Gourt > Regional > North America > United States > Alabama > Society and Culture > Disability Resources > Support Groups
In a support group, members provide each other with various types of nonprofessional, nonmaterial help for a particular shared burdensome characteristic. The help may take the form of providing relevant information, relating personal experiences, listening to others' experiences, providing sympathetic understanding and establishing social networks. A support group may also provide ancillary support, such as serving as a public relations voice or engaging in advocacy.
Maintaining contact
Support groups maintain interpersonal contact among their members in a variety of ways. Most groups have traditionally met in person in group sizes that allowed conversational interaction. Support groups also maintain contact through printed newsletters, telephone chains, internet forums, and mailing lists. Some support groups are exclusively Online_support_groups.
Membership in some support groups is formally controlled, with admission requirements and membership fees. Other groups are "open" and allow anyone to drop in at an advertised meeting, for example, or to participate in an online forum.
More on [ Support group ]
Alabama Association of the Deaf, Inc. - Lists Board members, newsletter subscription, and conferences.
Alabama Autism Resources - Information, resources and support for people concerned with autism spectrum disorders. Message board, calendar, email newsletter, and links.
Alabama Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Offers support to people with MS and their families by providing programs and services designed to enhance quality of life.
Alabama Deaf-Blind Multihandicapped Association - An effort to identify and assist new families, professionals, and community services in providing appropriate services for people who are deaf, blind, or have multiple handicaps.
Alabama Head Injury Foundation - Mission is to improve the quality of life for people with traumatic brain injury and for their families.
Arc of Montgomery - A non-profit advocacy group of Montgomery, Alabama area citizens who are dedicated to ensuring that the area's retarded children and adults have appropriate educational training, care, and to the extent practicable, gainful employment. MARC provides a variety of services to retarded children and adults ranging in age from birth to more than 75 years of age.
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Arc of Tuscaloosa - Devoted solely to promoting the welfare of persons with mental retardation and their families. It is the philosophy of The Arc that all persons with mental retardation are entitled to care treatment, and habilitation which will enable them to achieve maximum independence.
Meta Description: [ The Arc of Tuscaloosa County, Inc., promotes dignity, quality, and choice
in securing for its consumers opportunities realize their goals of achieving quality of life. ]
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Alabama Chapter - Works to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. Site includes local events, volunteer opportunities, contact information, and links to the national foundation.
Meta Description: [ cff.org, Alabama Chapter ]
Epilepsy Foundation of North and Central Alabama - Working for independence and a better quality of life for people with epilepsy. Email newsletter, contacts, and programs.
Meta Description: [ Home ]
Families Advocating for Individuals' Rights (FAIR) - A supportand advocacy group helping to empower people with disabilities and their families to make informed choices and be able to exercise control over their own lives.
National Federation for the Blind in Alabama - Information on blindness, legislation, chapter activities, and state conventions.
Meta Description: [ National Federation of the Blind, leading force in the blindness field today, has 50,000 members, 700 local chapters, 5-affiliates. Fosters self-respect and self-expression for blind men, women and children. ]
Parent Advocates Down Syndrome - Emotional, social and educational support for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. Events, activities, newsletter, by-laws, and contact information.
Meta Description: [ Our organization is dedicated to serving the needs of individuals and families of individuals with Down syndrome. ]
Signs of the Times - Information about Deaf issues and concerns in the Huntsville community. Links to state and national resources.
United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham - Provides services and programs for children and adults addressing physical and health needs, encouraging their educational development and offering opportunities for true integration into the community. Site includes description of the organization and programs, cerebral palsy information, job openings, calendar, fund-raisers, and contacts.
