Wolfner :: Resources & Links

Disability Resource Links 

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Disability Resources | Statewide Resources | National Resources

 

Disability Resources

  • Department of Justice-ADA--The ADA gives the Department of Justice (DOJ) authority to issue regulations for title II and III of the ADA and to provide technical assistance and enforcement. The Department also has authority to certify that a state or local accessibility code is equivalent to the ADA's requirements for new construction and alterations.
  • Microsoft Accessibility and Disabilities website. Here you'll find information about what Microsoft is doing and the tools that can help you remove barriers and make the world more accessible.
  • Trace Center is an interdisciplinary research, development and resource center on technology and disability. It is part of the Waisman Center and the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. The mission of the Center is "To advance the ability of people with disabilities to achieve their life objectives through the use of communication, computer and information technologies. 

 

 

Statewide Resources

  • Friends of Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library is a not-for-profit, tax exempt organization with a mission to promote public awareness of the library and raise funds to improve and enhance the library. 
  • The Governor's Council on Disability serves as a link in the information and advocacy for people with disabilities in the state. The committee works to make employers aware of the job needs and abilities of job seekers who have disabilities, educated people with disabilities about the Rehabilitation and Job Placement Services available and encourage communities to improve accessibility for people with disabilities where they work, live and play.
  • Minds Eye Information Service provides free radio receivers to people in eastern Missouri near the Illinois border who are blind or print disabled. Using these radios, listeners can hear volunteers reading magazines, newspapers, and books like the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Wall Street Journal and TV Guide 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Minds Eye is also available in 80 nursing and retirement facilities in the Bi-State region.
  • Missouri Assistive Technology (MoAT) was established in 1991 as part of Public Law #100-407, The Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act. The mission of Missouri Assistive Technology is to increase access to assistive technology for Missourians with all types of disabilities, of all ages. For further information, or to locate one of the six Outreach Centers nearest you, call 816-655-6700.
  • Missouri Council of the Blind (MCB) is a non-profit membership organization that provides social, educational and legislative benefits for the blind in Missouri. MCB has several chapters throughout the state and also publishes a quarterly newsletter, the Missouri Chronicle. Call 800-342-5632 to locate the MCB chapter nearest you.
  • Missouri Parents ACT (MPACT) is Missouri’s Parent Training and Information Center, funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education and the State of Missouri. Our mission is to empower families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life – through support, training, and education.  MPACT can be contacted by calling 800-743-7634.
  • Missouri School for the Blind (MSB) is a residential and day school serving students between five and twenty-one years of age for whom it has been determined through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that MSB is the most appropriate placement. The school, located in St. Louis, offers a general educational program plus many educational courses, methods, techniques, and materials especially designed for the education and training of visually impaired students. Call 314-776-4320, for more information on programs and services.
  • National Federation of the Blind of Missouri is a charter affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, organized in 1940. We are blind people, and friends of the blind, who encourage opportunity and equality for the blind and visually impaired in all walks of life. We demonstrate that blindness is an inconvenience, not a tragedy. Advocacy, education, employment, literacy and parenting are just a few of our interests. For information, call 573-445-6091.
  • Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) provides funding for vocational rehabilitation and the Business Enterprise Program (BEP), Older Blind Services to citizens over age 55, rehabilitation teaching services in the home, training in orientation and mobility, prevention of blindness services, professional counseling and consultant services to families of children who are blind or visually impaired. Call 800-592-6004 for the RSB office nearest you.
  • Saint Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired, founded in 1911, is a private not-for-profit organization providing services to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired remain independent.
  • Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is funded both by federal and state government. A division of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), its mission is to help persons with physical or mental disabilities become employed. In addition, VR funds 21 Independent Living Centers (ILC) throughout the state, contact them for program information or the nearest ILC.

 

 

National & Other Resources

  • American Council of the Blind (ACB) provides general information about the Council, including recent issues of their monthly publication, The Braille Forum.
  • American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), is a leading national resource for people who are blind or visually impaired, the organizations that serve them, and the general public. The mission of the American Foundation for the Blind is to enable people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve equality of access and opportunity that will ensure freedom of choice in their lives.
  • American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. (APH) promotes independence of blind and visually impaired persons by providing special media, tools, and materials needed for education and life.
  • Hadley School for the Blind create personalized learning opportunities that empower people to thrive – at home, at work and in their communities. Includes free Braille learning classes.
  • Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic) is a national nonprofit organization that serves people who cannot read standard print because of a visual, perceptual or other physical disability. RFB&D is recognized as the nation's leading educational lending library of academic and professional textbooks on audio tape from elementary through post-graduate and professional levels.
  • National Federation of the Blind (NFB) was founded by a group of caring and concerned blind people. It was formed with one simple purpose--to help the blind to help themselves. They wanted all blind people treated equally, respected as individuals and for their contributions to society.

 

If your organization wishes to appear on this resource page, e-mail your URL to [email protected] for consideration by Wolfner Library Staff.

 

Resources and links listed herein are for informational purposes ONLY and do not constitute any endorsement by Wolfner Library.

 

 

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