Resources
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency that provides advice and recommendations to the President, Congress, and executive branch agencies. NCD does not provide direct legal or advocacy services to people with disabilities. However, below is a list of resources to assist individual inquiries seeking such services which are most likely to be found at the city or state level. Please also refer to NCD's Frequently Asked Questions for answers to commonly asked questions.
Civil Rights
A Guide to Disability Rights Laws
This guide, a publication of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides summaries of all major disability rights laws and appropriate federal contact information for more information.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
This U.S. Department of Justice website contains valuable information regarding ADA standards, technical assistance, new or proposed regulations, an ADA Help Line, a toolkit for state and local governments, and other valuable information.
- ADA Information Line
(800) 514-0301 (Voice)
(800) 514-0383 (TTY) - Regional ADA and IT Technical Assistance Centers
(800) 949-4232 (Voice / TTY)
Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)
This U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) webpage summarizes the DOT rules pertaining to the rights of air passengers with disabilities.
Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)
This Access Board webpage contains the text of the law.
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA)
This U.S. Department of Justice webpage contains the text of the law.
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
This U.S. Department of Health and Human Services webpage contains the text of the law.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This U.S. Department of Education webpage contains a link to the text of the law.
Education
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
This U.S. Department of Education webpage contains information about OSERS programs, reports, and resources.
Rehabilitation Services Administration
This U.S. Department of Education web portal contains information about RSA programs, reports, and resources.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
This U.S. Department of Education webpage contains a link to the text of the law.
Employment
Employment Discrimination
This EEOC webpage explains what constitutes illegal discrimination on the basis of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and how to file a complaint.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
This website provides information for employers, job seekers, rehabilitation professionals, union representatives, and others regarding workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other legislation.
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
This U.S. Department of Labor website provides information about ODEP's programs, initiatives, and grants.
Ticket to Work
This Social Security Administration website provides information about the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program, directories of Employment Networks, and other valuable information.
Financial Assistance & Incentives
Social Security Disability Benefits
This website features information on different disability benefits provided by the Social Security Administration; who can get disability benefits; how one applies for disability benefits; and other important information.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
This U.S. Department of Health and Human Services webpage provides general information, history, goals, and organization of the TANF program.
Food Stamps
This U.S. Department of Agriculture webpage explains the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and how to apply for benefits.
Health Care
HHS Office on Disability
This HHS webpage contains valuable information about the implementation and coordination of programs and policies that enhance the health of people with disabilities across age, race, and ethnicity.
Mental Health Services Locator
This webpage of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a mental health services locator by state.
CDC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities
Aims to promote the health of people with disabilities, prevent secondary conditions, and eliminate disparities between people with and without disabilities in the U.S. population.
Housing
Fair Housing Act
This U.S. Department of Justice webpage contains information about the Fair Housing Act and a link to the text of the law.
Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)
This Access Board webpage contains the text of the law.
Housing Discrimination
This U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development webpage explains the process of filing a complaint of housing discrimination.
Independent Living
Independent Living Centers (ILCs) Directory
This webpage contains a list of states, with links to each state's directory of their ILCs, which are community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential nonprofit agencies designed and operated within a local community by people with disabilities that provide advocacy, independent living skills training, information and referral, and peer counseling.
Client Assistance Program (CAP)
CAP is the information and advocacy program for people with disabilities who are seeking or receiving federally funded rehabilitation services authorized in the Rehabilitation Act and provided by through specific state/territory grants.
Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR)
CANAR is an avenue for collaboration and cooperation between Administrators of federally-funded rehabilitation projects and to increase and enhance the quality of services, resulting in positive outcomes for Native Americans with disabilities.
International
U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
This United National webpage contains the text of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Legal Assistance
State Protection and Advocacy Agencies (P&As)
This U.S. Department of Health and Human Services webpage contains a fact sheet about the P&A system as well as a listing of the agencies by state.
Technology
Telecommunications Accessibility
This Federal Communications Commission webpage contains information regarding Telecommunications Relay Service, accessibility and innovation, closed captioning, and other valuable information.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
This federal government website contains the text of the law, regulations, and standards, as well as tools and resources for its effective implementation.
Transportation
Accessible Transportation
This U.S. Department of Transportation webpage contains general information and links regarding laws and regulations that govern equal access to transportation for people with disabilities.
Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)
This U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) webpage summarizes the DOT rules pertaining to the rights of air passengers with disabilities.
Youth Perspectives
Kids As Self Advocates (KASA) is a national, grassroots project created by youth with disabilities for youth who learn to model leadership and the power of self-advocacy. We are active in our schools, communities, families and places of employment
National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) is a youth driven and youth led non-profit leadership capacity-building organization of youth living with various disabilities. NYLN promotes youth leadership, education, and advocacy.