Times have changed for people with disabilities ...but language lags behind.

The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal and state laws work to assure that people with disabilities have the same basic rights as people without disabilities. Some things have been slow to change; namely, attitudes and perceptions about people with disabilities. Ignorance and discrimination can be serious impediments to achieving integration, productivity, and independence for people with disabilities.

The use of outdated language and words to describe people with disabilities contributes greatly to perpetuating old stereotypes. No longer should we view people with disabilities as helpless or tragic victims. Awareness is the first step toward correcting this injustice. If public opinion about people with disabilities is to be brought up to date, the public needs to hear and learn to use appropriate language. It is especially important for the media, elected officials, public speakers, and others in leadership positions to portray people with disabilities sensitively and realistically.

This is a general guide to using descriptive words and language when talking to or about people with disabilities.

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Area Agency on Aging
1100 N. Stanton St.
Ph # 915-533-0998 /  www.riocog.org
** Provides information & Assistance for the Elderly Population.

Advocacy Inc.
300 E. Main St.
Ph # 915-542-0585 / 800-948-1824 ( voice / tty )
Fx  # 915-542-2676 /  www.advocacyinc.org
** Provides Advocacy / Legal representation for people with Disabilities.

Application Outreach
1413 Montana Ave.
915-542-0432
** Provides SSI / SSDI Application Assistance.

Dept. of Aging & Disability Services  ( DADS )
5150 El Paso Dr.
Ph # 915-775-4560 / www.dads.state.tx.us
** Provides an array of services & support for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services  ( DARS )
401 E. Franklin St. – 915-834-7004
1155 Westmoreland Dr. Ste. 135 – 915-782-7150
1030 N. Zaragoza Rd. Ste. H – 915-782-7180
Division for Blind Services: 401 E. Franklin St. – 915-834-7004
www.dars.state.tx.us
**  Provides Vocational Rehabilitation, Job placement and supported services.

El Paso MHMR
1600 Montana Ave.
915-887-3410 / www.epmhmr.org
** Provides a wide array of Mental Health / Mental Retardation services.

Imagine Enterprises
Ph# 915-751-8463 / P.O.C. – Frank Perez
Fx# 915-751-8464 /  www.imagineenterprises.com
** Provides Social Security work incentive planning & assistance, serves as Area Work Incentive Coord.

Volar Center for Independent Living
1220 Golden Key Circle
Ph# 915-591-0800 / www.volarcil.com
** Provides Independent living skills,Training, Advocacy and Community Referrals.

General Assistance
Ph# 915-532-8850
** Provides general assistance to include paying utilities, groceries, rent , prescriptions.

Project Vida
3607 Rivera Ave.
Ph# 915-533-7057
** Services to include Early Childhood development, Latch Key after school program, Parenting Class’s, Health Clinics, Family Planning services, Health Education, Case management assistance, WIC Services, PVCDC Apartments, Homeless Prevention & Recovery, Economic Development.

Dept. of Veteran Affairs / El Paso VA Health Care System
CWT / SE Behavior Health Services
5001 N. Piedras
Ph# 915-564-6459
Fx# 915-564-7867
** Provides Mental Health services to Veterans, Supported Employment and Job Placement.

Accessibility & ADA Coordinator – City of El Paso
Mr. William Bennett
Two Civic Center Plaza ( 8th flr. )
Ph# 915-541-4243  ( voice / TDD )
Fx# 915-541-4993
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Sun Metro Lift
5081 Fred Wilson
Ph# 915-534-5854
Fx# 915-564-4410
** Provides Door to Door Transportation services for individuals with Disabilities (upon qualifying for services)

Region 19 / Transitional Services
Anjelica Rodriguez – 915-780-5059
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Childrens Disability Information Coalition ( CDIC )
1101 E. Schuster Ave.
Ph# 915-217-2747  /  Gilda Lopez ( Program Director )
Fx# 915-496-0751
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** Parent Resource Center – To provide the community with information, training and education pertaining to children with disabilities for parents and professionals that work with them.

Casa Esperanza Activity & Learning Center
2030 Texas
Ph# 915-351-9256
** Provides services for Reintegration skills for people with disabilities.

EPCC – Senior Adult Program / Mary Yanez – Director
Ph# 915-831-2703 / 831-2701
Fx# 915-831-2711
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EPCC – Center for Students with Disabilities
Valle Verde Campus – Rm. C-112B  Ph# 915-831-2821 ( Voice / TTY )
Mission Del Paso Campus – Rm. A-111  Ph# 915-831-7007 ( Voice / TTY )
Northwest Campus – Rm. M54  Ph# 915-831-8815  ( Voice / TTY )
Rio Grande Campus – Rm. B200  Ph# 915-831-4170 ( Voice / TTY )
Transmountain Campus – Rm. 1400  Ph# 915-831-5808 ( Voice / TTY )

UTEP – Disabled Student Services Office
Student Union East
Ph# 915-747-5148 ( Voice / TTY )
www.utep.edu/dsso or  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

LULAC – Project Amistad
310 N. Mesa  Ste. 520 ( Cortez Bldg. )
Ph# 915-532-3415 /  800-281-1636
Fx# 915-532-7463   /  www.lulacelpaso.org
** Provides Guardianship Referrals, Medical Transportation, Advocacy and Representative Payee.

Community Services for the Deaf / Hard of Hearing  ( CSD )
Ph# 915-594-7194/4664 ( Voice-TTY ) / Toll free 866-793-1076 ( Voice-TTY )
Fx# 866-294-1444    /   Video Ph# ssantillian.csd.tv
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** Provides services on Sensitivity Training, Communication Stratagies and Assistive Technology for the workplace, home. Advocacy, Self  Empowerment, ADA training to include Education & Employment.

Kevin K. Bowes
Diability Program Navigator
Workforce Solutions
Upper Rio Grande
Phone 915-887-2663
Fax 915-629-0417
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