Education

This page lists by topic area a collection of organizations, journals, and online resources that provide information about treatment, support, or services for people with disabilities, as well as their families and professionals who support them.

On this page:

• Resources related to Special Education.
• Resources related to Higher Education.
• Financial Aid.
• Other Educational Resources.

Special Education

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website brings together information and resources from the U.S. Department of Education and their grantees.
  • Learn more about and/or locate a Department of Education Training and Advisory Services Equity Assistance Center (EAC).
  • For questions regarding IDEA, please contact the Office of Special Education Programs customer service representative from the state list.
     
• Council for Exceptional Children.
  The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC offers a variety of tools and educational resources related to children and youth with disabilities and/or gifted education.
  Toll Free: (888) 232-7733 (V), (866) 915-5000 (TTY).
   
• Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center.
  The Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) provides technical assistance and support to states and territories for early childhood implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Offers publications, research and reference materials, topic-specific resources, and links to state-level special education programs for families and advocates of young children with special needs to help understand their rights under IDEA. The "For Families" webpage helps families to connect with other families and find resources related to caring for infants and toddlers.
  Phone: (919) 962-2001.
  Email: ectacenter@unc.edu.
   
• Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC).
  The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database is the world's largest source of education information. The database contains more than one million abstracts of education-related documents and journal articles. ERIC also provides videos, infographics, and recorded webinars to help researchers, students, educators and others learn about ERIC and use the tools available on the website.
  Phone: (800) 538-3742.
   
• National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC).
  The National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) was established in 1971 as a nonprofit association with the vision of supporting access to appropriate special education programs as vital components of the continuum. NAPSEC currently represents over 200 programs nationally and over 400 at the state level through the Council of Affiliated State Associations (CASA). NAPSEC members include private early intervention providers, schools, residential therapeutic centers, and adult day and living programs.
  Phone: (202) 434-8225.
  Email: napsec@napsec.org.
   
• National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE).
  The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) is a services-focused organization which helps state agencies promote and support specially designed instruction and related services for children and youth with disabilities.
  Phone: (703) 519-3800.
   
• Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER).
  The mission of Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents. Through more than 30 projects, PACER provides individual assistance, workshops, publications, and other resources to help families make decisions about education and other services for their child or young adult with disabilities.
  Toll Free: (800) 838-9000.
  Phone: (952) 537-2237.
   
• U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS).
  The U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and its programs are committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS supports programs that serve millions of children, youth, and adults with disabilities.

Higher Education

• Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).
  Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) is a professional membership organization for people involved in providing services to persons with disabilities in all areas of higher education. They produce a wide variety of publications that address disability challenges and solutions in higher education and beyond and publish the Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability. Their website includes information for students with disabilities and their parents.
  Phone: (704) 947-7779.
   
• Best Colleges.
  Best Colleges provides resources for students of all backgrounds in locating degree programs, bootcamps, courses, and certificates to improve life trajectory through education. The website includes college rankings, student resources, colleges by state, and career resources.
  • College Guide for Students with Disabilities.
     
• Think College.
  Think College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving research and practice in higher education for people with intellectual disability. The website includes a searchable college directory, a resource library that includes published research as well as field-created tools and resources, and a state-by-state listing of programs.
  Phone: (617) 287-4300.
  Email: thinkcollege@umb.edu.

Financial Aid

• The SmartStudentTM Guide to Financial Aid Online (FinAid).
  Information on financial aid for college and tips on how to help ease the burden of college expenses.
   
• U.S. Department of Education – Federal Student Aid.
  Helps students access and maintain their financial aid.
  Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC): (800) 433-3243.
  TTY users (for the hearing-impaired) can call: (800) 730-8913.
  Callers in locations without access to dial 800 numbers may call – (334) 523-2699 (this is not a toll free number).
   
• Direct Loan Borrowers.
  Questions about loan, Address/name changes, Repayment estimates, Repayment plan changes, & Deferment and forbearance forms.
  Toll Free: (800) 848-0979, (800) 848-0983 (TTD), (315) 738-6634.
   
• Defaulted Loans, Loan Consolidation, and Loan Forgiveness.
  Assists borrowers whose loans are in default.
  If you don’t know who your loan servicer is, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243.

Other Educational Resources

• American Council on Education (ACE).
  ​​​​The American Council on Education (ACE) is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practice. ACE serves as the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities; and maintains a membership of over 1,700 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad. Additionally, ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of US accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities public and private​.
  Phone: (202) 939-9300.
   
• GED® Testing Service.
  The GED® Testing Service provides resources related to preparing for, requesting accommodations, and scheduling taking the General Educational Development (GED®) examination.
  Toll Free: (877) 392-6433, available Monday-Friday from 8 am to 8 pm ET.
  Email for scheduling & general questions.
  Email for questions regarding testing accommodations.
  • Locate a regional GED testing center.
  • Look up your state's GED testing policies.
  • Learn more about about testing accommodations for anyone with disabilities.
     
• National Library of Education (NLE).
  The National Library of Education (NLE) is the federal government's main resource center for education information for the public, education community, and other government agencies.
  Reference Desk Phone: (202) 205-5015.
  Federal Relay Service Phone: (800) 877-8339.
   
• Peterson’s Guides and Resources.
  General college, graduate school, career, high school, and military test preparation guides.
  Toll Free: (877) 433-8277, available 7 days a week from 8:30 am until 9 pm ET.
   
• U.S. Department of Education (ED).
  The U.S. Department of Education (ED) promotes student achievement, preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
  Toll Free: (800) 872-5327.
   
• What Works Clearing House.
  The What Works Clearing House (WWC) was established by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and the U.S. Department of Education to provide educators, policymakers, researchers, and the public with a central and trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education. The WWC aims to promote informed education decision making through a set of easily accessible databases and user-friendly reports that provide education consumers with ongoing, high-quality reviews of the effectiveness of replicable educational interventions (programs, products, practices, and policies) that are intended to improve student achievement.
  Contact the WWC help desk.