Other Inquiries

Because AAPD is a Washington, D.C.-based membership organization, we do not provide direct services (such as legal advice, legal representation, or advocacy services) to individuals with disabilities.  Most direct-service disability resources are found locally, in your city or state.  We are happy to refer people with disabilities who need such help to the following local disability services organizations:

For Legal Advice and/or Legal Representation

If you are in need of direct advocacy or legal services, including representation from an attorney, you may consider contacting your local Protection and Advocacy Service.  Every U.S. State has a Protection and Advocacy Service (P&A) charged by your state governor and funded by the federal government to protect and advocate for the rights of all persons with disabilities in that state.  If you believe your rights have been violated, you should request assistance from your state P&A.  Your P&A may provide direct services to you, including an advocate to assist you with asserting your rights, or an attorney to represent you on legal matters.  In many instances, these services are entirely free, or may be provided at a significantly reduced rate.

To find your local Protection and Advocacy Services Organization, click here and choose your state: http://www.ndrn.org/aboutus/pwd.htm

In addition to the P&A’s, most cities and every state have various Legal Aid organizations.  These organizations are catalogued by the American Bar Association at their website.  This site links you to a state’s Bar Association website which, in turn, links you to a state’s Legal Aid contact information and website.  The Legal Aid sites have links and PDFs of various articles that explain to you what things mean and what rights you have under law, so feel free to include the website address, itself, in your referral.  Also, the Legal Aid sites have state-specific information on a variety of topics in which a caller may need legal help or explanations.

To find your local Legal Aid organization, click here and choose your state:
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm

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Emergency Shelter
Local homeless assistance by state – see:
http://www.hud.gov/homeless/hmlsagen.cfm

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Food Stamps
Food stamps information by state at:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp.

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Domestic Violence / Rape

1. Info, General:
1. Domestic violence occurs in many forms:  physical (hits you either by his/her hand or with an item), emotional (denies you attention or refuses to treat you as an adult), verbal (yells at you or tells you that you are a bad person), sexual (without consent) and economic (denies you what you need to live:  money, food, clothes). 
2. Rape is defined as any sexual act performed without consent.  It can vary in degree of violence.  It can be committed by a relative, someone you know, or a stranger.
2. Referral:
1. If you are raped, call the police immediately – you have a right to demand a female officer to respond. Call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network).  The hotline number is 1-800-656-HOPE.  Counselors are available 24/7 and are free.  Also see website at: www.rainn.org
   
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Technology-Related/Assistive Tech Inquiries:

Assistive Technology
Questions and concerns, including how to get Medicaid, Spec Ed and Voc Rehab to pay for AT Assistive Technology Centers:
http://www.resna.org/taproject/at/statecontacts.html

The list of persons to complain to/contact is on the FCC web site as follows:
 Phone services providers (e.g., Verizon Wireless, AT&T)
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/service_providers.html

Phone device manufacturers (e.g. Nokia, Motorola Razr, RIM Blackberry):
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/section255_manu.html

Schools, Colleges, and Universities who provide phone service to students:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/section255_colleges.html

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Technology in Any Workplace
For free help on what technology is available, or what to do in a workplace, contact Job Accommodation Network (JAN): 
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/
Job Accommodation Network
800-526-7234 (V)
877-781-9403 (TTY)

For federal employees who need information technology assistance in the workplace, contact CAPTEC:
http://www.tricare.osd.mil/cap AND/OR should contact the government' Section 508 website below and click on "508 and You" or other topic of interest.
 http://www.section508.gov

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Parents of Children in Special ED (Assistive and other technology)
http://www.pluk.org/AT1.html
These include the Dept of Ed letter that says children in special ED must get the AT they need as part of the IEP, etc. that a parent can use.

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Telecommunications
(E.g., relay services, Section 255, Hearing Aid Compatibility, Closed Captioning, Accessible Emergency Information on TV) should contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb.dro

They can send eimail to the address below and put "Disability Question/Complaint" in the subject line for faster service. fccinfo@fcc.gov Or file a complaint using FCC online FORM 2000C at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html

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Transportation
Related concerns for persons with disabilities should go to the following web site:
http://www.dot.gov/citizen_services/disability/disability.html.

If you were unable to locate a relevant resource above, or if you have attempted to use these resources and are encountering difficulties, please consult our Other Inquiries and Resources page.

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ALL OTHER INQUIRIES AND RESOURCES
Other inquiries, including difficulties accessing direct disability-advocacy services can likely be directed to one or more of the other resources listed below, then click down and through the pages for the right entity to contact.  These resources should be able to field most complaints or other concerns not directly related to the work of AAPD or the other referrals listed above.