Accessible Techcomm

Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it? by the Mayo Clinic New
Antidepressants: Can they stop working? by the Mayo Clinic New
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) promotes the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders through education, practice, and research.
Anxiety Disorders transforms the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. It fosters innovative thinking and ensures that a full array of novel scientific perspectives are used to further discovery in the evolving science of brain, behavior, and experience. From the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Bipolar Disorder and Sleep Problems
The History of Mental Health Services in Modern England: Practitioner Memories and the Direction of Future Research [United Kingdom] "…there is a striking divergence between the ‘single-issue mythologies’ 2 developed in these works and the sheer diversity of approaches to understanding and managing mental distress and disorder that characterises the British mental health services…" New
Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons Proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 2856 (XXVI) of 20 December 1971
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is a national family-run organization linking more than 120 chapters and state organizations focused on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs and their families. It was conceived in Arlington, Virginia in February, 1989 by a group of 18 people determined to make a difference in the way the system works. The National Federation works to develop and implement policies, legislation, funding mechanisms, and service systems that utilize the strengths of families. Its emphasis on advocacy offers families a voice in the formation of national policy, services and supports for children with mental health needs and their families.
Handbook on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities: "Understanding The UN Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities" (7Mb .pdf) by Marianne Schulze, Handicap International, July 2010
MindFreedom International (MFI) is a nonprofit organization that unites sponsor and affiliate grassroots groups with thousands of individual members to win human rights and alternatives for people labeled with psychiatric disabilities. New
Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) MDRI, a sponsor group of MFI, works for human rights of people all over the world who are have a “mental disability” diagnosis. Updated
Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) Updated
Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAM)
Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (also available in plain text and PDF) [United Kingdom] Updated
Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation, World Health Organization (WHO)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. Provides access to SAMHSA publications, grants information, data files, and statistics. Updated
Mental Health Works [Canada]
Mind – National Association for Mental Health [United Kingdom]
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)The NIH National Institute of Mental Health is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. Updated
Principles for the protection of persons with mental illness and the improvement of mental health care Adopted by General Assembly resolution 46/119 of 17 December 1991 [Switzerland]
SALIS (Substance Abuse Librarians & Information Specialists) is an international association of individuals and organizations with special interests in the exchange and dissemination of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) information. New
Schizophrenia
- Brushes with Life Arts Program is a creative arts program for people in treatment at the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health; members of Club Nova, a local clubhouse for persons with mental illness; and other select community programs in the Chapel Hill area. It is a program of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Department of Psychiatry, Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health. Updated
- Schizophrenia Treatment and Evaluation Program (STEP) Community Clinics at the University of North Carolina Department of Psychiatry. STEP is are outpatient clinics help individuals and families dealing with serious mental illness to make strides toward health and recovery. Updated
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD) information from the Mayo Clinic Updated
- Seasonal Affective Disorder from Mental Health America. SAD, the "winter blues", is a subtype of depression or bipolar disorder that occurs and ends around the same time every year.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder: Winter Depression Updated
- Shedding Light on Seasonal Affective Disorder a cure for the wintertime blues.
- "Talk Therapy More Effective Long Term Treatment For SAD Than Light Therapy, Study Finds" article in ScienceDaily 1 November 2005
SymTrend Electronic diaries, graphic tools, and care management tools for health care and special education (added Dec 2008)
"The Role of International Human Rights in National Mental Health Legislation", co-authored by Clarence J. Sundram and Eric Rosenthal (291 Kb .pdf), Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence, World Health Organization (WHO), 2004
"The Lobotomist: A Maverick Medical Genius and His Tragic Quest to Rid the World of Mental Illness". As described by the author, Jack El-Hai, it is "…[the] biography of Walter Freeman, the infamous neurologist and promoter of frontal lobotomy who operated on Rosemary Kennedy in 1941." – 30 January 2005
Vesta, Inc. is a private, nonprofit, comprehensive behavioral health care organization with seven locations throughout Maryland. Vesta offers comprehensive, flexible, and ongoing services for adults, children and adolescents with a wide range of psychological difficulties, including serious and persistent mental illness. Updated

ABA Commission on Disabilities
ACLU position / briefing paper: "Disability Rights"
ADA&IT Technical Assistance Centers
ADA Publications and Videos
ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG)
ADA Facilities Access & Parking fact sheets:
- A Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible to People With Disabilities
- Accessible Parking
- Adjusting Doors for Access
- Opening Doors To Everyone
- The ADA and Small Business
ADA Guide for Places of Lodging: Serving Guests Who Are Blind Or Who Have Low Vision
ADA Library of the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Mission
Administration on Disabilities (AoD) works with states, communities, and partners in the disability networks to increase the independence, productivity, and community integration of individuals with disabilities. AoD includes the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) and the Independent Living Administration (ILA).
Adapt grassroots disability rights organization
Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act
Americans With Disabilities Act Information on the Web: ADA Information from the Department of Justice
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is committed to criminal justice reform.
UC Berkeley's website on the Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement
Center for Social Change (CSC) provides residential and supported employment services to children and adults with developmental disabilities in the community [Maryland]
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) is an independent, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization of attorneys, advocates, parents and other professionals. COPAA members work to protect special education rights and secure excellence in education on behalf of the 7.1 million children with disabilities in America.
Disability Law and Advocacy Resources
Disability Rights International (DRI) (formerly “Mental Disability Rights International”)
Equal Rights Center, Washington, DC
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is an international court set up in 1959. It rules on individual or State applications alleging violations of the civil and political rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights. Since 1998 it has sat as a full-time court and individuals can apply to it directly.
Open Society Foundatioms (OSF) are the world's largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights in Europe.
- Rights of People with Intellectual Disabilities – Access to Education and Employment (.pdf)
- Television across Europe: regulation, policy and independence (.pdf)
FCC Disability Rights Office If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance in regard to disability issues relating to telecommunications please do not hesitate to contact us at email hidden; JavaScript is required. If your disability prohibits you from filing a comment please send your e-filing comments to email hidden; JavaScript is required with your address and telephone number included. If you need to reach a member of the Disability Rights Office please call 202-418-2517.
Human Rights Education Associates (HREA)
Justice for All
FREE Legal Help from the American Bar Association
- ABA Free Legal Answers Online pro bono program that matches low-income clients with volunteer lawyers, who agree to provide brief answers online for free.
- Find Legal Aid from Legal Services Corporation (LSC) LSC is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. Federally funded legal services offices provide lawyers who are experts in helping low-income people with legal problems. The Corporation currently provides funding to 134 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.
- Pro Bono Resource Directory Search for pro bono organizations in your state. Pro bono programs match low-income clients with volunteer lawyers, who agree to take their cases for free.
- Other Legal Resources by State Information about the law or tools to help solve simple legal problems such as lists of courts, law libraries, State legal help.
Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) MDOD oversees the restructuring, reorganization of government delivery of services & programs for people with disabilities in Maryland through collaboration with all state government agencies.
- Maryland Planning for People with Disabilities And Others With Access and Functional Needs Toolkit
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) assures the full participation of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in all aspects of community life
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) envisions a state where all people with developmental disabilities exercise control over their lives, reach their full potential, and lead healthy, fulfilling lives with enriching relationships. [Maryland]
Maryland Dept. of Health Developmental Disabilities Administration Coordination of Community Services [Maryland]
Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) [Maryland]
Maryland Technology Assistance Program (MDTAP) [Maryland]
Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. (NLS)
Older Americans Act
Social Security Disability Information from the Social Security Administration
Social Security FAQ
Social Security Disability Questions & Answers
Accessibility Laws & Standards is an overview of the various major standards and legislation pieces passed in the U.S. and other countries. These lists do not provide an exhaustive list of all such legislative pieces, but does list the major relevant standards and legislation.
The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. P&As and CAPs work to improve the lives of people with disabilities by guarding against abuse; advocating for basic rights; and ensuring access and accountability in health care, education, employment, housing, transportation, voting, and within the juvenile and criminal justice systems. NDRN is the only legally based advocacy organization established by Congress to protect the rights of all individuals with disabilities. As part of that mandate, the network includes agencies in every state and U.S. territory, working to provide legal protection and advocacy services for people with disabilities.
- Training and Advocacy Support Center (TASC) is a division of NDRN that delivers training and technical assistance information and coordination for the federally mandated P&A/CAP Network. TASC is designed to enhance the advocacy functions of the P&As and CAPs in their efforts to protect the civil rights of persons with disabilities and prevent and/or remedy abuse and neglect of those who reside in institutions, other facilities and the community. TASC is a federal interagency project TASC by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD), the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA).
- Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) There is a P&A/CAP agency in every state and U.S. territory as well as one serving the Native American population in the four corners region. Collectively, the P&A/CAP network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.
U.S. Department of Justice ADA Home Page
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Information for Disabled Persons
HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) works to eliminate housing discrimination, promote economic opportunity, and achieve diverse, inclusive communities.
HUD's FHEO Disabilities Overview Disability discrimination is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other federal, state, and local laws.
"U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section works to achieve equal opportunity for people with disabilities in the United States by implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Through its multi-faceted approach toward achieving compliance with the ADA, this Section works to make this goal a reality. The Section’s enforcement, certification, regulatory, coordination, and technical assistance activities, required by the ADA, combined with an innovative mediation program and a technical assistance grant program, provide a cost-effective and dynamic approach for carrying out the ADA’s mandates. The Section also carries out responsibilities under Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, and Executive Order 12250."
"When Words are Not Enough" communications training program for responders is an educational tool to teach responders simple methods for emergency communications with people who have disabilities and special needs. The program includes a video, written manual, communication booklet, and poster. The manual provides basic information about individuals with disabilities and communication difficulties. The booklet is easy-to-assemble and includes 10 key communication words in English and Spanish, with American Sign Language instructions.
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 was a United States federal law that was repealed and replaced by the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014
H.R.803 – Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 113th Congress (2013-2014) full text
Wrightslaw Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. Begin your search in the Advocacy Libraries and Law Libraries.

Tag: human rights

Mental Health

Legal & Human Rights Resources

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