Choose your state or territory.
|
---General
information about our state resources---
|
Public Agencies
One of the best resources for finding help for your
child with a disability
is your local school district (sometimes called
Local Education Agency).
If your child has already begun school and you think your
child needs
special services, we suggest that you begin by discussing
your concerns
with your child's teacher or school principal.
If your child is an infant, we suggest that you refer
to your State Resource
Guide and contact the office listed for Programs for
Children with
Disabilities: Ages birth through 2 years, or programs
for ages 3 through
5 years. Ask for the Child Find Coordinator in your community.
State Education Department
The State Department staff can answer questions about
special
education and related services in your state. Many states
have
special manuals explaining the steps to take.
Check to see if one is available.
State Department officials are responsible for special
education
and related services programs in their state for preschool,
elementary,
and secondary age children. Each state sets eligibility
ages for services
to children and youth with disabilities.
For current information concerning this, please contact
the office
listed under STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:
SPECIAL EDUCATION.
State Developmental Disabilities Council
Assisted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration on Developmental Disabilities, state councils
plan
and advocate for improvement in services for people with
developmental disabilities.
University Affiliated Programs (UAPs)
A national network of programs affiliated with universities
and
teaching hospitals, UAPs provide interdisciplinary training
for
professionals and paraprofessionals and offer programs
and
services for children with disabilities and their families.
Individual UAPs have staff with expertise in a variety
of areas
and can provide information, technical assistance, and
in-service
training to agencies, service providers,
parent groups, and others.
You can obtain information about University Affiliated
Programs, as well as a listing of all UAPs, by contacting:
American Association of University Affiliated Programs
for
Persons with Developmental Disabilities (AAUAP)
8630 Fenton Street
Suite 410
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 588-8252 27.73
Protection and Advocacy Agency and Client Assistance
Program
Protection and Advocacy systems are responsible for
pursuing legal,
administrative, and other remedies to protect the rights
of people who
have developmentally disabilities or mental illness,
regardless of their
age. Protection and Advocacy agencies may provide information
about
health, residential, and social services in your area.
Legal assistance is
also available.
The Client Assistance Program provides assistance to individuals
seeking
and receiving vocational rehabilitation services. These
services, provided
under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, include assisting
in the pursuit of
legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies
to insure the
protection of the rights of individuals with developmental
disabilities.
RESOURCES FOR FINDING EMPLOYMENT
Some agencies/ organizations in your state which may be
helpful in your
search are:
Your state's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
or "VR Department"
is a public agency which assists individuals with disabilities
in obtaining employment. You can find your state Vocational Rehabilitation
agency in
our state search, or in the government pages of your
local phone book.
If your child is still in school and you want
to investigate vocational
education, you may contact your state's Office of Vocational
Education
for Students with Disabilities. This office is within
the Department of
Education and can give you information on current vocational
programs.
Many universities operate a federally funded program call
UAPs or
University Affiliated Programs that provide information
and services
to persons with disabilities and their families. Each
program is different.
If you can't find your area UAP in our search , contact:
American Association of University Affiliated Programs,
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 410 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3803
(301) 588-8252 (Voice)
Developmental Disability Planning Councils can provide
you with details
on existing disability related organizations in your
state.
Available information offered by the DD Council will
vary state-to-state.
