POCKET GUIDE TO FEDERAL

POCKET GUIDE TO FEDERAL

HELP FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Produced by the:

CLEARINGHOUSE ON DISABILITY INFORMATION

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE

SERVICES

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

ROOM 3132 SWITZER BUILDING

WASHINGTON, DC 20202-2524 1993

FOREWORD

For more than eighteen years, the POCKET GUIDE TO

FEDERAL HELP FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

has been one of the most widely distributed publications

produced by the U.S. Department of Education and its

predecessor, the Office of Education in the Department of

Health, Education, and Welfare. Since its inception in 1980,

the Department of Education has committed itself to ensuring

that all individuals with disabilities achieve their full potential

as productive, fully-contributing members of our society. The

publication of this booklet is part of this continuing effort.

Written for people with disabilities, their families, and

service providers, this publication contains information on

government-wide benefits and services for which individuals

with disabilities may be eligible. As we publish this new

edition, it is our sincere hope that it will reach the wide and

varied audience for which it is intended, and that it will

increase awareness and provide useful information.

Knowledge is often the first step toward empowerment. We

believe that the information contained in this POCKET GUIDE

will begin to empower those who read it with the knowledge

they need to achieve independence, which is not a privilege in

our country, but every person's right.

The Clearinghouse on Disability Information

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC DISABILITY GROUPS

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

EDUCATION

EMPLOYMENT

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

CIVIL RIGHTS

HOUSING

TAX BENEFITS

TRANSPORTATION

THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

PREFACE

This booklet is meant to make you, an individual with

disabilities, or the parent/guardian of a child with

disabilities, aware of the principal government services for

which you or your child may be eligible. This revised edition

describes benefits applicable specifically to those who are

blind, deaf, or developmentally disabled. These persons are

also eligible for the general benefits as outlined in this booklet.

Because so much of the federal contribution to services

for individuals with disabilities is made to states -- and the

states determine how to spend the money, within certain

guidelines -- it would be impossible to pinpoint exactly what

you will find in your own state or locality. What we have tried

to outline for you in this guide is the general scope of

federal support for services to individuals with disabilities.

Included are the names and addresses of the various federal

agencies that can steer you to their state and/or local

counterpart offices. You may also wish to contact us for a

listing of key agencies in your state. These agencies should

be your starting point for exploring the services available to

you where you live. Write to the Federal Headquarters if you

are unable to reach your state service agencies directly.

States and localities may provide services which are

financed out of their own resources. These are not discussed

in this guide. To find out about any of these special programs,

contact an information and referral center in your vicinity to

help put you in touch with the array of services for which you

may qualify.

We hope this guide will alert you to the variety of

services which may be of benefit to you and that it will get

you started on the road to contacting those that are pertinent

to your needs. Every time you call a state or local agency, we

suggest that you ask for the names of other people or

agencies that might also be helpful. You may accumulate a

number of useful and helpful contacts in this way.

VETERANS

If you are a veteran with disabilities and want to know

about the many programs available to you, apply to your

nearest Department of Veterans Affairs field office, or write to:

Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, DC 20420

PROGRAMS FOR LOW INCOME, INDIAN, OR ELDERLY

POPULATIONS

If you are an American Indian, a person over 65, or a

person with little or no income, you may qualify for additional

programs based on factors other than your disability. For

leads on tracking these down, call your local welfare office,

your local public housing authority, or your Indian tribal housing

authority. If you are elderly, you may be eligible for special

nutrition programs such as Meals on Wheels, or for other

special services. The federal government provides funds for

area resource centers for the aging, usually listed in the

Yellow Pages under "Aged" or "Elderly" or "Social Services."

A WORD OF ADVICE

Use this booklet to help you track down the appropriate

agencies nearest you. Remember, not every service is

available and not every person can be helped 100 percent.

Keep in mind that every year new programs begin and some

old ones end, particularly at the state and local levels. Keep in

touch with your contacts and stay as aware as you can,

through reading and talking to knowledgeable people about

what is happening in the area of services to individuals with

disabilities. There are many excellent voluntary organizations,

as well as state, local, and federal offices that can help you.

Numerous newsletters are produced by groups of and for

individuals with disabilities.

We hope you will take advantage of all these avenues and

that your search for assistance will be a fruitful one.

PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC DISABILITY GROUPS

Special programs and benefits for blind and deaf

individuals are listed in the appropriate section (e.g.,

vocational rehabilitation or education). Since the Program for

Developmental Disabilities encompasses medical

assistance, job training, and social and other services, and is

administered by a special state agency, it is described below.

PROGRAMS FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS

The developmental disabilities (DD) program makes use of

existing services in health, welfare, education, and

rehabilitation to provide for the long-range needs of people

with developmental disabilities. These disabilities are defined

as severe, chronic disabilities attributable to mental or

physical impairment, which are manifested before age 22,

result in substantial functional limitations in several areas of

life, and require services over an extended period.

Availability of services will vary in all communities, and

services can include diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of

the disabling c