The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities provides online access to a wealth of information about mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities promotes and supports the national network of university centers on disabilities. Includes Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) programs and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers.
The Circle of Parents is a national network of parents and organizations that work to prevent child abuse and neglect, strengthen families, and promote parent leadership through mutual self-help parent support groups and children's programs.
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF) is a national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy, technical assistance, education and training.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the following federal statutes: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title I and Title V of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Section 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991.
The Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) serves the entire state of Illinois outside of the Chicago and suburban Chicago area. Family Matters provides information, referral, linkages, and training to parents, students with disabilities and special education professionals.
The Guided Tour is a travel service for persons with developmental and physical challenges.
Healthfinder.gov contains selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, websites, and support and self-help groups, as well as government agencies agencies and not-for-profit organizations that organizations that produce reliable information for the public.
The IDEA- The Legacy of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) is a state agency providing critical programs such as food stamps, cash assistance, medical insurance programs, TANF, WIC, alcohol and substance abuse, aging, developmental disabilities, mental health, early intervention and child care.
Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) is an organization of regional Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRandR) agencies serving communities throughout Illinois. CCRandR's assist families in locating child care to meet their needs, including maintaining information about child care providers with experience serving children with disabilities.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) sets educational policies and guidelines for public and private schools, preschool through grade 12, as well as vocational education. The website contains policies and information about the responsibilities of schools in Illinois to provide a free appropriate public education to all children in Illinois, including students with disabilities.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a service of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. JAN is an international toll-free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations and the employability of people with disabilities.
LD Online is the world's leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD, serving more than 200,000 parent, teachers and other professionals each month.
MUMS mission is to help parents who have a child with any disorder, medical condition, mental or emotional disorder or rare diagnosis make connections with other parents whose children have the same or similar condition.
The online version of the best-selling medical reference guide. The Merck Manual allows you to do quick searches for information about common medical disorders.
The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) is a national technical assistance consortium working to support states, jurisdictions, and others to improve services and results for young children with disabilities.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Publications for Children's Mental Health has a listing of free publications about the treatment of children with mental health disorders, including the "Treatment of Children with Mental Illness" which has an excellent question and answer format that deals with many of the concerns parents have about mental and emotional disorders.
U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights website ensuring equal access to education and promoting educational excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is the office within the U.S. Department of Education that administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Parents Helping Parents (PHP) is a comprehensive, not-for-profit family resource center for and by parents of children with special needs. PHP is a resource center for children with mental, physical, emotional or learning disabilities.
Q-Net, Great Lakes Head Start Quality Network provides high-quality training and technical assistance services related to all Head Start program areas, including children with disabilities.
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) promotes research, development, education, advocacy, and the provision of assistive technology.
Rethinking Schools Online is a nonprofit, independent publisher of educational materials. They advocate the reform of elementary and secondary education, with a strong emphasis on issues of equity and social justice.
The Sibling Support Project Is a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sister of people who have special health, developmental or mental health concerns.
The website of the Special Olympics.
TASH is an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals concerned with human dignity, civil rights, education, and independence for all individuals with disabilities.
Through the Looking Glass (TLG) is a nationally recognized center that has pioneered research, training, and services for families in which a child, parent or grandparent has a disability or medical issue.
The U.S. Department of Education home page has information on federal education programs, research, policies and educational resources.
The World Institute on Disability is an internationally recognized public policy center organized by and for people with disabilities. It works to strengthen the disability movement through research, training, advocacy and public awareness.
YMCA - Young Men's Christian Association and YWCA - Young Women's Christian Association offer recreational and social opportunities that will include children and youth with disabilities. Most Y's offer financial assistance to include people who cannot afford the full fees for membership and programs. Visit these sites to find a Y program near you.
Zero to Three is the nation's leading resource on the first three years of life. It is a national non-profit charitable organization whose aim is to strengthen and support families, practitioners and communities to promote the healthy development of infants and toddlers.