Inclusion/Exclusion Policy

Iowa COMPASS provides accurate, ethical, and accessible information for persons with disabilities, their families, their support networks, and service providers in the state of Iowa. Iowa COMPASS uses the criteria below to determine what information is included and excluded from our database.

Information provided on our website may include an agency or program’s: name, street address, mailing address, telephone numbers including any toll-free numbers, TTY number, fax number, e-mail, web page, business hours, agency description, eligibility requirements, fees, intake procedures, languages, accessibility, service area, and others as deemed necessary.

Iowa COMPASS encourages web users to discuss information found on the Internet with healthcare and service providers. Internet information is intended to support, not to replace, the relationship between the web user and professionals or service providers.

Iowa COMPASS also encourages web users to carefully evaluate all information found on the Internet.

Neither inclusion nor exclusion for the database constitutes an endorsement or rejection of any kind. Iowa COMPASS does not make any representation as to the quality or appropriateness of any of the services available through the organizations or individuals listed.

Iowa COMPASS reserves the right of final determination of the appropriateness of an organization for inclusion/exclusion.

Inclusion

In this document, “disability specific” signifies an organization that directly relates to people with disabilities. These organizations will almost always be tailored only to people with disabilities. Examples might include the American Association on Mental Retardation, Brain Injury Resource Team, and Association for Theatre and Accessibility. “Disability related” signifies an organization that is not disability specific, but is relevant to people with disabilities. Examples might include occupational therapy clinics, nursing homes, or assisted living organizations.

We include:

1. City, county, state and federal government agencies offering disability related social, educational, health, legal services, or information.
2. Nonprofit organizations that:
   1. offer disability related advocacy, services, or supports.
   2. provide disability specific information, referrals, advocacy, services, or supports.
3. Information and referral services for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and persons that are low-income.
4. Support groups that are specific to persons with disabilities (including, but not limited to, family members and caregivers of people with disabilities.)
5. Schools, colleges, and universities that are disability specific.
6. Health practices, hospitals, and solo practitioners that are disability related.
7. Social and human service groups and agencies that are disability related.
8. Organizations which offer services related to activities of daily living that are disability related and oriented to people with disabilities.
9. National and international organizations that are disability specific.
10. State and local offices of clubs that offer disability related programs and services.
11. Web based information and free publications that are disability related.
12. Businesses that provide Iowa COMPASS with valid email addresses and:
    1. provide disability specific services and products.
    2. sell assistive and/or adaptive equipment for persons with disabilities directly to consumers.
    3. sell adapted transportation equipment.
    4. install and/or build disability equipment and that have received training (i.e. are part of the Iowa Contractors Network, is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, is an architect)
13. Services that lookup an individuals’ Federal Senators, Federal Representatives, State Senators, and State Representatives and their contact information.
14. County offices that provide disability specific information and services (e.g. CPCs, ADA coordinators.)
15. Organizations outside of Iowa which provide a service that is not available locally.
16. State-wide crisis intervention hotlines.

Exclusion

Other information and referral services or service providers already maintain some disability related data. Iowa COMPASS works with other information and referral providers and to avoid duplication of services or information.

We do NOT include:

1. Any organization unless specified in the Inclusion criteria. (Examples include pharmacies, department stores, general retailers, and more.)
2. Organizations that provide information that is duplicative of the information that a federally funded, State of Iowa funded, or other accredited organization already provides.
3. Social and human service group and agencies where criteria are based on economic need and not disability.
4. Event information.
5. Businesses that manufacture assisted or adapted devices for people with disabilities.
6. Information about specific assistive technology products.
7. Resources that are not available to Iowa residents.
8. Secondary services. A secondary service is a service of an organization available only to individuals that are already enrolled in or receiving another of the organization’s services.
9. Information about medical conditions or specific treatment options.
10. Organizations that deny service based upon race, color, religion, ancestry, nationality, disability, or sexual orientation.
11. Illegal services.
12. Organizations which misrepresent their services in any way.
13. Organizations which we are unable to contact for updates will be considered for exclusion.
14. Any organization deemed inappropriate or unwarranted by Iowa COMPASS staff.

Appeals process

To appeal an organization’s exclusion from the database, please contact Iowa COMPASS’ Program Manager. To appeal the Program Manager’s decision, please contact Iowa COMPASS’ director. Both can be reached by calling 1-800-779-2001.

Last full review/revision: July 2007
Last interim modification: November 2008