Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a toll-free information line where specialists provide information and materials about the requirements of the ADA. They are available Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM until 12:00 PM and again from 3:00 PM until 5:30 PM (Eastern Time). Calls are confidential.
Phone: 800-514-0301 or 800-205-9986
ADAP
The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) provides free legal consultation regarding special education laws and can help parents navigate accessing accommodations for their child in the school system.
Phone: 800-826-1675
Website: www.adap.ua.edu
Disability Rights and Resources
Disability Rights and Resources provides various services including advocacy, peer mentoring, independent living skills, transportation resources, etc.
Phone: 205-685-0570
Website: www.drradvocates.org
Location: 120 Plaza Circle, Suite C Alabaster, AL 35007
Early Intervention Services
Early Intervention System is another branch of ARDS. It provides supports and services for infants and toddlers birth through age 2 (0 to 36 months of age) who have a developmental delay or a medical diagnosis that can delay normal development, which can prevent the child from meeting developmental milestones. Early intervention supports and services focus on teaching the parents and caregivers ways to help the child learn and participate in everyday activities.
Phone: 205-554-1300 or 1-800-331-5562
Website: www.rehab.alabama.gov/services/ei
Children’s Rehabilitation Services (CRS)
Children’s Rehabilitation Service (CRS) is part of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS). It provides medical, rehabilitative, case coordination, and support services for children up to 21 years of age who have special health care needs and their families. CRS works closely with local school systems and utilizes a care coordination team to link families with community resources, provide information, and make referrals.
Phone: 205-562-1802 or 1-800-723-0490
Website: www.rehab.alabama.gov/services/crs
Location: 1400 James I. Harrison Jr. Parkway, East, Suite 300 Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Alabama Assistive Technology (STAR)
Alabama’s Assistive Technology Act (STAR) program is administered through the Department of Rehabilitation Services that aims to help children with developmental disabilities gain access to assistive technology. They provide information, referrals, training, alternate financing options, short-term loans, and other supportive services.
Phone: (800) 782-7656
Website: www.rehab.alabama.gov/services/vr/star
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)
Vocational Rehabilitation Service (VRS), the largest division within the ARDS. The VRS helps Alabamians with disabilities achieve independence through employment by providing specialized employment- and education-related services and training to assist teens and adults with disabilities in the workforce.
Phone: 205-554-1300 or 1-800-331-5562
Website: www.rehab.alabama.gov/services/vr
Social Security Benefits
People with disabilities might be eligible for Social Security benefits through the government. For more information about eligibility and applying for these benefits, contact your local Social Security Office. Information for the office located in Tuscaloosa, AL is listed below.
Phone (Local): 1-877-480-4988
Phone (General): 1-800-772-1213
Website: www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability
Location: 2005 University Blvd. Suite 1200, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Alabama Department of Mental Health & Waiver Services
The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) has a Division of Developmental Disabilities that provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Services available through the Division of Developmental Disabilities are typically provided through Medicaid Waiver programs. To apply for a Medicaid Waiver and access these services, call the number below to begin the process. You can also learn more about the Community Waiver Program, Intellectual Disabilities Waiver, and Living at Home Waivers on the website.
Phone: 1-800-361-4491
Website: www.mh.alabama.gov/developmental-disabilities-services
The State of Alabama Independent Living Waiver (SAIL) provides in-home education, counseling, attendant care, training, medical and vocational services to ensure independent living can be achieved at home, at school, at work and in the community.
Phone: 205-554-1300 or 1-844-602-7245
Website: www.rehab.alabama.gov/services/sail
The Home and Community-Based Waiver for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) is available for people above the age of 3 who were diagnosed with ID or “mental retardation”. Individuals must meet the income, resource, disability or age, and medical criteria for an institutional care facility for the intellectually disabled. Contact your local Department of Mental Health to apply for this waiver.
Phone: 1-800-361-4491
Website: www.medicaid.alabama.gov/documents
The Living at Home (LAH) Waiver for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities is available for people over the age of 3 who are diagnosed with intellectual disability or with related conditions. The waiver would allow them to receive Medicaid coverage in the community. Qualifications are required based on financial need and level of care required. Contact your local Department of Mental Health to apply for this waiver.
Phone: 1-800-361-4491
Website: www.mh.alabama.gov/developmental-disabilities-services
Alabama Department of Mental Health & Autism Services
The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) also provides Autism Services for children under the age of 21 who are eligible for Medicaid. These services include intensive care coordination, therapeutic mentoring, behavioral supports, in-home therapy, psychoeducational supports, and peer support.
Contact Person: Anna McConnell, State Autism Coordinator
Phone: 1-800-499-1816
Fax: 334-557-1669
Website: www.mh.alabama.gov/autism-services
Alabama Department of Mental Health & Rights/Advocacy Services
Rights Protection and Advocacy Services are also provided by the ADMH. These services include certified advocates who provide a non-adversarial system of rights protection and advocacy that focuses on rights awareness and prevention of rights violations. These advocates provide Individual Advocacy Services such as information and referral, rights complaint investigations and resolutions, as well as System Advocacy Services such as state facility compliance monitoring, community program certification services and rights education and training programs.
Contact Person: Dianne Durbin, Director
Phone: 334-242-3454 or 1-800-367-0955