Did you know that millions of young people have an illness or disability? An illness is a sickness. Some illnesses are acute, which means they come on quickly and are over quickly (like a cold or the flu). Other illnesses are chronic, which means they last a long time and perhaps a lifetime (like asthma or diabetes). A disability is a physical or mental problem that makes it harder to do normal daily activities. Many different kinds of illnesses and disabilities can affect people. If you have an illness or disability, you know that taking care of your needs can be hard sometimes. But you can learn about different skills and resources you will need to meet the challenges of living with a disability or chronic illness. 

If you know someone with an illness or disability, check out this web site. When you understand the types of challenges faced by someone with an illness or disability, you will know how to be a better friend or family member to this person. Some things you can learn about here include:

The Advocacy Center

590 South Ave.

Rochester, New York 14620

(585) 546-1700

Toll free: 1-800-650-4967

Fax: (585) 546-7069

Email: www.advocacycenter.com

Provides advocacy and support to families of children with developmental disabilities regarding information about education, respite, parent groups, recreation and other supports.

Amputee Support Network

(585) 658-3432

Contact: Sue Widmer-Bennett

Provides amputees and families of amputees with information, knowledge and understanding of what may happen from onset throughout life. Provides support through a network of other amputees, family members and then, professionals, in order for amputees and their supporters to effectively advocate for proper services and know their rights.

The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming
18 Main St.
Mt. Morris, NY  14510
Phone:  585-658-2828
Fax:  585-658-4109
Web site:  www.lwarc.org

The Arc empowers people of all ages to and abilities to experience life’s joys and challenges with growing dignity and independence.

Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Goodwill Industries of Greater Rochester, Inc.
422 South Clinton Ave.
Rochester, NY 14620
(585) 232-1111

Toll free: 1-800-640-6005

Fax: (585) 232-2972
Web site: www.abvi-goodwill.com
Prepares and empowers people who are blind or visually impaired by providing a variety of services, low-vision evaluations, social work services, adult recreation programs, educational services, adapted computer training programs,  vocational rehabilitation.

  
Brain Injury Association of NYS
10 Colvin Ave.
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 459-7911

Toll free: 1-800-228-8201

Fax: (518) 482-5285

Web site: www.bianys.org
Email: info@bianys.org
Provides helpline, support groups, conferences, and publications to connect those with brain injury and families with resources in the community.

Brain Injury Counseling Resources

85 S. Union St.

Suite206

Spencerport, NY 14559

(585) 755-6205

Contact: Kathleen Blair, LCSW

Email: Bicr404@aol.com

Counseling services for brain injury survivors and family members. Services provided at office or in-home.

Dansville Anesthesia and Pain Management

LivingstonHealth Services

50 East St.

Geneseo, NY 14454

(585) 243-0150

Providing relief for patients suffering from chronic back pain, headaches, post-surgical pain, arthritis, cancer pain, and other related conditions.

DePaul Work Guide

150 Mt. Hope Ave.

Rochester, NY 14620

(585) 777-3500

Fax: (585) 506-9073

Web site: www.depaul.org

Contact: Christopher Tolhurst

Email: ctolhurst@depaul.org

Services to assist adults with a disability in obtaining long-term employment in their chosen field.

E.A.R.S.Lifeline Program
Noyes Memorial Hospital

111 Clara Barton St.
Dansville, NY 14437
(585) 335-4359

Fax: (585) 335-6980

Web site: www.noyes-health.org
Email: lifeline@noyes-hospital.org
An affordable, easy-to-use emergency response system allowing people to call for help from anywhere in their home/yard.

Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO)
620 Westfall Rd.
Rochester, NY 14620
(585) 461-8500

Fax: (585) 461-8926

Web site: www.local436.org
Offers one-on-one services for people with developmental disabilities and learning problems.

Foodlink
936 Exchange St.
Rochester, NY 14608
(585) 328-3380
1-866-843-5465 ext. 180

Can answer food stamp related questions.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
14 Mahoney St.
Leicester, NY 14481
(585) 382-9350 or 1-800-FIGHTMS

Fax: (585) 382-9345

Web site: www.msupstate.ny.org
Provides information, education, support and referrals to people with MS, their families and friends and others whose lives are affected by MS.

New York State Office of Vocational & Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)
Geneseo Satellite Office
Livingston County Government Center
6 Court St., Room 107
Geneseo, NY 14454
(585) 238-2973
Fax: (585) 991-5096
Provides vocational counseling, training, and job placement for people with disabilities.

New YorkState Schoolfor the Blind
2A Richmond Ave.
Batavia, NY 14020
(585) 343-5384

Fax: (585) 344-5557

Toll free: 1-877-NYS-SFTB (697-7382)
Contact: Erin Fairben, Superintendent

Email:  efairben@mail.nysed.gov
Web site: www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/nyssb/home.html
State operated day and residential school for 5 - 21 year old New York students who are blind and have at least one other disability.

Rochester School for the Deaf
1545 St. Paul St.
Rochester, NY 14621
(585) 544-1240 (Voice and TTY)

Fax: (585) 544-0383
Web site: www.rsdeaf.org

Email: info@rsdeaf.org
Educational programs for children with hearing loss. Support for RSD families. Outreach services available. Sign language classes open to public.

Upstate NY Families for Effective Autism Treatment

PO Box10174

Rochester, NY 14610

(585) 234-1220

Web site: www.UNYFEAT.org

Email: contact@UNYFEAT.Org

Contact: Gia Carroll, Ann Cole

Mission: to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families by expanding and enhancing opportunities to improve quality of life.