Through the Looking Glass

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In the United States of America, individuals with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities are protected by a range of laws aimed at safeguarding and promoting their health, welfare, and independence. These legislative measures have been established thanks to the efforts of disability advocacy groups nationwide. Explore this section to find programs, agencies, resource centers, and special interest groups dedicated to advocating for accessibility, inclusion, and equality for individuals living with spinal cord injuries.

Browse through the resources below to discover various Disability Resource Centers that serve as hubs of disability-specific information. These include sources for health and patient advocates who can assist you in navigating the complexities of the healthcare system. Learn about self-advocacy across a spectrum of needs, including medical, psychological, social, emotional, recreational, and vocational. Gain insights into finding healthcare providers and identifying additional support through community-based disability groups.

Additionally, this section features statewide disability action centers and alliances committed to promoting and safeguarding civil rights for people with disabilities. These entities encompass statewide Centers for Independent Living (CIL), chapters of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, Family Caregiver Alliances, and foundations supporting spinal cord injury recovery. These groups offer transition support and counseling for housing, home-based services, personal assistants, and other legal services. Centers for Independent Living and Spinal Cord Associations also administer peer mentoring programs for youth and adults.

Through the Looking Glass Through the Looking Glass (TLG) is a nationally recognized legal center that has pioneered research, training, and services for families in which a child, parent or grandparent has a disability or medical issue. Some issues include: parents with/DA and families in custody cases and parents with/DA in child welfare & civil rights implications. TLG is a disability community based nonprofit organization, which emerged from the independent living movement, and was founded in 1982 in Berkeley, California. Our mission is “To create, demonstrate and encourage non-pathological and empowering resources and model early intervention services for families with disability issues in parent or child which integrate expertise derived from personal disability experience and disability culture.”