There is a whole community of supporters out there on the internet communicating and advocating for issues related to people with disabilities. AtWork! has been blogging, tweeting, posting notices on Linked In and Facebook for nearly a year and we’ve come to rely on several outstanding sites for information and insights into issues of concern. Here’s a list site you may want to check out.

• Disability Scoop is the first and only national news organization serving the developmental disability community including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, fragile X and intellectual disability, among others. Five days each week Disability Scoop sifts through the clutter to provide a central, reliable source of news, information and resources. Plus, Disability Scoop is the only place to find original content and series like “Scoop Essentials” that take an in-depth look at what lies beyond the day’s headlines. Launched in 2008, Disability Scoop is the premier source for developmental disability news.

• Disability Resource Exchange . Written by Rudy Sims, a young man with a disability called cerebral palsy. He writes on his website that he is…”in a wheelchair. I was also in chronic pain for 10 years. The pain is much better now and I am a very happy person looking to help others cope effectively with disabilities, health problems and the difficulties of life. I'm also always looking for new ways to use my knowledge of technology to raise disability awareness and work together with other people to accomplish that. I have created and maintained several websites for people with disabilities and health problems my two main sites are my blog and a social network for the discussion of disability issues bringing together people with and without disabilities.”

• Blue Path We’ve blogged about this great site before. BluePath promotes businesses that welcome people with disabilities as valuable customers. BluePath provides information for people with disabilities about where to shop, dine or go for fun. Through the directory of business profiles, customers with disabilities can find detailed descriptions of accessible features for locations in their community or travel destination, making it easier for them to travel through their world. Reviews and ratings from previous customers provide further information about their experience at the business. BluePath helps people with disabilities find businesses that are usable and committed to serving them. We encourage you to let your favorite restaurant, shop or business know about Blue Path and suggest they become a member. Free memberships are available until June 30th.

Watch our next blog on April 13th to learn about several local Western Washington sites that are excellent resources.