AL-APSE, The Network on Employment

Links: Alabama Disabilities

Agencies and Organizations

• Nick's Crusade 2003   - A campaign to change the fact that, after age 21, Alabama and many other states do not have a program to adequately care for people with disabilities. Site includes an introduction to the issues, a letter-writing campaign, publicity, links, news, and a countdown clock to the moment Nick's home care ends.

• Achievement Center - Easter Seal of East Central Alabama - Provides vocational development and extended employment programs for physically, mentally, and developmentally disabled individuals. Serving Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa counties.
• ADRS Early Intervention Rehabilitation Services - Supports and services for Alabama families who have children younger than the age of 3 with special needs and/or developmental delays. Description of services and contact information.
• Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, and Arkansas Respite Programs - Phone numbers of respite providers.
• Alabama Association for Persons in Supported Employment (AL-APSE) - Education, technical assistance and training, advocacy and support for people with disabilities, family members, employers, and employment specialists. Calendar, message board, newsletter, and links.
• Alabama Association of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities - Statewide association of local public agencies (MR 310 Boards) responsible for planning, needs assessment, and services for individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Contact information, description of services, jobs, and links.
• Alabama Children's Services - Listing of Alabama disability resources.
• Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities - Advocates for Alabama's citizens with developmental disabilities and their families. Grant information, news, calendar, email newsletter, resources, and links.
• Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation - The state agency responsible for serving Alabama citizens with mental illness, mental retardation and substance abuse problems. Database of mental health providers in the state.
• Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services - Provides, through a single agency, a seamless system of service delivery for infants, toddlers, adolescents, adults and older individuals with disabilities.
• Alabama Disabilities Action Coalition - Individuals with disabilities and organizations representing them, educating candidates and the public on accessibility, transportation, and employment.
• Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program - Protection and Advocacy program serving eligible individuals with disabilities in Alabama. Responds to allegations of abuse, neglect and violations of rights of persons with disabilities or discrimination based on their disability. Excellent database of Alabama disability resources, online special education publications, description of services, and links.
• Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind - Comprehensive education and rehabilitation system serving children and adults who are deaf, blind and multidisabled. Information on schools, regional centers, Industries for the Blind, and the special equestrians program.
• Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network (ARRN) - Identifies respite resources around the State and develops a comprehensive directory that will help parents find respite in their area.
• Alabama Lions Sight Conservation Association - Founded to conserve sight by avoiding and preventing blindness; to preserve sight by treating diseases and injuries to the eye and to restore lost vision where possible.
• Alabama Medicaid Home Page - Official web site of the Alabama Medicaid Agency. Information about the Alabama Medicaid program, schedules of events, provider software and forms, manuals, bulletins and notices, and links to other health care related web sites.
• Alabama Medical Libraries - Links to seven medical libraries.
• Alabama Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf - Membership information, newsletters, calendar, licensure law, local affiliates, links, and contact information.
• Alabama Residential Facilities for the Disabled - Contact information and details.
• Alabama Work Incentives Network - Assistance in understanding the impact of employment on Social Security Benefits. Contact information for benefits specialists, frequently asked questions, and links.
• Civitan International Research Center - Coordinates and conducts research related to human development, mental retardation, and developmental disabilities. Comprehensive listing of programs and links at the UAB Civitan International Research Center with information about mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
• Council of Organizations Serving Deaf Alabamians (COSDA) - A consortium of Alabama agencies and organizations whose mission is service to deaf or hard of hearing individuals. Mission statement, members, awards, grants, interpreter licensure, by-laws, news, and minutes.
• Easter Seals of West Alabama - Helps children and adults with disabilities to live with equality, dignity, and independence. Description of services, volunteer opportunities, and contact information.
• Fairfax Church of Christ Deaf Ministry - Background of the ministry, schedule of services and events, Bible verses, pictures, links, and contact information.
• Full Life Ahead Foundation - A non-profit organization to empower those with disAbilities to become productive, contributing members of their community living the fullest possible life.
• Independent Living Center of Birmingham - Community-based and non-residential services for people with disabilities.
• Independent Living Center of Mobile - A not-for-profit organization whose mission is to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities through information and referral, advocacy, peer support, and training.
• Individual And Family Supports - Provides flexible supports to people with developmental disabilities in Alabama and their families - things like washing machines, diapers, wheelchair ramps, and car batteries.
• KEN Mental Health Services Database: Alabama - Facilities, services, resources, and state mental health statistics.
• Lakeshore Foundation - Serves men and women, children and adults, who have experienced a wide range of conditions including arthritis, MS, spinal cord injury, strokes, amputations, head injury or cerebral palsy. Support comes from a wide variety of programs and includes sponsorship, coaching, resource materials, and education.
• Learning Disabilities Association of Alabama - Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all individuals with learning disabilities and their families, to alleviating the restricting effects of learning disabilities, and to supporting endeavors to determine the causes of learning disabilities.
• Medical Rehabilitation Research & Training Center - Conducts research and training in the prevention and treatment of secondary conditions of spinal cord injury.
• NICHCY Alabama State Disability Resources - Lists of state agencies, protection and advocacy, disability-specific organizations, technology-related assistance, and parent organizations.
• Partners in Policymaking of Alabama - Trains people with disabilities and their families to be effective advocates. Description, mission statement, annual reports, and application.
• Respite Care 'Kid's Night Out'--Alabama - Friday evening care for children with disabilities and their siblings in Huntsville and Birmingham.
• SEAC Parent Assistance Center - A nonprofit coalition of parents of children with disabilities, concerned citizens and organizations of parents and professionals serving Alabama's children with disabilities.
• Sign Painters - Music, costume, mime, dance and skits that are all performed in the graceful art of sign language, with a translation for the sign language-impaired. Information about the group and performers, schedule of appearances, pictures and videos, and links.
• Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center - Alabama Affiliate - Helps facilitate voluntary compliance with and effective implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Space Camp for Students with Visual Impairments - Hands-on science curriculum for students in upper elementary through high school grades who are blind and visually impaired. Program highlights include presentations by blind or otherwise disabled NASA professionals on career awareness and occupational opportunities in science.
• St. Mark Respite Care, Birmingham, Alabama - Friday evening respite care for children with disabilities and their siblings.
• Start On Success Alabama - Assists rural youth with physical disabilities to successfully transition into work. Students, partners, news, and contact information.
• State of Alabama Governor's Office on Disability - Helps make policy changes for the inclusion and empowerment of people with disabilities. Site includes mission statement, links, and contact information.
• State Resources Literacy and Learning Disabilities - Alabama - Contact information for literacy resources.
• Statewide Technology Access and Response (STAR) - Enhances independence, productivity and quality of life for all Alabamians with disabilities through access to assistive technology devices and services.
• Technology Assistance for Special Consumers (TASC) - Provides individuals with disabilities, their families or advocates, and associated professionals access to assistive technology devices and services to increase independence in the home, school, and work environments. Site includes description of services, information on assistive technology, links, directions, newsletter, and projects.
• UAB Civitan Americorps - A community service program with emphasis on volunteer opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Very Special Arts Alabama - Festivals feature performances, art exhibitions, demonstrations, and educational workshops where children, youth, and adults with disabilities proudly share their artistic accomplishments with the public.
• WHIL Radio Reading Service and Alabama Print Information Center - Allows blind or visually impaired site users to listen to recorded newspapers, magazines, and other items at any time. How to register and contribute, sample Windows Media files, links, and contact information.
• Workshops, Inc. - Provides vocational training, sheltered employment, and other support services to people with disabilities in Central Alabama. Complete text of "Life Skills for Vocational Success" curriculum.

Support Groups

• Alabama Association of the Deaf, Inc. - Lists Board members, newsletter subscription, and conferences.
• Alabama Autism Resources - Information, research and online support for people concerned with autism spectrum disorders. Message board, calendar, email newsletter, and links.
• Alabama Deaf-Blind Multihandicapped Association - An effort to identify and assist new families, professionals, and community services in providing appropriate services for people who are deaf, blind, or have multiple handicaps.
• Alabama Head Injury Foundation - Mission is to improve the quality of life for people with traumatic brain injury and for their families.
• Alabama Multiple Sclerosis Society - Offers support to people with MS and their families by providing programs and services designed to enhance quality of life.
• Arc Of Alabama - Committed to securing for all people with mental retardation the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live, work, and pray.
• Arc of Montgomery - A non-profit advocacy group of Montgomery, Alabama area citizens who are dedicated to ensuring that the area's retarded children and adults have appropriate educational training, care, and to the extent practicable, gainful employment. MARC provides a variety of services to retarded children and adults ranging in age from birth to more than 75 years of age.
• Arc of Tuscaloosa - Devoted solely to promoting the welfare of persons with mental retardation and their families. It is the philosophy of The Arc that all persons with mental retardation are entitled to care treatment, and habilitation which will enable them to achieve maximum independence.
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Alabama Chapter - Works to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. Site includes local events, volunteer opportunities, contact information, and links to the national foundation.
• Epilepsy Foundation of North and Central Alabama - Working for independence and a better quality of life for people with epilepsy. Email newsletter, contacts, and programs.
• Families Advocating for Individuals' Rights (FAIR) - A support and advocacy group helping to empower people with disabilities and their families to make informed choices and be able to exercise control over their own lives.
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Alabama Support - NAMI is a grass roots, self-help, support, and advocacy organization. Contact information for Alabama groups.
• National Family Association for Deaf-Blind: Alabama Region - Supports people with deaf-blindness and their families. Contact information for local project coordinators and links to the national site.
• National Federation for the Blind in Alabama - Information on blindness, legislation, chapter activities, and state conventions.
• Parent Advocates Down Syndrome - Emotional, social and educational support for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. Events, activities, newsletter, by-laws, and contact information.
• Signs of the Times - Information about Deaf issues and concerns in the Huntsville community. Links to state and national resources.
• United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham - Provides services and programs for children and adults addressing physical and health needs, encouraging their educational development and offering opportunities for true integration into the community. Site includes description of the organization and programs, cerebral palsy information, job openings, calendar, fund-raisers, and contacts.

Sports and Recreation

• Accessible Travellers' Alabama Cities - Lists public transit, accessible tour buses and travel agencies.
• Adaptive Aquatics - A nonprofit organization dedicated to the introduction, teaching, and advancement of adapted water skiing for children and adults with physical disabilities.
• Special Equestrians in Alabama - Offers any physically, mentally or emotionally challenged person the opportunity to experience the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding.

In association with the Open Directory Project