Cultural Fluency: Ability, Disability, Mental Illness, Ableism

Here are just a few external resources that may be helpful. Don't see something that you need? Please contact a librarian and they will be glad to help you find the resources you need!

• Autism Society of Texas: The Autism Society of Texas changes lives by connecting families and individuals to community resources and support throughout Texas. Offerings include support meetings; on-line networking opportunities; Sensory Friendly films; and fun family activities.
• Autism Society: "Provide[s] advocacy, education, information and referral, support, and community at national, state and local levels through our strong nationwide network of Affiliates."
• Described and Captioned Media Program: Funded by the U.S Department of Education, the DCMP strives to provide equal access to communication and learning to people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, through its library of videos.
• Directory of Community Resources in Texas: A community managed, searchable (by location, type of resource, age of individual, etc.) directory of many different kinds of resources for persons with disabilities.
• Disability is Natural: The mission of Disability is Natural is to encourage new ways of thinking about developmental disabilities, in the belief that our attitudes drive our actions, and changes in our attitudes and actions can help create a society where all children and adults with developmental disabilities have opportunities to live the lives of their dreams, included in all areas of life.​ New Ways of Thinking and Revolutionary Common Sense about disability—hundreds of articles to read, download, and share. Check out  the different topics in the Learn section (including articles in Spanish). Browse the Library for a listing of all articles.
• Disability Resources for College Students: This guide was created to bring awareness to rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities, help them learn how to take advantage of myriad services, and provide expert advice from a postsecondary education administrator who has spent years serving college students with disabilities.
• Career Guide for People With Disabilities: Find everything you need to know about navigating the pathway to employment as an individual with a disability.
• National Association of the Deaf: State and Local Colleges and Universities: State and local colleges and other post-secondary institutions have obligations under two federal laws to provide effective communication with their students and other individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• National Black Deaf Advocates: The Mission of the National Black Deaf Advocates is to promote the leadership development, economic and educational opportunities, social equality, and to safeguard the general health and welfare of Black deaf and hard of hearing people.
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: A program through the Library of Congress, "NLS is a free braille and talking book library service for [U.S. residents and citizens living abroad] with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page."
• Relay Texas: "A service that provides telephone access for people with speech or hearing loss who find it challenging or impossible to use a traditional telephone."
• Texas Health and Human Services: Information about services provided for people with different disabilities.
• U.S. Dept. of Education: Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools