National 211 Day is observed on February 11th (2/11). It raises awareness about community navigation services available through the 211 helpline network and other centers like NARIC. These centers help millions of people with and without disabilities find local, non-emergency assistance like caregiver resources, assistance for food, shelter, rent/utility payments, mental health, and disaster recovery, among many other topics. In most communities, connecting to an information professional is as simple as calling 2-1-1 from a landline or cell phone, and most of these centers offer services by chat, text message, and even social media.
At NARIC, we help patrons with disabilities, their families, service providers, researchers, and other interested individuals find the resources that they need. This may include finding assistive technology centers, centers for independent living, employment or education resources, the latest research about their disability or interventions to support independence, and so much more!
NARIC isn’t the only member of the NIDILRR community to provide community navigation services on specific disability-related topics. Here are just a few examples:
- The ADA National Network and its 10 Regional Centers provide informational services related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant disability rights laws. Staff at these centers answer questions about the ADA and how it applies to employment, education, discrimination, the community, and more. Each center focuses on the unique needs of the stakeholders in its region. Call 800/949-4232 to reach your region’s ADA Center.
- The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employment Among People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision’s National Technical Assistance Center on Blindness and Low Vision answers questions about recruiting, hiring, and supporting employees or prospective employees who are blind or have low vision from businesses, service providers who work with this population, and individuals who are blind or have low vision and their families and friends. Call 662/625-2001 for technical assistance.
- The Temple University RRTC on Community Living and Participation of Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses (TU Collaborative) offers assistance that is responsive to the needs of people with mental health conditions and other stakeholders related to community living and participation and similar topics. Call 218/204-6779 or email tucollab@temple.edu for assistance.
These are just a few examples of the NIDILRR-funded projects that provide community navigation assistance.
Several other federally funded centers offer community navigation services:
- AskEARN helps employers recruit, hire, retain, and advance qualified people with disabilities.
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) helps callers discover practical, high-quality services and resources that promote success for both workers with disabilities and employers.
- The Limb Loss Resource Center helps amputees and others learn about their rights, find resources, and connect with a wide support community.
- The National Paralysis Resource Center helps people with spinal cord injury, stroke and other paralysis-related disabilities find rehabilitation facilities, navigate insurance questions, learn about assistive technology and adaptive programs, and much more.
In addition to these, county-level Aging and Disability Resource Centers can be found through the Administration for Community Living’s Eldercare Locator.
Please contact NARIC’s information specialists if we can help you navigate to the right community resources to answer your questions!