CHASA Discussion Groups – CHASA has online discussion groups for families in many states and countries. Join us!
National Listings
Most of these have searchable maps.
ILRU Directory of Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils – Private nonprofit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provides an array of independent living services.
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Center for Parent Information and Resources – Focus is on helping families to understand special and general education laws and evidence-based practices and to actively participate in planning and decision-making about supports and services for early intervention, education, and transition to adult life.
National Disability Rights Network – Federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) for people with disabilities.
State Assistive Technology Programs
Administration on Disabilities – Advocacy for individuals with disabilities.
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research – One of the federal government’s disability research organizations.
Family Voices – Family Voices aims to achieve family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities. Through a national network, they provide families tools to make informed decisions, advocate for improved public and private policies, build partnerships among professionals and families, and serve as a trusted resource on health care.
Alabama
Alabama Special Education Services – Provides technical assistance to all education agencies serving Alabama’s children with disabilities as well as gifted children. SES is also responsible for ensuring that education agencies providing services are in compliance with all federal and state laws and regulations and for processing all complaints and requests for due process hearings and mediation regarding special education issues.
Family Voices of Alabama – Aims to achieve family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities.
Arizona
Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs – Arizona Department of Health Services. Works to improve systems of care, provide information and referral to families, who would like assistance in finding the services available to their child; provide training to families and professionals on best practices related to medical home, cultural competence, transition to adulthood and family and youth involvement; and support telemedicine to provide services in remote areas of the state.
Arizona Department of Education Special Education Website
California
California Department of Education – Special Education information.
Chinese Parents Association for the Disabled
Medicaid Waiver Programs – California – Some Medicaid waiver programs are based on the child’s income/assets and not parent income/assets.
San Francisco United School District Community Advisory Committee for Special Education
Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
Florida
Florida Bureau of Exceptional Student Education – State of Florida’s special education program.
Agency for Persons with Disabilities – State agency supporting people with developmental disabilities. Provides employment services, supported living services, and various funding.
Maryland
Physically Challenged Sports & Recreation Program – Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD
Michigan
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition – Organization dedicated to increasing disability pride and furthering the disability rights movement.
Her Power, Her Pride, Her Voice – Annual event for high school girls that uses art to increase self esteem.
Michigan Alliance for Families – Connects families of children with disabilities to resources to help improve their children’s education.
Michigan Victory Games – A competitive sporting competition for athletes with various abilities.
Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
GENERAL SERVICES IN MISSOURI:
Brain Injury Association of Missouri – Advocacy and legal services.
Behavior Intervention Services
Missouri First Steps – Early Intervention Program.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY/CITY, MISSOURI:
Missouri Commission on Human Rights
Paraquad – Center for Independent Living (CIL) that specializes in empowering people with disabilities.
St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources
Missouri Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services – Free legal and advocacy services.
Disability Resources Association
JEFFERSON COUNTY, MISSOURI:
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Developmental Disability Advocates – Advocates who can suggest services that will assist people with developmental disabilities.
OATS Transit – Transportation for people with disabilities within Jefferson County, MO.
ADA National Network – Advocacy and legal services, including training on the ADA.
Missouri Parents Act – Helping families learn advocacy skills.
Nurses for Newborns – Assessments, info/referral, personal care supports, preschool supports.
New Jersey
Children’s Lightening Wheels – Paralympic Sports Club
SPAN – New Jersey chapter of Parent to Parent
New Jersey Planning for Adult Life
Advancing Opportunities – Advocacy services, career development, and assistive technology.
New York
New York Health Department – Children With Special Needs – Program that helps meet medical and non-medical needs of children with disabilities
North Carolina
Transitions: Legal Issues for Parents and Caregivers of Special Needs Children Transitioning to Adulthood – The South Carolina Bar is pleased to announce that it has developed a handbook for parents of special needs children which addresses guardianship and conservatorship issues that arise as these children turn 18 and become legal adults.
Ohio
Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH)
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
Pennsylvania
CHOP Support Groups – These may be limited to CHOP patients and their families.
Camp Cranium – Summer camp for children who have had brain trauma, stroke, brain tumors, or other brain-related conditions.
Texas
Texas Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) – Medicaid Waiver Program. Ask to be placed on waiting list; not based on parent income. This program can begin in childhood and continue into adult years. Contact your county MHMR. Website also has search engine where you can put your zip code and find number to call to apply.
CLASS Program in Texas – Medicaid Waiver Program. Ask to be placed on waiting list; not based on parent income. This program can begin in childhood and continue into adult years.
Texas Medically Dependent Children Program (MDCP) – Medicaid Waiver Program. Ask to be placed on waiting list; not based on parent income. Must be 21 or younger.
HIPP – Texas Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) program. HIPP helps families pay for private health insurance. It is a program for families with at least one person who gets Medicaid.
CLASS Approval of Vehicle Modifications as Adaptive Aids
Department of Health and Human Services – Early Childhood Intervention Services
Texas Assistive Technology Network
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities – Helps people with developmental disabilities achieve their potential for independence, productivity and integration into their communities by working to develop a comprehensive system of service and supports in Texas.
The Arc of Texas – Disability rights organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Disability Rights Texas – Federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency (P&A) for people with disabilities. Their mission is to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society.
Texas Transition Conference – This event is focused on providing evidence-based practices that result in a smooth transition from school to adult life for youth with disabilities.
Virginia
Virginia Resources for Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy or Pediatric Stroke
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
Kindergarten and Elementary Transitions – Virginia
Middle and High School Transitions – Virginia
Virginia Transition Services for Students with Disabilities
Wisconsin
Bully Prevention Program for Wisconsin Schools and Communities
Canada
Canadian Paediatric Stroke Support Association
Calgary Pediatric Stroke Program
UK
HemiHelp – Organization for families of children with hemiplegia run by Contact, a disability support network.
HemiChat – Parent-led UK charity for parents of children living with hemiplegia.
SCOPE – Disability rights organization in England and Wales.
