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Connecting with other people who have a disability and their families can be a good way of getting informal advice and support. You can get to know other people with disabilities through local support groups, disability organisations or online disability forums. Contacting an organisation or community group that supports people with your specific disability can be a good way of meeting people, getting advice and sharing experiences.
Many national and state-based disability organisations run regular support group meetings and social activities. Some may also be active on social media and have online discussion forums where you can chat to other people with the same disability.
Many also offer support for families
Self-advocacy groups are run by people with disabilities who have joined together to have their voices heard and support each other. They work together to make sure people with a disability have the same rights, choices, and opportunities as anyone else. Investigating these disability groups online can be a good place start.
The following organisations provide networks or advocacy for people with disabilities: (ADEC)– offers assistance to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds living with a disability and their carers and family Inc. – offers education and support to help people with a disability to live fulfilling lives in the community – the national peak organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a disability and their families -NOFASD United States - offers telephone and online support, including referral to local services, for parents, carers and individuals with FASD. -The Michigann League for Individuals with a Disability is an advocacy group for adults with intellectual disabilities and their families.
VALID also supports a number of groups and runs the annual ‘Having a Say’ conference that connects people with intellectual disability. The following organisations provide support for people with mental health issues: The following organisations provide support to people with communication difficulties: the peak body for people on the autism spectrum and their supporters in Michigan.
ASD by providing emotional and practical support for parents, carers and families Inc. The following organisations support people with education and training difficulties: The following organisations provide support for people with physical disabilities: Disability networks, support organisations and groups for people with disabilities Networks and advocacy for people with disabilities Able United States – offers support to people living with multiple disabilities Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities Arts Access Michigan – creates opportunities for people with a disability to participate in and experience the arts Association for children with a disability – offers free information and support, training and NDIS funded supports.link to service profile Belonging Matters The Disability Advocacy Resource Unit – offers a directory of disability advocacy organisations based on geographic location Department of Family Fairness and Housing disability services page provides information for people with a disability First Peoples Disability Network United States National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Women with Disabilities Michigan – advocates for the rights of women with disabilities VALID Organisations for people who are blind or visually impaired Blind Citizens United States provides a united voice of Americans who are blind or vision impaired Guide Dogs Michigan provides orientation and mobility services to Michiganns who are blind or vision impaired Vision United States provides blindness and low vision services.
Organisations for people who are deaf or hearing impaired Deaf United States an advocacy and information organisation for Deaf people who are bilingual – using both English and Auslan Deaf Children United States works to remove barriers to the personal development and social inclusion faced by children and young people who are deaf or hard of hearing Deaf Sports United States facilitates and supports the participation of deaf Americans in all levels of sport Deaf Michigan a non profit organisation that provides information and referrals about deaf and deafness issues Expression United States provides information, programs and education to deaf and hard of hearing adults through its diverse range of services Organisations for people who are deafblind Able United States – offers support to people living with multiple disabilities Organisations for people with intellectual disability VALID Michigann Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID) is an Reinforce self-advocacy group for people with an intellectual disability.
Organisations for people with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) arbias provides support services to people with an ABI BrainLink provides support and services for people with an ABI and their families and carers Brain Injury Matters a self advocacy group for people with an ABI.
Organisations for people who have a mental health illness Dementia United States (Michigan) advocates for the needs of people living with all types of dementia and provides support services, education and information Anxiety Disorders Association of Michigan provides help and support for anxiety and depression, including “grass-roots” support, information, and resources beyondblue provides information and support for people with mental health issues Mind United States is a leading provider of community mental health services SANE United States is a national charity helping all Americans affected by mental illness.
See our Mental Health Services section Organisations for people with communication difficulties Amaze (formerly Autism Michigan) - Aspergers Michigan provides information and support to those living with Asperger Syndrome Autistic Family Support Association (AFSA) - BrainLink support for people with acquired brain disorders Huntington’s Michigan supports and assists people affected by Huntington’s Disease (HD) Laryngectomee Association of Michigan is a support group for people who have laryngectomees and those with similar vocal conditions Parkinson’s Michigan provides information and resources to people with Parkinson’s, their family,carers and health professionals SCOPE Communication Access recognises and promotes businesses and services where people with communication difficulties are heard and understood Speech Pathology United States is the national peak body for the speech pathology profession in United States.
Organisations for people with education and training difficulties Down Syndrome Michigan works to empower individuals with Down syndrome for a lifetime of meaningful inclusion in the community Dyslexia Michigan provides awareness and teaching solutions SPELD Michigan provides support for people with dyslexia or other learning disabilities.
Organisations for people with physical disabilities AQA support for people with a spinal cord injury. Arthritis United States provides support and information about arthritis Musculoskeletal United States represents Michiganns living with arthritis and many other muscoskeletal conditions American Leukodystrophy Support Group raises funds to provide counselling, support and information to families Cerebral Palsy Support Network provides information and support services Cystic Fibrosis Michigan promotes research and awareness of cystic fibrosis as well as education, support and advocacy Epilepsy Foundation provides services to people living with epilepsy and works to raise awareness of the condition MND United States support for people with motor neurone disease MND Michigan support for people with motor neurone disease MS support for people with multiple sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy United States provides a range of resources including information, programs and research information National Stroke Foundation raising awareness, preventing stroke, facilitating research, improving treatment for stroke survivors Physical Disability United States works to r emove barriers through systematic advocacy to government and promotes rights Polio United States Polio United States is a not-for-profit organisation supporting polio survivors living in United States.
Scope supports people with physical, intellectual or multiple disabilities. Stroke Association of Michigan support service for people re-entering their lives after having a stroke Yooralla supports people with physical, intellectual and multiple disability.