This webpage has the most comprehensive listing of RSI and Injured Worker Support Groups that we've been able to compile. Please let us know of any changes or additions that you may be aware of. Special thanks to Mary Jeffords of the Injured Workers of New York Inc., Joan Lichterman -- founder of the East Bay RSI Support Group, and Penney Kome for their information and assistance in putting this list together and helping to keep it current.
The large information gaps that exist for people with injuries that tend to heal very slowly create the need to seek out others with similar injuries and to find resources. The desire for a regular meeting develops in the community and one or more persons then initiate the process of organizing meetings. The composition of the group that attends will depend largely on the community from which it springs. The following is an outline that incorporates some of the typical elements of that process.
RSI Support Groups
RSI Support groups are a self-help groups that provide information and support to people suffering from repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), primarily to the upper extremities and torso. They usually meet meet together regulary, monthy or so, for group discussions, resource sharing, and guest speakers.
Injured Workers Groups
Injured Workers groups deal with all injuries. They also deal with legislation, unions, Social Security, disability issues and advocacy. They are different than the COSHs because they only deal with WC issues and like topics. Most are run by injured workers themselves because they have been turned aside by their own unions and COSHs. While many claim to know what is best in legislation to help injured workers the only people who really know the system and what needs to be done are the injured workers themselves. Most people are not aware that the WC laws are not being followed by the WC courts in each state.
Injured worker groups come and go depending on the strength of it's organizers and the agenda of it's leaders. Always look for an injured worker group that has been in existance for at least 3 years. Check to see if they are nonprofit/tax exempt. Ask if they are just a support group or an advocacy group or both.
Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) groups -- coalitions of labor unions, industrial hygienists, activists, and academics -- were originally started in order to advise labor and law-makers about on-the-job dangers and to advocate corrective and preventative measures. (Mogensen, V.L., (1996). Office Politics: Computers, Labor, and the Fight for Safety and Health. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press)
RSI Support Group Resources
CTD Resource Network, Inc.
2013 Princeton Ct., Los Banos CA 93635
Voice/Fax (209) 827-0801
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http://www.ctdrn.org
The CTD Resource Network, Inc. (CTDRN) is a new California nonprofit corporation that provides educational material and charitable assistance related to the prevention and treatment of cumulative trauma disorders (also known as repetitive strain injuries). Federal 501(c)(3) tax exempt status is in progress.
The RSI Network Newsletter
For People Concerned About Tendinitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries
http://www.ctdrn.org/rsinet
The RSI Network newsletter is provided by the CTD Resource Network for dissemination of information to the repetitive strain injury (RSI) community. Available by listserv mail list (free) and paper mailings (US$15/year).
The Association for Repetitive Motion Syndromes (A.R.M.S.)
P.O. Box 471973, Aurora, CO 80047-1973
(303) 369-0803
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http://www.certifiedpst.com/arms/
The Association for Repetitive Motion Syndromes (ARMS) is a not-for-profit organization committed to assisting workers at-risk or injured by repetitive motion syndromes. ARMS also provides assistance to employers, workers compensation specialists, and health care professionals. Assistance is available in the United States and abroad through the internet, by telephone, and through written information packets.
The Canadian Injured Workers Alliance (CIWA)
CP/P.O. Box 3678, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 6E3
(807) 345-3429, Fax: (807) 344-8683
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http://www.ciwa.ca/
The Canadian Injured Workers Alliance (CIWA)/L'Alliance canadienne des victimes d'accidents et de maladies du travail (ACVAMT) is a national network of injured workers groups. We exist to support and strengthen the work of local, provincial, and territorial injured workers groups by providing a forum for exchanging information and sharing experiences.
Coalition on New Office Technology (CNOT)
Kerry Souza, MPH, Director
650 Beacon St., 5th Floor, Boston in Kenmore Square
Boston, MA 02215
( 617) 247-6827, Fax: (617) 262-6414
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http://www.ctdrn.org/cnot
The Coalition on New Office Technology is a collective voice for office workers, with special emphasis on women workers. We focus on the impact of office technology on our jobs, health and rights. We share a vision of a world in which technology is popularly controlled and serves all people. In promoting healthy workplaces where dignity, autonomy and privacy are respected, CNOT organizes and trains office workers, researches office technology issues, and advocates for public policy changes. The Office Technology Education Project is a training and education project of CNOT. OTEP provides health and safety trainings for computer users focusing on prevention of repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), eyestrain and stress.
The Dutch RSI-Center
http://www.rsi-center.com/
The RSI-Center helps organisations and individuals prevent and fight RSI. Not by bringing in another chair, as the problem is not that simple. We do so by eliminating all possible risk factors. Be it organisational, personal, related to the workplace or otherwise.
Harvard RSI Action Home Page
http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/rsi
Harvard RSI action is a GSAS student group open to all Harvard students (graduate, undergraduate, professional schools). Our purpose is three-fold: Education of students, to prevent RSI; Advocacy for students with RSI;. Support for students with RSI.
Join our low-volume mailing list, with announcements of events, and other news of interest to Harvard RSI sufferers. Send mail to
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to join or be removed from the list. (This list probably isn't of interest to those not at Harvard, but you can join anyway.)
Injured Workers Online
http://www.injuredworkers.org/
injuredworkers.online is a collaborative effort of individuals who want to do something about how people with work related injuries and illnesses are treated by their employers, the media, Workers Compensation Boards, and the government. We are injured workers, trade unionists, community activists, doctors and others.
Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP)
University of California
2223 Fulton St., 4th floor
Berkley, CA. 94720-5120
Contact: Robin Baker
(510)642-5507
http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~lohp/
Do you need information about health and safety on the job? LOHP has publications, training programs, a free library, and a telephone reference service. LOHP is community outreach program of the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) at the School of Public Health, UC Berkeley. Their staff is dedicated to improving health and safety in the workplace. They serve labor, management, community organizations, health professionals, government, schools, and the general public.
Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program (LOSH)
UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research-Institute of Industrial Relations)
6350B Public Policy Building,
P.O. Box 951478
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1478
Contact: Marianne P. Brown
(310) 794-5964
http://www.sppsr.ucla.edu/res_ctrs/iir/losh/
The UCLA-Labor Occupational Safety and Health (LOSH) Program is a nationally recognized center in Southern California for worker health and safety training, educational materials development, technical assistance and policy information in the area of workplace health and safety. With a multi-ethnic, bilingual (English and Spanish) staff, including industrial hygienists, health educators and clerical support, the UCLA-LOSH Program trains about 2000 workers annually. It is part of the UCLA Labor Center, and is also affiliated with the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health in the UCLA School of Public Health.
London Occupational Safety & Health Information Service
222-424 Wellington St., London, ON N6A 3P3
(519) 433-4156 or (519) 433-2887
http://www.execulink.com/~losh/enhanced/Emain.htm
LOSH Information Service is a non-profit organization which provides free safety and health information. The services at LOSH are available to anyone. Our aim is to ensure and support every Canadian's right to a safe and healthy workplace. LOSH strives to provide high quality unbiased information as quickly as possible. Our goal is the prevention of workplace injury by providing readily available and easy to understand health and safety information.
Los Angeles RSI Support Group
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/1702/
This is the home page of the LA RSI Support Group. (RSI stands for Repetitive Strain Injury aka Cumulative Trauma Disorder. These soft tissue injuries are widely known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a relatively uncommon form of RSI and, unfortunately, just one of many possible repetitive strain injuries.) We post info on meetings and other group-related matters but this site is for everybody. Hopefully you'll inform yourself about RSI so that it doesn't 'happen' to you. And if you're already having problems, please don't ignore them and hope they'll go away. Learn what steps you can take to prevent further damage to your irreplaceable hands and arms. We try to post updates and additions to these pages on a regular basis so check back with us often. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
[Links/General Info] [Home Remedies] [Treatment Options] [Workers' Comp] [Resources & Bibliotherapy] [Support Groups] [Success Stories!]
Workers' (Repetitive) Injury Support Team
http://pages.sprint.ca/wrist/
W.R.I.S.T. is a non-profit organization with federal charity status that is run by injured workers for injured workers. We are dedicated to helping those suffering from Occupational Injury or Disease in Oxford County and surrounding areas by providing the support and information necessary to improve their quality of life.
NYU Health & Safety Committee
http://www.nyu.edu/pages/advocacy/committee/health/
Educating workers, students, and other users of computers about health and safety issues, such as human factors, ergonomics and environmental controls. This page lists real world events and online resources concerning prevention, treatment, injury management, education, political and legislative considerations and Workers' Compensation.
FEDUP FEDS
Federal workers FEDUP with abuse from agencies & OWCP against injured & disabled workers http://fedupfeds.org/
This is your free self-help resource for on-the-job injuries, claims, red tape, and related medical & legal concerns in federal employment. FEDUP FEDS is an advocacy network as well, working with the Congressional committees and other officials.
National RSI Foundation's Hotline
1-800-END-RSIS
Leave a message on the answering machine & someone will call you back, listen to you, and perhaps suggest resources.
Americal Self-Help Clearinghouse
Self-Help Sourcebook-OnLine
http://www.cmhc.com/selfhelp/
This guide has been developed to act as your starting point for exploring real-life support groups and networks that are available throughout the world and in your community. The organizations listed in this directory can help you find and/or start a support group in your community.
RSI Support/Injured Worker Group Listings
Alaska
AL PIRG
507 E Street, P.O.B. 101093
Anchorage, Alaska, 99501
(907) 278-3661
Alaska Health Project
431 West 7th Ave. Ste. 101
Anchorage, AK. 99501
(907) 276-2864
Iris B.
c/o Windigo Press
P.O. Box 10975
Fairbanks, Alaska, 99710
(907) 488-1798
IWA
HC 32 Box 6629 B
Wasilla, AK, 99654
E-mail
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Barbara Beckmann
Arkansas
Brenda Thomas
3190 East Robinson #5
Springdale, AR. 72764
Contact: (501) 750-4069
California
RSI Support Groups
Contra Costa RSI Education Group
http://www.ctdrn.org/rsi-support/contracosta
Melinda Moreno, (685)1230 x553
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Every 3nd Mon., 7 pm
Diablo Valley College, Learning Ctr, LC107, 321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill
East Bay RSI Support, Oakland
http://www.ctdrn.org/rsi-support/eastbay
(510) 653-1802.
Meets monthly, usually on the second Tuesday, 7-9 PM
North Berkeley Senior Center, M.L. King Way and Hearst
Los Angeles RSI Support Group
http://www.geocities.com/la_rsi
May Ellam (323) 259-2456
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Every 3rd Sat., 10 am 12:30 pm
Eagle Rock Branch Library
5027 Caspar Ave., nr. Occidental College
Redding (primarily TOS)
Janice Morrison, RN (916) 275-6899
Monthly mtgs., call for information
RSI Support Group of San Francisco
http://www.ctdrn.org/rsi-support/sanfrancisco
Judy Doane, (415) 474-7060. Monthly, first Monday, 7-9:30 PM, Booker T. Washington Comm. Service Center, 800 Presidio Ave. at Sutter (in front door, second door on left).
San Diego RSI Wellness Group
http://www.ctdrn.org/rsi-support/sandiego
The San Diego RSI Wellness Group usually meets every 2nd Wednesday at 7 pm. Call to check meeting topic and location.
Contact:
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, (858) 558 7718
The San Diego RSI Wellness Group is an educational group that provides information, resources and support to people suffering from repetitive strain injuries, primarily to the upper extremities and torso.
Meetings are open to all at no charge. However, the group is entirely supported by members and we encourage you to get involved.
Year 2001-2002 Meetings
November: Mindfulness and meditation
December: Bioenergetics
January: Success stories
February: Qi Gong
San Mateo
http://www.ctdrn.org/rsi-support/sanmateo
Beth Weiss, (415) 696-4562.
Meets second Thursday of every month, 7-9 PM.
Mills Hospital, 100 So. San Mateo Drive.
Tri-City
(Union City, Fremont, Newark) Kokila Patel, PT
Tri-City Physical Therapy
Every 4th Tues., 7:30 9 pm
2805 Whipple Road, Union City (510) 790-9480 or 441-8906
Injured Worker Groups
Applicants Alliance of IW
P.O.B. 2144
Rocklin, CA. 95677
Contact: Norman Morin
(916) 632-0363
(916) 632-3229 FAX
Applicants Best Alliance
10005 Garden Hwy
Sacramento, CA. 95837
Contact: Debra Ann Lucas
(916) 929-7606
Asbestos Victims of America
P.O.B. 559
Capitola, CA. 95010
Contact: Heather Meurer
(408) 476-3646
Center for Working Life
600 Grand Avenue, Ste. 305
Oakland, CA. 64610
Contact: Susan Sandler
Compensation Alert
P. O. Box 2205, Rohnert Park CA 94927
(707) 585-2421; Fax: (707) 585-7419
Contact: Paul D. Stutrud
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or
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Disability Digest
P.O.B. 5513
Santa Rosa, CA. 95402
Contact: Lois Springman
(707) 579-6060
Injured Workers United
760 North lst Street #2
San Jose, CA. 95112
Contact: Alicia Orosco
(408) 998-4054
Nancy Abler
1048 Irvine Avenue #127
Newport Beach, CA. 92660
(714) 631-0471
WATCH
225 Boyd Street
Milpitas, CA 95035
Contact: Rodrigo Cruz
(408) 956-1772
Colorado
A. R. M. S.
P.O.B. 471973
Aurora, CO 80047-1973
Contact: Stephanie Barnes
(303) 369-0803
Work Injured Citizens' Coalition
P.O.B. 101894
Denver. CO. 80250-1894
Contact: Suzanne Allen
(303) 425-4907
(303) 420-6111 FAX
Workplace Injury Litigation Group
1120 Lincoln Street Ste 1000
Denver, CO. 80203
Phone: (303) 830-0112
Fax: (303) 830-7342
Connecticut
RSI Support Groups
Connecticut
Jewel Shue (pronounced "shoe-ay") (203)658-2971
Connecticut Chronic Pain Outreach Network (CCPON)
Southern Connecticut
Joelle Clark (203)967-4341
The meetings will be held in the Darien, Greenwich, and Stamford area.
Injured Worker Groups
Injured Connecticut People For Workers Rights
13 Hawley Street
Manchester, CT. 06040
Contact: Dan Tommasi
(203) 282-2353
Florida
Injured Workers Assn. of Florida
4419 Camden Road
Tallahassee, FL. 32303
Contact: Frances Bell
(904) 562-6005
VOICES Inc.
An injured worker organization and Networking online discussion list that has been in existence since 1995 and was incorporated in1996. They are primarily an activist organization based in Florida, but have members throughout the nation, with ongoing campaigns nationally and locally. Subscribe to VOICES Injured Worker Network by sending an email request to:
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For more information contact:
Beverly Haire, VP
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VOICES Inc; (Injured Workers For Justice)
12207 Maravilla Dr., Punta Gorda, Florida 33955
(941) 637-6602
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RSI Organisations 
