Use this page if you need disability services, intellectual or developmental disability supports, employment help, housing help, independent living support, assistive technology, guardianship information, ABLE account information, or help finding services for a child or adult with special needs.
LIFESPAN
Helps with:
Services for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, substance use needs, and mental health needs.
Phone:
704-944-5100
Address:
2530 West Roosevelt Blvd., Suite A, Monroe, NC 28112
Services may include:
Art programs, bilingual services, community employment services, culinary arts, health and wellness programs, horticulture, recreation, music therapy, sensory room, community living supports, and respite services.
Good questions to ask:
“Who is eligible?”
“Do you serve adults, children, or both?”
“Do you accept Medicaid?”
“Is there a waiting list?”
“What services are available in Union County?”
Disability Rights & Resources
Helps with:
Independent living support, disability rights information, advocacy, mentoring, and resources for people with disabilities.
Best first step:
Call to ask what services are available for Union County residents.
Phone:
704-537-0550
Address:
5801 Executive Center Drive, Suite 101
Charlotte, NC 28212-8870
Service area:
Cabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg, and Union Counties.
Good questions to ask:
“Can you help me understand my disability rights?”
“Do you help with independent living?”
“Can you connect me with local disability resources?”
“Do you help people with all types of disabilities?”
The Arc of North Carolina
Helps with:
Advocacy, education, resource navigation, housing information, employment support, and community connections for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Best first step:
Call to ask which Arc programs may fit your situation.
Phone:
919-782-4632
Headquarters:
343 E. Six Forks Road, Suite 320
Raleigh, NC 27609
Good questions to ask:
“Can you help me find services for someone with an intellectual or developmental disability?”
“Do you help with housing?”
“Do you help with employment?”
“Can you explain alternatives to guardianship?”
InReach
Helps with:
Housing, employment, community services, residential services, day supports, and activity center services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Best first step:
Call to ask about eligibility, referrals, Medicaid-related services, and openings.
Phone:
704-536-6661
Union County administrative office and day supports activity center:
146 Winchester Avenue
Monroe, NC 28110-3161
Services may include:
Residential services, Medicaid B3 services, Innovations services, day supports, and community-based daytime activities.
Good questions to ask:
“Who qualifies for services?”
“Do you help with housing?”
“Do you offer day supports?”
“Is Medicaid required?”
“Is there a waiting list?”
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Helps with:
Employment and independence services for people with disabilities.
Best first step:
Call to ask how to apply and what services may be available.
Phone:
704-296-4300
Address:
Union County Department of Social Services
2330 Concord Avenue
Monroe, NC 28110
Services may include:
Help preparing for work, finding employment, job supports, training, and services that support independence.
Good questions to ask:
“Can you help me get or keep a job?”
“What disabilities qualify?”
“How do I apply for services?”
“What documents should I bring?”
Union Diversified Industries
Helps with:
Employment and habilitative services for adults with developmental disabilities.
Best first step:
Call to ask about employment opportunities, habilitative services, eligibility, and referrals.
Phone:
704-289-1571
Address:
2815 Walkup Avenue
Monroe, NC 28110
Description:
Union Diversified Industries is a major employer of adults with developmental disabilities in Union County and also offers habilitative services on campus, in homes, and in the community.
Good questions to ask:
“Do you have employment opportunities?”
“Who qualifies for services?”
“Do you offer services outside your campus?”
“Is a referral needed?”
Signposts Ministries
Helps with:
Families who have children with disabilities or chronic health problems by connecting them with resources and providing educational, physical, emotional, and spiritual support.
Best first step:
Call or email to ask about current programs and the equipment loan program.
Phone:
704-219-8981
Address:
115 Henderson Street
Monroe, NC 28112
Services may include:
Resource connections, educational materials, family support, and a medical equipment loan program for children.
Good questions to ask:
“Can you help me find resources for my child?”
“Is equipment available to borrow?”
“What programs or events are currently offered?”
“Do you support families with chronic health conditions?”
Misty Meadows Mitey Riders
Helps with:
Equine-assisted therapy for children with special needs.
Best first step:
Call to ask about eligibility, application process, openings, and volunteer opportunities.
Phone:
704-841-0602
Address:
455 Providence Road South
Waxhaw, NC 28173
Who they serve:
Children ages 5 to 17 with a variety of conditions, including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other special needs.
Good questions to ask:
“Is my child eligible?”
“Is there a waiting list?”
“What is the cost?”
“Are volunteers needed?”
NC ABLE
Helps with:
ABLE savings accounts for eligible people with disabilities. ABLE accounts may allow money to be saved and spent on qualified disability expenses without loss of eligibility for certain assistance programs, such as SSI and Medicaid.
Best first step:
Call if you have questions or do not want to apply online by yourself.
Phone:
888-627-7503
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
General eligibility:
A person may qualify if the disability was present before age 46 and the person meets other disability-related requirements.
Good questions to ask:
“Am I eligible?”
“What expenses can ABLE money be used for?”
“Can a parent or helper assist with the account?”
“How does an ABLE account affect SSI or Medicaid?”
North Carolina Assistive Technology Program
Helps with:
Assistive technology services for people of all ages and abilities.
Best first step:
Call to ask about device demonstrations, short-term device loans, and reused assistive technology.
Phone:
800-662-7030
Mailing address:
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000
Services may include:
Device demonstrations, short-term device loans, and assistive technology reuse.
Good questions to ask:
“Can I try a device before buying it?”
“Do you loan equipment?”
“Do you help children and adults?”
“How do I find the closest assistive technology resource?”
LIFEguardianship — The Arc of North Carolina
Helps with:
Guardianship information and support for people with disabilities.
Best first step:
Call The Arc of North Carolina to ask about guardianship and alternatives to guardianship.
Phone:
919-782-4632
Important note:
Alternatives to guardianship should be considered before beginning guardianship of the person, the estate, or both.
Good questions to ask:
“What are alternatives to guardianship?”
“When is guardianship necessary?”
“Can you help explain the process?”
“What rights should be protected?”
NC START
Helps with:
Crisis prevention and intervention for individuals age 6 and older who have intellectual or developmental disabilities and complex behavioral or mental health needs.
Best first step:
Call to ask about referrals, eligibility, and available crisis prevention services.
Phone:
888-974-2937
Services may include:
Clinical consultation, training, education, therapeutic respite, crisis response, and therapeutic coaching.
Good questions to ask:
“Who qualifies for NC START?”
“How do I make a referral?”
“Can you help prevent a crisis?”
“What should I do if there is already a crisis?”
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Helpline
Helps with:
Information about potential benefits, services, and resources for children and youth with special health care needs.
Best first step:
Call or email to ask about resources for a child with chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional needs.
Phone:
800-737-3028
Good questions to ask:
“What benefits or services might my child qualify for?”
“Can you help me find local resources?”
“Do you help children with developmental or behavioral conditions?”
“Can professionals call for information too?”
Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Helps with:
Services and resources for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind.
Best first step:
Call the Charlotte Regional Center to ask about available services.
Voice/TTY:
919-527-6930
Voice/TTY toll-free:
800-851-6099
Videophone:
919-890-0859
Charlotte Regional Center:
5501 Executive Center Drive, Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28212
Services may include:
Assistive technology, captioning resources, deaf services, deaf-blind services, domestic violence support and resources, emergency preparedness, interpreting resources, and telecommunications access.
Good questions to ask:
“What services are available near Union County?”
“Can you help with assistive technology?”
“Can you help me find interpreting or communication access?”
“Do you help agencies and businesses communicate better?”
Services for the Blind
Helps with:
Services and resources for people who are blind or have vision loss.
Best first step:
Call to ask what services are available and how to apply.
Phone:
919-527-6700
Address:
5501 Executive Center Drive, Suite 102
Charlotte, NC 28212
Services may include:
Assistive technology, training, diagnostic eye exams, job development and placement, transition services, vocational training, and supported employment.
Good questions to ask:
“What services are available for vision loss?”
“Can you help with assistive technology?”
“Do you help with employment?”
“How do I apply?”
Hinds Feet Farm
Helps with:
Programs for people living with traumatic and acquired brain injuries and their families.
Best first step:
Call to ask about programs, eligibility, cost, and locations.
Huntersville phone:
704-992-1424
Asheville phone:
828-274-0570
Address:
14625 Black Farms Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
Description:
Hinds Feet Farm provides post-rehabilitation, community-based programs designed to help people living with brain injury pursue meaningful activities and community belonging.
Good questions to ask:
“Who qualifies for services?”
“Do you serve Union County residents?”
“What programs are available?”
“Is transportation available?”