Heal

HEAL's Links provide a gateway to environment and health information on the World Wide Web.

HEALinks: Disability Information Services

Cover all bases

The web is a valuable source of information for people with disabilities. It is not the only source, however. We remind you to utilize all the resources available to you in your local community, and in your state, as well as those available on the web. A nearby Independent Living Center may be an excellent information resource on disability related services at all levels. Local chapters of organizations dedicated to disabling conditions may also be very helpful, even if their concern is with a disability other than the one that concerns you.

Disability resources on the world wide web

There is a wealth of information about disability available on the world wide web. This links page provides a few important links to essential sources of information. However, there are many, many more. We suggest that visitors to this HEALinks page read the Job Accommodation Network's advice on using the world wide web to search for information about disabilities and related issues.

It has been our experience that disability-related websites may move, change addresses, become quickly outdated, or disappear altogether. Users who find a particularly useful information source are advised to revisit the site frequently to make sure it's still there, and to update their bookmarks accordingly. Remember that documents posted on the web can be downloaded. This is a good way to insure that a document you wish to refer to later will be available.

The following links are likely to be useful those pursuing Social Security Disability , as well as to those seeking access or accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Social Security Disability

Newly disabled people and their families should be aware that obtaining Social Security Disability can be a lengthy process, taking years for some applicants. Those currently receiving SSDI should be aware that their cases may be reviewed periodically, and that their benefits may be withdrawn.

Basic information for applicants Social Security Handbook online

Social Security Disability Determination: How Social Security determines that applicants are

eligible for Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability: Determination-- the role of health professionals and school officials in determining disability. What Social Security tells doctors and school officials about assessing disability status.

Social Security Disability: Determination. State by state directory of Professional Relations Officers

Social Security Publications of Interest to Health Professionals-- read what doctors read about disabilities.

Social Security Disability Determination -- A fact sheet on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Of interest to those with other controversial health conditions.

Disability Law

Make sure that you understand which disability related law applies to your situation. The Department of Justice provides an overview: Consumers Guide to Disability Law

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) contains provisions that apply to the workplace, to government services, and to places of public accommodation (hotels, stores, etc.) as well as to transportation providers. Though comprehensive, ADA is not an all-purpose statute. The Department of Justice maintains a great deal of ADA information on-line.

Go to the Department of Justice ADA homepage

For details about ADA, see ADA Regulations and Technical Assistance Materials

Link to disability information services in your state at ADA Technical Assistance

Special topics

Text version of ADA and the Health Professional. Click here for graphic version.

ADA Guide for Small Towns

The Job Accommodation Network provides excellent information about a variety of disabilities and how they may be accommodated on the job. Note that some of the same things that work for employees and employers may also work for those seeking access under a variety of disability laws. Job Accommodation Network Homepage

Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Accommodating Workers with Visual and Hearing Disabilities here

Employment and Training Administration., U.S. Department of Labor

More on employment and disabilities from disAbility On-Line

From EEOC: Information about Supreme Court decisions

addressing definitions of 'disability' and 'qualified'

Other websites of interest

Disability information from the Institute for Community Inclusion
Families of children with disabilities

Information about education issues and children with health conditions affected by environmental exposure is available from Healthy Schools Network, Inc.

Legal perspectives on disabilities -- see American Bar Association: Disability Page

More from HEAL on disability and related topics

From HEAL in the print Only: (see Heal'Service List and Article Index)

• Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and the Americans with Disabilities Act: A guide
• Fragrance and Health. Book about the health impact of scented materials on peoplewith allergies, asthma, severe headaches and multiple chemical sensitivities
• Back issues (See article index)

HEALinks: Environmental Health and Science on the web

Your state of health affects how you respond to environmental exposures, and environmental exposures can affect your health. Understanding your environment -- and your exposures -- can help you protect your health, and the health of your family.

There are many sources of information on environment and health on the web. The selection below can help you sort out your concerns, and pursue them in an orderly fashion. Remember that websites can change addresses, and documents can vanish from the web. If you find a site particularly useful, add it to your list of favorite sites and visit it often. Particularly useful documents may be downloadable, so that you can keep your own copy for future reference.

Let's get personal: your environment and your health

Where you live:

How does Environmental Defense rate environmental quality in your hometown? Find out here.

Concerned about local industrial pollution? Check out EPA's Toxic Release Inventory

The air you breathe

EPA, MIT, Caltech, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology present air pollution information at Center for Airborne Organics

Allergy and asthma information from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Something in the Air

Many consumer information sources are at the American Lung Association

Indoor air quality: You spend 90% of your time indoors. What are you breathing?

From the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: The Allergy Report

From the Institute of Medicine: Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures

Information about Consumer products and IAQ

EPA's Indoor Air Quality Home Page

EPA's The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality

Use and Care of Home Humidifiers

Indoor Air Facts - Residential Air Cleaners

EPA's position on ozone generators

From Health Canada:

questions and answers about ozone generators a warning about ozone generators

and a list of ozone generators, manufacturers and other information

From EPA: Indoor Air Pollution -- An Introduction for Health Professionals
From EPA: An Office Building Occupant's Guide to Indoor Air Quality

From Health Canada: Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings (.pdf file)
EPA's Building Air Quality Action Plan

The water you drink

EPA's Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water homepage.

How's your water quality? Surf your watershed with EPA

From EPA: municipal, county and state drinking water reports

From the American Water Works Association, more local water quality reports.

From EPA: browse for information about air, soil and water pollutants

Bad bugs: E.coli 0157H77 contamination in drinking water

From the National Sanitation Foundation:

Information about water filters and bottled water

Consumer information about drinking water from the Water Quality Association

The food you eat:

Gateway to US federal food safety program information here

Find out about pesticide residues in your food from the Consumers Union project on the Food Quality Protection Act 1996

Information about food allergies and sensitivities from The Food Allergy Network

The pesticides in your life:

Concerned about pesticides? Start here