Links
Related Special Education Links
- National Sites
- Disability and Advocacy Sites
- Massachusetts State Agencies
- Professional Organizations
U.S. Department of Education: Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004
http://idea.ed.gov/
Resources related to IDEA and its implementing regulations.
IDEA Partnership
http://www.ideapartnership.org/
Administrators, Policy Makers, Parents, and Service Providers under the direction of the Office of Special Education Programs work together to deliver training, information and a common message about the recent amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
www.cec.sped.org
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.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
http://www.nichcy.org/
NICHCY is the national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals.
American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA)
www.ada.gov/
Information and technical assistance on the American’s with Disabilities Act
Massachusetts Association of Special Education Advisory Committees (MASSPAC)
http://www.masspac.org/
MASSPAC is a statewide network of parents, professionals, school-based councils, professionals and agencies with a shared mission to understand, respect, and support appropriate education for all children with special needs in our respective communities.
Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
http://fcsn.org/index.php
The Federation is a center for parents and parent organizations to work together on behalf of children with special needs and their families.
Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL)
http://ppal.net/default/
PAL is the Statewide Organization of the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. PAL is an organization of families and professionals who advocate on behalf of children with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs and their families. PAL advocates for supports, treatments and policies that enable families to live in their communities in an environment of stability and respect.
ARC of Massachusetts (ARC)
www.arcmass.org
Provides advocacy of supports and services based in the community to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Autism Society of America (ASA)
www.autism-society.org
ASA, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
www.chadd.org
A national non-profit organization working to improve the lives of people affected by AD/HD through education, advocacy and support.
Asperger’s Association of New England (AANE)
www.aane.org
The AANE’s mission is to foster awareness, respect, acceptance, and support for individual with AS and related conditions and their families.
LD Online
www.ldonline.org
LD Online seeks to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate and up-to-date information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
http://www.doe.mass.edu/
News plus information on resources, educational technology and programs.
Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services
www.mass.gov/dmr/
DMR is dedicated to creating, in partnership with other, innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with mental retardation to participate fully and meaningfully in, and contribute to, their communities as valued members. DMR provides assistance in job placement, transportation, housing, or intense levels of treatment, monitoring and care.
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH)
www.mass.gov/dmh/
DMH provides clinical, rehabilitative and supportive services for adults with serious mental illness, and children and adolescents with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance.
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)
www.mass.gov/mrc/
MRC is committed to increasing the independence of disabled citizens of the Commonwealth through services that result in competitive work and/or reduce reliance on benefit programs.
Department of Children and Families
www.mass.gov/dss/
The primary mission of the Department of Social Services is to protect children who have been abused or neglected in a family setting. DSS seeks to insure that each child has a safe, nurturing, permanent home.
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)
www.mass.gov/mcb/
MCB provides services such as vocational rehabilitation, independent living and social services, orientation and mobility training, and rehabilitation teaching, to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
www.mass.gov/mcdhh/
MCDHH serves as the principal agency in the state on behalf of deaf and hard of hearing people.
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/
ECC combines the functions of the Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) and those of the Early Learning Services Division at the Department of Education.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
www.asha.org/public/
Here you will find resources to help you understand communication and communication disorders.
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
http://www.aota.org/Consumers/Tips/Youth.aspx
Occupational therapy resources and “Tips for Living” related to children and youth.
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
www.nasponline.org/families
Promoting educationally and psychologically healthy environments for all children and youth through research, training, and advocacy.