In addition to mental health issues, substance abuse problems can also co-occur with other types of disabilities. These disabilities can have a significant impact on an individual's ability to set and achieve realistic recovery goals, particularly if the disabilities are not identified, understood and accommodated by substance abuse service providers. 

The co-occurrence of these types of disabilities and substance abuse issues presents challenges both for the individual seeking help and the service-providing organization.  For example, supportive accommodations may be required to allow the individual to physically access the facility, interact with staff and other clients, and participate fully in therapeutic interventions. 

In light of evidence that persons with disabilities are at greater-than-normal risk for substance abuse problems, it is critically important that substance abuse services provide an appropriate level of access and accommodation to cross-disabled persons (people with substance abuse issues and other disabilities).  However, a recent survey conducted by the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres revealed that few substance abuse treatment programs in Canada currently provide supportive accommodations to persons with disabilities (Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres, 2005).

In order to address the gap between what is needed and what is currently available to cross-disabled persons, a national project is now underway to raise awareness about disabilities and substance abuse and to equip both the disabilities and substance-abuse communities to better support cross-disabled persons who are seeking help for substance abuse issues.  This project, called "Access to Recovery", is being led by the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres with involvement from a variety of representative stakeholders from both the disabilities and substance abuse sectors.  The goal is to develop a comprehensive promotion and prevention strategy to identify and begin addressing the needs of persons with disabilities as they relate to problematic substance use. 

To date, the project has developed a collection of tools and resources that target persons with disabilities, service providers working with cross-disabled persons, and service providers working in the substance abuse field.  The goal of these tools and resources is

• to educate and inform persons with disabilities who are seeking help for a substance abuse problem
• to support cross-training and "train-the-trainer" initiatives aimed at raising awareness of substance abuse issues among the disabled and to address accessibility/accommodation issues among substance abuse service providers

To access these tools and resources, please see the reference to the Access to Recovery project below, along with other resources that address issues related to disabilities, accessibility and substance abuse.
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With acknowledgment of the California Department of Parks and Recreation for descriptions of disabilities, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Special Populations Section: People with Disabilities, for data on the prevalence of substance abuse among persons with disabilities.

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Resources

Alcohol Use. It is your choice! [PDF]
Alcohol awareness information pamphlet available in plain language to promote the ability of persons with developmental disabilities to make informed choices about responsible alcohol consumption.
Published: 2007
Source: The Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI)
Website: www.vrri.org
Language: English only

Bill of Client Rights
The Bill of Client Rights has been developed for people who use the services of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Published: June 1, 2006
Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Website: www.camh.net
Language: English and French

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 2006–2007 Accessibility Plan [PDF]
The Plan describes key activities undertaken by CAMH to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with both visible and invisible disabilities including patients, staff, clients, community, visitors and other members of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health community.
Published: November 14, 2006
Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Website: www.camh.net
Language: English and French

Access to Recovery. Substance Abuse and Independent Living
The Access to Recovery (ATR) project was initiated as a means to provide education and awareness about the issue of substance use and abuse among people with disabilities. A variety of tools and resources were produced for the Independent Living network, persons with disabilities, and for mainstream substance abuse professionals to enable more appropriate supports and accommodation options to be developed for persons with disabilities who experience substance abuse problems and who choose to seek treatment.
Published: 2005
Source: Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres
Website: www.cailc.ca
Language: English and French

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Organizations for all: indicators of the inclusive organization [PDF]
An overview of organizational markers that promote inclusiveness of persons with developmental disabilities through active and meaningful participation.  
Published: September, 2005
Source: The Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI)
Website: www.vrri.org 
Language: English only

NAADAC Code of Ethics
Outlines the Association for Addiction Professionals' 9 principles of ethical conduct.  
Published: Updated December 8, 2004
Source: The Association for Addiction Professionals
Website: http://naadac.org
Language: English only

Conducting Research with Persons with Developmental Disabilities: Issues and Recommendations [PDF]
A discussion of common challenges and potential solutions in the study of persons with developmental disabilities.
Published: October 2003
Source: The Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI)
Website: www.vrri.org
Language: English only

New Jersey Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Disabled: From Advocacy to Access [PDF]
This case study describes the history of the legislation establishing this program, how the current legislation was drafted and passed, how it was implemented and the impact to date.
Published: 2002
Source: National Association on Alcohol, Drugs and Disability, Inc. (NAADD)
Website: www.naadd.org
Language: English only

Plain Language Manual. Is it Plain? A manual for plain language writers
Over 50 pages of information and ideas to create written materials suitable for people with limited literacy, examples of what works well, illustrations of materials at different stages of "translation," suggestions for alternative words, and recommendations on pictures to enhance text.
Published: March 2002
Source: The Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI)
Website: www.vrri.org
Language: English only
Cost: Cdn$45 ($42.06 + $2.94 GST)

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Enhancing Services to Aging Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Overview of best practices and lessons learned in the review of service delivery to aging individuals with development disabilities in the Calgary region.
Published: November 2000
Source: The Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI)
Website: www.vrri.org
Language: English only

National Association on Alcohol, Drugs and Disability Inc. (NAADD)
The National Association on Alcohol, Drugs and Disability Inc. (NAADD) promotes awareness and education about substance abuse among people with co-existing disabilities. The mission of NAADD is to create public awareness of issues related to alcoholism, drug addiction, and substance abuse faced by persons with other co-existing disabilities, and to provide a peer approach to enhance access to services, information, education and prevention through the collaborative efforts of interested individuals and organizations nationwide.
Language: English only

Substance Abuse Resources and Disability Issues (SARDI) Program
The SARDI Program seeks to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities, including those who are concurrently affected by behavioral health issues. The SARDI Program achieves its objective by conducting collaborative and participatory research, developing intervention approaches, training, and disseminating related information.
Source: Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University
Website: http://www.med.wright.edu/index.html
Language: English only

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Diversity Initiatives
An overview of CAMH initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of diverse populations.
Source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Website: www.camh.net
Language: English and French (but different amount of content available)