Rehabilitation

These sites include a variety of national organizations concerned with rehabiliation education and services.

American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR): AAPMR “is the national medical society representing more than 6,300 physicians who are specialists in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. They are called physiatrists (fizz ee at’ trists). Physiatrists focus on restoring function. They care for patients with acute and chronic pain, and musculoskeletal problems like back and neck pain, tendinitis, pinched nerves and fibromyalgia. They also treat people who have experienced catastrophic events resulting in paraplegia, quadriplegia, or traumatic brain injury; and individuals who have had strokes, orthopedic injuries, or neurologic disorders such as multiple sclerosis, polio, or ALS. The AAPMR website includes information for physicians, medical professionals, medical students, consumers/public (including general information as well as a searchable database of AAPRM members), and industry.

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses: The website of a membership organization comprised of “over 7,000 rehabilitation and restorative nurses who focus on improving people’s functional outcomes.” The website provides information for members and prospective members, including a Job Mart.

CARF…The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission: “CARF is a private, not-for-profit organization that accredits programs and services in Adult Day Services, Behavioral Health, Employment and Community Services, and Medical Rehabilitation. CARF develops and maintains practical and relevant standards of quality for such programs.” It is also involved in education and training, and research and quality improvement. The web site includes information about the organization.

National Association of Rehabilitation Agencies (NARA): NARA is a trade association for rehabilitation business owners and managers; most of its members are Medicare Part B providers that contract with long term care facilities for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech language pathology. Its website includes information about becoming a rehabilitation agency as well as NARA membership information.

National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR): The National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR) “conducts surveys on how researchers and consumers seek and use information from rehabilitation research studies. As the national clearinghouse for disability research, NCDDR links the work of disability researchers with service providers, educators, and consumers. NCDDR Links Research with Policy through the NCDDR Web site, which gives access to disability research data and information relevant to policy decisionmaking….” NCDRR is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).; Also listed under Disabilities – General

National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM): The National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) “locates, collects and distributes a wide variety of training materials such as participant and trainer manuals, videos, syllabi and curricula from publicly funded rehabilitation training programs for rehabilitation practitioners in state, federal and private agencies nationwide. These materials are not generally found in a traditional library.” In addition to its publication catalogs, the NCRTM web sites includes a rehabilitation recruitment center, disability links, counselor resources, rehabilitation associations and agencies, health and medical resources, distance and continuing education, internet tools for counselors, and related information. NCRTM is funded by a grant from Rehabilitation Services Administration.

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR): Part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, NIDRR “provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.” NIDRR is a major funding resource for disability research; its web site will lead you to NIDRR-funded projects, publications, and related resources.; Also listed under Disabilities – General

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC): The National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) collects and disseminats the results of federally funded research projects. NARIC’s literature collection, which also includes commercially published books, journal articles, and audiovisuals, averages around 200 new documents per month. “NARIC is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to serve anyone, professional or lay person, who is interested in disability and rehabilitation, including consumers, family members, health professionals, educators, rehabilitation counselors, students, librarians, administrators, and researchers.” See our page on disability databases for more information.; Also listed under Disabilities – General

NationalRehab: The website of the National Rehabilitation Association, a membership organization whose mission is to “provide advocacy, awareness and career advancement for professionals in the fields of rehabilitation.” Members include rehab counselors, physical, speech and occupational therapists, job trainers, consultants, independent living instructors and other professionals involved in the advocacy of programs and services for people with disabilities. The website includes information about the organization and its services, including a “members only” section.

Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): RSA is the federal agency responsible for carrying out Titles I, III, VI, VII, and VIII, as well as specified portions of Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the entirety of the Randolph-Sheppard Act, as amended; and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults Act. Its website includes information about RSA programs, plans, regulations, and funding opportunities.

Related Subjects: Disabilities – Index; Rehabilitation Counseling; Vocational Rehabilitation; Resources in your state