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TAP Bulletin - June 1995

NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSES AS RESOURCES FOR DISABILITY-RELATED INFORMATION

ERIC Clearinghouse On Disabilities And Gifted Education
1920 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091-1589
(800) 328-0272 (Voice); (703) 264-9474 (Voice)
(703) 264-9449 (TTY)
(703) 264-9494 (Fax)
ericec@inet.ed.gov (Internet)

The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a federally funded system of 17 clearinghouses that provide information on education and education-related topics. One of these clearinghouses is the ERIC Clearinghouse On Disabilities and Gifted Education which provides teachers, administrators, parents, students, researchers, librarians, and other interested parties with information on special education and gifted education.

The ERIC database contains over 850,000 journal annotations and education-related document abstracts. Information on assistive technology can be searched for using key words and descriptors. Documents identified by ERIC database searches include research studies, reports, and "how-to" documents all related to assistive technology and its use in education. ERIC database searches can be conducted at many college/university libraries nationwide. The ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education will conduct custom computer searches for a fee. Training on how to search the database and assistance with search strategies is also available.

Free resource packets are available on such topics as:

  • behavioral disorders;
  • early childhood;
  • inclusion; and
  • learning disabilities.

A specific resource packet on technology is available which includes a digest on assistive technology for students with mild disabilities. All the resource packets include topical digests and a resource list along with other clearinghouse and Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) information. Other publications can also be purchased through the ERIC Clearinghouse On Disabilities and Gifted Education.

The clearinghouse also gives referrals to other groups or sources of information. For user convenience, the ERIC system has an Internet service called AskERIC. Users can pose an education-related query to AskERIC at: askeric@ericir.syr.edu. Though operated by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology, questions sent to AskERIC are directed to the appropriate ERIC Clearinghouse. Responses are usually received within 48 hours.

National Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities (HEATH)
One Dupont Circle, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036-1193
(800) 544-3284 (Voice/TT); (202) 939-9320 (Voice/TT)
(202) 833-4760 (Fax)
heath@ace.nche.edu (Internet)

HEATH is a national clearinghouse that provides information on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. The HEATH Resource Center, part of the American Council on Education, is a federally funded project of the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education.

It gathers and disseminates information about educational support services, policies and procedures, adaptations, and opportunities at American campuses, vocational-technical schools, and other postsecondary training entities.

Information inquiries are received from students and their families, college admissions counselors, rehabilitation program professionals, college faculty, and campus support services coordinators.

Resources available include:

  • three publications on assistive technology: Computers, Technology and Disability; Computers, Technology and People with Disabilities (a joint publication with EASI); and Educational Software for Individuals with Learning Disabilities;
  • Information from HEATH, a free newsletter highlighting campus programs, current topics of concerns, and new publications. Recent topics have included accessibility, classroom and laboratory adaptations, independent living, and resources for transition.
  • HEATH Resource Directory, which is an annotated listing of over 150 organizations.
  • resource papers on a broad range of topics, including examples of current practices of campus support centers.

A publications list that identifies most of the current products is available. Single copies of materials are free and available in alternate formats, such as computer disk.

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
8455 Colesville Road
Suite 935
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3319
(800) 346-2742 (Voice/TT); (301) 588-9284 (Voice/TT)
(301) 587-1967 (Fax)
naric@capaccess.org (Internet)

The National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) is a resource center on information related to all types of disabilities and rehabilitation. It is a federally funded contract by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education. Users of NARIC include consumers, family members, health professionals, educators, rehabilitation counselors, administrators and other interested parties.

A primary function of NARIC is the collection and dissemination of publications developed by federally funded projects. NARIC will reproduce copies of hard to obtain documents from these federally funded projects for a modest fee.

NARIC also has three databases: REHABDATA, a database of bibliographic information on over 43,000 documents; ABLEDATA, a database on thousands of assistive technology devices, providing descriptions, manufacturer and vendor information and cost information; and KnowledgeBase which lists over 3,000 national and local information sources for additional disability-related information. NARIC staff will conduct database searches for you (may involve a small fee), or you can search these databases yourself through ABLE INFORM. ABLE INFORM is a computer bulletin board operated by NARIC that contains NARIC databases, publications, and conference areas. Call ABLE INFORM via modem at (301) 589-3563.

Publications available from NARIC include:

  • fact sheets on topics such as powered wheelchairs, office equipment for people with visual disabilities; assistive devices for people with arthritis; and funding assistive technology;
  • NARIC Quarterly, a free newsletter on disability-related resources;
  • NARIC Guide to Disability and Rehabilitation Periodicals;
  • Directory of National Information Sources on Disabilities;
  • NIDRR Program Directory; and
  • other resource guides, brochures, and thesauri.

Most NARIC materials are available in alternate formats such as large print, audiocassette, braille and computer disk.

National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education
1920 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091
(800) 641-7824 (Voice); (703) 264-9476 (Voice)
(703) 264-9480 (TTY)
(703) 264-1637 (Fax)

The National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education serves as an information resource on the fields of special education and related professions for professionals and those seeking career information. It is operated by The Council for Exceptional Children.

It gathers, develops, and disseminates information on recruitment, pre-service preparation, employment opportunities, and attrition and retention issues. The clearinghouse also maintains current data on personnel supply and demand. It also is developing a college and university database that identifies which personnel preparation programs include assistive technology programs.

The Professions Clearinghouse has publications on:

  • careers in special education and related services;
  • university preparation programs in special education and the related professions of speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and others;
  • financial aid resources for undergraduate and graduate education;
  • employment placement centers for public school placements in special education and related services;
  • job search strategies;
  • certification and licensure;
  • college and university accreditation; and
  • strategies for recruiting and retaining personnel.

The clearinghouse responds to individual requests for information, provides free publications, conducts custom searches on selected topics, and provides referrals to other organizations.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013-1492
(800) 695-0285 (Voice/TT); (202) 884-8200 (Voice/TT)
(202) 884-8441 (Fax)
nichcy@capcon.net (Internet)

NICHCY is an information clearinghouse that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues, with an emphasis on children and youth with special needs ranging in age from birth to 22 years. It is a federally funded project of the Academy for Educational Development operated by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education.

Free services provided by NICHCY include:

  • publications such as: Assistive Technology: Becoming an Informed Consumer and Related Services for School-Aged Children with Disabilities(News Digests);State Resource Sheets, a reference guide listing state services which may assist people with disabilities in obtaining assistive technology devices and services; and other parent guides, bibliographies, etc.;
  • referrals to national and state disability groups, regional and state organizations, professional associations, information centers, parent groups and advocacy groups; and
  • individualized responses to inquiries on topics such as early intervention, special education, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), transition, multicultural issues, legal issues, etc.

NICHCY provides technical assistance to parent and professional groups as well.

Materials are available in alternate formats and in Spanish.

The National Information Clearinghouse on Children Who are Deaf-Blind (DB-Link)
345 North Monmouth Avenue
Monmouth, OR 97361
(800) 438-9376 (Voice); (503) 838-8776 (Voice)
(800) 854-7013 (TTY); (503) 838-8821 (TTY)
(503) 838-8150 (Fax)
leslieg@fsa.wosc.osshe.edu (Internet)

DB-LINK is a federally funded information and referral service that identifies, coordinates, and disseminates information related to children and youth who are deaf-blind.

Although it is housed at Teaching Research, DB-LINK is a consortium-based clearinghouse that offers the expertise of six organizations:

  • American Association of the Deaf-Blind
  • American Foundation for the Blind
  • Helen Keller National Center
  • Perkins School for the Blind
  • St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center
  • Teaching Research

The clearinghouse serves people who are deaf-blind, parents, educators, researchers, employers, and others.

DB-LINK responds to questions related to topics including:

  • technology
  • independent living
  • early intervention
  • IFSPs, IEPs, ITPs
  • inclusion
  • medical

The clearinghouse produces a free newsletter, Deaf-Blind Perspectives, published three times a year. Another publication recently released is the DB-LINK Family Resource Directory which lists services of 11 national organizations that serve as a resource for families of children who are deaf-blind. It includes summaries of agency services, rolodex cards, and postcards to send for additional information.

DB-LINK's focus is children and youth. Questions related to adults who are deaf-blind are directed to the Helen Keller National Center at (800) 255-0411 ext 311.

National Information Center on Deafness (NICD)
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002-3695
(202) 651-5051 (Voice)
(202) 651-5052 (TDD)
(202) 651-5054 (Fax)
nicd@gallau.gallaudet.edu

Housed at Gallaudet University, a liberal arts university for deaf students, the National Information Center of Deafness (NICD) provides information on hearing loss and deafness to individuals with disabilities, their family members, service providers and the general public.

Over 85 NICD publications related to hearing loss and deafness are available for a nominal fee. Sample titles include:

  • Assistive Devices Demonstration Centers;
  • Assistive Listening Devices: A Consumer-Oriented Summary;
  • Hearing Aids and Other Assistive Devices: Where to Get Assistance;
  • Alerting and Communication Devices for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People; and
  • Statewide Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People.

Some resource sheets and pamphlets are available free of charge, including the Directory of National Organizations of and for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People and ABC Fingerspelling Cards. Contact NICD for their Publications from the National Information Center on Deafness brochure for additional information.

A resource collection and a database are also maintained by NICD on programs and services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

NICD also has access to and taps into university resources such as the Gallaudet University Library, the National Center for Law and the Deaf, which serves as a national clearinghouse on legal issues and deafness, and the Gallaudet Research Institute, that conducts deafness-related research.

NARIC SERVICE AVAILABLE TO TECH ACT PROJECTS

Add your publications to the NARIC REHABDATA database. NARIC is the official repository for reports and publications produced by NIDRR-funded projects.

To submit your publications to NARIC:

Send two copies of each publication with the publication date, contract or grant number and title, and contact information clearly displayed in front of the publication.

NARIC will photocopy and distribute out of print and hard to find materials that are in REHABDATA. By submitting your documentation for inclusion in the database, you gain support for your project's information dissemination activities. NARIC Address: NARIC, 8455 Colesville Road, Suite 935, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3319.

The RESNA Technical Assistance Project (#HN92031001) is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education (ED) under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendments of 1994. The information contained herein does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of NIDRR/ED or RESNA and no official endorsement of the material should be inferred.