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Know someone with a disability in Birmingham? Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services is here to help.
After a couple recent surgeries, my sister needs a wheelchair to get around. When she learned about Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, she was overjoyed.
This state-run organization helps set children and adults with disabilities up for success. Whether someone is born with a disability or develops one later in life, ADRS helps them thrive. Keep reading to find out more.
1. ADRS helped 50,000 Alabamians in 2018
- ADRS was founded in 1994
- 25 community offices reach people in all 67 Alabama counties
- They provide valuable resources linking people with disabilities with much-needed supports and resources
What counts as a disability, you might be wondering?
- Mobility challenges such as needing a wheelchair to get around
- Developmental delays
- Hemophilia
- Blindness / low vision
- Deafness / limited hearing
- Other challenges to living a full, active and independent life
2. Alabama’s Early Intervention System
Alabama’s Early Intervention System: helps with babies through 3-year olds with developmental delays or disabilities. Call: 1-800-543-3098 (or TTY 800-499-1816). Spanish speakers call: 1-866-450-2838.
3. Children’s Rehabilitation Service
Children’s Rehabilitation Service helps babies through 21-year olds. They work with schools to help young people with disabilities participate fully in school. Their Hemophilia Program serves children and adults with hemophilia.
4. Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Vocational Rehabilitation Services is the program that caused my sister—an amazing science teacher whose disability has kept her out of a classroom for the past few years—to cry tears of joy. They “help Alabamians with disabilities achieve independence through employment.”
If you haven’t been up close and personal with someone with a disability, you’d be shocked at all the things you need to be able to navigate seemingly simple things like getting out of the house, accessing public bathrooms, opening doors or getting from Point A to Point B safely.
This doesn’t even include renewing lapsed licenses, getting specific skills training, or finding opportunities that are a good fit. VRS helps with all of this.
5. State of Alabama Independent Living / Homebound Services
State of Alabama Independent Living / Homebound Service helps people with the significant disabilities thrive. Doesn’t matter if they’re at home, in the workplace or in the community.
If you or someone you know needs support for a disability, you need to know about Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. Whether you need a ramp, job support or something else, they have a lot to offer.
You can find Alabama Department of Rehabilitation services at their website, on Facebook, or just give them a call at 1-800-441-7607.
