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Page Contents: Useful Definitions | In Our Collections | Resources – Community | – Neurodiversity | – d/Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Useful Definitions

Disability can be defined by the medical model and the social model.

“The medical model attributes disability to a feature of the person and is caused by disease, health conditions, or trauma.
“…The social model of disability states that disabled people are disabled by society and manifestations of ableism, such as a lack of access and accommodations, rather than by their bodies or diagnoses.”

– Beyond Inclusion: How to Raise Anti-Ableist Kids by Carrie Cherney Hahn (xvi)

In Our Collections

Content forthcoming–check back often!

Resources

Community

Accessible Community
“Accessible Community exemplifies ‘Nothing about us without us’” by “bringing together accessibility experts, volunteers, businesses, organizational and community leaders, and individuals with disabilities to create a more inclusive world.” “Our non-profit is led by people with disabilities and caretakers who want to break down these barriers and create more accessible communities.”

​Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network
“The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to support the mission of the ADA to ‘assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.’”

UVM Center on Disability & Community Inclusion (CDCI)
“We believe in and work towards a diverse and vibrant future with, for, and by people with disabilities in Vermont.”

Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL)
“VCIL is a nonprofit directed and staffed by people with disabilities.

“…We work to promote the dignity, independence and civil rights of Vermonters with disabilities. Like other independent living centers across the country, VCIL is committed to:

• “services for all disabilities;
• “promotion of active citizenship;
• “and working with others to create services that support free-choice and full participation in community life.”

​Vermont Department of Disabilities Aging and Independent Living (DAIL)
“Our Mission: Make Vermont the best state in which to grow old or to live with a disability–with dignity, respect, and independence.”

World Institute on Disability (WID)
“To build a more inclusive global society, the WID:

• “Supports emergency, disaster, and climate efforts.”
• “Helps assure that products and services are more accessible
• “Promotes equity policies
• “Provides consulting services
• “Offers training and tools.”

Neurodiversity

All Brains Belong VT
“All Brains Belong VT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community health organization located in Montpelier, Vermont. Our mission is to make life better for people with all types of brains. We do this through neurodiversity-affirming medical care, social connection, employment support, and neurodiversity education.”

The Blue Envelope Program through the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
“The Blue Envelope Program is for Vermont drivers on the autism spectrum. It aims to make routine traffic stop interactions easier.”

UVM Autism Collaborative
“Dedicated to improving the lives of autistic people.

“The UVM Autism Collaborative is a group of autistic and non-autistic family members, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, and autistic adults working together.”

d/Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services (DVAS)
“DVAS provides direct services to d/Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and d/DeafBlind people and victims. DVAS gives support to clients and survivors, offers training to professionals, educates the d/Deaf and hearing communities, and works on collaborating with local agencies.”

d/Deaf Visor Card through the Vermont DMV
“Visor cards help people who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing communicate with law enforcement. The visor card seeks to help people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing communicate with police officers during a traffic stop or road emergency.”

National Deaf Freedom Association (NDFA)–resources for Vermont
“The National Deaf Freedom Association (NDFA) is a non-profit 501(c)4 social welfare organization providing access to legislators at Federal, State, City/County levels.

“NDFA envision for all d/Deaf people in the United States of America where there is humanity, social justice, understanding the economic needs of the community, and encourage development consistent with those needs.”

Services for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, DeafBlind through Vermont Disabilities Aging and Independent Living (DAIL)
“At DAIL we strive to reframe how we think and talk about the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafPlus, DeafDisabled, and late deafened population.”

Vermont Association of the Deaf (VTAD)
“The VTAD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to:

• “protect the rights of the d/Deaf individuals and their families to accessible services;
• “empower d/Deaf individuals to exercise self-determination and independence;
• “advocate for equal social, educational, and employment opportunities in Vermont.”