FAQs
About the Virtual Volunteering Project
There is a vast amount of disability-related information on the World Wide Web. The following is not a comprehensive index. Instead, it's a starting place for those agencies seeking more information about disability-related issues, particularly experiences for people with disabilities in Cyberspace, school and work environments, and assistive technology resources.
Untangling the Web
http://www.icdi.wvu.edu/others.htm
A comprehensive list of Disability-Related Web sites maintained by the West Virginia Rehabilitation Research & Training Center and funded by a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. The site provides access to information, reading, materials, support groups, legislation and legal assistance, software, educational programs and targeted resources for specific disabilities.
Agility Web's Community Service Information
http://agilityweb.com/csc/
Provides information about local, national and international programs serving a variety of needs and offers free web pages to Not for Profit Community Service Organizations at no charge.
ADA Technical Assistance Program
http://www.icdi.wvu.edu/tech/ada.htm
A federally funded network of grantees which provides information, training, and technical assistance to businesses and agencies with duties and responsibilities under the ADA and to people with disabilities with rights under the ADA. Includes a list of Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs), which provide information and referral, technical assistance, public awareness, and training on all aspects of the ADA. The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) of the U.S. Department of Education funds the DBTACs and six National Training Projects (NTPs), which target particular groups, organizations, or subject areas for ADA training.
Adults With Disabilities: Perceived Barriers that Prevent Internet Access
http://www.dinf.org/csun_98/csun98_152.htm
Presented at the 1998 Conference: "Technology and Persons with Disabilities" by the Center On Disabilities at California State University at Northridge. You can find a complete list of papers presented at this conference at http://www.dinf.org/csun_98/csun98.htm
Closing The Gap Online Resource Library
http://www.closingthegap.com/library/library1.html
An internationally recognized source for information on innovative applications of computer technology, particularly in special education and rehabilitation. This Library includes outstanding information on using technology in curriculum development, particularly in helping students with disabilities excel, encouraging the inclusion of students with disabilities, or in helping to bring together students with and without disabilities together in learning environments.
Disabilities Information Resources
http://www.dinf.org/
Nonprofit org that collects information on disabilities and disabilities related subjects and makes it available through the World Wide Web. The information is designed for use by researchers, legislative bodies, people with disabilities, and people working in the disabilities field. Excellent, comprehensive resource.
Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology (DO-IT)
http://weber.u.washington.edu/~doit/
Sponsored by a grant from The National Science Foundation and The University of Washington. Focuses on increasing the participation of individuals with disabilities in academic programs and careers. The project offers services for those with disabilites including college preparation and access, career planning resources and a variety of programs which support and encourage the use of technology to maximize the independence, productivity and participation of people with disabilities.
Infinitec Inc.
http://www.infinitec.org
a U.S. non-profit corporation to help people with disabilities, their families and their communities gain access to the full range of technology options at affordable cost. By enabling people with disabilities to enjoy significantly enhanced, lifelong access to technology, Infinitec Inc. aims to promote a profound shift in the ways that people with disabilities along with their families and neighbors live and interact.
The Disability Social History Project
http://www.disabilityhistory.org
a nicely crafted Web site featuring information about the history of the disability movement
(including a creative timeline), famous personalities, and more.
World Association of Persons With Disabilities
http://www.wapd.org/links/index.html
Provides links to sources of advocacy, information, motivation assistance for the physically and mentally challenged through the use of advanced technology.
Assistive Technology Resources on the Web
http://www.vewaa.org/internet/
A meta-index of sites compiled by the Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Association (VEWAA), a national non-profit professional association whose members work with people to match them with training, careers, and employment.
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
http://www.w3.org/WAI/
An activity sponsored by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WAI's purpose is to make the Web more accessible to people with disabilities. The WAI has five major areas of work: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development. W3C is an industry consortium created to develop common protocols that enhance the interoperability and promote the evolution of the Web. W3C is jointly run by MIT Laboratory for Computer Science (LCS) in the USA, National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control (INRIA) in France and Keio University in Japan. To date, more than 215 organizations are members.
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Society and Culture: Disabilities
http://www.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Disabilities/
Society and Culture: Disabilities: Indices
http://www.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Disabilities/Indices/
Society and Culture: Organizations: Public Interest Groups: Disabilities
http://www.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Organizations/Public_Interest_Groups/Disabilities/
Business and Economy: Companies: Disabilities: Adaptive Technology
http://www.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Companies/Disabilities/Adaptive_Technology/
Business and Economy: Companies: Disabilities
http://www.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Companies/Disabilities/
- alt.comp.blind-users
A very low-traffic discussion group by people with sight impairments using Internet technologies, and those studying or creating assistive technologies. Averages about five posts a day. - alt.education.disabled
For the discussion of any disability and access issues (on or offline). Averages about three posts a day. - bit.listserv.ada-law
For the discussion of the Americans With Disabilities Act and how it applies to various situations, including the Internet. This online community is made of legal professionals, people with disabilities, and others interested in disability issues. Averages about three posts a day.NOTE: if you click on a newsgroup to which your Internet Service Provider (ISP) does not subscribe, you will get a "file not found" error; contact your ISP if you think it should provide access to a particular newsgroup; or, access the group via http://www.dejanews.com)