Resources

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities opens in new window

Provides online access to a wealth of information about mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) opens in new window

An international, multicultural organization of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities opens in new window

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.

Circle of Parents opens in new window

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) opens in new window

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) opens in new window

The 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.

ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) opens in new window

The world's largest digital education library. Provides free access to more than 1.2 million bibliographic records of journal articles and other education-related materials. Some full text articles available.

Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) opens in new window

Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) serving 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.

Guided Tour opens in new window

A travel service for persons with developmental and physical challenges.

Healthfinder.gov opens in new window

Selected online publications, clearinghouses, databases, Web sites, 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.

IDEA- The Legacy of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act opens in new window

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) 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) opens in new window

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) opens in new window

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.

Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) opens in new window

ISBE sets educational policies and guidelines for public and private schools, preschool through grade 12, as well as vocational education. The web site 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.

Institute on Community Integration opens in new window

University Affiliated Program at the University of Minnesota, dedicated to improving community services and social supports for persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) opens in new window

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.

Kidsites opens in new window

A guide to the best kid sites on the web. Includes educational sites and fun activity sites to encourage creativity and learning. Also includes links for parents and teachers.

LD Online opens in new window

LD Online is the world's leading web site on learning disabilities and ADHD, serving more than 200,000 parent, teachers and other professionals each month.

MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network opens in new window

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.

Merck Manual of Medical Information opens in new window

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.

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) opens in new window

NECTAC is a national technical assistance consortium working to support states, jurisdictions, and others to improve services and results for young children with disabilities.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Publications for Children's Mental Health opens in new window

This NIMH web page 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.

Office of Civil Rights opens in new window

U.S. Department of Education web site ensuring equal access to education and promoting educational excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) opens in new window

OSEP is the office within the U.S. Department of Education that administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Parents Helping Parents (PHP) opens in new window

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- Head Start Quality Network opens in new window

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) opens in new window

RESNA promotes research, development, education, advocacy, and the provision of assistive technology.

Rethinking Schools Online opens in new window

Rethinking Schools 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.

Sibling Support Project opens in new window

A national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sister of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns.

Special Olympics International opens in new window

The home page of Special Olympics.

TASH opens in new window

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) opens in new window

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.

U.S. Department of Education opens in new window

The U.S. De opens in new window partment of Education home page has information on federal education programs, research, policies, and educational resources.

 

World Institute on Disability opens in new window

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 opens in new window and YWCA - Young Women's Christian Organization opens in new window

YMCA and YWCA 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 opens in new window

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.

For more information about the Center for Child Welfare and Education, contact:

815-753-5562
ccwe-info@niu.edu
NIU Center for Child Welfare and Education
Monat Building
148 N Third Street,
DeKalb, IL 60115-2828
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