Download Acrobat ReaderDisability-Specific Information
Updated May 17, 2012
The following links may be of interest as you search the world wide web for information on inclusive child care and other related topics. Many of the sites listed below are good starting points for additional links. The descriptions come from the sites themselves and are not offered with any official Map to Inclusive Child Care or WestEd endorsement.*
| Attention Deficit Disorder | ||
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) provides information, resources, and networking opportunities to help adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) lead better lives. Local chapters in California are listed on this website. |
||
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) |
With more than 20,000 members and 200 affiliates nationwide, CHADD is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization serving individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). Through collaborative leadership, advocacy, research, education and support, CHADD provides science-based, evidence-based information about AD/HD to parents, educators, professionals, the media and the general public. Local chapters in California are listed on this website. |
|
Information about learning styles and Multiple Intelligence (MI) is helpful for everyone especially for people with learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder. Knowing your learning style will help to compensate for weaknesses and capitalize on strengths. This page provides an explanation of what learning styles and multiple intelligence are all about, an interactive assessment of your learning style/MI, and practical tips to make your learning style work for you. |
||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
| Autism Spectrum Disorder | ||
The mission of the Autism Society of America is to promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community. Education, advocacy at state and federal levels, active public awareness and the promotion of research form the cornerstones of ASA's efforts to carry forth its mission. Local support groups in California are listed on this website. |
||
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. |
||
How Autism Emerges: Patterns on Onset in the First Years of Life |
A 44-minute video from the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. |
|
Compares the tools that you would use if you had laryngitis with tools that you would use to communicate with a nonverbal child who has autism. Also has links to related videos. |
||
This site, sponsored by the Arizona Office for Americans with Disabilities, provides a description of autism and a summary of recent research. It includes helpful links to other sites that provide resources on specific topics related to autism. |
||
Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (O.A.S.I.S.) |
O.A.S.I.S. is an online organization that provides information and links for families of children who are diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and related disorders, educators who teach children with AS, professionals who work with individuals diagnosed with AS, and individuals with AS who are seeking support. Local support groups in California are listed on this website. |
|
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities |
This website, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, contains a developmental milestones chart for 3 months to 5 years. It allows parents to check off by their child's age the developmental steps and to be alert early for signs of autism. |
|
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is one of 27 components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Federal government's principal biomedical and behavioral research agency. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This website contains extensive information on mental health issues. |
||
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. NIH scientists investigate ways to prevent disease as well as the causes, treatments, and even cures for common and rare diseases. This website contains extensive information on health issues. |
||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. The suite includes: |
||
The power of play comes to a rigorous scientific test. Brain scan shows how play helps autistic children become more social. Dr. Stuart Shankar at York University is conducting tests that provide evidence of the effectiveness of Floor Time Therapy of Stanly Greenspan. |
||
| Blind/Visual Impairments | ||
The American Foundation for the Blind–the organization to which Helen Keller devoted her life–is a national nonprofit whose mission is to ensure that the 10 million Americans who are blind or visually impaired enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other citizens. The American Foundation for the Blind promotes wide–ranging, systemic change by addressing the most critical issues facing the growing blind and visually impaired population–employment, independent living, literacy, and technology. |
||
The American Printing House for the Blind promotes independence of blind and visually impaired persons by providing specialized materials, products, and services needed for education and life. American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is the world's largest nonprofit organization creating educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are visually impaired. |
||
The Braille Institute is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate blindness and severe sight loss as a barrier to a fulfilling life through integrated educational, social and recreational programs and services. The Institute has five regional centers in Southern California and 140 Community Outreach programs. |
||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
| Brain Injury | ||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
| Cerebral Palsy | ||
Tyler is a typical high school student who happens to have cerebral palsy and some other challenges. He has taken on a mission to educate the world about Ability Awareness. He believes that what a person, any person, CAN do is much more important than what he/she can't. The people in Tyler's life who have seen this and practiced Ability Awareness have made all the difference in the world to him. |
||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is a website of the National Institute of Health. This page provides information about cerebral palsy including treatment, prognosis, research, clinical trials, and other organizations. |
||
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, UCP’s mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. United Cerebral Palsy has developed comprehensive One–Stop Resource Guides that are state–based and can be downloaded for free as Microsoft Word® documents or as PDFs. Click here for the California guide. |
||
| Deaf/Hard of Hearing | ||
The California Schools for the Deaf were established regionally in Riverside and Fremont. Each school provides a comprehensive residential and non-residential educational program composed of academic, non-academic and extracurricular activities.
|
||
CENTe-R: Collaborative Early intervention National Training e-Resource |
For professionals serving infants and toddlers who are deaf/hard of hearing. |
|
Impairments in hearing can happen in either frequency or intensity, or both. Hearing loss severity is based on how well a person can hear the frequencies or intensities most often associated with speech. Severity can be described as mild, moderate, severe, or profound. The term “deaf” is sometimes used to describe someone who has an approximately 90 dB or greater hearing loss or who cannot use hearing to process speech and language information, even with the use of hearing aids. The term “hard of hearing” is sometimes used to describe people who have a less severe hearing loss than deafness. |
||
Deaf Video TV is like You-Tube for deaf people. People can upload videos of themselves signing something of importance which others can watch and then post their own video comments. Videos are available from the US and Great Britain. One must register to join the site before videos can be uploaded.
|
||
Educating Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Inclusion. |
Provides full-text access to the ERIC Digest of this name. |
|
The Mission of Intertribal Deaf Council is to provide education, information & referral, and training about American Indians, Alaska Natives and First Nations Indians to tribal councils, family members and other interested parties in order to improve the social, educational, vocational, health and spiritual well-being of this population. |
||
Educational Enhancements for the Field of Deaf Education. |
||
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, Gallaudet University |
This Information on Deafness section of the Clerc Center Web site is organized by topic. Click on a topic below and you will see resources from Info to Go, other Clerc Center products, and Web sites that are not Clerc Center or Gallaudet University sites. |
|
National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders |
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) is one of the Institutes that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is the Federal government's focal point for the support of biomedical research. NIH's mission is to uncover new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone. Simply described, the goal of NIH research is to acquire new knowledge to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. |
|
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
| Down Syndrome | ||
Video featuring members of The Arc of Northern Virginia | ||
Must see! presented by an 8th grade girl who has a younger brother with Down syndrome. This is a very powerful video and she asks some very deep, pointed questions of the young audience. She relates her brother to a Picasso painting. It's very beautiful and moving. | ||
The NDSC works to empower its members and all people with Down syndrome by creating a national climate in which all people will recognize and embrace the value and dignity of people with Down syndrome. The NDSC operates the NDSC Center which serves as a clearinghouse for information on Down syndrome. The Center provides up-to-date information on topics of interest to people with Down syndrome, family members, friends, professionals and interested others. |
||
The mission of NDSS is to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through national leadership in education, research and advocacy. Our activities include:
|
||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
Welcome to the official YouTube Channel for Special Olympics! |
||
| Dwarfism | ||
Little People of America (LPA) is a nonprofit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature and their families. Here you will find resources pertaining to dwarfism and LPA, medical information, instructions on how to join our e-mail discussion groups, and links to other dwarfism-related sites.
|
||
KidsHealth is more than just the facts about health. As part of The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, KidsHealth also provides families with perspective, advice, and comfort about a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral issues that affect children and teens. The website has an easy to understand description of dwarfism, it’s origin, diagnosis and tips for helping a child with dwarfism. |
||
It’s a Whole New View, "A Beginner's Guide for New Parents of a Child with Dwarfism |
An excellent booklet resource that is now available in a PDF version |
|
| Epilepsy | ||
The Epilepsy Foundation is the national voluntary agency solely dedicated to the welfare of the 2.7 million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families. The organization works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services. In addition to programs conducted at the national level, epilepsy clients throughout the United States are served by affiliated Epilepsy Foundation offices in nearly 100 communities. The three affiliates in California are the Epilepsy Foundation – Greater Los Angeles, Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California, and Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego. |
||
USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at Children's Hospital Los Angeles has worked to improve access to care for children/youth with epilepsy in CA as well as AK, NV and WY through two federal grants (Project Access). Through Project Access and in partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California, a variety of tools and resources in multiple languages have been developed to provide educators and caregivers with comprehensive information on epilepsy and access to health services.
|
||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
| General Disabilities | ||
We naturally think of a child's growth as height and weight, but from birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks and acts. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem, even autism. The good news is, the earlier it’s recognized the more you can do to help your child reach her full potential.
|
||
This is a parent-operated website geared to empowering parents of children with special needs. Numerous articles and resources are available. |
||
This site has an extensive list of links to nonprofit organizations and government agencies serving people with disabilities in California. |
||
Easter Seals has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for more than 80 years. From child development centers to physical rehabilitation and job training for people with disabilities, Easter Seals offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life's challenges and achieve personal goals. |
||
This website offers library articles on specific disabilities and general disability topics. It includes a shopping area directing you to vendors selling products for individuals with disabilities. Family Village also connects families with other families through e-mail so they can share experiences and information. Family Village’s website has many resources for disabilities. |
||
This article by Ken Moses, Ph.D., a psychologist who helps people deal with crisis, trauma and loss, focuses on the process of grieving that many parents experience with the diagnosis of special needs. The article first appeared in Ways Magazine, Spring 1987. |
||
The National Father's Network provides resources and support for fathers of children with disabilities. It has wonderful articles by fathers, many of them in Spanish. The organization also produces written and video resources for fathers. The website is an excellent source of links for fathers, disabilities, and families. |
||
NPIN provides information to parents and to those working with parents. It includes articles on early childhood and disability topics. In AskERIC, e-mail questions on child development, child care and parenting are answered. |
||
Parents Helping Parents is a parent organization that has a wealth of information and resources on disabilities. The website includes a library of books and videos that can be borrowed. |
||
Pathways Awareness Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the benefit of early detection and early therapy for children with physical movement differences. It focuses on physical, movement, and motor delays and disabilities. |
||
| Intellectual DisabilityFormerly “Mental Retardation” | ||
The Arc of California is the state affiliate of The Arc of the United States. The Arc of the United States is the national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. It is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for people with mental retardation and their families. The association also fosters research and education regarding the prevention of mental retardation in infants and young children. Local chapters of the Arc of California are listed on this site. |
||
This national organization is for professionals and others interested in the field of mental retardation. AAMR promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities. |
||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
| Learning Disabilities | ||
LD Online is "an interactive guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and children." It is a national educational service of public television station WETA in Washington, D.C. |
||
Information about learning styles and Multiple Intelligence (MI) is helpful for everyone especially for people with learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder. Knowing your learning style will help to compensate for weaknesses and capitalize on strengths. This page provides an explanation of what learning styles and multiple intelligence are all about, an interactive assessment of your learning style/MI, and practical tips to make your learning style work for you. |
||
The Learning Disabilities Association of California is one of the state chapters of the Learning Disabilities Association of America. LCA California is a nonprofit volunteer organization of parents, professionals, and adults with learning disabilities. Its purpose is to promote and support the education and general welfare of children and adults of potentially normal intelligence who manifest learning, perceptual, and/or behavioral handicaps. The website has an extensive links and resources pages. |
||
This website has easy-to-use resources for people seeking authoritative information on learning disabilities (LD). |
||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
Schwab Learning is an operating program of the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, a private, nonprofit foundation that funds programs in learning disabilities and human services. Schwab Learning provides free information, resources, publications and support to parents of children who struggle with learning and to kids themselves through two websites and Outreach and Community Services. Schwab's Learning Outreach and Community Services further supports the needs of kids and families through educational workshops, seminars, presentations, exhibits, and special projects. |
||
| Mental Health(See also Challenging Behavior) | ||
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) |
The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning is a national center focused on strengthening the capacity of Child Care and Head Start to improve the social and emotional outcomes of young children. |
|
Mental Health America (Formerly the National Mental Health Association) |
Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) is the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. With our more than 320 affiliates nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation – everyday and in times of crisis. |
|
The Mental Health Association in California is an affiliate of the National Mental Health Association. The mission of the Mental Health Association is to provide advocacy, education, information and other assistance necessary to ensure that all people who require mental health services are able to receive the mental health and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services. |
||
NAMI California is a grass roots organization of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness. It advocates for lives of quality and respect, without discrimination and stigma, for all our constituents; and provides leadership in advocacy, legislation, policy development, education and support throughout California. It also provides updated information and support to 76 local affiliates and helps organize new affiliates. NAMI has several local affiliates throughout California. |
||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is one of 27 components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Federal government's principal biomedical and behavioral research agency. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This website contains extensive information on mental health issues. |
||
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) |
SAMHSA's "Caring for Every Child's Mental Health" public awareness effort was created in 1994 with the mission to increase awareness around children's mental health. The "Caring for Every Child's Mental Health" team works to support SAMHSA-funded sites through the strategic use of social marketing and communications strategies. The overarching purpose of the team is to stimulate support for a comprehensive system of care approach to children's mental health services. |
|
Tip Sheets: Positive Ways of Intervening with Challenging Behavior |
The tip sheets have been developed to assist teachers and parents in providing the best possible educational opportunities to students with emotional and behavioral disorders. |
|
The United Advocates for Children of California (UACC), a nonprofit advocacy organization, works on behalf of children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families. Its website is designed to provide education, information, and support to caregivers of children and youth with emotional disturbances. In addition to UACC, California has many family partnership programs within local communities that provide advocacy, education and support to families who reside within the local community. |
||
| Pervasive Development Disorder | ||
NICHCY developed this Briefing Paper in response to the growing concern about, and interest in, Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD). This publication is designed to answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding PDD and to provide concerned individuals with other resources for information and support. |
||
| Prader-Willi Syndrome | ||
PWSA (USA) is an organization of families and professionals working together to promote and fund research, provide education, and offer support to enhance the quality of life of those affected by Prader-Willi syndrome. |
||
| Speech & Hearing | ||
California Chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
The purpose of the California Chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association is to support the mission of the National Association by advocating independence through listening and talking. Its membership consists of parents and families of children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, professionals in the field of hearing health care and deaf education, as well as oral deaf adults who are dedicated to keeping the oral option alive in California. The California Chapter holds annual conferences, networks and lobbies to promote the oral option. |
|
The California Speech-Language-Hearing Association is the officially recognized professional association for California speech-language pathologists and audiologists by the national American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). It hosts a toll free consumer helpline to provide information and assistance to those who have communication disorders, as well as to their families and friends. |
||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
| Spina Bifida | ||
NICHCY offers brief, but detailed fact sheets on specific disabilities. Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, and offers tips for parents and teachers. From here you can also get connected to companion resources and disability organizations that can offer more information and assistance. |
||
The Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA) serves adults and children who live with spina bifida. Since 1973, SBAA has been the only national voluntary health agency solely dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with spina bifida and those whose lives are touched by this challenging birth defect. Its tools are education, advocacy, research and service. |
||
* Map to Inclusive Child Care and WestEd do NOT endorse or assume any responsibility for information found on these sites. The following links are provided as a source of information and resources. Please e-mail us information about other sites that will add depth and knowledge to these listings.
[Working Together for Inclusion and Belonging]
751 Rancheros Drive, Suite 2, San Marcos, CA 92069
Phone: (760) 682-0271 | Fax: (760) 471-3862 | Email: [map@wested.org]
Funded by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division