Resources for People with Brain Injury in Alabama
Have you experienced a concussion or brain injury? If so, you know firsthand how significantly it can affect daily life. From managing everyday tasks to maintaining long-term independence, a brain injury can create challenges that impact nearly every aspect of a person’s life.
Brain injuries are generally classified as either traumatic or non-traumatic and include injury caused by an external force to the head or neck such as a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury as well as injury is caused by an internal event inside the brain such as stroke and brain tumors.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result from an external force to the head or neck, such as a blow, jolt, fall, or penetrating injury. Non-traumatic brain injuries occur as a result of internal events affecting the brain, including stroke, brain tumors, lack of oxygen, infections, or other medical conditions.
Because brain injuries can have far-reaching physical, cognitive, emotional, and financial effects, knowing where to turn for support is essential. Fortunately, Alabama offers a variety of resources, including medical care, rehabilitation services, financial assistance programs, educational resources, and support groups, to help individuals and families navigate the recovery journey.
The following guide highlights resources available to people living with brain injury in Alabama. Whether you are a survivor, caregiver, family member, or healthcare professional, we hope this information helps you find the support, services, and guidance needed to maximize recovery and improve quality of life.
Service Organizations for Brain Injury
The Alabama Head Injury Foundation
Phone: 205-823-3818 Email: info@ahif.org
The mission of the AHIF is to improve the quality of life for survivors of traumatic brain injury and their families.
Services Include:
Zoom Support Groups: Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Mindfulness Monday Zoom: Every Monday at 10:00 am aimed at ways of relaxing and reducing stress to start the week.
* If you would like to be added to the Zoom e-mail reminder list, please e-mail your request to info@ahif.org.
AHIF Recreational Camps: Contact our Camp Director Lydia Thorpe at 205-823-3818.
Camp ASCCA Weekend Camp - March 6-8, 2026
Camp ASCCA Week-Long Camp - August 3-7, 2026
Camp McDowell Weekend Camp - October 16-18, 2026
AHIF Counseling: AHIF provides free counseling with Katie Bee Counseling together with several other certified AHIF staff, to clients and caregivers struggling with the often extreme challenges and emotions of living with a TBI.
Caregiver Support Groups: AHIF utilizes "Breakout Rooms" through Zoom to divide caregivers into groups of 3-4 to ensure that all have an opportunity to share and discuss, and not get lost in a large group of participants.
Book Club: AHIF uses the book Hope For The Caregiver, and its content to create discussions with our caregivers.
* If you would like to receive invitations to future caregiver sessions, please e-mail us at caregiver@ahif.org.
Bright Ideas Therapy Camp: Bright Ideas TBI Camp program, uses inter-disciplinary teams of students to assess client and caregiver needs, test interventions, and provide an "at home" action plan to be implemented and follow for months following the camp.
Auburn/Faulkner Bright Ideas TBI Camp - March 31 - April 2, 2026
University of South Alabama Bright Ideas TBI Camp - June 30-July2, 2026
Samford University Bright Ideas TBI Camp - July 7-9, 2026
UAB/Montevallo/Jeff State Bright Ideas TBI Camp - September 22-24, 2026
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Phone: 334-293-7116.
ADRS has a comprehensive array of programs and partnerships. It coordinates with the Alabama Head and Spinal Injury Registry to enhance current services for a higher quality of life.
Services Include:
- Information and referral
- Educational assistance
- Pre-vocational resources
- Employment assistance
- Extended support provision
Lakeshore Foundation
Phone: 205-313-7400
The Lakeshore Foundation is an internationally renowned nonprofit organization based in Birmingham, Alabama, that provides physical activity, sports, and fitness programs for people with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions. Its core initiatives include:
Adapted Sports & Fitness: Operates a fully accessible facility featuring a heated aquatics center, a 200-meter track, fitness centers, and an archery range.
Paralympic Training: Serves as an official U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site, hosting national teams and developing athletes for the Paralympic Games.
Veterans Programs: Offers the Lima Foxtrot program, which provides completely free recreation, sports, and outdoor activities to injured military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Research & Sports Science: Partners with institutions like UAB to advance exercise physiology, biomechanics, and sport psychology for disabled athletes.
Advocacy: Runs campaigns and programs to promote disability equity, inclusion, and policy changes.
Pilot Club of Decatur
Email: decaturpilot71@gmail.com
The Pilot Club of Decatur is a volunteer group that focus their energy toward:
- Community awareness and prevention of brain related disorders
- Supporting those living with those disorders and their caregivers
- Making our community a safer and better place to live
Services Include:
Alabama District TBI Camp: Pilots host up to 25 campers and caregivers at Camp ASCCA (Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults) for a weekend of fun and fellowship.
BrainMinders: BrainMinders is a family of brain-safety educational programs for elementary-aged children designed to help educate children about injury prevention and brain-safe practices.
Project Lifesaver: Project Lifesaver provides police, fire/rescue and other first responders with equipment and training to quickly locate and rescue “at risk” individuals with cognitive disorders who are at risk to wandering including those with Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, and Down syndrome.
Disability Resource Network
Phone: 256-403-0033 Email: drnal256@gmail.com
The Disability Resource Network is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama and provides services to help promote independent living. Services Include:
Information and Referral: Find answers to your questions about living with a disability. Get information about disability rights, resources, groups or programs that may help you, a family member, or a business.
Independent Living Skills: Learn the skills you desire to have to be independent everyday and/or to live on your own. You can pick the areas you want to work, like budgeting, cooking, running your home, communication, transportation, relationships, and even how to speak up for yourself.
Advocacy: Learn how to advocate for yourself and have your voice heard while acting for change that offers equal opportunity for people with disabilities. We can help you contact your government officials, write letters or make phone calls, travel to Montgomery for special events or just figure out how to stand up for your rights in your own life.
Peer Support: Learn problem-solving solutions, share successes and build relationships with other individuals with disabilities who may share your needs or concerns. Learn about new topics, such as healthy living, couponing, and job skills while making new friends and being part of a team.
Transition into the Community: Receive assistance relocating from an institution into your own place. Get help learning about the things you will need to be successful – such as finding housing, setting up utilities, and arranging and getting support from others.
Youth Transition Services: Extra help for youth who are in school or have just finished school. Get help understanding your disability at any age, discovering what is important to you, and how to set goals for yourself.
Support Groups for Brain Injury:
Support groups can provide a sense of community and connection for people with brain injury. It can be a platform to share experiences, seek advice, and find emotional support. It can function as a forum to share resources and stay informed about disability-related topics. And it can help combat isolation, promote self-advocacy, and provide a safe space for encouragement and empowerment. Support groups in the Huntsville/Madison area include:
North AL Brain Injury & Stroke Support - meet at 6:00 on the 2nd Tuesdays in Huntsville
Connections - meet at 2:00 on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays in Harvest
Informational Websites for Brain Injury
Informational websites offer a better understanding of brain injury by providing specific information on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. They frequently offer valuable information on legal rights, assistive technology, and community support services. By offering reliable and up-to-date information, these platforms empower individuals to make informed decisions, gain independence, enhance their quality of life, and connect with supportive communities.
UAB Traumatic Brain Injury Model System
The UAB-TBIMS Information Network is a resource to promote research, health, and quality of life for people with traumatic brain injuries, their families, and TBI-related professionals. Here, you will find educational materials and information on research activities of the UAB-TBIMS along with links to outside (Internet) information. This website only links to information materials originating from educational, organizational, and government entities
AlabamaTBI.org
AlabamaTBI.org is a comprehensive site for service providers, individuals with brain injuries and family members, providing links and resources to the information you are seeking. The site also provides online training on numerous topics such as sports concussion, law enforcement, classroom strategies or customized training can be requested to meet an organization’s needs.
American Brain Injury Association
The American Brain Injury Association website offers information on:
- Brain Injury Facts
- Resources for Living with Brain Injury
- Tips for Families and Caregivers
- Continuing Education and Certification for Professionals
- Connections to Local Support Resources
BrainLine | All About Brain Injury and PTSD
BrainLine is a national multimedia project offering authoritative information and support to anyone whose life has been affected by brain injury or PTSD: people with brain injuries, their family and friends, and the professionals who work with them.
Through video, webcasts, articles, personal stories, research briefs, and current news, can learn more about brain injury symptoms and treatment, rehabilitation, and family issues associated with care and recovery.
Navigating Brain Injury: You're Not Alone
Brain injury can be complex, and the problems associated with it can be subtle. But you don’t have to figure out how to navigate it by yourself. Whether you're looking for specialized treatment, community programs, or legal and financial assistance, connect with people, professionals and groups that can help.