Disclaimer of Hyperlinks:

The following list of available Resources is provided for general information related to disability issues and services and should not be construed as any type of endorsement or recommendation by BIATX or its funding sources.

 

Advocacy and Legal Rights

  • ADAPT of Texas - There's no place like home, and we mean real homes, not nursing homes. We are fighting so people with disabilities can live in the community with real supports instead of being locked away in nursing homes and other institutions.
  • Advocacy, Inc. - Advocating the Legal Rights of Texans with Disabilities; Implementing the Client Assistance Program for Rehabilitation Clients. The mission of Advocacy, Inc. is to advocate for, protect, and advance the legal, human, and service rights of people with disabilities.
  • The ARC of Texas - The Arc of Texas is the oldest and largest nonprofit, volunteer organization in the state committed to expanding opportunities for people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities to be included in their communities. The Arc supports families, advances public policies, provides training programs, and builds a statewide network of advocates.
  • Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates - An independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization of attorneys, advocates and parents established to improve the quality and quantity of legal assistance for parents of children with disabilities.
  • Disability Policy Consortium (DPC) - promoting progressive public policy for Texans with disabilities in the areas of: Education, Employment, Healthcare and Managed Care, Housing, Long-Term Services, and Transportation.
  • Disability Law Resource Project - is the Southwest's leading resource on the Americans with Disabilities Act, related laws and making Information Technology accessible to people with disabilities. The DLRP serves a wide range of audiences who are interested in or impacted by these laws, including employers, businesses, government agencies, schools and people with disabilities.
  • Findlaw.com - This collection of links will help you connect with an organization or legal resource experienced in the field of disability law.
  • Guide to Disability Rights Law - This guide provides an overview of Federal civil rights laws that ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
  • Law Offices of Hugh Howerton - This site contains legal and many other helpful brain injury resource links.
  • PACER Center - Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights. the mission of PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.
  • Key Texas Laws and Resources for People with Disabilities - The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities created a summary of the key Texas laws protecting the rights of the approximately four million people in Texas with disabilities.
  • Texas State Independent Living Council (SILC) - The Texas State Independent Living Council leads, promotes and advances the independent living philosophy and advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities.
  • Texas Commission on Human Rights (TCHR) - Our primary goal is to make Texas an even greater place to live, work, play and raise our families by reducing discrimination in employment and housing through education and outreach programs and the enforcement of the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act and Texas Fair Housing Act.

Assistive Technology

  • Assistivetech.net - Developed by the Georgia Tech Center for assistive technology and environmental access. Includes a database listing an extensive variety of asstistive technology.
  • Texas Technology Access Project - The Texas Technology Access Project provides information, conducts training and technical assistance and works with policy makers to support children and adults with disabilities in their efforts to acquire and use technology as a routine part of day-to-day living. The Project was formerly named the Texas Assistive Technology Partnership.

Bicycle Safety

  • Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute - The most comprehensive collection of information on bicycle safety that you will find on the internet.
  • Bicycling Street Smarts - An online book by John Allen. According to the Massachusetts Bike Organization it is the best concise source of tips for bicycling safely.
  • BicycleSafe.com - Michael Bluejay of BicycleAustin tells you How to Not Get Hit by Cars and provides a variety of links for bicycle commuters, bicycle safety and more.

Brain Tumor Support

  • American Brain Tumor Association - The Tips for Living and Coping (TLC) Bulletin is sent monthly to the ABTA subscribers. Each month they offer Tips for Living and Coping with the challenges of having a brain tumor.

Cerebral Aneurysm

  • The Aneurysm and AVM Support Page - The purpose of this Aneurysm and AVM Support site is not to echo data from many other informative Web pages, but instead, will be a place for survivors, their families, and those whom have lost loved ones to aneurysms, to exchange experiences, pre- and post aneurysm diagnosis.
  • The Aneurysm Center - HeartCenterOnline - American Heart Association's member edited encyclopedia - the most comprehensive resource dedicated exclusively to heart health: cardiology encyclopedia, news, community, animations and more.
  • Brain Aneurysm Foundation - The mission of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation is to provide support networks and educational resources to raise public awareness regarding early detection and treatment of brain aneurysms.

Coaches Tool Kit

  • Concussions can happen to any athlete—male or female—in any sport. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), caused by a blow or jolt to the head that can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Coaches, athletic directors and trainers play a key role in helping to prevent concussion and in managing it properly if it occurs.

    To reduce the number of this type of injury, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the support of partners and experts in the field, has developed a tool kit for coaches titled, Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports. This kit contains practical, easy-to-use information including a video and DVD featuring a young athlete disabled by concussion, a guide, wallet card and clip board sticker for coaches, posters, fact sheets for parents and athletes in English and Spanish, and a CD-ROM with downloadable kit materials and additional concussion-related resources.

Encephalitis

Epilepsy and Seizures

  • National Epilepsy Foundation - The Epilepsy Foundation will ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and will prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services.
  • State Driving Laws - Review the laws for driving with epilepsy in your state or compare laws between states if you are moving.

General Brain Injury Resources

  • ABI/TBI Homepage and Chatroom - A great place to visit for survivors and caregivers alike. Several chatrooms, message boards, member stories and more.
  • Brain Injury Association of America, Inc. - Find a wealth of information including links to Brain Injury Associations across America.
  • Lash and Associates Publishing/Training has expanded its Web site and is now an Information and Resource Center on Brain Injury in Children and Adults. There are many free downloads with articles for newsletters, national registry data and FAQs.
  • Neurotrauma Registry - An inclusive resource list for those with acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other complex neurotrauma.
  • Pediatric Brain Injury - This Web site has been developed to help educators and health care professionals learn more about brain injuries and how to work with children suffering from them.
  • The Perspectives Network - The Perspectives Network, Inc.'s primary focus is positive communication between persons with brain injury, family members/ caregivers/friends of persons with brain injury, those many professionals who treat persons with brain injury and community members in order to create positive changes and enhance public awareness and knowledge of acquired/traumatic brain injury.
  • Recovery Awareness Foundation This site is dedicated to the special needs of caregivers.
  • Think First - Website of the National Injury Prevention Foundation. You can find useful information, current reports, programs, and educational materials that focus on prevention of brain, spinal cord, and other traumatic injuries.

General and Disability Resources

  • 2-1-1 Texas Online Database - Search the online database for services and resources in your area.
  • Angel Flight Southcentral - If you or someone you know needs non-emergency transportation to medical treatment, but cannot afford it, or cannot fly on public transportation for health reasons, or public transportation is not readily available in your area, contact the AFSC Office to find out about Angel Flight and it's ability to assist.
  • Area Agency on Aging Capitol Area - a nonprofit agency whose mission is to plan, develop and provide a coordinated system of services designed to promote independence for those persons 60 years of age and older with a primary focus on frail, rural and low-income minority individuals. Contains links to statewide Area Agencies on Aging.
  • Community Resource Coordination Groups (known as CRCGs) - are local interagency groups, comprised of public and private providers who come together to develop individual services plans for children, youth, and adults whose needs can be met only through interagency coordination and cooperation.
  • Disability Information and Referral Center - The Disability Information and Referral Center of the Talking Book Program houses information and materials on types of disabilities and health conditions, as well as related organizations, publications, products, and technology.  This is a free reference service provided for anyone with a disability-related question.
  • Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) - The TCDD is a 30-member board dedicated to ensuring that all Texans with developmental disabilities, about 344,300 individuals, have the opportunity to be independent, productive and valued members of their communities. Using a variety of methods, the Council works to ensure that the service delivery system provides comprehensive services and supports that meet people's needs, are easy to access and are cost effective. We also work to improve people's understanding of disability issues.
  • National Safe Kids Campaign - is the first and only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury - the number one killer of children ages 14 and under.
  • Nursefriendly National Directories - The Nursefriendly National Nursing & Consumer Health Directories have over 150,000 external links contained in over 4,500 directory pages. You can find information on numerous subjects, and if you do not find what you are looking for, they promptly reply to inquiries.
  • Special Needs Family Fun - enhancing the quality and fun of family life with special needs.
  • The Texas Department of Health Virtual Office on Health & Disability (VOHD) - is designed to facilitate communication, coordination, and collaboration across TDH programs that serve both children and adults with disabilities.
  • Texas Information and Referral Network
  • Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) - Helping people with disabilities acheive employment of choice, independence, dignity, and equality. DARS is a combination of the agencies formerly known as the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Commission for the Blind, Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention.

 

Health and Medication Information

  • Healthtouch Online - A resource that brings together valuable information from trusted sources on topics such as medications, health, diseases, supplements and natural medicine.
  • RxList Drug Information - providing information to both the consumer and the medical professional.
  • NeedyMeds.com - is the place to learn about patient assistance programs and other programs designed to help those who can't afford their medicines. NeedyMeds is not a program. It's an information source.
  • What Texas Medicaid Waiver Does What? - From the good folks at Imagine Enterprises, this is a very good summary of the Texas Medicaid Waiver programs.

Local Coalition Building

Non-Profit Start-up Assistance

  • Texas DSHA- The Department of State Health Service's links to non-profit resources.
  • ACC Resources for Non-Profits - The Center for Community-Based & Nonprofit Organizations at Austin Community College (ACC CCBNO) serves those engaged in the Nonprofit Sector by leveraging community assets and serving as a community partnership broadening the horizons and possibilities for those engaged in the Nonprofit Sector.
  • County Extension Agent - Community resources and economic development from Texas Cooperative Extension.

Person Centered Planning

  • Frequently Asked Questions on Person Centered Practices - Some basic information on the concept of person centered planning from the American Association on Mental Retardation.
  • Person Centered Planning: FOCUS ON SEVERE DISABILITIES - This site offers an overview of several different methods of PCP.
  • The Person Centered Planning Education Site - Although this site is not quite fully constructed, it still offers great potential for learning and I felt it was worthy of inclusion. Here is what you should find when it is completed: ** An overview of the person-centered planning process ** A self-study course covering the basic process involved ** A quiz section to help you focus on areas you may need to cover more thoroughly ** A compendium of readings and activities for you to use on your own ** Various links and downloadable resources. Personal Outcomes The Council offeres a challenge to the traditional assessment of quality in human services with their own 25 outcome measures across seven different domains.
  • Personal Outcome Measures: What they are and how they benefit people
  • Whose Life is it anyway - Tutorials and tools to help you use person centered planning effectively during transition. Workbook -- Your Personal Passport - This workbook is for people with developmental disabilities and their friends and families who want to learn more about person-centered planning. It will also help people get ready for their next Individual Program Plan (IPP) meeting. It's set up to be printed on legal size paper (lengthwise) with a spiral bind, so it's easy to work on.
  • Person Centered Planning - A user friendly introduction and resource packet.

Physician's Tool Kit

  • Centers for Disease Control The CDC, in collaboration with an expert work group, has recently updated and revised the "Heads Up: Brain Injury in Your Practice" tool kit. This tool kit is available free-of-charge and contains practical, easy-to-use clinical information and tools.

Preventing Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults

  • Centers for Disease Control The CDC has recently released material on TBI prevention for family memebers and caregivers of older adults. All information is available in English and in Spanish.

 

Rent Deposit and Payment Assistance

 

Services for Texans through DARS

  • Department of Rehabilitative Services - The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, or DARS, administers programs that ensure Texas is a state where people with disabilities, and children who have developmental delays, enjoy the same opportunities as other Texans to live independent and productive lives.

    The department has four divisions:

    * Rehabilitation Services
    * Blind Services
    * Early Childhood Intervention Services
    * Disability Determination Services

    Through these divisions, DARS administers programs that help Texans with disabilities find jobs through vocational rehabilitation, ensure that Texans with disabilities live independently in their communities and prepare children with disabilities and developmental delays to meet education goals.

  • Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services (CRS) - The Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services program help persons with spinal cord and brain injuries receive intensive therapies to increase independence. Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services helps Texans with traumatic spinal cord and brain injuries receive intensive therapies to increase independence. Created by the 72nd Legislature, a percentage of court costs collected misdemeanor and felony convictions goes into a special fund to pay for these services.
  • DARS Offices in Your Area

Stroke

  • American Stroke Association - Division of the American Heart Association provides outreach, promotes research, and publishes a journal. Find facts and a guide for women.
  • National Stroke Association - National voluntary health care organization focusing on stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and research for stroke survivors/families.
  • Acute Stroke Toolbox
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) - The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is the leading supporter of biomedical research on disorders of the brain and nervous system.
  • Stroke Awareness for Everyone - Established in 1995, this organization provides information and support to stroke survivors and their families and friends. Caregivers can read a four-chapter handbook.
  • Stroke - HeartCenterOnline - American Heart Association member edited encyclopedia on stroke - the most comprehensive resource dedicated to heart health: encyclopedia, news, community, animations and more
  • The Stroke Network - An on-line stroke support and information group designed to help everyone in the stroke family. Our stroke support group is available 24/7. The purpose of our organization is to provide on-line support for stroke survivors and caregivers of adult stroke.
  • Stroke-TIA.org - Find articles and webcasts detailing the risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of stroke and transient ischemic attack.

Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool

  • Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool The Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool was created by the Texas Legislature to provide health insurance to eligible Texas residents who, due to medical conditions are unable to obtain coverage from commercial insurers.  The Pool also serves as the Texas alternative mechanism for individual health insurance coverage, guaranteeing portability of coverage to qualified individuals who lose coverage under an employer group plan, church plan or state plan, as mandated by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).  The Program continues to serve the State of Texas as an important "safety net" for individuals who have been denied health insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions, can afford the Pool's premiums, and do not have other coverage options. The stated mission of the Pool's Board of Directors is to foster public awareness of the Pool and provide eligible Texans with cost-effective health coverage that is consistent with major medical policies available in the commercial market. 

 

Traumatic Brain Injury

 

Utility Payment Assistance

  • LIHEAP Clearinghouse- The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Clearinghouse Web site is an Internet information service for state, tribal and local LIHEAP providers, and others interested in low-income energy issues.  The Clearinghouse collects, develops, organizes and disseminates information on low-income energy issues.

Veterans and Service Members

  • Mental Health Self Assessment Program - The Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (MHSAP) is a voluntary, anonymous mental health and alcohol screening and referral program offered to families and service members affected by deployment or mobilization. It is offered online 24/7, as well as through in-person events. The MHSAP is funded by the DoD Office of Health Affairs. The programs are offered at no cost to military units and service members and their families.
  • Military Mental Health - Military life, especially deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult. Some are manageable, some are not. Many times we can successfully deal with them on our own. In some instances matters get worse and one problem can trigger other more serious issues. At such times it is wise to check things out and see what is really happening. That’s the purpose of these totally anonymous and voluntary self-assessments.
  • Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center - The mission of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) is to serve active duty military, their dependents and veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through state-of-the-art medical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs.
  • SAMHSA - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has established a clear vision for its work -- a life in the community for everyone. To realize this vision, the Agency has sharply focused its mission on building resilience and facilitating recovery for people with or at risk for mental or substance use disorders.
  • TEXVET - Use the TexVet Web site to learn about people who want to help with health, housing, employment, education, and many other services for people and families who have served in all branches of the military. It is for people on active duty as well.

Vocational Links

  • JobAccess - The goal of ABILITYjobs/ABILITYresume and JobAccess is to enable people with disabilities to enhance their professional lives by providing a dedicated system for finding employment. By posting job opportunities, employers not only exhibit an open door policy but also demonstrate their responsiveness to affirmative action by genuinely recruiting qualified persons with disabilities.
  • A DARS Guide for Vocational Rehabilitation applicants
  • Job Accommodation Network - Welcome to JAN, a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by: 1) providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions, 2) providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and 3) educating callers about self-employment options.
  • Texas Workforce Commission - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the state government agency charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to employers and job seekers of Texas. For employers, TWC offers recruiting, retention, training and retraining, and outplacement services as well as valuable information on labor law and labor market statistics. For job seekers, TWC offers career development information, job search resources, training programs, and, as appropriate, unemployment benefits. While targeted populations receive intensive assistance to overcome barriers to employment all Texans can benefit from the services offered by TWC and our network of workforce partners.
  • Texas Technology Access Program - The goal of TTAP is to increase access for people with disabilities to assistive technology that provides them more control over their immediate environments and an enhanced ability to function independently.
  • Texas Disability Navigator Initiative - In Texas, fourteen Workforce Boards joined with the Texas Workforce Commission to implement the Texas Disability Navigator Initiative. Goals of the Texas Disability Navigator Initiative are to increase access to workforce employment and training services and to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.