National Resources

Online-site with a wide range of resources and articles on living with a child with special needs.

The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which became law in 1990, in order to support the mission of the ADA to “assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.” The ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination in all aspects of employment, in access to public programs and services such as education and transportation, and in access to public places like businesses, restaurants, stores, hotels, places of entertainment, and other service establishments.

ACL brings together the efforts and achievements of the Administration on Aging, the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and the HHS Office on Disability to serve as the Federal agency responsible for increasing access to community supports, while focusing attention and resources on the unique needs of people with disabilities across the lifespan.

Every day individuals advocate on behalf of themselves or others to communicate needs, share experiences, and take steps to get what they want and need. The online Advocacy ATLAS is a toolkit created by Genetic Alliance, Parent to Parent USA, and Family Voices that provides individuals with special healthcare needs and their families with tools and strategies to advocate for whatever they may need.

American Foundation for the Blind’s (AFB) website for parents of children with visual impairments. On FamilyConnect you'll find videos, personal stories, events, news, and an online community that can offer tips and support from other parents of children who are blind or visually impaired.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. It also mandates the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services. The current text of the ADA includes changes made by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-325), which became effective on January 1, 2009. The ADA was originally enacted in public law format and later rearranged and published in the United States Code.

Autism Navigator is a unique collection of online courses, with interactive web and video footage showing effective evidence-based practices, tools and resources to support families and integrate the most current research in autism to bridge the gap between science and community practice.

Autism Speaks is one of the world's leading autism science and advocacy organizations, 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.

The Beach Center on Disability has information available on cutting edge research and resources for families.

Promotes early developmental and behavioral screening.  By tracking your young child’s developmental milestones, you can know a lot more about how your child is learning and growing.  Regular screenings help raise awareness of your child’s development, making it easier to celebrate milestones and identify possible developmental concerns as early as possible.  With early and regular screening, you can make sure that your child gets the services and support they need to thrive.

The Birth Injury Justice Center is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by birth injuries, brain injuries, cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy or other disabilities. Our organization was created to provide answers and guidance to help families and children get all the assistance they need to help improve their overall quality of life.

A non-profit parent organization providing a comprehensive system of information and referral for parents of children from birth through transition to adult life.

A resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics that provides information for parents, early education and child care professionals and health care professionals about child development.

If you need RESPITE care, Special Needs Caregivers at Care.com helps to connect people seeking Qualified 1-On-1 Care/Respite for a loved one with special needs. They also provide a number of informative articles regarding Hiring a Special Needs Caregiver, Respite Care, and more.

The Center for Inclusive Child Care's mission is to create, promote and support pathways to successful inclusive care for all children. The program is a comprehensive resource network for inclusive early childhood, school age programs, and providers.

Government site for information on Medicare, Medicaid, and Child Health Insurance.

This website has fact sheets on intellectual disabilities. It also has links to resources related to infants and toddlers and another for school age children. It offers tips for parents and educators. It also has links to other organizations that support individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Cerebral Palsy Guide is a national support organization committed to providing informational support for children with CP and their parents and caregivers.  We hope to help families that come to Cerebral Palsy Guide by offering information about this condition, the various treatment methods available and ways to find doctors or legal help.  We are equipped to help families get in contact with local organizations that can provide emotional support, as well as a community of others who understand what they are going through 

Cerebral Palsy Guidance was created to provide answers and assistance to parents of children with cerebral palsy. Our 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.  Our information is meant to complement and not replace any advice or information from a health professional.  We cover cerebral palsy from all angles–from symptoms, causes, and treatment, to daily living information

We provide information, resources, support and unlimited inspiration to all those touched by cerebral palsy, and other neurological conditions.

This website has a special focus on preemies and adoptees with disabilities or special health care needs.

D.A.D.S., is a national organization of fathers of children who happen to have Down syndrome.

This is for families of young children who want to know more about early intervention and preschool special education data. The DaSy Center provides resources to help families understand why data are important. We want to help families ask good questions about data. We want to help families partner with program staff to set directions based on data.

Approximately 60 million Americans live with some form of disability.  With 1 in every 5 people living with a disability, it’s important that Americans remain informed about disability and chronic health problems.  Here you will find downloadable resources and helpful websites on a variety of topics, including health and wellness, community involvement and civil rights. DisabilityCampaign.org informs Americans on disability and chronic health matters, raising awareness and advocacy to foster a culture that embraces people affected by disability.

A comprehensive guide to disability resources on the Internet.

For Families – We have designed this ECTA Center page to help families understand their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), connect with other families, and find high-quality resources related to caring for infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities.

Provides practical advice and emotional support to families of children and adults with disabilities and special health care needs, as well as the physicians, allied health care and educational professionals who are involved in their care and development. Exceptional Parent has a Special Needs Resource Directory.  The Directory ranges from products and services to government programs and scholarships.  There is also a FREE weekly eParent newsletter.

A resource designed to support organizations and programs that work with families of children and youth with disabilities, offering a range of information and services on the subject of assistive technologies.

Family friendly fun ideas and resources to enhance the quality and enjoyment of life for families with disabilities.

Advocacy for health care services that are family-centered, community-based, comprehensive, coordinated and culturally competent for all children and youth with special health care needs.

The Fathers Network provides up-to-date information and resources for fathers of children with disabilities or special needs.

A national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and pediatric professionals about the early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders.

A website to help determine eligibility and locate government aid programs.

The federal government’s central database of health coverage options with information from more than 1,000 public and private insurance plans, from Medicare to the new Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan. Consumers can receive information about options specific to their life situation and local community. Other highlights of the site include extensive information about your rights as a consumer, and how to navigate the health insurance marketplace.

A service of the National Health Information Center.   The information comes from multiple agencies within the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We translate this information into actionable, plain language health content.

National Alliance for Hispanic Health is the premier organization focusing on Hispanic Health

Web site was created to assist youth in actively engaging young people of all abilities.

IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

Provides essential leadership to advance the understanding and practice of family-centered care.

InsureKidsNow.gov provides information about Medicaid and CHIP services for families who need health insurance coverage.

We support the belief that children with disabilities, like all children, have the need to be welcomed, cherished and embraced in our communities.

Created and maintained by the National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health’s website providing trusted health information to the public.  With the world’s largest medical library, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues from the health topic pages, a medical encyclopedia, extensive information on prescription and nonprescription drugs, health news, surgery videos, a medical dictionary and much more.  Includes a Spanish language version of the site, MedlinePlus en español.  MedlinePlus is updated daily. 

The Medicaid Reference Desk is an online resource that provides information and explains Medicaid in basic terms.

MoneyGeek’s Financial and Estate Planning for Children with Disabilities – Parents of children with special needs know that each day brings small and large victories.  Parenting children with special needs also comes with unique challenges, including increased financial responsibilities and more complex planning requirements for the future.  This guide is focused on helping you plan one step at a time, learn what help is available and talk to other parents in your situation. 

This site provides parents of children with disabilities an online resource with critical information that also connects parents to a vital social network of parents of newly diagnosed children ages 0 to 5.

NAPVI is a non-profit organization of, by and for parents committed to providing support to the parents of children who have visual impairments.

The National Center of Medical Home Initiatives for Children with Special Needs provides support to physicians, families, and other medical and non-medical providers who care for children with special needs so that they have access to a medical home.

NORD has a searchable database on rare disorders, foundations, support groups, agencies, and more.

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs

A "Family" of parents, caregivers and others who work with children with physical and/or mental disabilities and delays.

An alliance of Parent to Parent programs whose primary purpose is to help emerging or established programs by providing information on support and best practices, mentoring, and networking.

Parenting Special Needs is a bi-monthly online magazine that tries to help parents navigate the uncharted waters of raising child with special needs by providing helpful ideas, practical tips, sharing life's lessons, tackling the challenges and celebrates the joys of one of life's greatest gifts. . . SUBSCRIBE, It's FREE!

A national leadership training program for parents of young children and adults with developmental disabilities. Site gives information about programs and a list of resources. If you are interested in Nevada Partners in Policymaking training, visit their website at http://www.unr.edu/nced/projects/nced_pip

Brings together subject-matter experts from across the country on all aspects of disability, including the family. It’s a place where you can find lots of free information about person-centered supports for people with developmental disabilities.

The mission is to provide siblings of individuals with disabilities the information, support and tools to advocate with their brothers and sisters and to promote the issues important to them and their entire families.

Special Needs Resource Project (SNRP) provides a basic guide for parents of children with chronic health issues, disabilities and special needs. This site is designed to help you get a jump-start in your search for helpful information and resources. Every situation is unique. Our aim is to help you learn the basic skills you'll need to obtain the specific resource information, equipment, and services your child and family needs. Though focused on children ages 0-22, most of the information we offer is applicable to adults as well.

Federal programs that provide supports to people with disabilities including children.  Learn how to apply for Social Security benefits for children under age 18 with their booklet, "Benefits for Children with Disabilities" and use their Child Disability Starter Kit.

STOMP is the only National Parent Training and Information Center for military families providing support and advice to military parents without regard of the type of medical condition their child has.

Supporting Families of Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities works to develop systems of support for families throughout the lifespan of their family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

An international association leading the way to inclusive communities. People with disabilities, family members, fellow citizens, advocates, and professionals working together to create change and build capacity so that all people, no matter their perceived level of disability, are included in all aspects of society.

The world’s largest community based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Tots ‘n Tech website features information on Assistive Technology for the birth-3 group as well as ideas, research and resources.

Advocacy for children with disabilities. Begin your search for information in the Advocacy Libraries and Law Libraries of Wrightslaw.  In their Yellow Pages for Kids, by state you can find a list of educational consultants, psychologists, diagnosticians, therapists, government programs organizations, parent support groups and others.  For Nevada – https://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/nv.htm

ZERO TO THREE’s Parent Portal provides a variety of resources for parents and caregivers of young children in areas such as: Ages and Stages, Social-Emotional Development, School Readiness and Early Learning, Play, Challenging Behavior, Sleep, and Positive Parenting Approaches. Resources designed to help you tune in to what makes your child tick, and to guide you in thinking about the best way to meet your child’s individual needs.