Disability Awareness Programs

Voc-rehabilitation for the blind/visually impaired. Medical-vocational diagnosis, counseling, blindness prevention, rehabilitation, low-vision screening, mobility and training

To create a better future for those impacted by brain injury through awareness, support, advocacy, community engagement, and the prevention of brain injury.

Brain injury helpline: Often a person faces a lot of uncertainty after brain injury, including the transition back to work or school, funding options, recreation, family and spousal relationships, and coping with ongoing fatigue, headaches, and depression. The Brain Injury Help Line is a free, statewide telephone service available that provides support to persons affected by brain injury and their families. The service is voluntary and while many participants are referred at the point of discharge from the hospital, anyone can self-refer or be referred by a professional. Individuals can participate at any point after a brain injury. Individuals and their family members can also contact the Alliance directly at (800) 241-6442 to participate in this service.

Speakers bureau: The need to educate consumers, professionals, and the general public concerning brain injury has been a priority of the Brain Injury Alliance of Montana since its inception. The Brain Injury Alliance Speakers Bureau has been established to help support the mission of the Alliance to raise the awareness of brain injury issues. These services are available through the Alliance and the many resources in our state.

Responds to inquiries about a diverse range of topics related to deaf and hard-of-hearing children from infancy to age 21.

Mission: Genetic Alliance engages individuals, families, and communities to transform health.

Active Programs:

• Advocacy-Led Research: Research tools for individuals and communities
• Expecting Health: Assistance for all stages of family planning, including preconception and advocacy
• Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitates communication across multidisciplinary stakeholders.

Genetic Alliance was incorporated on October 31, 1986 as the Alliance of Genetic Support Groups. AGSG changed its name to Genetic Alliance in 2000.

Since 1950, we've spearheaded efforts to transform the lives of people with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. We fund groundbreaking research for promising treatments and provide families with the highest quality care from the best doctors in the country.

Aware of Angels is a nonprofit photography project that advocates for children who have genetic, rare or undiagnosed disorders with a photography and blog project. AOA brings awareness to and shares stories and images of children with genetic disorders and those needing a diagnosis.

Resources and support for individuals with limb loss and their families. Advocacy information and resources for state and national advocacy.

Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp: A 6-day traditional summer camp experience for children with limb loss and limb difference to increase self-confidence and self-esteem through a traditional and supportive summer camp experience. The Amputee Coalition arranges travel plans for all camp attendees. Cost: none! thanks to sponsors and donors. Opportunities for camp counselors ages 18-19 and age 20 and above.

2016 dates July 8 - 16.

A family support organization that exists to ensure early and accurate diagnosis of CdLS, promote research into the causes and manifestations of the syndrome, and help people with a diagnosis of CdLS, and others with similar characteristics, make informed decisions throughout their lives. Toll free help lines, Ask the Expert emails, Connect with a Family, and more.

Additional Family Resources: Medical Cards, Family Map, CoRDS Registry, CdLS Discussion Board

M - F 8:30 - 5 ET

A national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom. Key issue is affordable, accessible, integrated housing. Access Across America is a proposal to HUD for a national program.

Offers a directory of Local ADAPT Groups.

Provides research, educational forums, publications, subject matter experts, and current information on treatment and prevention of eating disorders.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Following all CDC and State guidelines.

• Specialized Information and Referral
• Internet Information Resources
• Disease/Disability Information

• Medical Care Expense Assistance
• Internet Information Resources
• Disease/Disability Information

An online resource of six national non-profit autism organizations whose mission is to reduce autism-related wandering incidents and deaths. Provides an online Family Wandering Emergency Plan, Big Red Safety Box program, and Toolkits for caregivers, first-responders and teachers.

• Specialized Information and Referral

Provides online, telephone, and in-person counseling, support groups, educational workshops, publications, financial, and co-payment assistance. All services are provided by oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts.

COVID-19 UPDATE: All services are available via telephone and online. Please call with any questions.

• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Medical Care Expense Assistance
• Disease/Disability Information

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cures for Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. Provides online and telephone access to disease educational materials, support groups, physician referrals and other resources.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Following all CDC and State guidelines. Please contact to verify if support group is meeting online or in person.

• Specialized Information and Referral
• Disease/Disability Information
• Research Funds
• Internet Information Resources
• Health/Disability Related Support Groups

Provides information, advocacy, and assistance finding doctors, legal assistance, support groups and transportation reimbursement. Learn about epilepsy, types of seizures, triggers, diagnosis, treatment, etc. Offers a seizure diary app self-management tool.  Offers support groups for people with epilepsy.

Spanish-language line: 866-748-8008

Provides a comprehensive resource for accurate, up-to-date information, support, and acceptance to maximize the quality of life for individuals with 5p- and their families. This syndrome is a chromosomal deletion disorder that results in intellectual and developmental issues in children. Also supports five Regional Family Get-Togethers per year.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Following all CDC and State guidelines.

• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Disease/Disability Information

The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Inc. (ANAD) is a non-profit organization working in the areas of support, awareness, advocacy, referral, education, and prevention. ANAD assists people struggling with eating disorders and also provides resources for families, schools and the eating disorder community. Services include ANAD recovery mentorship, ANAD support groups, ANAD annual conference, and ANAD YouTube recovery channel.

• Internet Information Resources
• Disease/Disability Information
• Specialized Information and Referral

• Disease/Disability Information
• Internet Information Resources
• Specialized Information and Referral

Provides research, patient support, community outreach, and government advocacy. Raises money for direct private funding of research. Supports individuals and communities all across the country in working together to raise awareness and funds to develop more effective treatment options for better patient outcomes. The programs aims to create a sense of hope and community so no one has to face pancreatic cancer alone.

• Specialized Information and Referral
• Clinical Trials
• Disease/Disability Information

Non-medical information on blindness, and referrals to various sources of help, state services for the blind, and state libraries for the blind.

Resources: Offers a variety of resources, including Job Connection, Blind/Low Vision resources, peer support, and more

Scholarships: Scholarships for freshman, undergraduate, and graduate students. To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants need to be legally blind, maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for most scholarships, be a full-time student (as well as students who work 32 or more hours per week and attend college part time), and be involved in their school/local community.

Programs and Services: Audio Description Project, Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Radio, and more.

Improves the quality of life for all people affected by lupus through programs of research, education, support, and advocacy.

• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Disease/Disability Information
• Voluntary Health Organizations

Chapter Finder: Find support and connection in your community.

AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Improving lung health and preventing lung disease through Education, Advocacy and Research. With the generous support of the public, we are "Fighting for Air."

The Childhood RND Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to educating health professionals and families who deal with amplified musculoskeletal pain syndromes (AMPS) such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), RSD, RND, neuropathic pain and myofascial pain. Services include:
-Educational materials about a variety of pain issues
-[https://stopchildhoodpain.org/faqs/what-hospitals-offer-this-treatment-program/ Directory of pediatric AMPS treatment programs.]

The ANCOR Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization created to support the development of innovative programs and disseminate information that will improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Programs include:

• Included. Supported. Empowered.: Three-year campaign to celebrate the successes of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the providers who support them through storytelling.
• Case for Inclusion: A tool (published annually) evaluating all 50 states and DC on how well state programs are serving individuals with I/DD. In partnership with United Cerebral Palsy.
• Leadership Academy: Immersive two-year program for mid-career professionals working as I/DD service providers.

The Association for Creatine Deficiencies’ mission is to provide patient, family, and public education, to advocate for early diagnoses, and to promote and fund medical research for treatments and cures for Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndromes (CCDS).

Offers information for patients and families, including online support groups, for clinicians, and about research.

Connecting Families UCD Foundation provides resources, information, and support groups for families and individuals with Urea cycle disorders (UCDs).

UCD Family Camps: Connecting Families UCD Foundation hosts annual camps for families affected by a Urea Cycle Disorder. UCD Family Camps are held in different locations across the US so that all families around the country may have an opportunity to attend. Camps are 100% free of charge to UCD families and siblings (any age). All costs of foods (low-pro), lodging, and shuttling to and from airport to camp site is provided as well.

Resources, information, research information, and support for HCU.

Information about PKU, research, advocacy, and resources.

Find a Clinic by state, zip code, or map.

Volunteer non-profit organization whose mission is to empower families and health care professionals with knowledge in organic acidemia metabolic disorders. Support early intervention through expanded newborn screening, solicit contributions and distribute funding that supports research toward improved treatment and eventual cures in the areas of Organic Acid disorders.

The Autism Research Institute (ARI) is the hub of a worldwide network of parents and professionals concerned with autism. ARI was founded in 1967 to conduct and foster scientific research designed to improve the methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing autism. ARI also disseminates research findings to parents and others worldwide seeking help. The ARI data bank, the world's largest, contains over 40,000 detailed case histories of autistic children from over 60 countries.

Services:

• Online educational events for parents and caretakers
• Continuing medical education credit for physicians, teachers, dietitians, and occupational therapists
• ATEC treatment assessment tool for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Resource Line
• Research updates and newsletters

Pursuing recognition, policy and solutions for the surging population of individuals, families and caregivers affected by severe forms of autism and related disorders.

Offers:

• Education to the public
• Platform for policy discourse and services
• Education for policy makers
• Promote research
• Promote awareness and acceptance