Community Advocacy Organizations

Advocates for public policy affecting all people in the State of Utah who have disabilities. 

• Specialized Information and Referral
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Braille and Tactile Aids

NFB of Utah has 5 chapters located in St. George, Utah County, Salt Lake, Weber/Davis, and Logan; as well as 3 divisions that work specifically with students, seniors, and parents of blind children.
President Everette Bacon

Empowers individuals, strengthens families, and builds communities through education and self-sufficiency programs. Programs and services include crisis intervention for housing (may include rent and/or deposit assistance depending on funding, for qualifying families with children or individuals), food, and utility assistance or assistance with utilities, homeless diversion programs and services, employment services and job finding assistance, and other services listed as separate providers (See the Community Action Agencies service term). Offers coordinated homeless services through the Homeless Resource Line.

COVID-19 Update: All walk-in and in-person appointments are suspended. For services, please call or go online. ADDITIONALLY Temporary Rental Assistance is available to those directly affected by COVID-19 and not eligible for unemployment; please call for specific information.

COVID-19 - UPDATE: As of July 31, 2020 the temporary Rental Assistance is now open to those who are receiving unemployment benefits. Additional funding has been received and eligibility requirements have changed. Those who quality can receive up to $2000 for rent and utility purposes.

• Tenant Readiness Education Programs
• Food Production/Preparation/Delivery Volunteer Opportunities
• Landlord/Tenant Dispute Resolution
• Court Community Service Sites
• Homeless Diversion Programs
• Case/Care Management
• Community Action Agencies
• Specialized Information and Referral
• Rent Payment Assistance

Provides advocacy, builds capacity, and encourages systems change to support people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families to fully and independently participate in their communities.

• Advocacy
• Protection and Advocacy for Individuals With Disabilities

Provides awareness, education, support services, and advocacy for and in behalf of all those dealing with the many challenges of epilepsy/seizure disorders.

• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Therapeutic Camps
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health/Disabilities Related Volunteer Opportunities
• Independent Living Skills Instruction
• Disease/Disability Information
• Prescription Drugs for Specific Health Conditions

• Domestic/Family Violence Legal Services
• Child Custody/Visitation Assistance
• Legal Representation
• Self Representation Assistance
• Divorce Assistance

• Recreational Activities/Sports
• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Health/Disabilities Related Volunteer Opportunities
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health Related Advocacy Groups

Promotes civil rights issues surrounding discrimination against United States citizens. Provides college and youth scholarships that help members avoid the traps of discriminatory loans and lending practices.

• Disease/Disability Information
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Stroke Rehabilitation

Provides information and assistance to those with low income, regarding nutritional programs, rights, and benefits of program/participants. Also provides advocacy on hunger and poverty issues and training on all federal food programs for individuals and groups. Utahns Against Hunger is not an emergency food provider but instead works to expand the reach of nutritional programs to 1 in 9 households in Utah struggling to afford food.

COVID-19 Update: the Pandemic-EBT program provides students who were eligible in March for free or reduced-fee lunches a prepaid Horizon Card with Pandemic EBT benefits of $308 per eligible child, for addressing emergency food needs during the pandemic.

• Public Relations Volunteer Opportunities
• Welfare Rights Assistance
• Advocacy
• Food Stamps/SNAP Applications

• Divorce Assistance
• Child Custody/Visitation Assistance
• Self Representation Assistance

• Disease/Disability Information
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Specialized Information and Referral

Internet resources, use search to find local resources.

Supporting International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)

Advocates for the underserved population of Utah regarding health care, provides information about the new federal health care reform law (also known as Obamacare) and how it will impact Utahns from every walk of life. Helps consumers enroll in public and private insurance, and educates consumers on how to make the best use of their benefits.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Office is closed until further notice; no walk-ins. Staff are working remotely; working on developing technology to better assist remotely; please call.

• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Advocacy
• Navigator Programs
• General Health Insurance Information/Counseling

Services provided by TakeCareUtah.org

Provides outreach, training, support, education, information, and activities for individuals with Down syndrome, parents, families and the community.

• Specialized Information and Referral
• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health Related Advocacy Groups

• Disease/Disability Information
• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Health Related Advocacy Groups
• Voluntary Health Organizations
• Health/Disabilities Related Volunteer Opportunities
• Court Community Service Sites

Region includes Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.

Information about Fabry disease, research and clinical trials information, funding programs, and more. Programs, include:

• Annual conference
• Family camp
• Personal support
• Research and educational information

ASHA's work is focused around three important objectives:
Educate: Be the source of scientifically-based and accessible information
Build Alliances: Collaborate with other organizations to expand the understanding and acceptance of the sexual health model
Advocate: Advance supportive changes in sexual health policy

The NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights group in the U.S. Its principal objective is to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality among minority citizens.

The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) is the nation's leading public policy center dedicated to promoting the economic security, health, and well-being of America's low-income families and children. NCCP has a list online of publications on the following topics:

• Child Poverty
• Children’s Mental Health
• Early Care and Learning
• Healthy Development
• Immigrant Families
• Infants and Toddlers
• Integrated Systems
• Low-Wage Work
• Social Security
• Welfare
• Work Supports

The Autism Research Institute (ARI) is the hub of a worldwide network of parents and professionals concerned with autism. ARI was founded in 1967 to conduct and foster scientific research designed to improve the methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing autism. ARI also disseminates research findings to parents and others worldwide seeking help. The ARI data bank, the world's largest, contains over 40,000 detailed case histories of autistic children from over 60 countries.

Services:

• Online educational events for parents and caretakers
• Continuing medical education credit for physicians, teachers, dietitians, and occupational therapists
• ATEC treatment assessment tool for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Resource Line
• Research updates and newsletters

The mission of United Way is to improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.

United Ways across the country activate community resources to make the greatest possible human impact. The United Way system includes approximately 1,400 community-based United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated and governed by local volunteers.

As community leaders, United Ways address the most critical local issues and mobilize resources beyond the dollars that are pledged through their fund-raising efforts. Community partners often include schools, government policy makers, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, voluntary and neighborhood associations, community development corporations and the faith community.

United Spinal Association is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including veterans, and providing support and information to loved ones, care providers and professionals. Offers options to request assistance, connect with a mentor, connect with a chapter, advocacy, and product and service information.

Spinal Cord Resource Center: Submit questions on any aspect of Spinal Cord Injury/Disease or get information and resources that may help you resolve a situation including local support.

Disability Products & Services Guide: Search the United Spinal Association Disability Products & Services Directory to discover providers and organizations that specialize in optimizing the health, independence and quality of life of people with a spinal cord injury or disease.

• Health/Disability Related Support Groups
• Information and Referral
• Legislative Advocacy
• Self Advocacy Support