New Orleans disability access resources & support services
Connect with trusted local providers for disability support, assistive technology, employment services, and comprehensive care throughout the Greater New Orleans area.
Access affordable disability services and support
New Orleans provides comprehensive disability support services with multiple payment options to ensure everyone can access quality care. Whether you have Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or are paying out-of-pocket, there are providers who will work with your budget and circumstances.
Insurance & Payment Options: Most providers accept various forms of insurance including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Many also offer sliding-scale fees based on what you can afford, and several services are available at no cost.
Important Note: Services and availability may change. Contact providers directly to confirm current offerings and payment options.
Intellectual & developmental disabilities support
ARC of Greater New Orleans
📞 Phone: 504-837-5105
📞 Fax: 504-837-5140
🌐 Website: www.arcgno.org
📍 Address: 925 Labarre Road, Metairie, LA 70001
📍 Additional Locations: New Orleans, Chalmette, Westwego, and Covington
🕒 Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM
💡 Services: Services for people with intellectual disabilities, employment opportunities for individuals with special needs, community integration programs
💰 Cost: Private pay and Medicaid accepted
🌍 Language: English only
Families Helping Families
📞 Phone: 1-877-243-7352 (Toll Free)
🌐 Website: www.fhfsela.org
📍 Address: 2401 Westbend Parkway Ste 3090, New Orleans, 70114
🕒 Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM
💡 Services: Information and referral agency for individuals with disabilities and their family members, advocacy support, resource navigation
💰 Cost: Free
🌍 Language: Spanish available
Sensory impairments (vision & hearing)
Lighthouse Louisiana
📞 Phone: 504-899-4501
📞 Toll-Free: 888-792-0163
📞 Baton Rouge: 225-275-1200
🌐 Website: www.lighthouselouisiana.org
📍 Address: 123 State Street, New Orleans, 70118
📍 Baton Rouge Office: One American Place, Suite 150, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
🕒 Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM
💡 Services: Employment opportunities and services for people who are blind or visually impaired, some services for the Deaf community
💰 Cost: Most services free
📞 Contact: Call for information or appointment
🌍 Language: English only
Deaf Action Center
📞 Phone: 504-452-3354
✉️ Email: Shari.bernius@dacinterpretingservices.com
🌐 Website: https://dacinterpretingservices.com/
💡 Services: Sign language interpretation services
💰 Cost: $50 per hour (may be covered by insurance)
📞 Contact: Call or email for information
🌍 Language: Spanish available by request
Neurological conditions support
Epilepsy Foundation of Louisiana
📞 Phone: 225-298-5499
📞 Toll Free: 800-960-0587
🌐 Website: www.epilepsylouisiana.org
📍 Address: 1882 Justice Avenue, Suite B4, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
💡 Services: Support groups, counseling for newly diagnosed, community education, medical support assistance, medication assistance for indigent persons, Hope mentoring program
💰 Cost: Free
🌍 Language: Spanish available with interpreters
Support Groups at East Jefferson General Hospital
📞 Phone: 504-456-5000
🌐 Website: www.ejgh.org
📍 Address: 4200 Houma Blvd., Metairie, 70006
🕒 Meeting Times: Vary by group
💡 Services: Support groups for stroke survivors & families, Parkinson's, A-Fib, Ostomy, Epilepsy, Diabetes, Celiac, and more
💰 Cost: Free
📞 Contact: Call or check website for current schedule
🌍 Language: English only
Touro Diabetes Center
📞 Phone: 504-897-8813
🌐 Website: https://www.lcmchealth.org/touro/our-services/diabetes-care/
📍 Address: Touro Diabetes Center Medical Arts Building, 3439 Prytania Street, 5th Floor, Suite 501, New Orleans, LA 70115
🕒 Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30AM-5:30PM
💡 Services: Outpatient diabetes education and training (requires MD order)
📧 Fax for Orders: 504-894-8586
💰 Cost: Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance accepted; sliding scale for uninsured (60% discount)
📞 Contact: Appointment only
🌍 Language: Spanish available through language line
Mental health & wellness
Fireweed Collective
🌐 Website: fireweedcollective.org
✉️ Email: administrator@fireweedcollective.org
💡 Services: Mental health education and mutual aid through Healing Justice lens, emotional wellness support for marginalized communities, crisis toolkit resources
💰 Cost: Free
ℹ️ Note: Cannot provide medical advice or professional care referrals
Adult Day Care & Supervision
ACE (Alzheimer's Care and Enrichment Program) at Jewish Community Center
📞 Phone: 504-897-0143
🌐 Website: www.nojcc.org
✉️ Email: rachel@nojcc.org
📍 Address: 5342 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans
🕒 Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10AM-2PM
💡 Services: Exercise, meal preparation, music, interaction with nursery school children for persons with Alzheimer's or related dementia; monthly caregiver support groups
💰 Cost: $30 per day (includes meals), scholarships available
📞 Contact: Call and ask for Rachel Ruth
🌍 Language: English only
Clover Adult Day Care
📞 Phone: 504-523-6221
🌐 Website: https://www.clovernola.org/adult-day-care/
📍 Main Campus: 1600 Constance St., New Orleans, LA 70130
📍 Columbia Parc Office: 1401 Saint Denis St., New Orleans, LA 70122
💡 Services: Comprehensive adult day care services focused on cost-effective, high-quality care
💰 Cost: Louisiana Medicaid Waiver (ADHC), Community Choices Waiver (CCW), Residential Options Waiver (ROW), VA benefits, private pay with income-based rates
New Directions Adult Day Health Care Center
📞 Phone: 504-943-9418
📍 Address: 1523 N Dorgenois St., New Orleans, 70119
🕒 Hours: Monday-Friday 7AM-4:30PM
💡 Services: Care for mentally impaired adults including supervision, health screenings, social activities, meals, transportation, personal care training, counseling
💰 Cost: $57/day, Medicaid and Medicaid waiver accepted
📞 Contact: Call for information
🌍 Language: Spanish available upon request
Assistive Technology & Equipment
LATAN (Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network)
📞 Phone: 225-925-9500 or 800-270-6185
🌐 Website: www.latan.org
📍 Address: 3042 Old Forge Drive, Ste D, Baton Rouge, 70808
📍 AT Demonstration Center: 10988 N. Harrell's Ferry Rd., Ste. 5, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
🕒 Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30AM-5:30PM, Friday 8:30AM-4PM
💡 Services: Reduced-interest loan program for assistive devices, AT Marketplace with donated devices at low/no cost, device demonstrations
🌍 Language: English only
Career Development & Employment
Goodwill of Southeast Louisiana
📞 Phone: 504-456-2622
🌐 Website: www.goodwillno.org
📍 New Orleans: 3400 Tulane Ave, Ste 1000, New Orleans, 70119
📍 Baton Rouge: 647 Main Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
📍 Houma: 1750 Martin Luther King Blvd., Suite 108, Houma, LA 70360
💡 Services: Career development for people with disabilities including skills training, job placement, job retention, supported employment; programs for veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals
💰 Cost: Free
🌍 Language: English only
Medical Support & Assistance
Cancer Association of Louisiana
📞 Phone: 504-733-5539 or 800-624-2039
🌐 Website: www.cagno.org
📍 Address: 824 Elmwood Park Blvd., Suite 154, Harahan, 70123
🕒 Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM
💡 Services: Prescription and transportation assistance for cancer patients, community education, smoking cessation programs, breast reconstruction support
💰 Cost: Free (applications must be signed by medical professional)
📞 Contact: Call for appointment or walk-in for applications
🌍 Language: English only
Cancer Care
📞 Phone: 800-813-4673 (800-813-HOPE)
🌐 Website: www.cancercare.org
🕒 Hours: Monday-Thursday 10AM-6PM EST, Friday 10AM-5PM EST
💡 Services: Free professional support services for anyone affected by cancer, grants for transportation, homecare, and childcare for low-income patients
💰 Cost: Free
📞 Contact: All interviews and applications done by phone and mail
🌍 Language: Spanish available (leave voicemail for Spanish-speaking counselor callback)
Insurance & benefits information
Louisiana Medicaid & Medicare Coverage
Medicaid Coverage:
Home and community-based waiver services
Adult day care services
Personal care assistance
Medical equipment and supplies
Transportation to medical appointments
Medicare Coverage:
Health insurance for citizens 65+ or those receiving SSI/disability benefits for 2+ years
Individuals with ALS or end-stage renal disease also qualify
"Low SS Program" available for extra help paying for medications
Jefferson Council on Aging/Aging & Disability Resource Center
📞 Phone: 800-635-1437 or 504-888-5880
🌐 Website: www.jcoa.net
📍 Address: 6620 Riverside Dr., Ste 107 & 216, Metairie, 70003
🕒 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30AM-3:30PM
💡 Services: Assistance for Jefferson, St. Charles, St. James, and St. John residents ages 60+ or disabled including utility assistance, prescription assistance, job training/placement, meal delivery, equipment referrals
✅ Eligibility: Social Security number required
💰 Cost: Free (fee requested for meals)
📞 Contact: Call for appointment
🌍 Language: Spanish available
Louisiana Office of Disability Determinations
📞 Phone: 504-361-6335
🌐 Website: www.ssa.gov
🕒 Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM-4:30PM
💡 Services: Processes SSI/Disability Claims (approximately 180-day processing time)
📞 Application: Visit local Social Security office or apply online
💰 Cost: Free
🌍 Language: Spanish interpreting can be arranged
How to apply for services
Required documents (typically needed):
Photo identification
Social Security card
Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit statements)
Medical documentation (for disability-related services)
Proof of Louisiana residency
Application methods:
Online: medicaid.la.gov for Medicaid applications
Phone: 1-888-342-6207 for Medicaid
In-person: Local parish Office of Community Services
Provider assistance: Many listed providers can help with applications
Frequently asked questions
What if I don't have insurance or Medicaid?
Many providers offer sliding-scale fees based on income, with services as low as $0 for qualifying individuals. Several organizations provide completely free services regardless of insurance status.
Does Medicaid cover disability services?
Yes, Louisiana Medicaid covers many disability services including home and community-based waiver services, adult day care, personal care assistance, and medical equipment.
How do I apply for disability benefits?
Contact the Louisiana Office of Disability Determinations at 504-361-6335 or visit your local Social Security office. You can also apply online at www.ssa.gov.
What services are completely free?
Many services are free including support groups, information and referrals through Families Helping Families, most services at Lighthouse Louisiana, and crisis resources through Fireweed Collective.
Are there age restrictions for services?
Some services have age requirements (like Jefferson Council on Aging for 60+), while others serve all ages. Contact providers directly to confirm eligibility.
How long does it take to get approved for services?
Processing times vary by service type. Disability determinations take approximately 180 days, while other services may have immediate availability or shorter waiting periods.
Additional support services
For emergency assistance:
211 Louisiana: Dial 2-1-1 for emergency assistance, food, housing, utilities
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans: Emergency assistance programs
Salvation Army Greater New Orleans: Emergency services and support
For transportation:
Jefferson Council on Aging: Transportation assistance for medical appointments
Regional Transit Authority (RTA): Medicaid may cover medical transportation
Cancer Association of Louisiana: Transportation assistance for cancer patients