Disability Resources

 

www.disabilityworld.org – Read the latest issue of DisabilityWorld, the online international periodical of news and views by World Disability Resources.

RespiteMatch.com was born from the need for a comprehensive source on the Internet for caregivers, nurses, LPN, CNA, mid-wives, physical therapists, occupational therapists, elder care, etc. to work in the home setting. Founded by David Jayne, RespiteMatch.com offers a wide range of services and features. Visitors can browse the caregiver or patient profiles. Members can create a profile and receive notification if their profile is added to another individual's MatchList at no charge.

Religious leaders join disability outreach effort – More than 100 ordained clergy, seminary faculty, religious educators and seminarians have signed up for the National Organization on Disability (NOD) Interfaith Directory of Religious Leaders with Disabilities. Their names and contact information are now posted at www.nod.org/religion. For further information about the Religion and Disability Program and the Interfaith Directory of the National Organization on Disability, please contact Lorraine Thal at 202-293-5960 or ThalL@nod.org.

www.dspin.org – A new website to serve people with disabilities
A team of researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia, working with members of the mid-Missouri disability community, has developed the disAbility Spin website to help people with disabilities, their friends and family members. The site addresses some needs specific to the mid-Missouri area but can be utilized by anyone with a disability. MU Health Psychology Associate Professor Laura Schopp, principal investigator on the grant funding this site, said, "People with disabilities have enormous information management challenges, from keeping personal health records to finding accessible housing. It's especially difficult for people with a new disability or who have just moved to the area to find that information quickly. disAbility Spin is a place where people with disabilities can socialize, volunteer to help others, manage their information, and interact with many local and statewide agencies, services and individuals."

www.sleepapnea.org – The American Sleep Apnea Association publishes many education bulletins about sleep apnea. Two of them are also useful for people with neuromuscular disease who use assisted ventilation via a facial or nasal mask to help them breathe.

• "Choosing a Mask and Headgear"
• "Choosing a CPAP Machine"

In general people with neuromuscular disease use bilevel units rather than CPAP units, but some people with neuromuscular disease may also have sleep apnea.

Visit Disabled Online – An online portal that provides web directories, forums, chat rooms, shopping and classifieds for people with disabilities.

www.ncwd-youth.info
For The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability, designed to support access of youth with disabilities to high quality services in integrated settings that maximize employment and independent living opportunities.

Toll-free Hotline for Air Travelers with Disabilities
800-778-4838 (voice) or 800-455-9880 (TTY). To obtain information about the rights of persons with disabilities during air travel, or for those who experience disability-related air travel service problems, call the Hotline. Air travelers who want DOT to investigate a complaint about a disability-related issue must submit their complaint in writing via e-mail airconsumer@ost.dot.gov or postal mail to: US Department of Transportation, 400 7th St SW, Washington , DC 20590.

Access and Mobility Vehicle Loans Available from DCU
Members of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) can join the Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) to take advantage of Access Loans which are available for any product, device, or building modification designed to assist someone with a disability. There is no fee to join the credit union; you have to open a savings or checking account (for as little as $5). If you are already an AAPD member, or if you would like to join AAPD and DCU at the same time, you can call DCU for information and an application (800-328-8797 or 800-395-5146 TTY) or visit DCU's website, www.dcu.org.