OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISABLED
Please click on the programs below for more information
Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities
Effective therapies and treatments
Job Development & Support Programs
General Resources for People with Disability
Resourceful Links
Resources for D.C. residents
Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities
Stress can play a major role in the lives of people and make normal day-to-day stressors overbearing and even and even cause or exacerbate numerous mental impairments such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks and phobias.
According to the National Institute of Health, over 20 percent of Americans ages 18 and older (about one five adults) suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. This translates to more than 44 million Americans per year. Four of the ten leading causes of disability in the United States are mental disorder – major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Stress causes and exacerbates mental illness. Early Signs of Disabling Stress Problems. People who suffer from mental illnesses may display one or more of the following symptoms (among others): suicidal ideation, threats to others, feelings of intense tension or anxiety, sudden changes in eating and/or sleeping habits, atypical thoughts and speech, sudden changes in mood and behavior, withdrawal from friends and family, loss of interest in favorite activities as well as various physical symptoms. Failure to cope with stress causes chaos in one's life, and with one's peace of mind, result in maladaptive behavior, and even lead to disability.
Helping Hands International is dedicated to helping people with physical, mental or emotional disabilities take greater control of their destinies.
Effective therapies and treatments
Helping Hands International's mental health professionals offer a wide range of effective therapies and treatments including psychotherapy and psychotropic medications. Children and adolescents involved in court and foster care systems also benefit from the various services.
The organization also provides recovery-focused community-based mental health services to children, youth, adults. Treatment Interventions include:
Counseling
Psycho-therapy
Community support
Rehabilitation Services focus on areas such as:
Crisis stabilization
Play therapy
Anger and stress management
Psycho-educational and therapeutic nursery programs
Helping Hands International offers a continuum of vocational and employment related services and a better and improved access to employment.
Job Development & Support Programs
In this pursuit, Helping Hands International's Support Programs concentrate on issues such as:
Independent living skills training
Housing accommodation services
In-home support and recreational services
Transportation services
Vocational counseling, assessments and career guidance
Pre-employment training
Individual assistance in finding and keeping jobs
On the job training
Information, referral and consultation to people in transition and their families
Sheltered and supported employment training
Recommendations for job accommodations to employers
Evacuation and disaster resources
General Resources for People with Disability
Those who seek treatment can usually return to normal, productive lives. Unfortunately, in some cases, despite medical intervention, these problems worsen and cause an inability to work. For those stuck in the tunnel of disability and seeking assistance, Helping Hands International provides experienced disability attorney free of charge and not on a contingency basis. There are three major disability benefits programs:
Social Security Disability (SSD), run by the federal government for everyone who qualifies
Long Term Disability (LTD), run by private insurance companies and often a benefit of employment
Federal Disability Retirement (FDR), for federal government employees only. There are also programs for state and county employees, disability benefits through pension plans and workers' compensation claims
Social Security is the main disability program under which most individuals are covered
Anyone who has been or will be out of work for twelve continuous months due to a medical impairment may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits, if they have worked and paid into the social security system.There is also a Supplemental Security Income benefits available for people who have never worked, become disabled and meet the federal poverty guidelines.
Other Useful Resources
EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
PLAN FOR ACHIEVING SELF-SUPPORT
For achieving self-support Helping Hands International provides Counseling to people with disabilities who receive SSI to set aside income for work-related expenses without reduction of benefits.
EVACUATION AND DISASTER RESOURCES
Information on Assistive Technology:
Resources for D.C. residents
The District is one of the first two states leading the reform to move persons with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities from large institutions to community-based facilities. The Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration (MRDDA) provides services and promotes life-planning strategies. MRDDA strives to maximize the quality of life for its customers—persons with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. Eligible residents are also taught practical living skills and provided vocational training and regular or sheltered employment.
You may request a service information packet, which includes an application form. This form should be completed and assembled with the following documentation:
Applicant's birth certificate
Social security card
Proof of District residency
Medicaid card (if applicable) and
Proof of diagnosis of developmental disability or mental retardation
Each one of the application requirements must be completed before eligibility can be determined.
