External Resources

What We Do?
Established in 1985, The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig's Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure.

As the preeminent ALS organization, The Association leads the way in research, care services, public education, and public policy - giving help and hope to those facing the disease. The Association's nationwide network of chapters provides comprehensive patient services and support to the ALS community. The mission of The ALS Association is to lead the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy, while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig's Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.

MDA is leading the fight to free individuals - and the families who love them - from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. We use our collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases, caring for individuals from day one and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America.

Paralyzed Veterans of America, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded in 1946, has developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs of our members - veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a individual membership professional organization representing more than 77,000 member physical therapists (PTs), physical therapist assistants (PTAs), and students of physical therapy. APTA seeks to improve the health and quality of life of individuals in society by advancing physical therapist practice, education, and research, and by increasing the awareness and understanding of physical therapy's role in the nation's health care system.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes

United Cerebral Palsy educates, advocates, and provides support services to ensure a life without limits for people with a spectrum of disabilities. UCP works to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network that has helped millions.

Leading the way in maximizing the quality of life and opportunities for people with spinal cord injuries and diseases since 1948. An advocacy organization at all levels for people with disabilities.

Promotes and establish standards of excellence for all aspects of health care of individuals with spinal cord injury from onset throughout life while educating members, other healthcare professionals, patients and their families as well as the public on all aspects of spinal cord injury and its consequences in order to prevent injury, improve care, increase availability of services and maximize the injured individual's potential for full participation in all areas of community life.

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is the national medical society representing more than 8,000 physicians who are specialists in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). PM&R physicians are nerve, muscle, bone and brain experts who treat injury or illness nonsurgical to decrease pain and restore function.

The SBA National Resource Center has gathered the most frequently asked questions about Spina Bifida to allow easy access to important information. The mission of the SBA is to promote the prevention of Spina Bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected.

Formerly knowwn as NICHCY, Center for Parent Information and Resources offers a wealth of information on disabilities. They serve the nation as a central source of information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children and youth including IDEA, the laws authorizing early intervention services and special education.

Easter Seals provides exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy so that people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work , and play in our communities.

Muscular dystrophies are a group of diseases caused by defects in a person's genes. Over time, this muscle weakness decreases mobility and makes the tasks of daily living difficult. There are many muscular dystrophies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies the major types.