Additional Resources and Organizations
Benefits
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Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission Georgia Benefits Navigator Shepherd Center WorkWorld US Office of Special Education & Rehabilitation US Office of Disability Employment Employment & Training Tools for Life Independent Living Institute Social Security Administration Home Page SSA Disability Information State of Georgia Department of Community Health GA Rehabilitation Services GA Client Assistance Program (CAP) Find your Local Vocational Rehabilitation Office Statewide Independent Living Council of GA
The Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission distributes revenue collected from a legislated 10% surcharge on DUI fines in the state of Georgia to help offset the high costs of needed services for GA residents affected by traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. Vist their website for an application and additional relevant resources.
A free service funded by a grant from the SSA that works with children ages 14 to 18 in a School to Work program and working age adults ages 18 to 65 who receive SSI, SSDI or both and who are considering their options in reaching their vocational potential.
Shepherd Center is an Atlanta-based catastrophic care hospital, treating people with spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries, multiple sclerosis and other neuromuscular illnesses and urological problems.
At the WorkWORLD Web site of the VCU Employment Support Institute, you can learn about and download WorkWORLD, free decision support software to help navigate the maze of work incentives and benefit programs for people with disabilities returning to work. The website also features an extensively indexed, searchable, hyperlinked Help/Information System with thousands of disability-related topics.
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. In supporting President Bush's No Child Left Behind agenda and the New Freedom Initiative, OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation and research. OSERS provides funding to programs that serve infants, toddlers, children and adults with disabilities, working to ensure that these individuals are not left behind ... in school, in employment, in life. OSERS also provides funds to programs that offer information and technical assistance to parents of infants, toddlers and children with disabilities, as well as members of the learning community who serve these individuals.
ODEP's mission is to provide leadership to increase employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities. ODEP is a federal agency in the Department of Labor.
Site reflecting services through the Goodwill Industries of North Georgia, who provide comprehensive vocational services customized to the needs of individuals.
The Tools for Life Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRCs) are "hands-on" learning centers for demonstration, education and evaluation of products available on the market today. They are also a resource for Georgians with disabilities, families, friends, health care professionals and other professionals who are interested in seeing, learning and experimenting with new and existing assistive technology devices and equipment.
The Independent Living Institute offers resources for persons with extensive disabilities and develops consumer-driven policies for self-determination, self-respect and dignity.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the SSA.
Created in 1999, the Department of Community Health is the lead planning agency for all health issues in the state such as health care policy, purchasing and regulation. The department is responsible fo insuring nearly 2 million people, maximizing the state’s health care purchasing power, planning coverage for uninsured Georgians, and coordinating health planning for state agencies.
Rehabilitation Services operates five integrated and interdependent programs that share a primary goal--to help people with disabilites to become fully productive members of society by achieving independence and meaningful employment. The largest of the programs are Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, Disability Adjudication Services, and the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation. Two other unique programs serve consumers with visual impairments--the Business Enterprise Program and Georgia Industries for the Blind. We are committed to the principle that people with disabilities are assets, and our efforts emphasize eliminating attitudinal barriers as well as physical ones.
The purpose of the Client Assistance Program (CAP) is to provide assistance in informing and advising clients and client-applicants of all available benefits under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended; to assist clients in their relationships with projects, programs and facilities providing services to them under the Act, including assistance in pursuing legal, administrative or other appropriate remedies to ensure the protection of the rights of such individual under this Act (if requested by clients and client-applicants); and to provide information on available services under the Act to any individual with handicaps in the state.
Independent living services in Georgia are provided by local non-profit, consumer organizations through grants administered by Rehabilitation Services and the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC). The independent living philosophy promotes consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and systems advocacy. The goal is to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities. The integration and full participation of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of society is the desired outcome. Services can also be obtained through centers for independent living located in Augusta, Decatur, and Savannah.