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Librarian's Picks: Children with Special Needs.

'Quick picks' from librarians at the National Rehabilitation Information Center.

More than 5 million children and adolescents with disabilities participate in special education programs each year. Two-thirds of those children have either developmental disabilities or emotional/behavioral problems or both. Where can parents turn for information, support, and assistance? The federal government provides a variety of community-based services for children with special needs. Programs vary by state. Contact your state's health agency for information on the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Contact your state's education department for information on early intervention and special education programs. If you cannot locate these numbers, please call NARIC for assistance. Use this guide to find an organization or agency which can help you and your child to succeed.

For more resources, visit our Ready Reference page for Resources for Families or search the Knowledgebase. You may also download the brochure in PDF format at the bottom of this page. Disponible en español.

Statistics from H. S. Kaye (1997), Disability Statistics Abstract 19: Education of Children with Disabilities. Disability Statistics Center, University of California, San Francisco.

INFORMATION SOURCES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

Assistive Technology

Your state's Assistive Technology Project
Each state and territory has an assistive technology technical assistance project which is funded by the US Department of Education to assist citizens in accessing assistive technology products and services. They will also have information about alternative financing for AT. Find your state’s project at www.naric.com/public/topic.cfm?id=25 or call NARIC at 800/346-2742.

Alliance for Technology Access/National Office
1304 Southpoint Boulevard, Suite 240
Petaluma, CA 94954
Phone: 707/778-3011
TTY: 707/778-3015
Fax: 707/765-2080
Email: atainfo@ataccess.org
www.ataccess.org
A nationwide network of community-based centers. Provides information and support services to children with disabilities, relative to the use of computer and assistive technology. Call the national office for information on a center in your area. Web site contains information on centers, newsletters and links.

Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers
8161 Normandale Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55437-1044
Phone: 888/248-0822
TTY: 952/838-0199
Fax: 952/838-0199
Email: alliance@taalliance.org
taalliance.org
Administers the Parent Training and Information (PTI) programs which assist parents of children with disabilities. Parents can obtain information about services, resources, educational planning, and more. Call for the location of the PTI program in your state. Web site includes program information and articles concerning legislative issues.

Also operates the Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights. Whether you suspect your toddler needs special assistance or your teenager needs support in preparing for the workplace, PACER can identify the resources and services available to help your family learn and grow. PACER's programs address special needs for all stages of childhood and all disabilities.
Phone: 888/248-0822; 952/838-9000
TTY: 952/838-0190
Email: pacer@pacer.org
www.pacer.org

Family Center on Technology and Disability
Academy for Educational Development (AED)
1825 Connecticut Avenue, NW
7th Floor
Washington, DC 20009-5721
Phone: 202/884-8068
Fax: 202/884-8441
Email: fctd@aed.org
www.fctd.info
The Center serves organizations and programs that work with families of children and youth with disabilities. Offers a range of information and services on the subject of assistive technology (AT) for organizations, parents, educators, and those interested in education to children with disabilities. Website includes AT reviews, a resource library, member network, and an online discussion forum.

Education

Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
107 Commerce Center Drive
Huntersville, NC 28078
Phone: 704/947-7779
Fax: 704/948-7779
www.ahead.org
AHEAD is an international, professional membership organization for people involved in providing services to college students with disabilities. They publish a journal of higher education and disability. Their website includes excellent information for students with disabilities and their parents.

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
2212 Sixth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone: 510/644-2555 (V/TTY)
Fax: 510/841-8645
Email: dredf@dredf.org
www.dredf.org
Dedicated to furthering the civil rights of persons with disabilities. Helps parents secure educational and related services as laws dictate. Provides advocacy training to individuals or groups. Answers legal questions. Web site includes mission statement and ADA related information.

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)
Campus Box 8040, UNC-CH
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8040
Phone: 919/962-2001
TTY: 919/843-3269
Fax: 919/966-7463
E-mail: nectac@unc.edu
www.nectac.org
Provides technical assistance and support to states and territories for early childhood implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Offers publications, topic-specific resources, and links to state-level special education programs.

Information and Support

Parent to Parent Programs
Parent to Parent programs bring parents of children with disabilities together for support, advocacy, and information sharing. They work to affect policy change nationally and in their communities. A list of state programs is available at www.p2pusa.org

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Inquiries/MASA
Mailstop E11, 1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 800/311-3435; 770/488-7080
Fax: 770/488-7075
Email: bddi@cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd
Seeks to promote optimal fetal, infant, and child development; prevent birth defects and childhood developmental disabilties; enhance the quality of life and prevent secondary conditions among children, adolescents, and adults living with disabilities. Offers publications, conferences, statistical reports, and several coordinated campaigns disability and health.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013
Phone: 800/695-0285 (V/TTY)
Fax: 202/884-8441
Email: nichcy@aed.org
http://www.nichcy.org
Maintains an extensive database of information on services, options, and issues pertinent to children with disabilities. Offers consultation and answers relevant questions. Provides fact sheets and other written information. Web site includes a publications list and Internet links.

Through the Looking Glass/National Resource Center for Parents with Disabilities
2198 Sixth Street, Suite 100
Berkeley, CA 94710-2204
Phone: 800/644-2666
TTY: 800/804-1616(in state only)
Fax: 510/848-4445
Email: tlg@lookingglass.org
www.lookingglass.org
Produces and provides materials regarding parenting with a disability. Consolidates and disseminates information from other organizations. Provides training services to parents and service providers. Web site includes program description, a list of available reports and related links .

National Easter Seal Society
230 West Monroe Street, Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 800/221-6827
TTY: 312/726-4258
Fax: 312/726-1494
www.easter-seals.org
Provides multiple services for children, including physical therapy and speech therapy. Also offers assistive technology related services. There are over 400 affiliates nationwide. Contact the national office for details on services available in your area. Web site lists services by city and state.

Exceptional Parent
65 East Route 4, Suite 7
River Edge, NJ 07661
Phone: 201/489-4111
Fax: 201/489-0074
www.exceptionalparent.com
Magazine and webpage for parents of children with disabilities. Publishes an annual resource guide which includes companies, organizations, and state and federal agencies. Website lets parents share information on conditions and experiences. Call 877-372-7368 for subscription info.

For more online information:

Attach a File: 
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by Dr. Radut.