There is a vast amount of disability-related information on the World Wide Web. The following is not a comprehensive index, but a starting place for those agencies seeking more information about disability-related issues.

• Untangling the Web
  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.

• ADA Technical Assistance Program
  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.

• Infinitec Inc.
  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
  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
  Provides links to sources of advocacy, information, motivation assistance for the physically and mentally challenged through the use of advanced technology.

Related Yahoo! Directory Listings

• Society and Culture: Disabilities
• Society and Culture: Disabilities: Indices
• Society and Culture: Organizations: Public Interest Groups: Disabilities
• Business and Economy: Companies: Disabilities: Adaptive Technology
• Business and Economy: Companies: Disabilities

USENET Newsgroups

• alt.comp.blind-users
  A 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.

Social Considerations

Some of this information on the Virtual Volunteering Project site was adapted from other sources, which offer excellent additional information about working with volunteers with disabilities, on or offline:

• Disability Etiquette by Paraquad, a St. Louis-based not-for-profit organization, available at their Web site at http://www.paraquad.org

• Training Manual for Working With Youth Volunteers Who Have Disabilities, produced by Youth Volunteer Corps. Includes practical guidelines, worksheets and evaluation tips, as well as a terrific appendix of resources from other organizations. This manual is not available online, but you can order a printed copy for a small fee by calling Youth Volunteer Corps at 913-432-9822 or email yvca@aol.com

• Diversity and Volunteerism: Deriving Advantage from Difference
  By Santiago Rodriguez, from his presentation at the 1996 International Conference on Volunteer Administration, and appearing in the Journal of Volunteer Administration.

• Questions and Answers About Telecommuting for Persons With Disabilities: A Guide for Employers
  Produced by Dr. James E. Jarrett, Graduate School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, and the Independent Living Research Utilization Program at the Institute for Rehabilitation and Research in Houston, Texas. While this guide is focused on managers working with paid employees, the advice is easily adaptable to managers working with online volunteers.

• Disability Inclusion (ADA) & AmeriCorps
  Although this is AmeriCorps and, sometimes, Texas specific, the information is quite useful to all volunteer managers. This is an extensive set of online resources designed specifically to help leaders involve people with disabilities in AmeriCorps programs, including details on the legal obligations of AmeriCorps programs to people with disabilities, a checklist to help determine accessibility in your AmeriCorps programs and facilities, tips on making your program inclusive and accessible, and other tools for AmeriCorps programs. Also includes ADA-related material. This set of online resources was compiled by Elvia Mendoza, Disability Inclusion Coordinator at the Texas Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service.

• Including People with Disabilities in International Exchange Programs
  From Mobility International USA. Advises international volunteer and exchange programs on how to be more accessible to people with disabilities, and offers a referral service.

• Job Accommodation Network
  While these resources are focused on managers working with paid employees, the advice is easily adaptable to managers working with volunteers. JAN provides disability inclusion consulting services and an extensive library of accommodation information including up-to-date research into accommodation devices and environmental modifications in the workplace. Their web site contains publications on disability accommodation; an index of online disability resources; and a listing of information aimed at specific disabilities and accommodation techniques, resources, and procedures for each listing.

• Disability Discrimination: FAQs
  Court TV's Legal Cafe discusses the ADA. NOTE: labor laws that apply to paid staff do not always apply to volunteers. Although this resource is geared to the managers of paid staff, volunteer managers will also find this information helpful.

• Managing Diversity
  IGRCC: Program on Intergroup Relations, Conflict and Community. The materials for two courses at the University of Michigan. Includes an excellent bibliography on intergroup relations and managing diversity.

This component of the Virtual Volunteering Project is made possible by a special grant from the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation. We are most grateful for their support and collaboration.