Understanding Disabilities in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities. Toolkit Guide.

National Council on Disability, 1331 F St., NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20004-1107. Tel: 202-272-2004; TTY: 202-272-2074; Fax: 202-272-2022; Web site: http://www.ncd.gov.

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Community

Alaska Natives; American Indians; Assistive Technology; Change Strategies; Cultural Differences; Disabilities; Elementary Secondary Education; Federal Legislation; Health Services; Housing; Models; Program Development; Special Education; Transportation; Vocational Rehabilitation

This "toolkit" document is intended to provide a culturally appropriate set of resources to address the unique political and legal concerns of people with disabilities in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. It provides information on education, health, vocational rehabilitation (VR), independent living, model approaches, and supporting documentation for improving services to people with disabilities living in Indian country. Following an introductory chapter, chapters address the following topics (sample sub-topics in parentheses): healthy living (health care, sports and recreation); education (federal special education law, Office of Special Education Programs strategic directions); independent living (model approaches, resources); vocational rehabilitation and employment (vocational rehabilitation basics for the consumer, consumer disability resources, tribal VR program resources); assistive technology (model approaches, resources); housing and facilities (universal design, making plans a reality); transportation (assessing service needs, model approaches, and making plans a reality); key elements of promising programs (leadership); advocating change (self-advocacy, sample resolutions); federal disability laws and tribes (understanding government-to-government relationships); and national initiatives, federal agencies, and national organizations. A disability etiquette handbook completes the toolkit. (DB)

2004

ED481559