Information & Referral

Advocacy, Support and Knowledge (ASK)
1050 N. Davis St.
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Telephone: 358-1200
Fax: 358-3800
Web site: www.arcjacksonville.org
Days and Hours of Operations: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

To provide advocacy, support and knowledge so that individuals with developmental disabilities have full access to the community and have the opportunity to live enriched lives. The ASK program provides individual assistance, information, referral, to individuals with disabilities, their families and circles of support throughout the lifespan. The program maintains a resource library. First Coast Self-advocates in Action. Call ASK for meeting details.

Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
1331 F St., NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004-1111
Telephone: 800-872-2253
Fax: 202-272-0081
TTY: 800-993-2822
Web site: www.access-board.gov

The board is an independent federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Board is a leading source of information on accessible design. The Board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology. It also provides technical assistance and training on these requirements and on accessible design and continues to enforce accessibility standards that cover federally funded facilities. The Board is structured to function as a coordinating body among federal agencies and to directly represent the public, particularly people with disabilities. Half of its members are representatives from most of the federal departments. The other half is comprised of members of the public appointed by the president, a majority of whom must have a disability.

Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center
Telephone: 800-539-7309
Web site: www.paralysis.org

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center (PRC), a program of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF), was created in 2002 to provide a comprehensive, national source of information for people living with paralysis and their caregivers to promote health, foster involvement in the community and improve quality of life.

Child Find/FDLRS
See Listing Under Youth Category

Council of Citizens with Low Vision
See Listing Under Advisory/Advocacy Category

Deaf Consumer Program/Sign Language Interpreter Services, Independent Living Resource Center
2709 Art Museum Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Telephone: 399-8484, 398-6322 (TDD)
Fax: 396-0859 (DCP), 399-0448 (Interpreter Services)
Web site: www.cilj.com
Days and Hours of Operations: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

In an effort to maintain the availability of effective communication for the Deaf and Hard of hearing as determined in the ADA law, the Independent Living Resource Center has an Interpreter Service available. Also, we have the Deaf Program that provides information and referral, advocacy, peer mentoring, and independent living skills.

Disability Info
Website: www.disabilityinfo.gov

DisabilityInfo.gov is a comprehensive online resource designed to provide people with disabilities with the information they need to know quickly and easily. With just a few clicks, the site provides access to disability related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects including civil rights, community life, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology and transportation.

DisabilityInfo.gov is the result of an Executive Memorandum issued by President George W. Bush on August 22, 2002 as part of his New Freedom Initiative which directed federal agencies to work together to build a one-stop interagency Web portal for people with disabilities,their families, employers, service providers and community members.

Disabled Services Division
117 W. Duval St., Suite 205
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Telephone: 630-4940
Fax: 630-3476
TDD: 630-4933
Web site: www.coj.net
Days and Hours of Operations: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Mission: The overall goal of the Disabled Services Division is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by addressing, researching, and attempting to resolve the many barriers they encounter. These barriers include, but are not limited to, transportation, housing, accessibility, discrimination and employment. The Disabled Services Division is responsible for increasing awareness concerning the accomplishments and needs of people with disabilities, monitoring federal and state legislation relating to disability rights and issues, and advising the mayor and his staff about necessary city compliance. It is also responsible for suggesting and implementing ordinances that favorably impact on equal access and opportunity while changing city policies that may adversely impact individuals with disabilities.

Services: Conferences, public hearings, accessibility surveys and compliance; monitors the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Disabled Parking Enforcement laws; produces the Directory of Services for People with Disabilities; produces Disabled Parking Dos and Don'ts; maintains online Community Calendar of Events; provides a variety of ADA literature; information and referral concerning transportation, employment, medical, financial assistance, peer counselling and recreation; increases public awareness on the needs and accomplishments of persons with disabilities by: serving as staff for the Mayor's Disability Council, public speaking engagements, media appearances, sensitivity training, Jim Brady Scholarship Fund (for Duval County High School Seniors with disabilities).

Easter Seals Society National Headquarters
230 West Monroe, Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606
Telephone: 312-726-6200, 800-221-6827
Fax: 312-726-1494
TDD: 312-726-4258
Web site: www.easter-seals.org or www.fl.easterseals.com

Easter Seals assists more than one million children and adults with disabilities and their families annually through a nationwide network of more than 450 service sites. Each center provides top-quality, family-focused and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the particular community it serves. Primary Easter Seals services include medical rehabilitation, early intervention, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing therapy, job training and employment, child care, adult day services and camping and recreation. Easter Seals also advocates for the passage of legislation to help people with disabilities achieve independence, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Passed in 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination against anyone who has a mental or physical disability, guaranteeing the civil rights of people with disabilities.

At the core of the Easter Seals organization is a common passion for caring, shared by its 13,000 staff members and thousands of volunteers, and by those who support its mission. This heart-felt commitment to helping people with disabilities and their families is what Easter Seals is all about.

Exceptional Family Member Program
Naval Hospital Jacksonville
2080 Child St.
Jacksonville, FL 32214
Telephone: 542-7348
Fax: 542-9171
Days and Hours of Operations: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Web site: www.npc.navy.mil/channels. Click on "Support and Services," go to the forms and download DD Form 2792, Exceptional Family Member Medical Summary or click DD Form 2792, "Special Education/Early Intervention Summary" for school age children.

Eligibility: The EFM Program is open to any active duty family member who meets the following criteria: special needs; physical, psychological or special educational. Has a long term chronic medical, psychological or educational need. Enrollment in DEERS and residing with sponsor.

The Family Caf�
1332 N. Duval Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32303
Telephone: (888) 309-CAF� (2233)

Fax (850) 224-4674

Website: www.familycafe.net

The Family Caf� began in 1998 as an attempt to meet an urgent need among persons with disabilities and their families: the need for information. To meet that need, The Family Caf� created an Annual Conference that would serve as a clearinghouse of information. The conference would provide a unique environment, where families could connect with peers, commercial service providers, and public entities to find out what services were available to them, which best met their needs, and how to go about securing those services. The guiding principle of The Family Caf� has always been the belief that well-informed people make the best decisions for themselves and their loved ones. Our Annual Conference provides the opportunity to put that principle into action.

Beyond the Annual Conference, The Family Caf� also serves as source of information for individuals with disabilities on an ongoing basis in a number of ways. We produce an annual publication every fall called The Question & Answer Book. This publication is created by distributing unanswered questions submitted by conference attendees for The Annual Governor's Summit on Disabilities at the Annual Conference. The Family Caf� distributes those questions to the relevant state agencies, and collates the responses in a single reference guide. The Family Caf� also operates a website designed to provide information and networking opportunities to its visitors.

As you can see, ours is a unique and dynamic organization. The Annual Conference is an essential fixture in the disability-related landscape, and is continually building upon that strength to expand into new areas. Nonetheless its core mission remains intact: to provide individuals with disabilities and their families with collaboration, advocacy, friendship and empowerment so they can make the best decisions possible for themselves.

The Family Caf� is also fortunate to enjoy the support of a number of sponsors, including The Able Trust, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Delmarva Foundation, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), the Florida Association of Broadcasters, the Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC), the Florida Division of Blind Services, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), the Florida Inclusion Network, Florida Institute for Family Involvement (FIFI), Florida KidCare, Independence Technology, a Johnson & Johnson Company, McDonald Training Center, Inc., The Mentor Network, Miami Children's Hospital, The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, Publix Super Markets Charities, The Rocco Gerolmo Foundation, SeaWorld, the Wachovia Foundation, Walt Disney World Resorts and WellCare.

Family Network on Disabilities of Florida
See Listing Under Youth Category

First Call
Telephone: 211 or 632-0600
Fax: 390-3251
Web site: www.firstcalljax.org

Linking people in need with community services. Provides information, referrals to Health and Human Services, also provides crisis and suicide intervention. Serves Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties.

Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services
See Listing Under Youth Category

Florida Institute for Family Involvement (FIFI)
3927 Spring Creek Hwy
Crawfordville, FL 32327
Telephone: 877-926-3514, 850-926-4230
Fax: 240-358-6542
Web site: www.fifionline.org

Support, information, and a resource for families of children and youth with special health care needs.

Florida Respite Coalition
2304 Aloma Ave., Suite 100
Winter Park, FL 32792
Telephone: 866-FL-RELIEF, 357-3543, 407-740-8909
Fax: 407-644-6548
Web site: www.floridarespite.org

The mission of the Florida Respite Coalition is to strengthen the care give and family's ability to handle the ongoing demands of care giving.

The Florida Respite Coalition envisions a coordinated and fully funded system of Lifespan Respite Care in Florida that supports providers, families and care givers in their ongoing responsibility of caring for loved ones with special needs or circumstances.

This statewide Respite Care System for Florida is built on the following values:
Community-based so local communities are recognized as the expert in identifying their own unique needs.
Asset-based so communities are building on their existing assets, skills and capabilities.
Outcome-based to assure reasonable, measurable results are achieved for successful documentation and continued support.
Culturally-competent so all cultures within communities are appreciated and represented.
Integrated to assure support and services are coordinated, efficient and clearly defined across all ages and disabilities of the lifespan.
Family-centered so the strengths of family relationships are honored and families act as the decision makers for their loved ones in the context of receiving services.

Florida Clearinghouse on Disability Information
4050 Esplanade Way, Suite 315A
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0950
Telephone: 877-232-4968, 850-922-4103
Fax: 850-414-8908
TTY: 877 232-4968, 850 922-4103
Web site: www.abilityforum.com

The Clearinghouse on Disability Information Office (CDI) was created by Executive Order as a living example of Governor Jeb Bush's commitment to the concepts, duties, responsibilities and functions of an information and referral service for people with disabilities and building upon the leadership and activities of the Americans with Disabilities Act Working Group (ADAWG).

Hope Haven Children's Clinic and Family Center
See listing under Health Category

ILRC-Independent Living Resource Center
2709 Art Museum Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Telephone: 399-8484
Fax: 396-0859
TDD: 398-6322
Web site: www.cilj.com
Days and Hours of Operations: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Independent Living Resource Center of N.E. Florida (ILRC) has been serving people with disabilities for over 20 years. The ILRC is a consumer-driven, community-based, non-residential, 501(c)(3) private not-for-profit organization. We serve as a resource agency serving people with disabilities in seven counties throughout Northeast Florida, including Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, Flagler, St. Johns and Volusia. We provide services through partnerships with Vocational Rehabilitation Service, Department of Education, The ABLE Trust, Brain and Spinal Injury Program and Social Security Administration.

Living independently means having control over one's life and participating fully and productively in society. The ILRC is an established community resource operated by people with disabilities with a strong record of responding to the needs of people with disabilities. The Center, in keeping with the Independent Living Philosophy, is staffed and governed by a majority of people with disabilities. In addition, all of our services are provided on a cross-disability basis.

Services include Independent Living, Advocacy, Information and Referral, Peer Counseling, Career Development Office, Benefits Planning Assistance & Outreach, High School/High Tech, Career Choice, Youth Career Choice, Job Placement and Computer Training. Additional programs include the Temporary Loan Closet, Sign Language Interpreting Services, Nursing Home Transition Service, Deaf Consumer Program, Victim Advocate for the Deaf Program and FTRI.

Independent Living Research Utilization Program
2323 South Shepard, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77019
Telephone: 713-520-0232
Fax: 713-520-5785
TDD: 713-520-0232
Web site: www.ilru.org

The ILRU (Independent Living Research Utilization) program is a national center for information, training, research and technical assistance in independent living. Its goal is to expand the body of knowledge in independent living and to improve utilization of results of research programs and demonstration projects in this field. It is a program of TIRR (The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research), a nationally recognized medical rehabilitation facility for persons with disabilities.

Internal Revenue Service
Main Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20220
Telephone: 800-829-1040
Fax: 202-622-6415
TDD: 800-829-4059
Web site: www.irs.gov
For general information about the programs offered by the IRS.

http://jobs.irs.gov/dis_lionsworld.html to check out careers with the IRS for people with disabilities.

National Clearinghouse on Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCHRTM)
Oklahoma State University
206 West Sixth St.
Stillwater, OK 74078
Telephone: 405-744-2000, 800-223-5219
Fax: 405-744-2001
TTY: 405-744-2002
Web site: www.nchrtm.okstate.edu

NCRTM provides a full range of services that include customized research services, locating and delivering training materials, links to other disability and rehabilitation related sites, and administration of several listservs for the national rehabilitation associations.

National Health Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
PO Box 1133
Washington, DC 20013-1133
Telephone: 301-565-4167, 800-336-4797
Fax: 301-984-4256
Web site: www.health.gov/nhic

The National Health Information Center (NHIC) is a health information referral service sponsored by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. NHIC puts health professionals and consumers who have health questions in touch with those organizations that are best able to provide answers. Using a database that contains descriptions of health-related organizations, NHIC staff refer people to the most appropriate resource. Spanish language information specialists are available. NHIC also produces three annual health information directories: Federal Health Information Centers and Clearinghouses, National Health Observances, and Toll-free Numbers for Health Information.

National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
2001 N. Beauregard St.
Alexandria, VA 22311
Telephone: 703-684-7722, 800-969-6642
Fax: 703-684-5968
TDD: 800-433-5959
Web site: www.nmha.org

NMHA has an active information center which can refer callers to one of 600 affiliate centers across the country. It also has fact sheets about various types of mental illness and mental health, such as schizophrenia, depression, adolescent suicide prevention, stress and tension.

National Mental Health Consumer Self Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut St., Suite 1207
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Telephone: 800-553-4539, 215-751-1810
Fax: 215-636-6312
Web site: www.mhselfhelp.org

We help connect individuals to self-help and advocacy resources, and we offer expertise to self-help groups and other peer-run services for mental health consumers.

National Organization for Empowering Caregivers
425 West 23rd St., Suite 9B
New York, NY 10011
Telephone: 218 807-1204
Fax: 212 645-5143
Web site: www.nofec.org

Provides assistance, education, support and referrals for informal family caregivers, as well as promotes public awareness about the realities of care giving. Services include online/offline support groups, seminars and workshops, info and referrals, printed educational materials and publications, professionals for counseling, respite care resources, speakers bureau, and lectures.

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
4200 Forbes Blvd., Suite 202
Lanham, MD 20706
Telephone: 301-459-5900, 800-346-2742
Fax: 301-459-4263
TTY: 301-459-5984
Web site: www.naric.com

For 20 years, the staff of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) has collected and disseminated the results of federally funded research projects. NARIC's literature collection, which also includes commercially published books, journal articles, and audiovisuals, averages around 200 new documents per month.
We are funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to serve anyone, professional or lay person, who is interested in disability and rehabilitation, including consumers, family members, health professionals, educators, rehabilitation counselors, students, librarians, administrators and researchers.

Rehabilitation International (RI)
25 E. 21st St.
New York, NY 10010
Telephone: 212-420-1500
Fax: 212-505-0871
Web site: www.rehab-international.org

Rehabilitation International is a worldwide network of people with disabilities, service providers and government agencies working together to improve the quality of life for disabled people and their families. Founded in 1922, it now has more than 200 member organizations in 90 nations.

Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center
490 10th St.
Atlanta, GA 30318
Telephone: 800-949-4232, 404-385-0636
Fax: 404-385-0641
TDD: 800-949-4232, 404-385-0636
Web site: www.sedbtac.org

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation (NIDRR) has established 10 regional centers to provide information, training and technical assistance to employers, people with disabilities, and other entities with responsibilities under the ADA. The centers act as a "one-stop" comprehensive resource on ADA issues in employment, public services, public accommodations and communications. Each center works closely with local business, disability, governmental, rehabilitation and other professional networks to provide ADA information and assistance. Programs vary in each region but all centers provide the following:
Technical Assistance
Education and Training
Materials Dissemination
Information and Referral
Public Awareness
Local Capacity Building

TASH: Equity, Opportunity and Severe Inclusion for People with Disabilities
29 W. Susquehanna Ave., #210
Baltimore, MD 21204
Telephone: 410-828-8274
Fax: 410-828-6706
Web site: www.tash.org

TASH is an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm. TASH is an organization of members concerned with human dignity, civil rights, education and independence for all individuals with disabilities. We have over 30 chapters and members from 34 different countries and territories. Since inception over 25 years ago, TASH has gained international acclaim for our uncompromising stand against separatism, stigmatization, abuse and neglect. We actively promote the full inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life. TASH believes that no one with a disability should be forced to live, work or learn in a segregated setting, that all individuals deserve the right to direct their own lives. TASH's mission is to eliminate physical and social obstacles that prevent equity, diversity and quality of life.

U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section - NYAVE
Washington, D.C. 20530
Telephone: 800-514-0301
Fax: 202-307-1198
TDD: 800-514-0383
Web site: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/

For information and technical assistance about the Americans with Disabilities Act (title II & III).

United Parents Syndicate on Disabilities
3680 Kings Highway
Douglasville, GA 30135
Telephone: 800-322-7065, 770-577-7771
Fax: 770-577-7774
Web site: www.peppinc.org

The United Parents Syndicate on Disabilities is a national program of Parents Educating Parents and Professionals Inc. (PEPP, Inc.), a non-profit corparation dedicated to improving life for all families of children, youth and adults with special needs. PEPP, Inc. has the unique capabilities to provide the most up-to-date resources and information concerning all community, educational and government events on both state and national levels.

Veterans Services Division
117 W. Duval St., Suite 175
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Telephone: 630-3680
Fax: 630-3422
Web site: www.coj.net
Days and Hours of Operations: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Our Mission: To make Jacksonville the best host city in the nation through unparalleled service to the military community and events which honor the patriotic legacy of those who serve or have served.

The Military Affairs and Veterans Services Division is a fully integrated, multifaceted resource center that offers today's veterans, their families and the community three major community-based service components:
*Veteran's entitlement services for eligible veterans and their families.
*Employment and social service case management services for qualifying veterans and their families.
*Public relations and marketing services designed to bring veterans, their issues and the community closer together through awareness, outreach, veteran-related special events and development and maintenance of community partnerships.

WCD Foundation for Education, Inc.
10151 University Blvd., #130
Orlando, FL 32817
Telephone: 407-349-3782
Toll Free: 877-923-3976
Fax: 208-441-8095
Web site: www.wcdfoundation.org

Mission is to provide support to children and adults with disabilities and their families. Support not only these individuals, but also their physicians, allied healthcare professionals, special educators, therapists and counselors. We do this through various mechanisms including, but not limited to, educational programs, financial scholarships, notification of employment opportunities, and information regarding resources in their home communities. Dedicated to raise, manage, and dispense funds toward this end.

World Institute on Disability
510 16th St., Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94612-1500
Telephone: 510-763-4100
Fax: 510-763-4109
TDD: 510-208-9496
Web site: www.wid.org

The World Institute on Disability (WID) is a nonprofit research, public policy and advocacy center dedicated to promoting independence and societal inclusion of people with disabilities. WID has earned a reputation for high quality research and public education on a wide range of issues. The Board of Directors and staff, over half of who are people with disabilities, are respected national leaders in the disability field as well as in industry, government and social services. As a result, WID is able to bring a diverse disability perspective to the policy arena.