Table of Contents
General Resources
Easter Seals
provides services so children and adults with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play.
Waypoint Adventure
Waypoint’s Mission is to help youth and adults with disabilities discover their purpose, talents and strengths through the transforming power of adventure.
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
www.pyd.org/
empowers young people with disabilities to reach their personal, educational and career goals by providing high quality one-to-one and group mentoring programs.
Disability Resource for Pediatrics
libraryguides.umassmed.edu/content.php?pid=137777
From UMass Medical School’s Lamar Soutter Library – Helps healthcare professionals and caregivers better understand and advocate; be aware of support systems, and be informed of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and school issues.
MA Summer Camps and Camp Fairs
www.spedchildmass.com/camps-special-needs-massachusetts-autism-aspergers/
Summer Fun Camp Directory
from the Federation for Children with Special Needs
18? Section 8!
How to Apply for Section 8 when turning 18 (MA)
Autism
Helping Your Child with Autism Thrive
www.helpguide.org/articles/autism/helping-children-with-autism.htm
Parenting Tips, Treatments, and Services
Communicating with an Autistic Child: A Parent’s Guide
www.wiseoldsayings.com/communicating-with-an-autistic-child-a-parents-guide.php
from WiseOldSayings.com has many useful resources.
MASS General Aspire
www.massgeneral.org/children/aspire/overview.aspx
Programs for high cognitive autism spectrum disorder
Autism Speaks
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Directory of Services and Supports
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Individualized Educational Program (IEP) Guide
Education through High School
MA Department of Special Education
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Special Education
policy, guidelines and resources for administrators, teachers and parents.
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Special Education Advocacy
www.doe.mass.edu/sped/links/advocacy.html
links to a variety of advocacy and disability rights organizations.
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Office of Digital Learning
Parent and Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/504-resource-guide-201612.pdf
from U.S. Dept. of Education
Federal guidance
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-faqs-effective-communication-201411.pdf
about the rights of public elementary and secondary students with hearing, vision or speech disabilities to effective communication.
ADA National Network
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Postsecondary Institutions and Students with Disabilities
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Exams and Courses
National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials
IEP FAQs
www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.disputes.popup.htm
by Wrightslaw.com.
Transition – from High School to College or Work
Turning 22 Independent Living Program
www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/07/rf/t22-il-4-13.pdf
MA Rehabilitation Commission
Center on Technology and Disability
Transition Tool Kit
www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/transition-tool-kit
by Autism Speaks! – This guide assists families on the journey from adolescence to adulthood.
Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology
defines the steps needed for a successful transition.
EPIC
Empowering People for Inclusive Communities (EPIC) prepares young people with disabilities to be actively engaged community leaders through education, leadership development and community service.
Practical Guide for People with Disabilities Who Want to Go To College
www.tucollaborative.org/sdm_downloads/going-to-college-with-a-disability/
Autism NOW Transition Planning
autismnow.org/in-the-classroom/transition-planning-for-students/
Transition to College
AAPD
aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Higher-Education-%E2%80%93-Getting-There.pdf
Applying, Visiting Colleges, and Choosing a College
Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Program
www.mass.edu/strategic/read_maicei.asp
LD Online
website about learning disabilities and adhd
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List of Questions about AT Resources
www.ldonline.org/article/Questions_to_Ask_Colleges_About_Assistive_Technology_Resources
to ask colleges before making a final decision on where to attend.
Prepare Students for College
www.washington.edu/doit/preparing-college-online-tutorial
from the University of Washington. The resources include deciding what to study, where and how to apply, and how to fund an education, among many other helpful topics.
We Connect Now
is dedicated to uniting people interested in rights and issues affecting people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on college students and access to higher education and employment issues.
Think College
has lots of information on college options for people with intellectual disabilities.
Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html
includes details about the obligations of a post-secondary school to provide academic adjustments, including auxiliary aids and services, to ensure the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability. by The Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Education
College Resources for Students with Disabilities
www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/resources-for-students-with-disabilities/
from Affordable Colleges Online
Scholarships and Grants for Students with Disabilities
www.moneygeek.com/education/college/resources/scholarship-guide-for-students-with-disabilities/
2018 Best Online Schools for Students with Disabilities
www.guidetoonlineschools.com/online-schools/students-with-disabilities
From Guide to Online Schools
Transition to Work
School Days to Pay Days – An Employment Planning Guide for Families of Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
www.communityinclusion.org/schooldays/
by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston
For Parents
Family Connect
for parents of children with visual impairments.
Rocking the Cradle – Ensuring the Rights of Parents with Disabilities and Their Children
www.ncd.gov/publications/2012/Sep272012
A Toolkit for Parents with Disabilities from the National Council on Disability
Family Ties of Massachusetts
parent-to-parent support, information and referral services, and workshops in caring for children with special needs.
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Resource Directory
www.massfamilyties.org/information-resources/
is downloadable (and large).
Federation for Children with Special Needs
parents and parent organizations work together for children with special needs and families. Organized in 1975 as a coalition of parent groups representing children with a variety of disabilities, the Federation offers workshops and training, advocacy and resources to parents of children with special needs and the professionals who serve them.
Parent / Professional Advocacy League
(PPAL) is a MA organization that promotes a strong voice for families of children and adolescents with mental health needs. PPAL advocates for supports, treatment and policies that enable families to live in their communities.
The Parents’ How-to Guide to Children’s Mental Health Services in Massachusetts
www.bostonbar.org/docs/default-document-library/bbaguide_2011update_2.pdf
is by the Boston Bar Association with support from Children’s Hospital to help parents in Massachusetts find the child mental health services and resources their children need.
- Advocacy
- Animals
- Assistive Technology
- Comprehensive Databases and Websites
- Emergencies
- Employment
- Food
- Health
- Housing
- Independent Living Centers
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Legal
- Mental Health
- PCA and Homemaking
- Seniors
- Sports, Life and Leisure
- State of Massachusetts
- Transportation
- Travel
- U. S. Government
- Utilities, Phones, Furniture and More
- Veterans
- Youth