From: jmg9401@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Jamal Moshtaghian )
Subject: Some 800 numbers
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: soc.culture.iranian
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 08:29:22 GMT

ABORTION HOTLINE/NATIONAL ABORTION FEDERATION    1-800-772-9100
 Counseling and medical guidelines for quality abortion care and referrals
 to member clinics.
 
AIDS HOTLINE                                     1-800-342-AIDS
 Recorded message explains symptoms, means of transmission and high risk
 categories; gives address for brochure, "Facts About AIDS," and other
 publications.
 
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION                          1-800-621-0379
 Sends free literature on Alzheimer's disease and refers callers to local
 chapters.
 
AMC CANCER INFORMATION                           1-800-525-3777
 Information on cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and
 rehabilitation; free professional counselling of patients, family
 members and friends, to help callers cope with life-threatening illness;
 sends free literature.
 
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND                    1-800-424-8666
 Information and referrals to low-vision clinics, rehabilitation
 organizations, government agencies, and other sources.
 
AMERICAN KIDNEY FUND                             1-800-638-8299
 Assists kidney patients who are unable to pay treatment costs; also
 information on kidney-related diseases and donating an organ.
 
BETTER HEARING INSTITUTE                         1-800-424-8576
 Trade association provides information about hearing loss, noise
 pollution, and doctors and hearing aid specialists in caller's local
 area; helps resolve consumer complaints.
 
BOAT SAFETY                                      1-800-368-5647
 Coast Guard hotline receives reports on hazardous equipment and provides
 safety and recall information on types of boats.
 
BOAT/U.S. FOUNDATION                             1-800-336-BOAT
 Information on nearest boating safety classes available free to the public.
 
CANCER INFORMATION SERVICE                       1-800-4-CANCER
 Offers information about cancer treatment and research to the public,
 physicians, cancer patients, and their families. All calls confidential.
 
CHILD FIND                                       1-800-431-5005
 Accepts calls from child victims of abduction by a parent or stranger;
 receives reports regarding citing and location of missing children; helps
 find children for a fee.
 
CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND                          1-800-424-9602
 Information, statistics and resources on child abuse, health and welfare,
 foster care, adolescent pregnancy, education, etc.
 
CIVIL RIGHTS HOTLINE                             1-800-368-1019
 Accepts calls regarding discrimination on the basis of race, color,
 national origin, handicap or age occurring in Health & Human Services
 programs; e.g., in admission, service or access in hospitals, nursing
 homes, day care centers or state health care assistance.
 
CIVITEX, CIVIC INFORMATION & TECHNIQUES EXCHANGE 1-800-223-6004
 Database collects and provides information on innovations and techniques
 used by citizen groups to address local problems; helps callers share and
 learn about methods of financing, advocacy, volunteer recruitment, leadership
 trainint, organizational structure, etc.
 
CONSERVATION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY INQUIRY AND REFERRAL SERVICE  1-800-523-2929
 Information about conservation, solar enregy and other renewable energy
 sources, including wind, photo-voltaic, biomass, alcohol fuels, hydroelectric
 and ocean thermal.
 
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION               1-800-638-CPSC
 Receives reports on injuries/deaths from hazardous manufactured products;
 helps consumers evaluate safety of commercial products.
 
COOP AMERICA                                     1-800-424-9711
 Information on worker-owned and cooperatively structured Major Medical
 health insurance plans, on socially responsible investment funds and a mail
 order catalog service for products sold by progressive companies.
 
CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION                       1-800-638-8815
 Sends information about Cystic Fibrosis and available services.
 
FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY HOTLINE       1-800-424-8590
 Accepts complaints on discrimination in housing, based on race, color,
 religion, sex or national origin.
 
FEDERAL CRIME INSURANCE HOTLINE                  1-800-638-8780
 Information and applications for federally-subsidized crime insurance for
 homes and businesses in participating states; assists individuals denied
 burglary/robbery insurance.
 
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION            1-800-424-5488
 Information on Truth-In-Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair
 Credit Reporting Act, and other banking laws; handles banking complaints.
 
FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION                      1-800-424-9530
 Explains fundraising regulations applying to federal office candidates;
 administers public funding of Presidential elections; financial records of
 federal candidates available from Public Records Division.
 
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION                          1-800-424-1040
 Internal Revenue Service answers federal tax questions; helps set up
 installment agreements for those who cannot afford to meet payments in lump
 sum; resolves problems with W-2 forms and sends other tax forms; directs
 callers to free tax preparation classes during filing season; low income
 and elderly callers can obtain volunteer help preparing tax forms year-round.
HEARING AID HELPLINE                             1-800-521-5247
 Trade association answers questions about hearing loss, hearing aids and
 assistive devices; sends free consumer kit; helps consumers resolve
 problems with hearing aid transactions; does not recommend products or
 quote prices.
 
HEARTLIFE                                        1-800-241-6993
 Information about heart disease, pacemakers, medication, nutrition and
 exercise; membership in organization includes prescription drug discount
 program.
 
HILL-BURTON FREE HOSPITAL CARE                   1-800-638-0742
 Sends information to callers about free care in hospitals and other health
 facilities; including list of facilities in caller's local area that
 participate in program, and brochure describing eligibility guidlines;
 advises callers on how to file a complaint about the program.
 
INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE                  1-800-221-4954
 Trade association explains types of coverage; gives pointers on how to shop
 for auto, homeowner, property, casualty and commercial insurance; does not
 provide specific company or price comparison information.
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS                              1-800-424-9100
 Information on free programs, books and equipment available on loan to
 eligible blind and physically handicapped individuals; refers callers to
 regional libraries.
 
LIFELINE SYSTEMS                                 1-800-451-0525
 Information on emergency telephone system for elderly and handicapped people
 to maintain a direct line to local hospitals; monthly fee for service;
 waivers granted by some hospitals.
 
MAGAZINE ACTION LINE                             1-800-645-9242
 Publisher's Clearinghouse helps those with subscription complaints
 (e.g., magazine arrives late or billing is incorrect); will contact
 appropriate publisher and request assistance.
 
MAJOR APPLIANCE CONSUMER ACTION PANEL (MACAP)    1-800-621-0477
 Helps consumers of kitchen and laundry appliances, air conditioners, etc.
 resolve complaints if they have been unable to get satisifaction from the
 manufacturer. Independent mediation panel offers nonbinding decision;
 hotline supplies MACAP address for written inquiries; funded by industry.
 
MEDIC ALERT FOUNDATION                           1-800-344-3226
 Maintains computerized files of individuals' medical records for a fee;
 provides identification bracelet or necklace and wallet card with 24-hour
 phone number to call in emergency to obtain records of medications taken,
 those to avoid, hidden medical conditions, allergies, doctor to contact, etc.
 
MISSING CHILDREN NETWORK HOTLINE                 1-800-235-3535
 Works with television stations and 20 nonprofit missing children
 organizations to brodcast reports and assist parents in locating a child;
 24-hour service sponsored by affiliated television stations.
 
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR SPEECH & HEARING ACTION 1-800-638-TALK
 Information on all communication handicaps, advocacy activity and
 membership services; sends list of clinics, private practitioners, schools,
 hospitals and other sources of help in caller's community.
 
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN 1-800-843-5678
 Clearinghouse for reports of missing children and child exploitation in
 crime rings, prostitution or poronography.
 
NATIONAL CENTER FOR STUTTERING                   1-800-221-2483
 Free information for parents of young children who stutter; treatment
 workshops (for a fee) for older children and adults who stutter, and
 training sessions for therapists on the latest techiniques.
 
NATIONAL CENTER ON INSTITUTIONS & ALTERNATIVES   1-800-368-3162
 Develops alternative sentencing recommendations and parole plans for
 individual clients on a sliding fee basis; plans designed to address
 concerns of the community, clients and victims.
 
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE                     1-800-422-4453
 Child Help USA accepts crisis calls from victims and perpetrators of child
 abuse; referrals to local reporting agencies and counseling facilities;
 24-hour service.
 
NATIONAL COCAINE HOTLINE                         1-800-COC-AINE
 Referrals to hospitals, counseling centers and doctors specializing in
 cocaine treatment.
 
NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY                   1-800-221-4602
 Answers questions and sends information on Down Syndrome; refers callers
 to resources in their communities.
 
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE HOTLINE                 1-800-638-6620
 Information on federally-subsidized flood insurance for residents of
 participating communities.
 
NATIONAL GAY TASK FORCE CRISISLINE               1-800-221-7044
 Victim assistance and incident reporting for acts of anty-gay and
 anti-lesbian violence; offers counseling to gay and lesbian youth, their
 families and friends; referrals to support groups and local AIDS clinics.
 
NATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE        1-800-336-4797
 Information or referrals to other sources to answer health and disease-
 related questions.
 
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION   1-800-424-9393
 Receives reports on auto safety problems; provides information on autos
 recalled and safety complaints received about specific makes and models;
 also has information on child car seats, drunk driving, crash testing, gas
 mileage, odometer readings and other subjects.
 
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE                 1-800-638-2045
 Information and techinical assistance to schools, community and parent
 organizations for developing drug abuse prevention programs; does not accept
 crisis calls or provide medical information.
 
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMANTS REPRESENTATIVES
                                                 1-800-431-2804
 Provides addresses of attorneys in caller's area who specialize in claims
 against the Social Security Administration; most member attorneys work on
 contingency basis.
 
NATIONAL PESTICIDE TELLECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK   1-800-858-7378
 Information on health hazards of pesticides, safety precautions, how to
 obtain laboratory analysis for a fee to determine toxicity levels in soil
 samples, garments, carpets, etc.; 24-hour service connects callers to
 human and animal poison control centers.
 
NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 1-800-424-8802
 Coast Guard receives reports of oil and toxic chemical spills on highways,
 waterways, rail lines, etc.
 
NATIONAL RP FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS        1-800-638-2300
 Information on Retinitis Pigmentosa and other inherited retinal
 degeneration; operates donor program and young adult experience sharing
 program; referrals to low-vision specialists and research centers for
 diagnostic evaluation.
 
NATIONAL RUNAWAY SWITCHBOARD                     1-800-621-4000
 Advisory services to runaways and parents on a 24-hour, confidential, free
 basis; relays messages; helps runaways find shelter (note: line often busy).
 
NEW DAY CENTERS                                  1-800-447-5471
 Referrals to New Day Centers in 8 states for treatment of alcoholism and
 other substance abuse, for a fee (may be covered by insurance); a
 service of Adventist Health System.
 
NUCLEAR TESTING PERSONNEL RESEARCH               1-800-336-3068
 Information on atmospheric weapons testing; collects data from those who
 participated in nuclear weapons tests in Nevada or Marshall Islands from
 1945 to 1962, or who went into the Hiroshima or Nagasaki areas within
 three months of the nuclear bombings.
 
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)  1-202-523-8148
 Refers callers to appropriate local OSHA offices, some of which have toll
 free numbers; those offices investigate employee complaints about work
 related accidents or dangerous working conditions; provide information on
 OSHA standards and answer employee inquiries. Check U.S. government
 telephone listing for your area or call above number.
 
OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL COUNSEL, MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD  1-800-872-9855
 Investigates and prosecutes violations of Cevil Service laws, including
 whistleblower reprisal and unfair promotion preference; receives reports of
 fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement within all federal agencies.
 
OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER LIAISON                      1-800-424-8867
 Information on grants available to nonprofit organizations and state offices
 operating volunteer programs or compiling volunteer manuals and other
 techinical assistance material; explains President's Volunteer Action
 Awards Program and National Volunteer Week.
 
PARENTS ANONYMOUS                                1-800-421-0353
 Self-help program for people who feel they may abuse children. During a
 crisis, hotline connects caller immediately to a professional counselor.
 Children and others concerned about child abuse can also obtain counsel.
 
PETFINDERS                                       1-800-223-4747
 Information on identification service for pets; maintains records of
 animal's medical history and pet owner's phone number for a membership fee;
 provides serialized I.D. tag with Petfinder's number to call if pet is found
 or in an accident, and will notify owner in that event; will arange for
 veterinarian or kennel care if owner cannot be reached.
 
PRIDE ACTION                                     1-800-241-7946
 Information on drug abuse and effects of specific drugs; directs callers to
 private and government sponsored treatment centers; advice on starting a
 youth or parent group and films on drug abuse available.
 
RCRA/SUPERFUND HOTLINE                           1-800-424-9346
 Information and brochures on regulations governing hazardous waste; explains
 details of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Comprehensive
 Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act; referrals to regional
 EPA offices.
 
RECORDING FOR THE BLIND, INC.                    1-800-221-4792
 Provides free cassettes of educational textbooks and consumer publications
 to eligible visually, physically and perceptually handicapped individuals;
 information on volunteer program for helping record tapes.
 
RUNAWAY HOTLINE                                  1-800-231-6946
 Accepts calls from runaways and forwards messages to parents; offers
 confidential, 24-hour message relay service; referrals for medical
 assistance, shelter, aid for those involved with drugs or pregnancy, and
 other couseling services; explains how runaways can get a free bus ride
 home.
 
SECOND OPINION HOTLINE FOR NON-EMERGENCY SURGERY 1-800-638-6833
 Free referrals to specialists to double-check advice before an operation
 (the fee for this second opinion may be covered by insurance). For
 brochure, 'Thinking of Having Surgery?' write to: Surgery, HHS,
 Washington, D.C. 20201
 
SHRINERS HOSPITAL REFERRAL LINE                  1-800-237-5055
 Information on free care available in 22 hospitals for children who need
 orthopedic or burn treatment.
 
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ANSWER DESK        1-800-368-5855
 Advice to business owners and potential owners on starting a business,
 financing it, overcoming problems and contracting with the government.
 
SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICE HOTLINE          1-800-424-5201
 Information about Export-Import programs; facilitates export financing.
 
SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION                         1-800-621-3141
 Information for people with spina bifida, their parents, health
 professionals and others; referrals to local chapters.
 
TELE-CONSUMER HOTLINE                            1-800-332-1124
 Answers questions on long-distance options and service, telephone equipment
 and repairs, ways to cut costs, and where to get help resolving billing
 problems.
 
THE LIVING BANK                                  1-800-528-2971
                             Texas call collect:   713-528-2971
 Information and registry for people to donate their organs, tissues, bones
 or bodies for transplantation or research.
 
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT HOTLINE             1-800-424-9065
 Information on Toxic Substances Control Act, which regulates several toxics
 including PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), CFCs (chlorofluorcarbons),
 asbestos, and dioxin.
 
V.D. HOTLINE                                     1-800-227-8922
 Confidential, anonymous, free consultation, information and clinic referral
 services on all aspects of sexually transmitted diseases (note: line often
 busy).
 
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION                          1-800-555-1212
 Information to veterans and their dependents about benefits, including GI
 loans, education, insurance, disability compensation, medical care, dental
 treatment and employment. Check U.S. government telephone listing for your
 area or call toll free directory assistance for the nearest regional office.
 
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION SUPPLY DEPOT             1-800-323-0238
 Takes requests by patients who have been recently discharged form VA
 hospitals for bed, mattress, and wheelchair on a loan basis.
 
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA                      1-800-424-7275
 Information and referrals for questions about claims and benefits, agent
 orange, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other matters.
 
VOLUNTEER HOTLINES                               1-800-424-8580
 Information about volunteer opportunities in domestic and foreign
 social service.
 
 For Older American Volunteer Programs (Foster Grandparents, Senior
 Companion, and Retired Senior Volunteer Programs) 202-634-9355 ext 239
 
 Peace Corps (How to volunteer)                    202-254-9814 ext 293
 Peace Corps (Job opportunities for ex-volunteers) 202-254-8326 ext 284
 Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)          202-634-9445 ext 289
 
WOMEN'S SPORTS FOUNDATION                        1-800-227-3988
 Answers questions about women's sports and fitness matters, including
 pregnancy and exercise, history of women's sports, where to get involved,
 and internship program; promotes sports opportunities for and participation
 by girls and women.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.iranian