Disability Resources

In addition to the following links to Disability resources, the Herrick Library subscribes to these relevant magazines:

  • Ability (“covering Health, Disability, and Human Potential”)
  • Brain & Life (formerly Neurology Now)
  • Hearing Health
  • Hearing Loss
  • NM: New Mobility
  • Paraplegia News (PN Magazine)

Start Here:

Disabilities (MedlinePlus) – Basic information about disabilities and numerous links to government agencies and other organizations for explanations, websites, and other resources. Información en Español sobre las discapacidades.

Disability Services and Resources: California Department of Health Care Services – Links to services and resources for adults, children, seniors, and women. Click here for information on State Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave. Información sobre los Beneficios del Seguro Estatal de Incapacidad en Español

Disability Information – General

Americans with Disabilities Act – Information and technical assistance with the ADA from the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, including laws/regulations, design standards, technical assistance materials, and enforcement.

Disability Accessible Travel in San Diego – The San Diego Tourism Authority provides this webpage of resources for visitors with disabilities, including accessible hotels, tours, lift transportation, attractions and more.

Disability Resources: U.S. Department of Labor – Department of Labor (DOL) agencies assist people with disabilities in seeking meaningful work and succeeding once on the job. DOL also advises employers on effective strategies for recruiting and retaining qualified people with disabilities, as well as educates federal agencies and federal contractors and sub-contractors about their obligations related to affirmative action and nondiscrimination in hiring. For DOL resources on Social Security click here. For DOL resources on Worker’s Compensation click here.

Family Caregiver Alliance – FCA and the National Center on Caregiving are nonprofit organizations that offer caregivers providing long-term care for loved ones at home with education, services, research, and advocacy. Use Family Care Navigator to locate local programs and services. Información para los cuidadores en Español.

Learning Disabilities Association of America – Provides support and information to people with learning disabilities, their parents, teachers, and other professionals. Site includes links to information on types of learning disabilities, practical solutions, and a comprehensive network of resources.

National Center for Learning Disabilities – Information on learning disabilities and attention issues including sections for parents, young adults, professionals, and educators.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped – National network of cooperating libraries that administers a free library program of braille and audio books and magazines circulated to eligible borrowers in the U.S. by postage-free mail or instant download.

Social Security Administration: Disability Benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits – Information on disability benefits from the U.S. government and instructions on how to apply. Información sobre el Seguro Social por Incapacidades en Español. Information in 13 other languages.

Brain Injuries

Brain Injury Association of America – The Brain Injury section includes information on different types of brain injuries, diagnosis, treatment, mild brain injury, concussion, and where to find support and resources. Also has information on brain injury in adults and in children and information for family and caregivers.

San Diego Brain Injury Foundation – Provides information, support, education, and community awareness for brain injury survivors in San Diego County and their caregivers and families. Its publication, The Journey Toward Recovery: A Brain Injury Guide for Families / El Trayecto Hacia La Recuperación: Una Guía sobre Lesiones Cerebrales para Familias, is available to download for free in English or en Español.

Developmental Disabilities

California Department of Developmental Services – Information on services and support available to individuals in California with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and related conditions. Services are provided through regional centers, including the San Diego Regional Center.

Foundation for Developmental Disabilities – Serves individuals living with a developmental disability and their families in San Diego and Imperial counties. Provides support when needed services are not available from public or private resources.

HealthyChildren.org – Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics on a wide range of developmental disabilities. Información de pediatras sobre las discapacidades del desarrollo en Español.

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an A – Z Index of birth defects, blood disorders, and disabilities. Also includes sections on before and during pregnancy, infants and children, people with disabilities, and blood disorders. Información del Centro Nacional de Defectos Congénitos y Discapacidades del Desarrollo en Español.

Rehabilitation

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) – The AOTA provides answers and resources to learn how occupational therapy can help you or your loved ones live life to its fullest.

California Department of Rehabilitation – Information on the assistance available to eligible Californians with disabilities to obtain and retain employment and maximize their ability to live independently in their communities. Provides consultation, counseling, and vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with every type and category of disability.

National Rehabilitation Information Center – NARIC is the gateway to information for the disability and rehabilitation communities from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. NARIC provides links to articles, reports, and research projects on a wide variety of disability and rehabilitation topics. Also provides extensive links to Disability Resources including organizations, agencies, and online resources for treatment, benefits, and services. Información en Español orientada hacia las personas con discapacidades y la rehabilitación.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation– Provides information, assistance, and resources on current research information on rehabilitation and treatments for people with spinal cord injury and other physical disabilities. The Paralysis Resource Center includes extensive information on spinal cord injury, mobility impairment, paralysis and its impact, living a healthy life, and hundreds of Fact Sheets A-Z. Hojas de datos en Español que listan recursos para la discapacidad por temas.

United Spinal Association/Spinal Cord Resource Center – Provides information on spinal cord injuries and diseases/disorders including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and post-polio (poliomyelitis). Provides support and information to loved ones, care providers, and professionals.

Stroke

If someone may be having a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Si sospecha que alguien esta teniendo un ataque cerebral, llame al 9-1-1 inmediatamente.

American Stroke Association – A division of the American Heart Association, ASA provides resources and education on all aspects of stroke, including warning signs and symptoms, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Recursos en Español sobre los trastornos neurológicos.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – One of the National Institutes of Health, NINDS provides neurological information on a wide range of disorders along with Patient and Caregiver Education and Support Resources. Información en Español sobre los trastornos neurológicos.