The following resources are a sampling of websites that offer assistance in the areas of disability, family support, service provision, advocacy, and others.
Administration for Children and Families ensures that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to culturally competent services, supports, and other assistance and opportunities that promotes independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion into the community. www.acf.hhs.gov
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s mission is to ensure that all people with speech, language, and hearing disorders have access to quality services to help them communicate effectively. The website provides information about communication and communication disorders as well as a referral service to access qualified professionals. www.asha.org
Association of University Centers on Disabilities is a network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities. www.aucd.org
The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs to provide information to both parents and providers on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth. The early intervention topic page in the CPIR online resource library houses resources on natural environments, the IFSP, effective practices, parent participation, and transition to preschool. https://www.parentcenterhub.
Child Care Aware of America is a nonprofit organization working with state and local child care resource and referral agencies and dedicated to providing the most up-to-date and useful information to parents seeking child care, child care professionals, members, and child care advocates. https://www.childcareaware.org/
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. www.cec.sped.org
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. is a national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy, technical assistance, and education and training of attorneys, advocates, persons with disabilities, and parents of children with disabilities. www.dredf.org
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center supports the implementation of the early childhood provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Its mission is to strengthen service systems to ensure that children with disabilities (birth through age 5) and their families receive and benefit from high quality, culturally appropriate, and family-centered supports and services. www.ectacenter.org
Easter Seals assists more than one million children and adults with disabilities and their families annually through a nationwide network of more than 450 service sites. Each center provides top-quality, family-focused, and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the particular community it serves. www.easter-seals.org
Family Voices is a national, nonprofit, family-led organization promoting quality health care for all children and youth, particularly those with special health care needs. The organization advocates for the inclusion of a set of basic principles in every health care reform proposal. www.familyvoices.org
National Association for the Education of Young Children exists for the purpose of leading and consolidating the efforts of individuals and groups working to achieve healthy development and constructive education for all young children. www.naeyc.org
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities is a national organization for Developmental Disabilities Councils that advocates and works for change on behalf of people with developmental, as well as other disabilities, and their families. www.nacdd.org
TASH is an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm. www.tash.org
Zero to Three is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the healthy development of babies and young children by supporting and strengthening families, communities, and those who work on their behalf. The organization is dedicated to advancing current knowledge; promoting beneficial policies and practices; communicating research and best practices to a wide variety of audiences; and providing training, technical assistance, and leadership development. www.zerotothree.org