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.

College Preparedness

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 a 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.

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 with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with 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.

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.
  • 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. Education: Our primary purpose is to educate ourselves, our 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. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value. The NAD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by the generosity of individual and organizational donors, including corporations and foundations.

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 a self-help group, 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). 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.