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NATIONAL DISABILITY RESOURCES

DisabilityInfo.gov -This online connection to the federal government's disability-related information and resources is a user-friendly Web site with links to information of interest to people with disabilities, their families, employers, service providers and other community members. Included is extensive coverage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal civil-rights law for people with disabilities giving them protections similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in a number of critical areas. There is also a ADA guide for small businesses that provides an overview of some basic ADA requirements for small business that provide goods and services to the public.

American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD) - AAPD is the largest national nonprofit cross-disability member organization in the United States, dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for people with disabilities. AAPD works in coalition with other disability organizations for the full implementation and enforcement of disability nondiscrimination laws, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. AAPD's web site is www.aapd.com and their toll-free phone number is 800-840-8844 or 202-457-0046 (V/TTY).

Episcopal Disability Network (EDN) - EDN's web site, www.disability99.org, includes Accessibility Resources Available for Purchase, Episcopal Resources for Those who are Blind or Visually Handicapped and a free lending library for the print-handicapped. This library has more than 400 taped books, none of which are duplicates of the Library of Congress program. The book list and instructions for using the program are at www.disability99.org as well as in hard copy. Simply call or write them. The Rev. Barbara Ramnaire (1-888-738-3636) is coordinator and her e-mail is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. There is also a listing of all diocesan contact people for disability.

The National Organization on Disability (NOD) - The mission of NOD is to expand participation and contribution of America's 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. The Accessibility Awareness Campaign of NOD's Religion and Disability Program is designed to help congregations include people with disabilities in all aspects of a congregation's life. NOD also sponsors the annual NOD/Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities. NOD's phone is 202-293-5960; TTY is 202-293-5968; E-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and their very comprehensive, descriptive website is www.nod.org

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) - Founded in 1979 by people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF) is a national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy, technical assistance, and education and training of attorneys, advocates, persons with disabilities, and parents of children with disabilities. DREDF's main office has a phone of 510-644-2555 (V/TTY). The Government Affairs office in Washington, D.C. has a phone of 202-986-0375. Their web site is www.dredf.org and E-mail is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

DIRECT ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

AT Xchange (AT) If you have a used assistive technology item in storage that could help someone with a disability, post a classified ad at ATXchange.org. Items such as wheel chairs, stair lifts, Braille readers or reachers are possibilities. Include a digital photo. ATxchange is also open to vendors who have used equipment for sale. ATxchange is a free service. If you can't find what you are looking for, you can post it as an item wanted and receive an e-mail message telling you if and when someone posts such an item. You may find the AT you are seeking for a bargain price, possibly even free! Visit http://www.atxchange.org

Assistive Technology of Michigan (ATM) - ATM is dedicated to providing services to persons with physical, sensory, cognitive, and/or learning disabilities who can benefit from technology to help increase their independence and safety at home, work, or school. Additional information can be attained from their website www.atofmich.com or by calling 248-348-7161.

Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund (MATLF) - This program allows people with disabilities, seniors, and their family members to obtain low-interest loans to purchase assistive technology (AT). AT is any item or piece of equipment that lets a person with a disability have more independence and improve or maintain their quality of life. Individuals and family members of people with disabilities can borrow up to $30,000 to purchase a wide range of disability helps. To find out more about the program, visit www.michiganloanfunds.org.

Mobility Monthly - Mobility Monthly is a statewide magazine for people with disabilities in Michigan. Their intent is to educate, inform, and provide resources for people with disabilities. They run articles about various activities, companies, and organizations that make people's lives easier, more interesting, and more independent. The websites listed are very helpful, as are the resources. Mobility Monthly's website is http://www.mobilitymonthly.org/index.htm.

Michigan Telework Loan Fund (MATLF) - This program allows people with disabilities to obtain low-interest loans to purchase equipment to use to work from home either for an employer or to start a home-based business. Individuals can borrow up to $20,000 to purchase a wide range of work-related items. To learn more, visit the website www.michiganloanfunds.org.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) - MRS is a statewide agency with branches in over 50 Michigan communities. They work with people with a wide range of disabilities, helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers. MRS's web site is www.michigan.gov/mdcd Simply click on a lower left panel indicating Rehabilitation (MRS) for a list of the various communities served. The toll-free number for MRS is 800-605-6722 with TTY888-605-6722.

Centers for Independent Living (CIL) - Independent living is the right of all people to make informed choices, to have personal control over their own lives, and to participate to the fullest extent possible in the everyday activities of work, school, home, family and community. There are 15 CIL's throughout Michigan embodying these beliefs, 5 of which are located in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. These are the Blue Water/Wayne County CIL (313-923-1655-voice); the Oakland & Macomb CIL (586-268-4160-voice, 800-649-377-TTY, www.omcil.org; the Ann Arbor CIL (734-971-0277-voice, 734-971-0310-TDD, www.aacil.org; the Capital Area CIL (517-241-0393-voice, www.cacil.org; and the Jackson CIL (517-784-1723-voice). Also helpful are the Michigan Association of CILS (517-339-0539-voice/TTY, www.macil.net) and the Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council (517-371-4872-voice), www.misilc.org). Check their web sites for information about how they serve you and their specific programs.

The Complete Directory for People with Disabilities - This comprehensive, one-stop resource by Grey House Publishing is for individuals, professionals and organizations, providing immediate access to the latest products and services for people with disabilities. Among the resources included are associations & support groups, state & federal agencies, camps & travel groups, assistive devices, independent living centers, employment & education programs, rehabilitation facilities, periodicals & books, clothing, conferences & shows, legal information sources & referral agencies. For additional information, consult their web site which can be accessed by clicking http://www.greyhouse.com/disabilities.htm.

MICHIGAN DISABILITY RESOURCES

Michigan Agencies, Associations, and Organizations - This comprehensive, annual, statewide disability listing is located in the Michigan Directory of Service Providers for Infants, Toddlers, and Students with Disabilities, section 23-26. The entire directory or selected sections can be downloaded from the home page of the web site, www.cenmi.org, the web site for The Center for Educational Networking (CEN). The Directory logo is located in the lower land hand corner. After clicking that logo, scroll down to sections 23-26, which will contain detailed information about disability agencies, associations, and organizations in Michigan as of April 10, 2007. Contact Ms. Teri Bullock at 1-800-593-9146 x4 for further assistance.

Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns (MCDC) - MCDC includes the Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DODHH). It responds to and advocates on behalf of Michigan's 1.9 million people with disabilities. This is done through information and technical assistance, disability rights training, working with the Michigan Business Leaders Network on employment for people with disabilities, coordinating the Michigan Youth Leadership Forum and conducting disability awareness and sensitivity training. The Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing deals with issues involving Michigan citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing. MCDC's mission is to provide statewide leadership to empower and integrate people with disabilities into all aspects of society. MCDC's e-mail is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , with DODHH's e-mail being This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The toll-free phone is 1-(877) 499-6232 T/V

Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) - MDRC is a state-wide network that advances the issues of Michigan's disability community through grassroots activism, public education, and advocacy. It works to build opportunities for people with disabilities so they may live fully integrated lives within their chosen communities, now and in the future. MCDC's descriptive web site is www.copower.org The toll-free telephone number is 1-800-760-4600.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) - With over 50 Michigan branch offices MRS helps persons with disabilities find meaningful careers. They work with people with a wide range of disabilities, assisting more than 7,000 Michigan residents with disabilities into jobs yearly. Their web site is accessed through www.michigan.gov or by searching for Michigan Rehabilitation Services. MRS's toll-free phone number is 1-800-605-6722 and TTY is 888-605-6722. If legally blind, a person should contact the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB). MCB's web site is accessed best by doing a search on Google. MCB's main phone is 517-373-0579, though they, too, have various field offices throughout Michigan.

Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc. (MPAS) - MPAS's goal is to advance the dignity, quality, self-determination, and expressed choices of individuals. It promotes, expands and protects the human and legal rights of people by providing them with information and advocacy. Since people with disabilities have a wide variety of issues, MPAS tries to answer any questions relating to disability. The staff is experienced in many disability-related topic areas. Their web site is www.mpas.org and their toll-free phone number is 1-800-288-5923 (V/ TTY).

Disability Awareness of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan is a committee with deep interest in disability awareness. Some members are people with disabilities, others are relatives of people with disabilities and still others are people who have or are now engaged full-time or part-time in direct disability work. We want to increase disability awareness in the congregations of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan so that people with disabilities will be welcome and their gifts fully used. Our mission and vision statements speak about these wishes in greater detail:

I. Mission Statement Goal

The Disability Awareness Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan will make awareness, acceptance and full accessibility for all people with disabilities a high priority. This will be shown through changing attitudes and by specific actions.

II. Vision

a. Clergy, staff and people will be sensitive and looking for ways to assist people with disabilities those who attend functions. Clergy and staff will actively offer assistance.

b. We will actively invite people with disabilities to our space and programs. Congregations will be more than passively responding to requests.

c. Churches will be accessible in all areas such as sanctuary, meeting rooms, restrooms, and in any buildings used for off site meetings or celebrations.

d. All materials will be available in large print, possible use of a live cam website to include those who are homebound. Websites will comply with accessibility standards.

e. Speakers will either project so everyone can hear or else use microphones. All Episcopalians will be aware that not all hearing-impaired persons speak/ read sign language. We will be sensitive in communication.

f. TTY/TTD will become available at diocesan offices to allow hard of hearing the ability to call and discuss matters with staff.