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Enhancing the effectiveness of disability activism in Connecticut by organizing and empowering individuals, families, groups, and organizations.
 

CT Resources

 

The following is a list of resources found in the state of CT.

Critical Resources (911, 211, 711 and CRIS Radio)

Find Your Legislators

Connecticut Newspapers

Connecticut Television Stations

Connecticut Transportation Options

Connecticut Press Release Information

Connecticut Independent Living Program

Connecticut Developmental Disabilities Network

Connecticut Government

National Spinal Cord Injury Association - CT Chapter: Resource Directory

P& A's Disability Resource Directory

P& A's Non-Profit Disability Resource Center

The following is a list of some of the most frequently used agencies and programs:

Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
The goal of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program is to assist individuals with significant physical and mental disabilities to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. Through the provision of individualized services, persons with disabilities who are eligible for vocational rehabilitation are supported in planning for and achieving their job goals.

A direct link to BRS's Connect To Work Center can be found here: http://www.brs.state.ct.us/ConnectToWork.htm. We also have a PDF attachment that has more info about the Connect To Work services which you may access through this link.

Board of Education and Services for the Blind
The Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) is responsible for the confidential registry of people who are blind in Connecticut and provides, within available resources, comprehensive low vision services, specialized education services, life skills training, case management, and vocational services to individuals of all ages who are legally blind and to children who are visually impaired. The agency assists them in acquiring the skills and support services necessary to be independent.

Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
The Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired was created by the Connecticut Legislature in 1974 to advocate, strengthen and implement state policies affecting individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and their relationship to the public, industry, health care, and educational opportunities.

Department of Children and Families
The Department of Children and Families is working together with families and communities to improve child safety, ensuring that more children have permanent families, and advancing the overall well-being of children is the central focus of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). DCF protects children who are being abused or neglected, strengthens families through support and advocacy, and builds on existing family and community strengths to help children who are facing emotional and behavioral challenges, including those committed to the Department by the juvenile justice system.

Department of Education-Special Education/Transition
The State Board of Education believes each student is unique and needs an educational environment that provides for, and accommodates, his or her strengths and areas of needed improvement. The Board also believes that a unified and coordinated continuum of educational opportunities and supports serves and benefits all students.

Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) promotes and administers comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment throughout Connecticut.

Department of Mental Retardation (Soon to be Department of Developmental Services)
The Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) is a state agency funded by the State of Connecticut to purchase or provide a wide range of supports and services for citizens of Connecticut with mental retardation. The supports and services DMR administers or purchases include residential services, day programs, employment supports, family supports, case management and clinical services.

Department of Social Services
DSS has a new initiative to bring together Connecticut employers and able job-seekers with disabilities Go to http://www.connect-ability.com/ to see “How We Can Work Together.”   Individuals, employers, family, youth, friends and colleagues are welcome to Connect-Ability—a special initiative for people with disabilities of all ages who are seeking employment for the first time or who want a new challenge, and employers of all sizes and in all industries who are seeking valuable, qualified workers.

Department of Transportation
ConnDOT works with the public, transportation partners, state and federal legislators, and other state and local agencies to provide a safe and efficient transportation system for the people traveling in Connecticut. About ConnDOT provides basic information on the Connecticut Department of Transportation and its leaders, direction, history and funding. The mission of the Bureau of Public Transportation
is for the development, maintenance, and operation of a safe and efficient system of motor carrier and rail facilities for the movement of people and goods, such as bus transit, rail operations, and ridesharing programs. CTrides.com offers a portal to Public Transportation Information.

Office of Protection and Advocacy
The Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (better known as "P and A") is an independent State agency created to safeguard and advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in Connecticut.

Other State of CT departments
Looking for an office not listed here? Here is the full list of State of CT departments and agencies.


Connecticut Independent Living Program

Connecticut Association

for Centers for Independent Living (CACIL)

151 New Park Avenue

Hartford, CT 06106

860-656-0430

 

Gary Waterhouse

Executive Director

State Independent Living Council (SILC)

151 New Park Avenue

Suite 132 & 134

Hartford, CT 06106

(860) 523-0126

 

Thom Condon

Executive Director

Center for Disability Rights

764 A Campbell Ave.

West Haven CT 06516

203-934-7077

203-934-7079 (TTY)

 

Marc Gallucci

Director

Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut

238 West Town ST.

Norwich, CT 06360

860-823-1647

860-889-3576 (TTY)

 

Cathy Ferry

Director

Disability Resource

Center of Fairfield County

80 Ferry Blvd., Suite 210

Stratford CT 06615

203-378-6977

203-378-3248 (TTY)

 

Tony LaCava

Director

Independence Unlimited

51 New Park Ave.

Hartford CT 06106

860-523-5021 (Voice/TTY)

860-523-7991 (TTY)

 

Candace Low

Director

Independence Northwest

1183 New Haven Rd., Suite 200

Naugatuck CT 06770

203-729-3299

203-729-1281 (TTY)

 

Eileen Healy

Director

Developmental Disabilities Network

Connecticut Council

on Developmental Disabilities (CDD)

(funder)

860-418-6160

860-418-6172 (TTY)

1-800-653-1134 (CT only)

 

Edward T. Preneta

Director

The Connecticut Office

of Protection & Advocacy for Persons

with Disabilities (P&A)

60B Weston Street

Hartford, CT 06120-1551

860-297-4300

860-297-4380 (TTY)

1-800-842-7303 (V/TTY) (CT only)

 

James McGaughey

Director

 

University of Connecticut

Center for Excellence in Disabilities

A.J. Pappanikou Center for Excellence

in Developmental Disabilities

(in-kind services)

263 Farmington Ave., MC 6222

Farmington, CT 06030

860-679-1500

860) 679-1502 (TTY)

1-866 623-1315

 

Mary Beth Bruder

Director

 


DISCLAIMER: Inclusion of an event, article or legislative initiative does not imply endorsement by CDAC, nor can CDAC guarantee that all information provided is accurate or current.

The Collaborative is supported by a grant the CT Disability Advocacy Collaborative received from the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities. In addition, in-kind support is being provided by the UConn Center on Disability, and Communitas, Inc. serves as the project’s fiscal agent. To all three we extend our appreciation.

© CT Disability Advocacy Collaborative 2007 All Rights Reserved.