National and State Disability Groups

State Agencies Addressing Disability-Related Concerns

• The state disability world---as NICHCY knows it.
  www.nichcy.org/states.htm
  
  Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa...NICHCY offers a state resource sheet for each state and U.S. territory. Use your state's resource sheet to connect with state agencies serving children and youth with disabilities, state chapters of disability organizations and parent groups, your governor and senators, your state's parent training and information (PTI) project(s)...and more. These, in turn, can connect you with the groups in or near your community.
• Do you have an infant or toddler with special needs? Get in touch with the early intervention system in your state.
  www.nectac.org/search/confinder.asp
  Courtesy of the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center.
  Your early intervention contacts include the Part C coordinators, the Section 619 coordinators (that's pre-school), and the ICC (Interagency Coordinating Council) contacts for the state. If you'd like to know the OSEP-funded early childhood projects in your state, visit the Projects Finder, at: www.nectac.org/search/projfinder.asp
• Health care insurance for uninsured children.
  www.insurekidsnow.gov/index.htm
  Did you know that each state has a health insurance program for children? Children who don't have health insurance right now are very often eligible for state medical coverage. The insurance is available to children in working families, including families that include individuals with a variety of immigration status. To find out what your state's policies are, what's covered, and how to apply, call 1.877.543.7669 or find your state at: www.insurekidsnow.gov/states.htm
• State resources for youth with special health care needs.
  www.hrtw.org/index.html
  The Healthy and Ready to Work (HRTW) project provides information and connections to health and transition expertise nationwide for youth with special health care needs. Use the "site search" on the home page to find a wealth of information, including what resources are available in your state. Find out about innovate programs in your state at: www.hrtw.org/systems/prgstate.html
• Need a place to stay while your child is in the hospital?
  www.nahhh.org/members/search.php
  Visit the Website of the National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses, which can help patients and their families find lodging and other supportive services when confronted with medical emergencies.
• Having trouble with reading? Find a literacy program in your community.
  www.nifl.gov/nifl/index.html
  NIFL is the National Institute for Literacy, and its site overflows with resources. NIFL maintains a database of literacy programs that you can search to find one in your neck of the woods.
• Looking for a private special education facility?
  www.napsec.org/network.html
  The National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) can help you! Use their Networking Directory to identify a center with the services you need.
• And young people with disabilities? Where to turn for transition help in your state.
  www.ncset.org/stateresources/default.asp
  Visit NCSET (National Center on Secondary Education and Transition) to find contact information for the following education-related offices for all states and territories in the United States: state transition coordinator, RRC office contact, state director of special education, monitoring and state improvement planning Part B contacts, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) transition contact, and state director of vocational rehabilitation.
• Is there a community-based transition program for your young adult?
  www.transitioncoalition.org/
  Courtesy of the Transition Coalition at the University of Kansas.
  The 18-21 Programs: Community-Based Special Education Programs database contains descriptions of over 100 community-based transition programs throughout the United States. From the Web page, select "18-21 Programs."
• Don't forget about vocational rehabilitation services.
  www.jan.wvu.edu/SBSES/VOCREHAB.htm
  By contacting your local vocational rehabilitation office, you can tap into a wealth of resources related to employment options for people with disabilities. VR is a state-supported division of services designed to assist individuals with disabilities who are pursuing meaningful careers.
• And then there's independent living.
  www.ncil.org
  The link above will take you to the National Council on Independent Living, which maintains a national directory of independent living centers.