Links
State Agency Websites in CT
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services is a part of the State Department of Social Services that oversees Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living and the Connecticut Tech Act Project.
Board of Education Services for the Blind
(BESB) the mission is to provide quality educational and rehabilitative services to all people who are legally blind or deaf-blind and children who are visually impaired at no cost to our clients or their families.
Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
DDS coordinates and oversees services for people of all ages with mental retardation.
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)
DHMAS works to improve the quality of life of the people in CT by providing an integrated network of comprehensive, effective and efficient mental health and addiction services that foster self-sufficiency, dignity and respect.
Department of Social Services
DSS serves families and individuals who need assistance in maintaining or achieving their full potential for self-direction, self-reliance, and independent living.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Established to provide an expanded, integrated, and coordinated program of services to Connecticut Veterans and their families.
Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors
Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors – Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application. The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.
Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
An independent state agency created to safeguard and advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in CT by providing information, referrals, consultations, organizing assistance to local groups, and various types and levels of advocacy assistance.
Disability Organizations in CT
CACIL
CACIL is the Connecticut Association of Centers for Independent Living. This site provides contact information about the CIL’s in New England and Connecticut and other helpful information.
ADAPT
(American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today) focuses on promoting services in the community instead of institutionalizing people with disabilities in special facilities and nursing homes.
Advocacy Unlimited
Teaches advocacy skills to mental health consumers to empower them to play a central role in shaping the policies and services that affect their lives.
Americans With Disabilities Act Coalition of Connecticut, Inc.
(ADACC) informs CT citizens about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and works to foster voluntary compliance. It provides information, training and technical assistance on rights and responsibilities under the ADA.
ARC Connecticut
A private, non-profit organization that advocates for full participation of people with mental retardation in all aspects of community life.
Brain Injury Association of CT
(BIAC) is a private, nonprofit agency helping people in CT who have a brain injury and their families.
Connecticut Association of the Deaf
(CAD) an organization of concerned citizens who promote the best interests of people who are deaf or hard of hearing in CT.
Connecticut Autism Resource and Educational Alliance(CARE)
established in May 2004 as a non-profit, donor-funded corporation dedicated to providing young children with autism, their families, caregivers, and service providers with information.
CRIS Radio
(CRIS) broadcasts readings 24 hours a day from local and national newspapers, and current magazines. CRIS radios are provided at no charge to listeners who have a visual, physical or learning disability that prevents them from reading conventional print information.
CT Disability Collaborative
CT Disability Collaborative – Enhancing the effectiveness of disability activism in Connecticut by organizing and empowering individuals, families, groups, and organizations.
Connecticut KASA
The CT chapter of Kids As Self Advocates is a grassroots network of youth with special needs and their friends, speaking on behalf of themselves.
Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities (DD Council)
is a Governor-appointed body of people with disabilities, family members, and professionals who work together to promote full inclusion of all people with disabilities in community life.
Connecticut Legal Rights Project
(CLRP) is an independent, non-profit agency that advocates for low-income adults who have or are perceived to have a psychiatric disability.
Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut
Statewide non-profit organization that provides information, referrals, advocacy and support services for people with epilepsy.
INFOLINE 211
A free, help by telephone service for information, referral and crisis intervention that is accessed anywhere in CT by dialing 2-1-1.
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Vocational Rehabilitation Services
(MPTN-VR) provides culturally sensitive Vocational Rehabilitation services to state or federally recognized Native Americans with disabilities residing in Connecticut or Rhode Island.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Connecticut
Committed to empower people with multiple sclerosis to live as independently as possible to the maximum of their capabilities within the least restrictive environment.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
fights 43 Neuromuscular diseases through worldwide research, nationwide network of clinics providing comprehensive medical services: and far reaching professional and public health education.
Polio Outreach of CT
has a newsletter and information about polio. You can connect with others in CT who have had polio.
University Center For Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
Assists people of all ages with disabilities to access the support and services they need to live independently.
WECAHR
Western CT Assoc. for Human Rights, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to helping children and adults with disabilities live as independent and productive as possible.
Employment
Connect-Ability
Connect-Ability is a web-site with excellent information for people with disabilities who are seeking employment for the first time or who want a new challenge. Also a good resource for employers of all sizes and in all industries who are seeking qualified workers.
Ability Magazine
has interesting information regarding jobs and interesting articles about Ability awareness.
Housing
Corporation for Independent Living
CIL is a nonprofit housing development corporation. Our products include community housing for people with developmental disabilities, accessible homes for people with physical disabilities, affordable multifamily housing as well as homes for first time home buyers of low income.
Connecticut Housing Search Finding housing has never been easier! Search for affordable, accessible or market rate housing. Search by town, county or statewide.
Technology/Equipment
Neat Marketplace
Need to find the place for equipment that makes life more accessible? This web-site will help you find it!
New England A.D.A. & Accessible Information Technology Center
One of ten regional disability and business technical assistance centers funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
Since 1998, the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) has been providing a community for companies who provide innovative technologies and services to assist people with disabilities.
One stop shop offering 1,000 products for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Transportation
Transportation Guide 2008
Click here to review the new transportation-guide-2008.doc created by the Board of Education Services for the Blind.
Mobility Air Transport
An airline that is accessible… you can enjoy the flight while sitting in your own wheelchair. Will be coming to CT soon!
Project Action Easter Seals
Project Action Easter Seals is a site about accessible transportation. This site includes a national database that locates accessible transportation companies by state or zip code. It also offers trainings, seminars and brochures regarding transportation issues.
Emerging Horizons
Emerging Horizons is a consumer oriented magazine about accessible travel. Emerging Horizons’ primary focus is travel for people with mobility disabilities;
National Organizations and News
ILRU
ILRU has a wealth of information and offers online classes and workshops for people with disabilities.
National Council of Independent Living
The National Council of Independent Living website has information regarding what is happening in the independent living movement on a National level.
DisabilityInfo.gov
DisabilityInfo.gov is the federal government’s one-stop Web site for people with disabilities, their families, employers, veterans and service members, workforce professionals and many others.
American Association of People with Disabilities
American Association of People with Disabilities is the largest national nonprofit cross-disability member organization in the United States, dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities. AAPD works in coalition with other disability organizations.
Disability History Week
Information regarding how States are taking an important step in the promotion of further understanding and awareness of disability history and the disability rights movement by designating a week (or more) to acknowledge the role and contributions of individuals with disabilities in our society. During an established Disability History Week, states will require their public schools to infuse instruction and activities related to disability history into the existing school curriculum.
National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, Inc. (NAMI)
NAMI is a statewide organization for the families of individuals living with serious mental illness. NAMI provides support, education, information and advocacy.
World Wide Links
Disaboom
This website connects millions touched by disability. Very helpful information regarding health, accessible places to go, travel and so much more!
Disabled People International
See what is happening in the disability community around the world by going to this informative website.
TRAVEL
Europe for Visitors
website the details travel to Europe with information on what is accessible.
Disabled Travelers.com
this website offers many travel tips for travelers who need special accommodations.
Accessible Travel in Italy
click on the English flag to convert the language from Italian to English. Information regarding accessible places to visit, places to eat and transportation services.
Accessible Travel Tours in Italy
travel information in Italy, some of the site is in Italian some in english, this site gives some good contact information about accessible travel tours, taxis, buses and more.
