston
    Easter Seals Greater Houston is committed to being a lifelong partner for individuals of all ages with all types of disabilities and their families. ESGH offers a full range of services ranging from infancy to adulthood, including programs for their families.
  • Family Village/Waisman Center
    The Family Village is a web site for children and adults who have disabilities, their families, and their friends and allies. Family Village brings together thousands of online resources in an organized, easy-to-use directory. The centerpiece of Family Village is the library, where visitors can find information on over 300 diagnoses. Visitors can also learn about assistive technology, legal rights and legislation, special education, leisure activities and much more.
  • Going to College
    A training module with activities, resources and information to help students who have disabilities to prepare to go to college.
  • Heath Resource Center at the National Youth Transitions Center
    The HEATH Resource Center is an online clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals who have disabilities.
  • Houston Center for Independent Living
    We are a community based, non-profit, independent living advocacy organization created by and for people with disabilities.

Employment

  • Bender Consulting Services, Inc.
    Bender Consulting Services finds employment for people who have disabilities.
  • Campaign for Disability Employment
    Collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers, and others, to recognize the value and talent that people who have disabilities bring to the workplace. Public service announcements can be viewed from the web site where contest winner videos and other useful resources can also be found.
  • Job Accommodation Network
    The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people who have disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people who have disabilities add to the workplace.
  • washington.edu careers
    Successful work experiences and career preparation activities increase a student's chances of obtaining employment upon completion of an academic program. AccessCAREERS provides information and resources and shares promising practices for the purpose of increasing access to careers for individuals who have disabilities. Much of the content is duplicated in other publications, training materials, and web pages published by DO-IT.

  • DARS and Career services
    The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program helps people who have physical or mental disabilities prepare for, find or keep employment. Gaining skills needed for a career, learning how to prepare for a job interview or getting the accommodations needed to stay employed are just a few of the ways this program helps people with disabilities increase productivity and independence.
  • Career and Recovery Resources
    Career and Recovery Resources, Inc. is a non-profit, United Way agency established in 1945. Our mission is to help people identify and overcome barriers to employment.

Financial Help / Other

  • National PASS Network
    Assists people who have disabilities to access Social Security disability benefits and to use the program to fund vocational and educational opportunities through the program's work incentive programs.
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid
    Federal Student Aid is responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs provide grants, loans, and work-study funds to students attending college or career school.
  • Student Business Services
    (Office of Student Business Services, also known as the Bursar's Office, is responsible for the billing of tuition and fees for admitted students. This involves creating payment plans to help student get their accounts paid off as well as actually sending the bills. This office is not involved in the financial aid process (which is handled by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid).
  • Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
    The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid provides financial assistance to students through grants, loans, scholarships, and employment.
  • Social Security Online
    Federal web site for obtaining information about Social Security benefits, including disability and Medicare. On-line benefit applications are available.
  • Texas Health and Human Services Commission
    The mission of HHSC is to maintain and improve the health and human services system in Texas and to administer its programs in accordance with the highest standards of customer service and accountability for the effective use of funds.

Hearing Impairment

  • Starkey Hearing Foundation
    Provides hearing aid assistance to low income individuals.
  • Hearing Loss Association of America
    The Mission of HLAA is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy. Their primary purpose is to educate families, friends, coworkers, teachers, hearing health care providers, industry, government, and others about hearing loss.
  • National Association for the Deaf
    The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation's premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.
  • Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
    The office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) works in partnership with people who are deaf or hard of hearing to eliminate societal and communication barriers to improve equal access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Texas Education Agency
    Services to Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH).

Health Impairments

Learning Disabilities

Legal

  • American Association of People with Disabilities
    The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation's largest disability rights organization. We promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Our members, including people with disabilities and our family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change.
  • Disability Rights Texas
    Disability Rights Texas exists to help people break through barriers to achieve their personal goals and dreams.

Mental Health

  • American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse
    Provides information on starting self-help groups, as well as links to existing support groups.
  • Attention Deficit Disorder Association Southern Region
    Provides information to assist parents, teachers, professors, and adults who have ADHD, and links to conferences and support groups.
  • Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
    CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the nation's leading non-profit organization serving individuals with AD/HD and their families. CHADD has over 16,000 members in 200 local chapters throughout the U.S. Chapters offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
    Provides information on a wide range of mental health topics, suicide prevention information, and mental health-related links.
  • Texas Health and Human Services Commission
    Has oversight for designated HHS agencies, such as the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DARS), the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). The Web site contains information about the Texas Medicaid Program.
  • Tourette Syndrome Association of Texas
    Provides information about Tourette syndrome and links to local support groups.
  • NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
    NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.

Scholarships

Veterans

  • TexVet
    Resources for veterans, active duty military, families, and community.

Visual Impairment

  • American Foundation for the Blind
    Provides information and resources for living with blindness for family, friends, professionals, and employers.
  • National Federation for the Blind
    The NFB improves people who are blind through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. They are the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation’s blind.