UT Specific Groups | Advocacy | Support
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UT Specific Groups
The Disability Advocacy Student Coalition
The Disability Advocacy Student Coalition (DASC) is a student organization with the purpose of promoting awareness, advocacy and education about disability on the UT campus.
Connecting Around Chronicity: Support for Students with Life-Altering Medical Conditions
This support group is a partnership between Disability and Access (D&A) and the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) for students living with chronic illnesses or medical conditions that have a significant impact on their lives. The conditions may not be visible, and individuals can be in any stage of the illness or condition (recently diagnosed, struggling with figuring out a diagnosis, in remission). This is an opportunity for connection and community with other students who are managing a chronic condition as part of their college experience. Group members will give and receive support as well as learn about coping strategies and resources in a friendly, welcoming environment. To set up a pre-group interview, please call (512) 471-3515.
Students on the Spectrum
Students on the Spectrum is a support group for students who have been diagnosed with autism or who identify as autistic. This group is a partnership between Disability and Access and Longhorn TIES and seeks to provide advocacy, support, and resources for students on the autism spectrum while they are in college and as they prepare to transition out of UT. Visit Students on the Spectrum page to find out meeting times/locations.
Longhorn TIES Neurodiversity Support
Launched in 2019, the Longhorn TIES (Transition, Inclusion, Empower, Success) program within New Student Services coordinates and facilitates neurodiversity initiatives at The University of Texas at Austin. Longhorn TIES seeks to enhance the student experience for students who identify as neurodivergent through advocacy, connections and training, starting with the New Student Orientation process and continuing throughout the student’s tenure at the university. Individuals may identify with one of several neurodivergent diagnoses, including but not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, and more.
Longhorn TIES encompasses: comprehensive and drop-in student supports, faculty and staff support, the Neurodiversity Leadership Council, presentations and training, and more.
NAMI on Campus at UT Austin
In conjunction with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) On Campus at University of Texas at Austin seeks to educate the community on mental health conditions and support those affected by them.
Type Texas: The CDN Chapter at UT Austin
Type Texas: The College Diabetes Network (CDN) Chapter at UT Austin was founded for the purpose of connecting college students with and affected by diabetes in the hopes that these connections will create a support network which will enable students to fulfill their potential and limit the negative psychological and physical effects of diabetes.
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Advocacy
Student Self Advocacy
Colorado State University has created self-advocacy modules as part of the Access to Postsecondary Education through Universal Design Learning. Self-Advocacy (SA) skills are key to students’ college and life success. Through self-advocacy skill development, students learn life‑long strategies to help them take charge of their lives and maximize their strengths.
Virginia Tech’s Self-Advocacy Video
Virginia Tech’s Services for Students with Disabilities office has created a great 15 minute video to improve students’ self-advocacy skills and provide information about succeeding in college as a student with a disability . Although the information is directed toward students attending Virginia Tech, most of the information applies to any college or university, including the University of Texas at Austin.
We Connect Now
We Connect Now is dedicated to uniting people interested in rights and issues affecting people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on college students and access to higher education and employment issues. One of the goals of this site is to help college students with disabilities to succeed in their studies by getting the information and support they need, both through resources, links, blogs latest news, studying existing laws and regulation and through personal contacts.
Active Minds
Active Minds is a national 501(c)3 organization that empowers students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation.
NAMI on Campus
NAMI on Campus provides information and resources to support students living with mental health conditions and to empower them to take action on their campuses. This site also includes materials to help colleges in improving the academic and social experience of their students by addressing the mental health needs of all students.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) is the world’s leading adult ADHD organization. Our mission is to provide information, resources and networking opportunities to help adults with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) lead better lives. We are an international non-profit organization, founded twenty years ago by adult ADHD support group leaders to share information, resources and provide support for one another. Our goal is to generate hope, awareness, empowerment and connections worldwide in the field of AD/HD. ADDA brings together scientific perspectives and the human experience. The information and resources provided to individuals and families affected by AD/HD and professionals who serve them focuses on the diagnosis, treatments, strategies and techniques for helping adults with AD/HD lead better lives.
Invisible Disabilities Association
The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) encourages, educates and connects people and organizations touched by illness, injury and disability around the globe. Formerly known as The Invisible Disabilities Advocate, IDA was founded in 1997 and incorporated in 2004 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind removes barriers, creates solutions, and expands possibilities so people with vision loss can achieve their full potential.
National Federation of the Blind of Texas
The National Federation of the Blind of Texas provides encouragement and a network of support and promotes an understanding of the real problems of blindness… the attitudes and misconceptions which we and the general public have about blindness. Through our affiliation with the National Federation of the Blind, the largest organization of blind persons in the country, we have cultivated an effective voice in determining the direction of laws and programs which affect blind and visually impaired persons in Texas and across the nation.
National Association of the Deaf
The NAD is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.
Texas Association of the Deaf
To promote leadership, growth and equality among the D/deaf and hard of hearing Texans
American Bar Association Commission on Disability Rights
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Support
Counseling and Mental Health Center Groups and Classes
All groups are free and confidential.
512-471-3515
CMHC 24/7 Crisis Line at 512-471-CALL (2255)
Student Services Building – 5th Floor
For many emotional and relationship issues that college students face, group counseling is the best treatment choice. It provides students with the unique opportunity of utilizing peer interaction to work toward improving themselves. At CMHC, we offer a wide array of groups to address the needs of our students. Although many students are initially hesitant to join a group, participants consistently find group therapy to be a very beneficial and positive experience.
Voices Against Violence
Part of CMHC (see above) VAV provides services for Survivors and Allies of Relationship Violence including:
- Individual counseling
- Anonymous telephone counseling
- Group counseling
- Connection to resources in the community
- Advocacy services which may include legal, medical, academic, and/or housing support
Strength of Us
An online community inspiring and connecting young adults impacted by mental health issues
Half of Us
The Half of Us campaign (www.halfofus.com) was launched in 2006 by The Jed Foundation and mtvU, MTV’s 24 hour college television network, to improve emotional health and prevent suicide among college students. Since then, The Peabody Award-winning campaign has developed powerful Public Service Announcements (PSAs), as well as candid celebrity, student and expert interviews to help de-stigmatize mental health, encourage young people to seek out ways to improve their state of mind, and connect students to the appropriate resources to get help.
ULifeline
ULifeline is your online resource for college mental health.
Depression and BiPolar Support Alliance
DBSA envisions wellness for people who live with depression and bipolar disorder. Because DBSA was created for and is led by individuals living with mood disorders, our vision, mission, and programming are always informed by the personal, lived experience of peers.
Best Colleges.com Guide to Mental Health Problems Facing College Students
OCD Texas
OCD TEXAS is a nonprofit support and advocacy organization for people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related disorders. We are dedicated to bringing together OCD sufferers, their families and friends, researchers and treating professionals across Texas, in order to:
- educate the public and professionals about OCD and related disorders in order to raise awareness and improve the quality of treatment provided;
- improve access to resources for sufferers and their families so that individuals afflicted with OCD and related disorders can better identify, seek, and gain access to appropriate support and affordable treatment;
- support research toward better understanding of and more effective treatments for OCD and related disorders;
- advocate for the OCD community.
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding the cures for Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. The mission of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.
American Diabetes Association
Support Groups near Austin Online Message Boards Austin Events and News
The College Diabetes Network
The College Diabetes Network (CDN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to empower and improve the lives of students living with Type 1 diabetes through peer support and access to information and resources. CDN is a resource whose sole focus is to help students as they navigate through the wonderful chaos of college. We connect you with your peers, so that you can share real experiences and find what works best for you!
Lupus Foundation of America
The Lupus Foundation of America is the only national force devoted to solving the mystery of lupus, one of the world’s cruelest, most unpredictable, and devastating diseases, while giving caring support to those who suffer from its brutal impact.
Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation of America® is the national voluntary health agency dedicated solely to the welfare of the almost 3 million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families. The organization works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; to improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; and to promote research for a cure.
Epilepsy Foundation Central and South Texas
Amputee Coalition
The Amputee Coalition is the nation’s leading organization on limb loss, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for amputees and their families, improving patient care and preventing limb loss. With the generous support of the public, we are helping amputees live well with limb loss, raising awareness about limb loss prevention and ensuring amputees have a voice in matters affecting their ability to live full, thriving lives.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association
National Spinal Cord Injury Association, the membership division of United Spinal, was founded in 1948 to improve the lives of all paralyzed Americans. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of all people living with a spinal cord injury or disease. We provide active-lifestyle information, peer support and advocacy that empower individuals to achieve their highest potential in all facets of life.
The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation
NOAH’s Albinism On-line Community — a place where people and families affected by albinism and others interested in learning more about the condition can ask questions and share experiences.
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