If the description of a group below is in quotation marks, it was taken from the site's own homepage. If not, then it is based on our own evaluation or the evaluation of someone we trust (like one of our producers, or one of the groups with which we work regularly.) We welcome your comments as well.

 
 
Aging

 
Advance Directives

Aging with Dignity: Offers information about the organization's "Five Wishes" approach to preparing advance directives, which can now be used in thirty-three states.

American Bar Association Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly: "Dedicated to examining law and policy issues affecting older persons...the Commission has sought to improve legal services for the elderly, particularly through involvement of the private bar." Resources include the Consumer's Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning.

The Medical Directive: "Every adult may accept or refuse any recommended medical treatment. The Medical Directive records the medical treatments you wish to have or not have should you become unable to express your wishes."

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Aging, General

American Association for Retired Persons: "A nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of persons 50 and older. Through information and education, advocacy and service, we seek to enhance the quality of life for all by promoting independence, dignity and purpose."

Boston University Gerontology Center: An interdisciplinary education and research center affiliated with B.U. Medical Center. Primarily a New England resource, but currently developing internet programs of wider interest, including an upcoming program for caregivers.

Directory of Web Sites on Aging: Maintained by the U.S. Administration on Aging, this site offers links to many sites related to elder care.

Elder Web: "Thousands of reviewed links to long term care information, a searchable database of organizations, and an expanding library of articles and reports, news, and events."

Generations United: "A resource for educating policymakers and the public about the economic, social, and personal imperatives of intergenerational cooperation."

Grands Place: "For Grandparents and Special Others Raising Children: we hope to provide a safe and accepting environment where caregivers can join together and give each other the support and comfort we need."

National Aging Information Center: A program of the U.S. Administration on Aging provides information resources on programs, policies and services.

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging: "Advocates on behalf of local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans. The fundamental mission...is to provide services which make it possible for older individuals to remain in their home, thereby preserving their independence and dignity."

Seniors Resource Guide: "Seniors Resource Guide provides an extensive directory of information and resources available to seniors, their families, and health care providers. This site assists the elderly with making informed decisions about housing, home health care, health services, care management, professional services, and community resources."

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Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Association: "The Alzheimer's Association, a national network of chapters, is the largest national voluntary health organization committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer's and helping those affected by the disease."

Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center: A service of the National Institute on Aging: offers information, publications, and referrals.

Alzwell: A site especially aimed at caregivers of those with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

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Caregiving

Caregiver Network, Inc.: "Caregiver Network Inc.(CNI), the first of its kind in Canada, is a resource centre created to help caregivers of the elderly and ill."

Caregivers Count: "Up-to-date, non-partisan information impacting caregivers and their families. On this site you will find suggestions for becoming an advocate for caregiving issues."

Caregivers.com: "Solutions for better aging." Sections include an "Eldercare Locator," "Caregiver Tools," and "Ask the Experts."

Caregiving.com, Inc.: "Caring for an aging relative is hard. We know. We're here to help."

Empowering Caregivers: Practical emotional and spiritual support for caregivers. Offers tools for self-empowerment and a strong sense of an interactive community with scheduled chats and forums.

Family Care America: "Working with corporate and community partners and employers nationwide, we help family caregivers help themselves and the ones they love."

Family Caregiver Alliance: "Specialized information on Alzheimer's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, ALS and other disorders and long-term care concerns." Includes "features for families, caregivers, professionals, policy makers and the media."

Healthy Caregiver: "Dedicated to the issues and interests of contemporary adults caring for aging parents. We address diverse social, physical, economic and often times sensitive issues that naturally emanate from the eldercare relationship for a new era of caregivers."

National Alliance for Caregiving: "Dedicated to providing support to family caregivers and the professionals who help them and to increasing public awareness of issues facing family caregiving."

National Family Caregivers Association: "A grass roots organization created to educate, support, empower and speak up for the millions of Americans who care for chronically ill, aged or disabled loved ones...reaches across the boundaries of different diagnoses, different relationships and different life stages to address the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers."

National Organization for Empowering Caregivers: Support, education, advocacy: "To provide assistance, education, support and referrals for informal family caregivers, as well to promote public awareness about the realities of caregiving."

Today's Caregiver Magazine: "For family and professional caregivers...our web site includes topic specific newsletters, online discussion lists, back issue articles of Today's Caregiver Magazine, chat rooms and an online store."

Well Spouse Foundation: "A national, not for profit membership organization which gives support to wives, husbands, and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled." Services include support groups and a newsletter

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Death & Dying

Americans for Better Care of the Dying: This policy-oriented site offers guidance to consumers and professionals who want to get involved in the movement to improve end-of-life care.

Association for Death Education and Counseling: "One of the oldest interdisciplinary organizations in the field of dying, death and bereavement...made up of a wide array of mental and medical health personnel, educators, clergy, funeral directors, and volunteers."

Center to Improve Care of the Dying: Offers "expert support to hospitals, nursing homes, health systems, hospices, and other organizations that serve individuals nearing the end of life. A key goal...is to gather information and create a common database that can help improve the experience of dying patients and their families everywhere."

Community-State Partnerships to Improve End-of-Life Care: A project of the Midwest Bioethics Center.

Compassion in Dying: "Provides client services, legal advocacy and public education to improve pain and symptom management, increase patient empowerment and self-determination, and expand end-of-life choices to include aid-in-dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults."

Education for Physicians on End-of-Life Care: "Designed to educate all physicians on the essential clinical competencies required to provide quality end-of-life care."

End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium: "A comprehensive, national education program to improve end-of-life care by nurses...to develop a core of expert nursing educators and to coordinate national nursing education efforts in end-of-life care."

Finding Our Way: Living with Dying in America: "A short course on death and dying in America today," linked to a national newspaper series.

Funeral Consumers Alliance: "Dedicated to protecting a consumer's right to choose a meaningful, dignified, affordable funeral."

Hemlock Society: The oldest right-to-die organization."A nonprofit membership association of people who support choice and dignity at the end of life. Members have access to programs that help them and their loved ones examine the full range of their end-of-life options, including the option of hastening the dying process."

Hemlock Society USA: "Supports choice and dignity at the end of life. Founded in 1980 by Derek Humphry, who launched the dying-with-dignity movement in the U.S. Access to programs that help members and their loved ones examine the full range of their end-of-life options, including the option of hastening the dying process.

Innovations in End-of-Life Care: "An international journal and online forum of leaders in end-of-life care."

Last Acts: A national coalition of professionals and organizations dedicated to improving end-of-life care.

Last Chapters: From Partnership for Caring: "Sharing stories about living with dying; hearing about people who are facing death or chronic illness; dealing with grief; and learning how others have coped."

Partnership for Caring: A national consumer coalition seeking to improve end-of-life care.

Project on Death in America (the Soros Foundation): "The mission...is to understand and transform the culture and experience of dying and bereavement through initiatives in research, scholarship, the humanities, and the arts."

Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care: A national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Supportive Care of the Dying: "A coalition of like-minded Catholic health care providers and service organizations dedicated to promoting cultural change that embraces supportive care, compassionate relief of suffering and pain, and symptom management for helping people living with life-threatening illness."

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Elder Abuse

Citizens Guide to Preventing and Reporting Elder Abuse: From the California Department of Justice.

Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly: "The nation's largest computerized collection of elder abuse resources and materials...references pertaining to the many aspects of elder abuse and neglect, and the conditions that impact upon elder mistreatment."

National Center on Elder Abuse: "Exists to provide elder abuse information to professionals and the public; offer technical assistance and training to elder abuse agencies and related professionals; conduct short-term elder abuse research; and assist with elder abuse program and policy development."

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Hospice

American Academy of Hospice & Palliative Medicine: AAHPM is an organization of physicians and other medical professionals dedicated to the prevention and relief of suffering among patients and families.

American Hospice Foundation: "Supports programs that serve the needs of terminally ill and grieving individuals of all ages...training school professionals who work with grieving students, educating employers and managers about the needs of grieving employees, creating tools to help hospices reach out to their communities, promoting improved hospice benefits... initiating research on consumer needs and preferences in end-of-life care."

Center to Advance Palliative Care: "A resource to hospitals and other healthcare settings interested in developing palliative care programs. CAPC is a national initiative supported by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by Mount Sinai School of Medicine."

Children's Hospice International: "A non-profit organization founded...to promote hospice support through pediatric care facilities, to encourage the inclusion of children in existing and developing hospice and home-care programs, and to include the hospice perspectives in all areas of pediatric care, education, and the public arena."

Hospice Association of America: "A national organization representing more than 2,800 hospices and thousands of caregivers and volunteers who serve terminally ill patients and their families."

Hospice Foundation of America: "Provides leadership in the development and application of hospice and its philosophy of care.Assists those who cope either personally or professionally with terminal illness, death, and the process of grief."

Hospice Net: "For patients and families facing life-threatening illness." Offers a number of publications and other resources.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization: "Representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States...committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones." Some resources on this site, including a hospice program locator, are available in Spanish.

National Hospice Foundation: "Created...to broaden America's understanding of hospice through research and education...In doing so, it engages and informs the public about the quality end-of-life care that hospice provides."

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Long-Term Care

Care Guide / Children of Aging Parents: "Helping seniors lead more comfortable, secure, and independent lives."

Elder Care Online: "An online community where supportive peers and professionals help you improve quality of life for yourself and your elder."

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Sexuality & Aging

Sexual Issues for Aging Adults: "Individuals over the age of 65 years form an increasingly large proportion of our population. Yet, very little attention has been paid until recently to the treatment of sexual dysfunction in older adults..."

Suzi's Loveseat: Part of a larger site, "ThirdAge.com," features info and advice from sex educator, Suzi Landolphi.

The Human Sexuality Web: "Maintained by counseling psychology graduate students at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. The information is brief but informative."

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Disabilities

 
Access, Disability Rights

American Association of People with Disabilities: "The largest national nonprofit cross-disability member organization in the United States, dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities."

American Council of the Blind: "The nation's leading membership organization of blind and visually impaired people."

American Spinal Injury Association: "To educate members, other healthcare professionals, patients and their families as well as the public on all aspects of spinal cord injury and its consequences."

Center for Independent Living, Berkeley, California: "A national leader in helping people with disabilities live independently and become productive, fully participating members of society."

Eastern Paralized Veterans Association: "A non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of spinal cord injured/diseased veterans...to enable its members, as well as other persons with disabilities, to live full and productive lives.

Independent Living Research Utilization Program (ILRU): "A national center for information, training, research, and technical assistance in independent living. Its goal is to expand the body of knowledge in independent living and to improve utilization of results of research programs and demonstration projects in this field."

National Council on Independent Living: "A membership organization that advances the independent living philosophy and advocates for the human rights of, and services for, people with disabilities to further their full integration and participation in society."

National Federation of the Blind: "A consumer and advocacy organization -- the nation's largest and most influential membership organization of blind persons."

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research: "NIDRR conducts comprehensive and coordinated programs of research and related activities to maximize the full inclusion, social integration, employment and independent living of individuals of all ages with disabilities."

National Rehabilitation Center for Independence: "Resources include: five searchable databases of research, organizations, documents, and Internet pages; an interactive calendar of disability and rehabilitation events around the world, etc."

Protection and Advocacy, Inc.: "PAI works in partnership with people with disabilities - to protect, advocate for and advance their human, legal and service rights."

Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, and Paralysis Guide: "This page contains address and contact information for organizations providing support for and education of patients with spinal injuries and their families and friends."

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Autism

American Hyperlexia Association: This group's goals are: "identifying hyperlexia, promoting and facilitating effective teaching techniques both at home and at school, and educating the general public as to the existence of the syndrome called hyperlexia."

Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the United States: "A national nonprofit organization committed to providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on Asperger Syndrome and related conditions."

aspergerinfo.com: "A safe place to ask questions, share experiences, and discuss treatments relating to Asperger Syndrome...lets you share the information and the hope that will help others as they confront the challenges associated with Asperger Syndrome."

Autism Connect: "Aims to be the first port of call for anyone interested in autism, providing news, events, world maps, and rapid access to other web sites with information on autism."

Autism Resources: A difficult site to read, but offers a variety of useful information and links including resources available by state.

Autism Society of America: "To promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community."

Autism Today: An online source for the latest resources and information on autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT): Autism education, advocacy, and support site aimed at the "Northern California Autism Community" but with links to FEAT groups in many other states as well.

Guide to Autism: An introductory publication from the National Institute for Mental Health.

Maap, Inc.: "A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and advice to families of More advanced individuals with Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)."

Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (OASIS): A site created by parents of children with Asperger Syndrome; information on support groups, schools and camps, resources, information.

Yale Child Study Center: "The Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluations for children and adults with...autism, Asperger's Syndrome (AS), and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD's)."

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Developmental Disabilities

Attention Deficit Disorder Association: "To help people with AD/HD lead happier, more successful lives through education, research, and public advocacy...focuses especially on the needs of AD/HD adults and young adults with AD/HD."

Conquer Fragile X Foundation: "Fragile X syndrome is the leading hereditary cause of developmental disabilities in all populations...learn more about this common genetic condition."

Developmental Delay Resources: "Dedicated to meeting the needs of those working with children who have developmental delays in sensory motor, language, social, and emotional areas."

Down Syndrome WWW Page: "The Down Syndrome WWW Page has been (and still is) compiled from the contributions of members of the Down Syndrome Listserv and others."

International Dyslexia Association: "Our goal...to provide the most comprehensive forum for parents, educators, and researchers to share their experiences, methods, and knowledge." Includes information in Spanish.

Learning Disabilities Association: "A grassroots organization which...strives to advance the education and general welfare of children and adults with learning disabilities."

National Association for Down Syndrome: "Founded I...by parents of children with Down syndrome who felt a need to create a better environment and bring about understanding and acceptance of people with Down syndrome."

National Down Syndrome Society: "To ensure that all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to achieve their full potential in community life."

National Fragile X Foundation: "To enrich lives through educational and emotional support, promote public and professional awareness, and advance research toward improved treatments and a cure for fragile X syndrome."

Pervasive Developmental Disorders Homepage: "A central meeting place for those interested in, or coping with, children diagnosed with PDD. Although related to Autism, there are relatively few sources of information on the Web specifically devoted to PDD."

Publications on Developmental Disabilities from the Yale Child Study Center: Publications on Autism, Asperger's and other developmental disabilities: "Publications are divided between those more appropriate for parents and those intended for professionals."

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Disabilities & Parenting

Children with Disabilities: A project of nine government agencies: "To provide children with disabilities and their parents access to a wide range of Federal, State, local, and national resources."

Rights and Responsibilities of Parents of Children with Disabilities: From the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) "Know about and follow through on your rights and responsibilities to ensure that you are a contributing partner with the professionals who will influence your child's future."

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Disabilities & Sports

Adaptive Adventures: "Our mission is to make kayaking available to everyone." Includes descriptions of equipment adaptations for various disabilities, links to manufacturers and other organizations.

Disabled Sports USA: "Offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent physical disability."

Handicapped Scuba Diving Association: "The world's leading authority on recreational diving for people with disabilities."

National Ability Center: "Committed to the development of lifetime skills for people of all ages and abilities by providing affordable outdoor sports and recreational experiences in a nurturing environment -- to build self-esteem, confidence and physical development."

National Disability Sports Alliance: "National Coordinating Body for competitive sports for individuals with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and survivors of stroke."

National Sports Center for the Disabled: "Provides year-round programs to more than 3,000 men, women and children with disabilities each year."

National Wheelchair Basketball Association: "181 men's, women's, intercollegiate, and youth wheelchair basketball teams throughout the United States of America and Canada."

United States Association of Blind Athletes: "To increase the number and quality of grassroots-through-competitive, world-class athletic opportunities for Americans who are blind or visually impaired."

United States Handcycling Federation: "The governing body for the fastest growing area of adaptive cycling. Primary resources for competitive events."

United States Sled Hockey Association: "To foster the advancement of sled hockey for all individuals, disabled and able bodied, male and female -- to ensure meaningful opportunities and enjoyable experiences for competitors in a sportsmanlike environment."

US Tennis Association: "Wheelchair tennis is one of the fastest growing and most challenging of all wheelchair sports. USA Tennis Offers programs geared towards the wheelchair player."

USA Deaf Sports Federation: "Believes that through recreational opportunities, sports training, and competition, deaf and hard of hearing people can benefit physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually."

Wheelchair Sports USA: "Directed and developed by wheelchair athletes and wheelchair sports enthusiasts themselves, individuals with a first-hand understanding to the values of participation."

Wilderness Inquiry: Dedicated to getting people of all abilities to experience outdoor adventures, including activities such as canoeing, rafting and sea-kayaking; participates in adaptive equipment design, assessments of facilities and trails, and other helpful details.

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Disabilities & the Arts

National Arts and Disability Center: "The national information dissemination, technical assistance and referral center specializing in the field of arts and disability."

 
Disabilities, General

Ability Hub: "Assistive Technology for people with a disability who find operating a computer difficult, maybe even impossible. This web site will direct you to adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers."

Ability Online: "Ability OnLine is a friendly and safe computer friendship network where children and youth with disabilities or chronic illnesses connect to each other as well as to their friends, family members, caregivers and supporters."

Cleft Advocate: "To educate, inspire and empower families whose lives are touched by cleft lip and palate or other craniofacial anomalies."

Cleft Palate Foundation: "Optimizing the quality of life of individuals affected by facial birth defects." Sections for patients/families and for professionals. Also in Spanish.

Half the Planet: "Where the entire disability community can access reliable services and products, connect with peer support, and keep up with disability-related news and information all day every day."

New Mobility Magazine: "The leading online resource for Disability Culture and lifestyle."

Program Development Associates: distributes multimedia training and educational resources on an up-to-date list of disability topics.

United Cerebral Palsy: "To advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities."

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Hearing Loss

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Resources for professionals, students, and the public, "to ensure that all people with speech, language, and hearing disorders have access to quality services to help them communicate effectively."

National Institute on Deafness and Other Hearing Disorders: From the National Institutes of Health: "Improving the lives of people who have communication disorders."

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Learning Disabilities, ADD

Children & Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: "A national non-profit organization founded in response to the frustration and sense of isolation experienced by parents and their children with AD/HD"

 
 
Family Relations

 
Men & Women / Gender Issues

About Gender: A British site: "Towards a balanced account of human gender and sex differences."

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination: "We are in the business of changing people's hearts and minds through what they see in the media."

Intersex Society of North America: "Devoted to systemic change to end shame, secrecy, and unwanted genital surgeries for people born with an anatomy that someone decided is not standard for male or female."

National Gay & Lesbian Taskforce: "Working for the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, with the vision and commitment to building a powerful political movement."

Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays: "We...celebrate diversity and envision a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities."

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Parenting & Childbirth

American College of Nurse-Midwives: Primarily represents certified nurse-midwives. Provides membership services, national certification and accredits nurse-midwifery education programs.

Born in the USA website: The ITVS website for our film, "Born in the USA," offers a range of web resources dealing with childbirth options.

Children, Youth and Families Education & Research Network: "Brings together the best children, youth and family resources of all the public land-grant universities in the country. Materials are carefully reviewed by college and university faculty."

Citizens for Midwifery: An excellent resource for information about legislation, materials, current research studies and grass-roots activism in support of midwifery.

Depression After Delivery, Inc.: "Provides support for women with ante and postpartum depression: includes education, information, support groups, telephone support and referral for women & families coping with mental health issues associated with childbearing.

DrDonnica.com: Postpartum Depression: A reasonably good introductory explanation of postpartum depression, including a self-test for risk factors.

familydoctor.org: Health information from the American Academy of Family Physicians; includes a section on postpartum depression.

International Childbirth Education Association: An interdisciplinary organization with regional chapters representing both parents and professionals with an interest in childbirth education and family-centered maternity care.

Midwives Alliance of North America: Promotes guidelines for midwifery education, training, research and cooperation among interested groups. Also a good resource for locating a professional midwife in your area.

Planned Parenthood Federation: "Planned Parenthood believes in everyone's right to choose when or whether to have a child, that every child should be wanted and loved, and that women should be in charge of their own destinies."

Post Partum Depression Online Support Group: "Offers information, support and assistance to those dealing with postpartum mood disorders, their families, friends, physicians and counselors."

Sibling Project: "A national program to increase the availability of peer support and education opportunities of brothers and sisters of people with special health and developmental needs."

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Family Relationsq

Youth Work Links and Ideas: Links and references to a variety of sources on all aspects of work with youth.

 
 
Healthcare

 
AIDS / HIV

AIDS Action: "AIDS Action is the only organization solely dedicated to responsible federal policy for improved HIV/AIDS care and services, vigorous medical research and effective prevention."

AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families: "The only national organization focused solely on the needs of children, youth, and families living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV and AIDS."

American Foundation for AIDS Research: "amfAR's mission is to prevent HIV infection and the disease and death associated with it and to protect the human rights of all people threatened by the epidemic of HIV/AIDS."

HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service: Treatment, guidelines, news and information in English and Spanish.

National Association on HIV over Fifty: "Our mission is to promote the availability of a full range of educational, prevention, service and health care programs for persons over age fifty affected by HIV."

National Center for HIV, STD & TB Prevention: From the Centers for Disease Control: Supplies AIDS statistics, fact sheets, brochures, publications, and links.

National Pediatric & Family HIV Resource Center: "A non-profit organization that offers education, consultation, technical assistance, and training to professionals who care for children, adolescents and families with HIV infection and AIDS.

Pediatric AIDS Foundation: "An organization dedicated to research on AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses affecting children."

The Body: An AIDS information site sponsored by pharmaceutical and related companies.

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Brain Disorders

NOTE: Look for resources on stroke and other brain disorders under Psychology & Social Work: "Mental Illness, Brain Disorders"

 
Cancer

American Society of Psychosocial and Behavioral Oncology/AIDS: "To promote the psychological, social, and physical well being of patients with cancer, AIDS and allied diseases and their families at all stages of disease and survivorship through clinical care, education, research, and advocacy."

Cancer Guide: Created by a survivor, "CancerGuide is dedicated to helping you find the answers to your questions about cancer, and especially to helping you find the questions you need to ask."

Oncology Nursing Society: "Dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching, research, administration and education in the field of oncology." Includes position statements on such issues as requests for assisted suicide.

Questions and Answers About Metastatic Cancer: An information sheet from the Cancer Information Service, "a free public service of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Nation's primary agency for cancer research."

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Chronic Illness

"Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Online: "An information and news service for patients, parents of patients, the news media, and purchasers of group health care programs."

Allergy & Asthma Network / Mothers of Asthmatics: "A national nonprofit network of families whose desire is to overcome, not cope with, allergies and asthma. The shortest route to that goal is knowledge..."

Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Online: From the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: "An information and news service for patients, parents of patients, the news media, and purchasers of group health care programs."

American Lung Association: "Fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health."

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: "To assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease."

CysticFibrosis.com: "An Internet community for cystic fibrosis patients, families and loved ones."

Hepatitis Foundation International: "Dedicated to the eradication of viral hepatitis...we seek to raise awareness of this enormous worldwide problem and to motivate people to support this important ñ and winnable ñ battle."

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Community & Public Health

American Public Health Association: The oldest and largest organization of public health professionals.

 
Cross-Cultural Issues

Achieving Cultural Competence: Offers a guidebook designed for providers who work with racially and ethnically diverse older populations.

AMA's Cultural competence Compendium: This is a 460 page resource guide for clinicians. It contains a wealth of annotated resources and materials.

American Institutes for Research: Developing curriculum modules that will equip family practitioners with cultural and linguistic competencies to improve the quality of care for minority, immigrant, and ethnically diverse communities.

American Medical Student Association: "AMSA focuses on five strategic priorities, including universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine, leadership development and transforming the culture of medicine."

American Medical Student Association: Click on the ìDiversity in Medicineî link on the Web siteís front page to reach a discussion of this issue and related resources.

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved: "To improve the health of underserved populations by enhancing the development and support of the health care clinicians serving these populations."

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved: "To improve the health of underserved populations by enhancing the development and support of the health care clinicians serving these populations."

Black Health Care: Addressing the Health Care issues of African Americans: this site contains very helpful resources on African American health for providers and consumers

Black Health Network: Provides health-related information for African Americans.

California Healthcare Interpreters Association: Offers information about medical and healthcare interpreting in California and a comprehensive set of links to online resources relating to interpreting and cultural health issues.

Center for Hispanic Studies in Nursing and Health: Dedicated to fostering understanding between health care professionals and people of Hispanic origin.

Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity: Established to develop educational programs, research initiatives, and outreach activities focusing on the role of race and ethnicity in shaping the expectations, beliefs, and attitudes of physicians and patients.

Closing the Gap: An online magazine providing resources for physicians and consumers on promoting minority health through culturally relevant care. Includes information about major health problems faced by minority populations.

Cross Cultural Health Care Program: "Addressing broad cultural issues that impact the health of individuals and families in ethnic minority communities...to ensure full access to quality health care that is culturally and linguistically appropriate."

Cultural Competence Resources: A listing of resources compiled by the Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice.

Cultural Diversity in Healthcare: Basic concepts, cultural profiles, case studies, books, articles, and other information on cultural diversity in health care.

Diversity Rx: Promoting language and cultural competence to improve the quality of health care for minority, immigrant, and ethnically diverse communities.

Hablamos Juntos: Dedicated to Improving Patient-Provider Communication for Latinos. Includes information about language barriers and the health status of Latinos/Hispanics living in the US.

Health Disparities Collaboratives: "To eliminate health disparities for different minority populations, poor people, and in some cases for women. Disparities lead to differences in deaths from heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes, as well as other illnesses."

Hmoob Kev Mob Nkeeg ~ Hmong Health Website: Provides bilingual (Hmong English) health information resources and links to information about the Hmong population and their health practices.

Intercultural Cancer Council: "Promotes policies, programs, partnerships, and research to eliminate the unequal burden of cancer among racial and ethnic minorities and medically underserved populations."

International Society on Hypertension in Blacks: "A unique, not-for-profit, professional, medical membership Society devoted to improving the health and life expectancy of ethnic populations." ISHIB's organizational scope includes hypertension, diabetes, stroke, lipid disorders, renal disease, and other related cardiovascular diseases.

Medline Plus: Health resources in Spanish: includes full-text documents and resources from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies, professional medical associations, and health-related organizations.

National Asian Women's Health Organization: "to achieve health equity for Asian Americans...increasing knowledge of breast and cervical cancers, training violence prevention advocates, expanding access to immunizations, changing attitudes about reproductive health care, and breaking the stigma around depression and mental health."

National Black Women's Health Project: Information about African American women's health issues for consumers and providers.

National Center for Cultural Competence: "To increase the capacity of health and mental health programs to design implement, and evaluate culturally and linguistically competent service delivery systems."

National Center for Cultural Competency: "To increase the capacity of health and mental health programs to design implement, and evaluate culturally and linguistically competent service delivery systems."

National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare: "To promote culturally competent professional health care interpreting as a means to support equal access to health care for individuals with limited English proficiency."

National Health Law Program: "Seeks to improve health care for America's working and unemployed poor, minorities, the elderly and people with disabilities."

National Hispanic Medical Association: "Provides policymakers and health care providers with expert information and support in strengthening health service delivery to Hispanic communities across the nation."

National Multicultural Institute: "NMCI leads efforts to increase communication, understanding and respect among people of diverse backgrounds and addresses some of the important systemic issues of multiculturalism facing our society."

Office of Minority Health: Information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on minority health and health disparities.

Provider's Guide to Quality & Culture: From the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, a short course on providing culturally competent healthcare, including an interesting quiz on attitudes.

Society for Medical Anthropology: "To promote the study of the anthropological aspects of health, illness, health care, and related topics."

Transcultural and Multicultural Health Links: Compiled by Ellen Bosman, Indiana University Northwest.

Transcultural Nursing Society: "To ensure that the culture care needs of the people in the world will be met by nurses prepared in transcultural nursing."

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Epilepsy & Narcolepsy

Center for Narcolepsy: From the Stanford University Sleep Clinic, "the first medical clinic ever established to specialize in sleep disorders."

Epilepsy Foundation of America: "Wholly dedicated to the welfare of people with epilepsy, our mission is to work for children and adults affected by seizures through research, education, advocacy and service."

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Genetics

Alliance of Genetic Support Groups: Coalition of consumer and professional health organizations supporting individuals and families with genetic conditions. Site includes section on ethical, legal, and social implications including genetic discrimination.

GeneClinics / GeneTests: Concise descriptions of inherited disorders, with information on genetic testing and genetic counseling.

GeneLetter: Online magazine focused on scientific, medical and bioethical issues related to genetics.

Genes and Disease: Short synopses of specific genetic diseases, with background, from the National Center for Biotechnology at the National Library of Medicine.

Genetic Science Learning Center: From the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, University of Utah: "Helping people understand how genetics affects their lives and society."

Genetics Education Center: From the University of Kansas Medical Center, "for educators interested in human genetics and the human genome project."

Human Genome Project Information: A "suite" of websites from the Human Genome Program of the Department of Energy and National Institutes of Health.

National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics: Promoting professional education and access to information about genetic advances.

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Healthcare Policy Issues

Doctors Without Borders (Medecins sans Frontieres): An independent humanitarian medical aid agency commited to providing medical aid wherever needed, and raising awareness of the plight of the people we help.

Health Action International: "A network of health, development, consumer and other public interest groups in more than 70 countries working for a more rational use of medicinal drugs."

Healthcare for All: "Bbuilding a movement of empowered people and communities with the goal of creating a health care system that is responsive to the needs of all people, particularly the most vulnerable."

kaisernetwork.org: Covers health policy news, governmental action, related public opinion surveys and other research.

National Coalition for Patient Rights: A project of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, this site focuses on patient confidentiality and other healthcare privacy issues.

Physicians for a National Health Program: "A non-partisan, voluntary organization that advocates for a universal, comprehensive, single-payer national health care program."

Physicians for Social Responsibility: "Represents physicians, nurses, health care professionals, and concerned citizens devoted to nuclear disarmament, violence prevention and environmental health."

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Healthcare, General

American College of Physicians: Among publications available from this organization is a "Physician's Guide to End-of-Life Care"

Hesperian Foundation: "The Hesperian Foundation promotes health and self determination in poor communities worldwide by making health information accessible." Publisher of "Where There is No Doctor."

Kids' Health: "Created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, the award-winning KidsHealth provides families with accurate, up-to-date, and jargon-free health information they can use...KidsHealth has separate areas for kids, teens, and parents."

National Commission on Correctional Health Care: "To improve the quality of health care in jails, prisons and juvenile confinement facilities...offers a broad array of resources to help correctional health care systems provide efficient, high quality care."

National Institutes of Health: Federal science agency whose mission is "science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability."

New York Online Access to Health: In English and Spanish: "NOAH provides access to high quality full-text consumer health information that is accurate, timely, relevant and unbiased." Includes section on genetics and genetic testing.

World Health Organization: United National special agency on international health issues.

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Hospital Waste Management

Nightingale Institute for Health & the Environment: "Assists healthcare professionals to recognize the link between human and environmental health and their role in creating the changes needed to improve the health of humans and the environment."

 
Nursing

American Association of College of Nursing: "The national voice for America's baccalaureate- and higher-degree nursing education programs."

American Nurses Association: "Advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing..."

National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association: "Committed to working toward the improvement of the quality of health care for Alaska Native and American Indian consumers...[and to] enhancing equal access to educational, professional and economic opportunities for Alaska Native and American Indian nurses."

National Association of Hispanic Nurses: "Promoting Hispanic nurses to improve the health of our communities."

National Black Nurses Association: "To provide a forum for collective action by nurses to investigate, define and advocate for the health care needs of African Americans and to implement strategies that ensure access to health care..."

Philippine Nurses Association of America: "To uphold the image and foster the welfare of Philippine Nurses in the United States as professionals."

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Pain Management

American Academy of Pain Management: Offers information both for professionals and for healthcare consumers; includes directories of accredited physicians and programs, as well as articles on pain management.

American Chronic Pain Association: "Offering support and information for people with chronic pain; facilitating peer support and education for individuals with chronic pain and their families; raising awareness among the health care community, policy makers, and the public at large about issues of living with chronic pain."

American Pain Foundation: "Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people with pain by raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research, and advocating to remove barriers and increase access to effective pain management."

American Pain Society: Though aimed primarily at professionals, some articles are relevant to the general public.

International Association for the Study of Pain: "Professional organization dedicated to furthering research on pain and improving the care of patients with pain."

Mayday Pain Project: "To increase awareness and provide objective information concerning the treatment of pain. This web site is set up to be an index for visitors and contains carefully chosen Internet links and resources.

Pain.com: Links and resources for both professionals and consumers.

StopPain.org: "Dedicated to providing comprehensive care of the highest quality in pain management and palliative care, and advancing the educational and research aims of these disciplines." Site highly rated by several evaluators.

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Reproductive Health

Advocates for Youth: "Advocates for Youth champions efforts to help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health."

American Social Health Association: "The ASHA mission is to stop sexually transmitted diseases and their harmful consequences to individuals, families and communities."

American Society of Reproductive Medicine: "An organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in infertility, reproductive medicine and biology."

I Wanna Know (American Social Health Association): Answers for teens about sexual health and sexually transmitted diseases.

Sexuality Information and Education Council: "SIECUS develops, collects, and disseminates information, promotes comprehensive education about sexuality, and advocates the right of individuals to make responsible sexual choices."

Teenwire (Planned Parenthood Federation): "Sexuality and relationship info you can trust from Planned Parenthoodr Federation of America"

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Women's Health Issues

Boston Women's Health Book Collective: Commentary on contemporary health issues from the authors and publisher of "Our Bodies, Ourselves."

National Women's Health Network: "The only national public interest membership organization dedicated exclusively to women's health."

OWL - The Voice of Midlife & Older Women: "As the only national grassroots membership organization to focus solely on issues unique to women as they age, OWL strives to improve the status and quality of life of midlife and older women."

PCOS Net: "Helping women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)."

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association: "Exists to provide comprehensive information, support, and advocacy for women and girls with the condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome."

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: From Vanderbilt Medical Center: A brief medical background article on PCOS.

The Endometriosis Association: "Ddedicated to providing information and support to women and girls with endometriosis, educating the public as well as the medical community about the disease..."

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Issues & Ethics

 
Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work

International Federation of Social Workers: A statement of principles and standards: "to promote ethical debate and reflection in the member associations and among the providers of social work." In French, German, Spanish.

NASW Code of Ethics: From the National Association of Social Workers: "intended to serve as a guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers."

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Ethics, General

American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics: This organization deals with a variety of issues in healthcare ethics, end-of-life decisions, and pain management.

Center for Ethics & Human Rights, American Nurses Association: "Committed to addressing the complex ethical and human rights issues confronting nurses, and designing activities and programs to increase the ethical competence and human rights sensitivity of nurses."

Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions: From the Illinois Institute of Technology; offers a variety of moder ethics codes and other publications including its newsletter, Perspectives on the Professions.

Ethics Resource Center of the American Medical Association: "The Ethics Resource Center provides students and physicians with the essential tools and skills to address ethical challenges in a changing health care environment."

Midwest Bioethics Center: "A community-based ethics center. Dedicated to its mission to integrate ethical considerations into healthcare decision-making throughout communities, the Center offers workshops and educational programs for professionals and lay people alike."

The Hastings Center: An independent research organization addressing fundamental ethical issues in health, medicine, and the environment.

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Homelessness

Health Care for the Homeless Information Resource Center: Offers front-line providers and program staff access to current research and information about clinical practices, funding opportunities, and legislative initiatives that impact their work.

Homeless Home Page: "This site contains links to hundreds of Internet sites (in several countries) with information on Homelessness."

Institute for Children and Poverty: "Through the development of effective public policy initiatives and the dissemination of quantitative research findings, the Institute examines and offers unique strategies to combat the impact of homelessness and poverty on the lives of children and their families."

National Center for Homeless Education: "Provides information and links to help educators, service providers, and families ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to educational opportunities and success in the classroom."

National Center on Family Homelessness: Previously The Better Homes Fund: working toward long-term solutions that help homeless families become self-supporting and active participants in community life.

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans: "Seeks to eliminate homelessness in the veteran community and work its way out of business."

National Coalition for the Homeless: "We focus our work in...housing justice, economic justice, health care justice, and civil rights. Our approaches are: grassroots organizing, public education, policy advocacy, technical assistance, and partnerships."

National Health Care for the Homeless Council: "Advocates for universal health care and for the improvement of current systems intended to serve people who are poor and homeless." Also research, training and organizing of providers, agencies, and homeless people themselves. Materials available.

National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty: "To alleviate, ameliorate and end homelessness by serving as the legal arm of the nationwide movement to end homelessness...pursues three main strategies: impact litigation, policy advocacy, and public education."

National Resource Center on Homelessness & Mental Illness: Resources include publications, annotated bibliographies, and information about training opportunities on issues related to homelessness and mental illness.

National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness: "Works with a coalition of students and community members across the country to end hunger and homelessness through education, service and action."

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Sexual Abuse / Domestic Violence

ECPAT International: "A network of organisations and individuals working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children for sexual purposes."

Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence Among Poor and Homeless Women: "Guidance for health care providers in identifying, assessing, documenting and treating the medical and psychological effects of domestic violence."

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: "Dedicated to the elimination of personal and societal violence in the lives of battered women and their children."

Street Kids: "Street Kids International confronts why some children and youth around the world are forced onto the street, and helps them achieve dignity and self-reliance, health and security."

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Substance Abuse

Harm Reduction Coalition: "Fosters alternative models to conventional health and human services and drug treatment."

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: "Provides education, information, help and hope to the public. Advocates prevention, intervention and treatment through offices in New York and Washington, and a nationwide network of Affiliates."

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: A service of the National Institutes of Health

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Other Resources

 
Miscellaneous

Amnesty International: "Research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination."

Findarticles.com: "A vast archive of published articles that you can search for free. Constantly updated, it contains articles dating back to 1998 from more than 300 magazines and journals."

Human Rights Watch: "Dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world...to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice."

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Psychology & Social Work

 
Adolescence

About Our Kids: Connects parents and youth workers to critical information about child mental health and behavior. From the New York University Child Study Center.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: "Assisting parents and families in understanding developmental, behavioral, emotional and mental disorders affecting children and adolescents."

Band-Aids and Blackboards: Coping strategies related to growing up with a medical problem; has separate sections for children, teens, and adults

Culture and Body Image: Links to a wide range of studies and articles on these subjects.

Gender EDucation: An Australian site with resources for developing gender-inclusive curricula.

Gender EDucation: Links & Resources on Body Image: Includes some international resources that may not be found on U.S. sites.

Talking with Kids about Tough Issues: "Offers practical, concrete tips and techniques for talking easily and openly with young children ages 8 to 12 about some very tough issues: sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, drugs and alcohol."

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Depression & Manic Depression

Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association: "A community organization...committed to our mission to alleviate the suffering arising from depression and manic depression by assisting self-help groups, providing education and information, and lending support to research programs."

National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association: "Our Mission is to educate patients, families, professionals and the public concerning the nature of depressive and manic-depressive illnesses as treatable medical diseases; to foster self-help for patients and families; to eliminate discrimination and stigma; to improve access to care; and to advocate for research toward the elimination of these illnesses."

National Foundation for Depressive Illness: "Established to provide public and professional information about Affective Disorders, the availability of treatment, and the urgent need for further research...committed to an extensive, ongoing public information campaign addressed to this pervasive, costly, and hidden national emergency."

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Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders Referral & Information Center: "Provides information and treatment resources for all forms of eating disorders. Our goal is to provide assistance to those suffering with eating disorders to get them started on the road to recovery and healthy living."

Healthy Place / Beat Bulimia: "Talking about the causes of bulimia, what you need to do to recover from bulimia, and how your family and friends can help. Our goal here is to bring bulimics out of hiding and form a virtual community where we can help each other."

National Eating Disorders Association: "Working to prevent eating disorders and provide treatment referrals to those suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder and those concerned with body image and weight issues." Separate sections for the public and for professionals

Something Fishy: Website on Eating Disorders: "Dedicated to raising awareness... emphasizing always that eating Disorders are NOT about food and weight; they are just the symptoms of something deeper going on, inside."

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Grief & Recovery

Bereavement and Hospice Support Hotline: A directory of state and national organizations that provide bereavement support and counseling.

Compassionate Friends: "The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive."

Counseling for Loss and Life Changes: "Counseling for Loss has compiled information to help people who are grieving the loss of loved ones, security, hope and peace." Includes a separate section for children.

Death and Dying Grief Support / Beyond Indigo: "Changing the way you think about grief and loss." Includes articles, chat groups, and special areas for kids and teens.

GriefNet: Links to online support groups and information regarding grief in children.

Widow Net: "An information and self-help resource for, and by, widows and widowers. Topics covered include grief, bereavement, recovery, and other information helpful to people, of all ages, religious backgrounds and sexual orientations, who have suffered the death of a spouse or life partner."

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Mental Illness, Brain Disorders

Anxiety Disorders Association of America: Information on anxiety disorders for professionals, the public, and the media.

Association for Advancement of Behavioral Therapy: "Concerned with the application of behavioral and cognitive sciences to understanding human behavior, developing interventions to enhance the human condition, and promoting the appropriate utilization of these interventions.

Freedom From Fear: A news source on anxiety disorders and a referral list of treatment specialists.

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression: "Raises and distributes funds for scientific research into the causes, cures, treatments and prevention of brain disorders, primarily the Schizophrenias, Depressions, and Bipolar Disorders."

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill: A consumer group of and for mental patients and former mental patients.

National Anxiety Foundation: Directory of health care professionals specializing in the treatment of panic , anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders.

National Institute of Mental Health: "The mission of NIMH is to diminish the burden of mental illness through research...to achieve better understanding, treatment and, eventually prevention of mental illness."

National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke: "Science for the Brain: The nation's leading supporter of biomedical research on disorders of the brain and nervous system."

National Mental Health Association: "Nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness...works to improve the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million individuals with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service."

National Stroke Association: "The public is dangerously misinformed about stroke. Our mission is to reduce the incidence and impact of this life-threatening medical condition." NOTE: Some information available in Spanish.

Obsessive Compulsive & Related Disorders Association: "Committed to the appropriate and accurate education, support, research and legislation affecting children, adolescents and adults living with OCD and its related disorders."

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Resource Center: "Created with input from OCD patients and medical experts, the site's goal is to provide answers to some of your questions, and keys to unlocking the mysteries of OCD." Has a special section for young people.

Obsessive Compulsive Foundation: OCF is an international not-for-profit organization composed of people with obsessive compulsive disorder and related disorders, their families, friends, professionals and other concerned individuals.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Alliance: "Professional and advocacy organizations that have joined forces to provide educational resources to individuals diagnosed with PTSD and their loved ones; those at risk for developing PTSD; and medical, healthcare and other frontline professionals."

Trichotillomania (article): From "Virtual Hospital," University of Iowa Health Care

Trichotillomania Learning Center: "This site is a resource for compulsive hair-pullers, their families and friends, medical and mental health professionals, and others interested in learning about this often-misunderstood disorder."

World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders: "Strives to increase knowledge, understanding and compassion and reduce the fear, stigma, discrimination and abuse that accompany these difficult conditions. Focuses on the humane treatment of people with schizophrenia and on their primary care, which falls frequently upon the family, most often the parents, and lasts a lifetime."

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Psychology, General

American Counseling Association: "A not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession...providing leadership training, publications, continuing education opportunities, and advocacy services...helps counseling professionals develop their skills and expand their knowledge base."

American Orthopsychiatric Association: "An association of mental health professionals concerned with clinical issues and issues of social justice; provides a common ground for collaborative study, research, and knowledge exchange among individuals from a variety of disciplines engaged in preventive, treatment, and advocacy approaches to mental health.

American Psychiatric Association: "A medical specialty society recognized world-wide. Its...member physicians work together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental disorder, including mental retardation and substance-related disorders."

American Psychological Association: "A scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States."

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: "Based on the principle that every individual is entitled to choice and dignity. For many people with mental disabilities, this means something as basic as having a decent place to live, supportive services and equality of opportunity."

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: "Information about mental health law and public policy related to mental health care and supportive services for persons with mental disabilities, including those who are homeless."

Ignacio Martin-Baro Fund for Mental Health & Human Rights: Makes small grants to grassroots groups, primarily outside the U.S., who are working on mental health issues.

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Social Work

Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work: "Provides leadership and assistance to...to promote the teaching of gerontology to all social workers."

Gateways to Social Work / Welfare on the Net: From the American Library Association: "Some excellent gateways to social work information on the net...links to social work organizations, e-journals, and education/employment resources."

National Association of Social Workers: "Works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies."

School Social Work Association of America: "Dedicated to promoting the professional development of School Social Workers in order to enhance the educational experience of students and families."

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Suicide

American Association of Suicidology: "A nonprofit organization dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide. This site is designed as a resource for anyone concerned about suicide, including AAS members, suicide researchers, therapists, prevention specialists, survivors of suicide, and people who are themselves in crisis."

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: "Dedicated to advancing our knowledge of suicide and our ability to prevent it." Activities include supporting research and education on depression and its treatment, promoting professional and public education on depression and suicide, and supporting programs for suicide survivor treatment, research and education.

Doctor-Assisted Suicide: A Guide to Websites and the Literature: Links to books, journal articles, etc. "The selections gathered here provide varied points of view (pro and con), some history as well as currency in coverage, and include electronic as well as print sources."

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: "Works to reduce morbidity, disability, mortality, and costs associated with injuries."

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Resources on Media

 
Captioning

CaptionMax: Leading provider of media accessibility services, including closed captions, subtitles, and audio description. In addition to standard television and media accessibility services, CaptionMax also delivers expanded description and enhanced captions for digital media in accordance with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.

Described and Captioned Media Program: "To provide all persons who are deaf or hard of hearing awareness of and equal access to communication and learning through the use of captioned educational media and supportive collateral materials." Site also accessible in Spanish.

National Captioning Institute: Extensive listing of closed-captioned documentaries and educational videos.

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Copyright

Association for Information Media and Equipment: A media industry group "to promote fair and appropriate use of the media and equipment delivering information in a rapidly changing world."

Copyright & Fair Use (Stanford University): Extensive resources and links to information about these subjects.

Copyright Page, University of California San Diego: A discussion of copyright law from the University of California at San Diego Library staff.

Copyright Resources Online: Links to a variety of university and non-university resources.

Copyright Website: A somewhat ideosyncratic site dealing with copyright law. "This portal provides real world, practical and relevant copyright information for anyone navigating the net...The Copyright Website strives to lubricate the machinations of information delivery."

Copyright, Intellectual Property, Video & Multimedia: A Selected Bibliography: From the Media Resources Center at the University of California at Berkeley

U.S. Copyright Office - Fair Use: The official definition of "fair use" in .pdf format.

United States Copyright Law: Full text of the copyright code, from the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University.

United States Copyright Office: Official website includes a wide variety of related information including FAQs and instructions on registering works for copyright.

Visit to Copyright Bay: From the University of St. Francis at Joliet, IL, an intriguing and nicely designed visual tutorial to copyright and fair use.

When Works Pass Into the Public Domain: Like the title says.

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Film/Video Organizations

Adbusters Media Foundation: "A global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs...dedicated to reinventing the outdated paradigms of our consumer culture and building a brave new understanding of living."

Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers: National membership organization supporting independent media, publishes "The Independent"

Center for Social Media: Showcases and analyzes the best works in social media.

Consortium of College and University Media Centers (CCUMC): A membership organization whose mission is "to provide leadership and a forum for information exchange to the providers of media and technology support for quality teaching and learning at higher education institutions."

Docuseek: DocuSeek is a search site for independent documentary, social issue, and educational videos available in the U.S. and Canada. DocuSeek allows you to simultaneously search several leading film distributors' complete collections, representing the highest quality documentary and instructional media, films and videos available.

Icarus Films: Icarus Films is a leading distributor of documentary films in North America. The company was started in 1978, with an emphasis on films from and about the Middle East. Over the years, as we have acquired and released 25 to 50 new films a year, our collection has broadened to include films in many areas of social, political and cultural concern, and most areas of the humanities and social sciences.

International Documentary Association: A membership organization which works to promote nonfiction filmmaking and filmmakers worldwide; publishes the magazine, "International Documentary."

National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture: "A nonprofit association composed of diverse member organizations who are dedicated to encouraging film, video, audio and online/multimedia arts, and to promoting the cultural contributions of individual media artists."

National Media Market: Join with Librarians, Directors, School Media Personnel, Curriculum Specialists and Educational Broadcasting Professionals to preview and select educational and special interest videos, CDs and interactive technology.

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Media, General

Conservation Online -- Video Preservation: A valuable source of information and links on the protection and preservation of video materials.

National Film Preservation Foundation: "Created by the U.S. Congress to help save America's film heritage. We support activities nationwide that preserve American films and improve film access for study, education, and exhibition."

ScreenSite: Remarkably, this site is available in Spanish and eight other languages: "To provide access to film and television resources through the World Wide Web. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the study of film/TV, as opposed to...a fan's approach."

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Review Sources

Booklist: "The digital counterpart of the American Library Association's Booklist magazine...This web site is designed to introduce Booklist to a new group of readers and to provide current subscribers with additional services and points of access."

Cineaste: Good source for a political slant on both recent and classic films.

Cinemaya: A quarterly journal on Asian film. "It is today acknowledged as the authoritative source of material on Asia's many cinemas. An independent publication, it is the official journal of the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema."

Educational Media Reviews Online: Formerly MC Journal: "Reviews are written primarily by librarians and teaching faculty at colleges and universities across the United States and Canada."

Film Comment: Published by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Indexes and some articles are viewable online.

Film.com: No longer publishing new material as of June, 2001, but the film review archives are still available at this site.

Human Rights Watch Film Festival: Films featured in the annual HRW film festival.

Library Journal: Will soon (as of 5/9/02) have an "online searchable reviews database." Some articles are currently available online.

Motion Picture Guide: Provides access to the CineBooks database of film reviews.

Science Books & Films: "Published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), SB&F is the only critical review journal devoted exclusively to print and nonprint materials in all of the sciences and for all age groups."

Sight & Sound: A respected monthly from the British Film Institute.

Video Business: Oriented toward the video industry but includes reviews of new releases

Video Librarian: "Video Librarian Online, the electronic addendum to the print magazine Video Librarian." Features free access to a limited number of reviews; others by subscription only.

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Web Design & Usage

Chilling Effects Clearinghouse: "Chilling Effects aims to help you understand the protections that the First Amendment and intellectual property laws give to your online activities."

Electronic Frontier Foundation: Offers an extensive, detailed archive and news updates on electronic civil liberties issues including copyright, privacy, freedom of speech, etc.

Healthy Computing.com: "Information on computer-related health and safety, developed through the joint efforts of nearly a dozen leading ergonomists, physicians, and physical therapists."

Hoaxbusters: From the Department of Energy, this is a very useful (and entertaining) site documenting the bogus virus warnings, urban myths, chain letters and other tempting or scary messages that clog our e-mail boxes. Check here before forwarding that virus warning to your entire address book.

Urban Legends WebSite: When that "disaster warning - pass it on" message arrives in your e-mail, check it out here before inflicting it on your friends and colleagues.

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Web Portals

Docuseek: DocuSeek is a search site for independent documentary, social issue, and educational videos available in the U.S. and Canada. DocuSeek allows you to simultaneously search several leading film distributors' complete collections, representing the highest quality documentary and instructional media, films and videos available.

MediaRights.org: "MediaRights.org, a community Web site, helps media makers, educators, nonprofits, and activists use documentaries to encourage action and inspire dialogue on contemporary social issues."

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