Disabilities Site
	Jeanetta Polenske BellaOnline's Disabilities Editor

10 Steps Towards Better Self-Advocacy

American Association on Health & Disability
The American Association on Healthy & Disability attempts to fill a critical need to support national, state and community initiatives to prevent additional health complications in people with disabilities and to promote health and wellness in people with disabilities.

Americans with Disabilities Links
These links lead to articles about the Americans with Disabilties Act

Centers for Independent Living
What is a Center for Independent Living and how can it best help people with disabilities become more independent in the community?

Disabilities and Privacy Rights
What keeps your private healthcare information private?

Getting On, Off Disability
Having worked for several years in spite of a disability, I was unprepared for chronic illness and quitting my job sending to the Social Security office to ask for benefits. It was harder than I thought it would be.

National Organization to End the Waitlist
NOEWAIT is a national drive, a grassroots organization of parents and advocates, including self advocates with disabilities, that has come together nationally to raise awareness about ending the waitlist for services. More volunteers in every state are needed.

Regaining Your Control
When you have a disability that requires extra help and care, it's not always easy to accept. Still, you can regain a sense of control through making your choices and preferences known.

Removing the 'R-word' Sting
It’s said that sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can never hurt us. Among those of us with disabilities, there is one word that brings a collective stab of shame and pain. It is the dreaded 'r' word and I’ll grudgingly spell it out so we're clear: retarded.

Teens & Self Advocacy
If you have a learning disability, or any disability, self-awareness and self-advocacy are key to future success as teens move beyond the immediate circles of support in school into community-based services, college and the world of work.