Resources

Although Iowa Disability League does its best to keep the following lists up to date and as inclusive as possible, this page is ever-growing and evolving. Please email us at upgrademedicaid@gmail.com if you have additions!

Disability Related Organizations

  • General 
    • Iowa Compass – The most comprehensive list of all things disability related in Iowa
    • Centers for Independent Living 
    • ID Action – Iowans with Disabilities in Action is a nonpartisan, statewide initiative dedicated to generating greater civic and political participation among people with disabilities.
    • Infonet Iowa – The Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council created infoNET (short for information network) in partnership with Iowans with Disabilities in Action to give you the information, tools, resources and opportunities you need to take action on the issues important to you
    • Disability Rights Iowa – Disability Rights Iowa is part of a national group of agencies created by Congress in the 1970s to address repeated abuse and neglect of people with disabilities in large institutions. We are an independent, non-profit, 501(c)(3) agency funded through grants from the federal government, donations, and corporate or foundation funding. We are not a government agency or service provider, but we use federal funding to protect and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and mental illness. DRI advocates for the rights of Iowans with disabilities wherever they may live.
    • Easterseals Iowa – Easterseals Iowa provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. We provide a wide range of support for children and adults with disabilities to promote independence and opportunities throughout their lives. Easterseals Iowa gives the gift of hope, creates change and finds solutions.
  • Specific
    • Iowa DD Council – The DD Council is a federally funded state agency that advocates for the development of services and supports so that Iowans with developmental disabilities can make choices and take control of their lives. The Council is made up of 20+ volunteers who represent Iowans with disabilities, family members, service providers, state agencies and organizations concerned with developmental disability issues.
    • Iowa Department for Blind – The Iowa Department for the Blind helps educate, train and empower blind and low vision individuals to pursue lifelong goals.
    • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Iowa – From support groups and education to outreach and advocacy, NAMI IOWA works to provide the tools needed by friends, families and persons with mental illness of all ages.
    • United Spinal Association, Iowa Chapter – Iowa Chapter of United Spinal Association strives to connect individuals impacted by spinal cord injuries or disorders, including families, caregivers, and professionals. Our members empower each other to engage in active and healthy lifestyles.
    • Spina Bifida Association of Iowa – The mission of the Spina Bifida Association of Iowa is to promote the prevention of Spina bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected.
    • Iowa UCEDD (Iowa’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) – As Iowa’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) shares the vision of “a life in the community for everyone.” We partner with Iowans with disabilities, their family members, providers, state and local agencies, and many others to improve the health and full community participation of persons with disabilities, and to advance the community supports and services on which they rely. We work towards our goals through University training, community training, technical assistance to state and local agencies/organizations, clinical services and direct community supports, research and policy analyses, and information sharing.
    • Office of Deaf Services, Iowa Department of Human Rights – The Office of Deaf Services, formerly the Division of Deaf Services Commission of Iowa, is a proud part of the Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR). DHR’s mission is to ensure basic rights, freedoms, and opportunities for all by empowering underrepresented Iowans and eliminating economic, social, and cultural barriers.
    • CureSMA Iowa Chapter – Provides support for individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and their families, and keeps community members informed of opportunities for local education events (e.g., Summits of Strength) or advocacy and awareness efforts in which they can get involved.
    • Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa – The mission of the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa is to create a better future through brain injury prevention, advocacy, education, research, and support.

Advocacy

  • ID Action – Iowans with Disabilities in Action is a nonpartisan, statewide initiative dedicated to generating greater civic and political participation among people with disabilities.
  • Disability Rights Iowa – Disability Rights Iowa is part of a national group of agencies created by Congress in the 1970s to address repeated abuse and neglect of people with disabilities in large institutions. We are an independent, non-profit, 501(c)(3) agency funded through grants from the federal government, donations, and corporate or foundation funding. We are not a government agency or service provider, but we use federal funding to protect and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and mental illness. DRI advocates for the rights of Iowans with disabilities wherever they may live.
  • Iowa Office of Ombudsman – The Office of Ombudsman serves as an independent and impartial agency to which citizens can air their grievances about government. By facilitating communications between citizens and government and making recommendations to improve administrative practices and procedures, the Ombudsman promotes responsiveness and quality in government.
  • Iowa Civil Rights Commission – The Iowa Civil Rights Commission is a neutral, fact-finding law enforcement agency. The mission of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission is to end discrimination within the state of Iowa. To achieve this goal, the ICRC must effectively enforce the Iowa Civil Rights Act. The Commission’s primary duty is to enforce state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, education and credit by investigating and litigating civil rights complaints. The Commission also provides conflict resolution services including mediation and conciliation for civil rights matters. In addition to its role as a law enforcement agency, the Commission works to prevent discrimination by providing training and education to the public.

Assistive Technology/Adaptive Equipment

Caregivers/Personal Care Assistants

Employment

Finances

  • IAble: Iowa’s ABLE Savings Plan – ABLE accounts are tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities and their families. ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience. ABLE accounts allow for people with disabilities and their families to save for disability-related expenses without losing their eligibility for certain assistance programs, like SSI and Medicaid. These accounts can be used for short-term savings or long-term investing, whatever best meets the needs of the account owner.
  • Iowa ABLE Foundation (different from IAble) – provides affordable loans to low-income Iowans with disabilities in order to access assistive technology (which includes home modification, home repairs, vehicle modification, vehicle repair, assistive tools, employment equipment, education equipment, vehicle purchase, and service or support animal).   
  • Connect the Dots 4 Life (West Des Moines, Iowa) – Financial planning for families with special needs and/or a disability. 
  • Disability Planning, Frank A. Varvaris and Associates (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – Specialized Planning for All People with Disabilities since 1990.  Assistance with SSI / SSDI, Medicaid / Medicare, HCBS Waivers, Benefits Navigation, Services Eligibility, Resource Protection, Special Needs Trust Administration, and more
  • Disability Rights Iowa, Benefits Planning – Disability Rights Iowa provides benefits planning services as part of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program funded by the Social Security Administration. WIPA is a grant funded program sponsored by the Social Security Administration that provides work incentives planning, assistance, and outreach services to Social Security beneficiaries ages 14 – 65, who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), who want to pursue gainful employment/self employment.

Wellness

%d bloggers like this: