General
Acces-VR – http://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr
Acces-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation) is part of the NY State Education Department. Acces-VR is a NYS agency that administers as well as provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation is a professional field and a publicly-funded program that will assist individuals with disabilities to obtain employment.
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities – http://www.aamr.org
AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Arc of The U.S.- www.thearc.org
The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We encompass all ages and more than 100 different diagnoses including autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and various other developmental disabilities.
The Arc New York – www.thearcny.org
The Arc New York’s mission is to advocate and provide support and services to people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities, emphasizing choice and community engagement.
American Association of People with Disabilities – www. aapd.com
The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation’s largest disability rights organization. We promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Our members, including people with disabilities and our family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change.
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities – www.c-c-d.org
This is a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society.
Disability Scoop
The Premier Source for Developmental Disability News
Empire State Games – www.empirestategames.org
This website provides information on Empire State Games, a series of sports events for athletes with disabilities. The program is sponsored by New York State and is free of charge for athletes and spectators. Individuals of all ages are invited to participate in activities such as track and field, archery, and swimming on either the competitive or non-competitive level.
IDEA – https://sites.ed.gov/idea/
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. 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.
In New York State, we have the Part 200 Regulations, which further defines how students receive special education and related services in school. Under IDEA, a student with a disability is mandated to have a TRANSITION PLAN which defines their post secondary goals and the skills they will require for successful transition.
Medicare Rights Center (MRC) – www.medicarerights.org
The Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is the largest independent source of healthcare information and assistance in the United States for elder adults and people with disabilities on Medicare. MRC offers educational, advocacy and referral services, as well as a free monthly newsletter and telephone hotline.
The Miracle League of Westchester County – www.mlwny.org
Their mission is to establish and sustain baseball programs for people (of all ages) with disabilities. The Miracle League of Westchester is open to all residents of Westchester County (ambulatory and non-ambulatory) with disabilities who would enjoy the non-competitive structure of the league.
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) – www.ncpad.org
NCPAD provides information and resources that enable people with disabilities to become as physically active as they choose to be. This website offers links to popular activities, games, recreational opportunities and sports adapted for individuals with disabilities. It also provides public forums, references, contacts and other useful information.
New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies (NYSACRA) – www.nysacra.org
NYSACRA is a statewide not-for-profit association that provides advocacy, education, information, technical assistance, public policy analysis, and networking experiences to agencies that offer community living opportunities and supports to people with disabilities and their families.
New York State Division of Human Rights – www.dhr.state.ny
The New York State Division of Human Rights oversees the law that ensures that every individual has an equal opportunity to participate fully in the economic, cultural and intellectual life of the State.
New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) www.opwdd.ny.gov
OPWDD coordinates and provides services for people with developmental disabilities and their families and conducts research into the causes and prevention of developmental disabilities.
Social Security Administration – www.ssa.gov
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) & Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) information from U.S. Social Security Administration.
Special Olympics International – www.specialolympics.org
Special Olympics is an international program of year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than one million children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Westchester County Office for the Disabled – www.disabled.westchestergov.com
The office provides services to people with disabilities, their families and caregivers a convenient and accessible means of finding services throughout Westchester County.
Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) – www.wihd.org
Services and information for children, families and adults with developmental disabilities in Westchester County. WIHD is one of 60 university hospital centers that addresses the needs of individuals through professional education, technical assistance and research.
SPROUT – gosprout.org
Innovative programs for people with developmental disabilities, including an Annual Film Festival in New York City.
Autism and Asperger
Autism Society of America – www.autism-society.org
The Autism Society of America promotes lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families, through advocacy, public awareness, education research.
Autism Speaks – www.autismspeaks.org
Autism Speaks is an organization dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.
CARD – Center for Autism and Related Disorders- www.centerforautism.com
One of the world’s largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism and related disorders.
Foundation for Empowering Citizens with Autism (FECA) www.fecainc.org
FECA is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for appropriate educational, vocational, employment, community outreach and integration, treatment, and other related programs and services on behalf of individuals on the autism spectrum.
NEXT for Autism www.nextforautism.org
is a non-profit organization that transforms the national landscape of services for people with autism by strategically designing, launching, and supporting innovative programs.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Guidance
Created to provide answers and assistance to parents of children with cerebral palsy. Their goal is to reach as many members of the cerebral palsy community as possible, building up a network of support, as well as providing necessary assistance. They cerebral palsy from all angles–from symptoms, causes, and treatment, to daily living information, such as communication and transitioning to adulthood articles.
United Cerebral Palsy
Is an international organization consisting of a network of affiliates. UCP is a leading service provider and advocate for adults and children with disabilities. As one of the largest health nonprofits in the United States, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.
Cerebral Palsy Guide
An national support organization dedicated to educating individuals and families about cerebral palsy. While raising awareness about this movement disorder, our team is also committed to providing informational support for children with CP and their parents and caregivers.
Down Syndrome
National Down Syndrome Congress – www.ndsccenter.org
A national organization for parents and professionals. Annual $25 membership includes Down Syndrome News, published throughout the year. Annual conference for families.
The National Down Syndrome Society – www.ndss.org
Through education, research and advocacy, the National Down Syndrome Society works to ensure that all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.
Education
College Resources for Students with Disabilities – www.affordablecollegesonline.org
Support, Advocacy and Assistive Technology to Facilitate the Transition to Higher Education
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities – www. affordablecollegesonline.org
Discover scholarships, both narrowly- and broadly-focused, that can help students with disabilities pay for their educations, as well as additional resources for obtaining funding.
