Links to important resources
- West Virginia 211
Sometimes you need more than an internet search. You need a conversation. Certain issues are hard to navigate. You're not alone.
Call 2-1-1 - it's free and confidential. 2-1-1 specialists are available 24/7 to provide information and connect you to local
programs and services that can help. Friendly non-judgemental people are waiting to assist you. Programs and services include:
Addiction, Counseling & Mental Health, Crisis & Emergency, Food, Healthcare, Human Trafficking, jobs & Education Reentry,
Shelters, Housing, Utilities, Substance Abuse, and Veterans. Dial 211 or visit wv211.org
- American Association of People with Disabilities
is the nation's largest disability rights organization. AAPD promotes
equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political
participation for people with disabilities.
- Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living
is a national grass roots, consumer controlled, nonprofit membership
organization consisting of centers for independent living, their
satellites and branch offices, statewide independent living councils,
other organizations and individuals concerned with the independent
living issues of people with disabilities living in rural America.
- Cerebral Palsy Group
is a national organization that was created so that it may serve the
individuals and families who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
We are here to provide information and support so that we may help
provide resources and education to those affected by CP.
- Cerebral Palsy Guide
CP is a disability caused by brain damage that restricts normal movement and coordination. Each year, 10,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Guide provides free educational materials, financial options and support to help those across the country affected by this disorder.
- Disability Resources for College Students -
Nearly 80 percent of all high school students with disabilities list attending college as one of their goals, yet only 60 percent enroll and 41 percent complete degrees, according to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Although these figures have risen in recent decades due to the passage of inclusive disability rights laws, students with disabilities still lag behind their peers in terms of postsecondary education. While much is being done to empower these students and promote their rights, one of the most important components in the process is helping prospective students and their families self-advocate and be aware of the resources and provisions in place at colleges and universities to help them succeed.
- Disabled World:
One of the key challenges for a person with a disability in today's
world is to be seen by the public, to be portrayed in media outlets and
treated by health care professionals as an individual with unique
abilities, not stereotyped merely as a "disabled person." Disabled World
provides informative articles, news services and educational videos.
- Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF),
founded in 1979, is a leading national civil rights law and policy
center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have
children with disabilities.
- Fair Shake Network
is an association of West Virginians dedicated to the belief that
diversity makes our communities stronger, that people with disabilities
have the right to live, work, and play in their own homes and
communities. The Fair Shake Network provides training and systems
advocacy on issues affecting people with disabilities through statewide,
grassroots, cross-disability activities.
- Independent Living Research Utilization,
founded in 1977, has a long history of providing research, education
and consultation in the areas of independent living, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, home and community-based services and health issues
for people with disabilities.
- Independent Living USA
maintains a community-created directory of resources for independent
living which aims to serve as a vehicle for helping individuals with
disabilities to develop online businesses and web-related opportunities.
- Mountain State Centers for Independent Living
is a community-based organization providing advocacy, networking, and
resources to people with disabilities and their families. The centers
are a place where people with disabilities are free to meet, share,
learn and plan lives of greater independence and self reliance.
- National Council on Disability
is an independent federal agency charged with advising the President,
Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs,
practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities.
- National Council on Independent Living
is proud to offer a national policy platform that advocates for the
human and civil rights of all individuals. NCIL members directly
determine our public policy priorities through regular survey, and by
serving on our legislative and advocacy subcommittees.
- Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living
is an advocacy resource center for persons with disabilites and the
communities in which they live – ensuring that consumers have the skills
and information they need to make informed choices, assisting
communities to better meet the needs of their citizens with
disabilities.
- Pathways to the Future
is a collection of resources, tools and people to help students with disabilities, through the journey from youth to adulthood.
Your future begins now! It's never too early to start planning for your future and exploring pre-employment transition services. Click on the icons below to explore jobs and careers, education/training after high school, independent living skills, and partners and programs to help you along the way.
- Center for Effective Government
was founded as OMB Watch in 1983, with a primary focus on making the
work of executive branch agencies more transparent and open to citizen
input. The organization changed its name in January 2013 to reflect the
fact that its work has expanded over the years and that it has a new
goal: an effective government that reflects the needs and priorities of
the American people.
- Refinance and mortgage guide for people with disabilities
seeks to provide the most relevant and essential resources needed to
navigate the myriad of red tape and sometimes rigid processes regularly
associated with real estate purchases.
- Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention – Virginia Commonwealth University
is a web portal that highlights our funded projects on many topics
related to the employment of individuals with disabilities. This
includes the RRTC on Employment of People with Physical Disabilities,
Autism Center for Excellence, School 2 Work, and more.
- Rehabilitation Services Administration
(RSA) oversees grant programs that help individuals with physical or
mental disabilities to obtain employment and live more independently
through the provision of such supports as counseling, medical and
psychological services, job training and other individualized services.
RSA's major Title I formula grant program provides funds to state
vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to provide employment-related
services for individuals with disabilities, giving priority to
individuals who are significantly disabled.
- Social Security Online
is the Social Security Administration's web platform for connecting
with services provided through a nationwide network of more than 1,400
offices that include regional offices, field offices, card centers,
teleservice centers, processing centers, hearing offices, the Appeals
Council, and our State and territorial partners, the Disability
Determination Services.
- State of West Virginia provides online access to information about state-managed services offered to all citizens.
- Technical Assistance & Continuing Education Center – Region 3
provides technical assistance and professional development to state VR
agency staff and partners in the Mid-Atlantic region to enhance the
employment outcomes of people with disabilities.
- Universal Design: What it means and how it works for everyone
Universal design can be thought of as the broad spectrum of concepts
for the creation of products, buildings and environments that feature
accessibility for people who have disabilities as well as those who do
not. This is an overview of its principles, with links to relevant
resources.
- U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division
works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans.
Among other responsibilities, the division enforces the provisions of
the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- U.S. Access Board
is a federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities
through leadership in accessible design and the development of
accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment,
transportation, communication, medical diagnostic equipment and
information technology.
- World Institute on Disability,
an internationally recognized public policy center founded in 1983 by
leaders of the Independent Living Movement, focuses on issues and
problems that directly affect people’s ability to live full and
independent lives.
- WV ADA Office
mission is to ensure ALL West Virginia Citizens have the opportunity to
actively, fully and equally participate in all state government
activities and programs.
- WV Bureau for Medical Services (Medicaid)
is the designated single state agency responsible for the
administration of the State's Medicaid program. BMS provides access to
appropriate health care for Medicaid-eligible individuals.
- WV Bureau of Senior Services
assists senior West Virginia residents in locating programs and
services for themselves or their loved ones, and provides professionals
with up-to-date information relating to the field of aging.
- WV Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
advocates for, develops and coordinates public policies, regulations
and programs to assure full and equal opportunity for persons who are
deaf and hard of hearing in West Virginia.
- WV Developmental Disabilities Council
works to assure that West Virginians with developmental disabilities
receive the services, supports, and other forms of assistance they need
to exercise self-determination and achieve independence, productivity,
integration, and inclusion in the community.
- WV Department of Health and Human Resources
is the state agency responsible for programs that serve citizens' needs
for mental and behavioral health services, child support enforcement,
services for children and families, Medicaid and other medical services,
and public health protection.
- WV Division of Rehabilitation Services
is the primary resource for vocational rehabilitation in West Virginia.
The primary goal for all DRS clients is to become productive working
citizens.
- WV Legislature
connects citizens to the legislative process in West Virginia by
providing access to legislative representatives, information about
proposed legislation and current law, and educational materials about
state government.
- WV Olmstead Office
develops, implements and monitors West Virginia’s Olmstead activities
in compliance with Title II of the ADA; provides support to the Olmstead
Council in carrying out their duties; manages grant funding to carry
out Olmstead-related projects; facilitates the implementation of the
Transition Navigator Program; and provides information, referral and
assistance to West Virginia citizens about the Olmstead Plan, whose key
components are informed choice, identification, transition, diversion,
reasonable pace, eliminating institutional bias, self-direction, rights
protection, quality, and community-based services.
- West Virginia State Rehabilitation Council,
in partnership with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation
Services, assures that all West Virginians with disabilities are
represented, informed and empowered; that they receive necessary,
sufficient and timely individualized services; and that these services
result in meaningful employment.
- WV Web provides an interactive online community for people to learn about West Virginia, its people and its businesses.
- WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities
provides education and training to West Virginia University students in
multiple disciplines; educates direct care providers who serve persons
with disabilities; and provides policy makers with objective information
about the status of disabilities services in West Virginia.