Resources

It is the mission of the West Virginia State Rehabilitation Council, in partnership with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services, to assure 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.

The following links will direct you to web resources that support some or all of these goals. We are not responsible for material contained on any of these websites, but in many cases they can provide additional information or support that we cannot.

General Resources about Disability

• 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.
• 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.
• The 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.

Housing

• Grants for Home Modification: 16 Resources for Homeowners with Disabilities
• Renting with Disabilities offers advice to Wisconsin renters with disabilities, but its commonsense approach is almost universal.
• Adapting a Home for Disabilities

Health and safety resources:

• Exercises for Disabled Vets
• Autism and Addiction: Coping with and Treating Your Dual Diagnosis
• Fire Safety & Disabilities Guide
• Emergency Readiness for People with Disabilities

Lifestyle and community:

• A Parent’s Guide to Researching Schools for Children with Special Needs
• The Importance of Socialization for Kids with Disabilities
• The Guide to Securing Life-long Accommodations for Adult Children with Special Needs
• A Complete Guide to Service, Therapy and Emotional Support Dogs

Advocacy and Civil Rights

• 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.
• National Disability Rights Network is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: individuals with disabilities, Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.
• 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.
• 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.
• The 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.
• WV Web provides an interactive online community for people to learn about West Virginia, its people and its businesses.
• The 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.
• The 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.
• 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.
• The WV State Independent Living Council ensures that persons who have disabilities have access to community-based resources that promote personal choice and facilitate the achievement of their independent living goals.
• Federal Service Dog Law in Plain English

Vocational Rehabilitation and Work

• 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.
• 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.
• The 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.
• 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.
• ADA: Disabilities and Your Rights as an Employee

Government Services

• 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.
• The State of West Virginia provides online access to information about state-managed services offered to all citizens.
• 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 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.
• The 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.
• The 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.

Specific Disabilities

• Cerebral Palsy Guide is an organization that equips parents and caregivers of children with CP with information on surgical, medical and therapy interventions to improve the quality of life of their child.
• Cerebral Palsy Guidance was created to provide answers and assistance to parents of a child with cerebral palsy. The goal is to reach as many members of the cerebral palsy community as possible, building up a network of support and providing necessary assistance.
• Cerebral Palsy Group is a national organization providing free educational information and support to those who have been affected by cerebral palsy.
• The 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.
• The 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.