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Helpful Links and Other Disability Resources

Links related to developmental disability resources
Name Emphasis Description
Accredited Online Colleges and Disability Education Education – Higher Education Information about on-line colleges  and accommodations for people with disabilities
Administration on Developmental Disabilities Federal Resource The Administration on Developmental Disabilities(ADD) funds state councils in developmental disabilities to engage in advocacy, capacity building and systemic change activities on behalf of people with disabilities.
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Disability Resource On-line resource to access about intellectual and other disabilities.
Air Travel Service Problems Security To file a complaint or to addresses concerns about airport security for passengers with disabilities.
American Red Cross Emergency Services This organization fosters emergency preparedness.
ARC Massachusetts Community Supports ARC is an advocacy group founded by parents in 1954, representing 80,000 people with specific developmental disabilities and working cooperatively with state and private affiliates to provide services and support.
Architectural Access Board State Resource; Accountability Regulatory agency within Executive Office of Public Safety developed to enforce regulations designed to make public buildings accessible and functional for safe use for persons with disabilities
Assisting People With Disabilities In a Disaster Federal Resource An organization whose mission it is to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters.
Assistive Technology Exchange Disability Resource Site to facilitate transactions between residents looking for assistive technology devices and those who have assistive technology devices that are no longer needed.
Association of Developmental Disability Providers Disability Resource Providing services and supports to individuals with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, other developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries.
Autism Adulthood  website  Autism

Website developed by Gopen Fellow Gyasi Burks-Abbott to provide resources for Autistic adults in Massachusetts 
Cerebral Palsy Guide Disability Resource; CP Helping children with Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Guidance Disability Resource; CP Information for Parents of a child with Cerebral Palsy.  This website's mission is to provide quality cerebral palsy information and assistance to families in need.
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program State Resource, Quality Assurance Prevention,screening,diagnosis and treatment of lead poisoning with the intent to eliminate sources of poisoning through research
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education State Resource; Special Education State Agency working with other Massachusetts school districts and other organizations to promote educational programs and services.
Department of Housing and Community Development State Resource; Housing State agency concerned with local issues and the community development of our cities and towns in Massachusetts
Department of Mental Health State Resource; Rehabilitative Services This department sets the standards for the operation of mental health facilities and community residential programs, provides clinical rehabilitative amd supportive services for adults with serious mental illness and children and adolescents with serious mental illness and children and adolescents with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbances.
Department of Developmental Services State Resource; Rehabilitative Services Offers a wide array of services to more than 29,786 individuals, who may require assistance in job placement, transportation, residential services, treatment; monitoring and care through state-operated programs and contracts with more than 265 private providers.
Department of Public Health State Resource; Health Promotes healthy people, healthy families, healthy environments through compassionate care, education and prevention.
Department of Social Services State Resource; Child Care Dedicated to permanency planning for the well-being of children who have been abused or neglected in a family setting. Family-based services; temporary out-of home care or alternate permanent situation, such as adoption, guardianship or independent living.
Department of Transitional Assistance State Resource; Education; Public Assistance Formerly known as the Department of Public Welfare. This is an agency responsible for administering public assistance programs for needy citizens of the Commonwealth.
Department of Workforce Development Employment Invests in Massachusetts business and employees through training and ensuring that MA. employers and workers are linked through a state network. Also provides economic data about Bay State to insure its future and provides between job assistance.
Developmental Screening Toolkit for Primary Care Providers Disability Resource This site is for primary care providers considering or planning to start screening children for developmental needs using a validated tool. Whether you know you should change but don't know where to start, or are still thinking about how this change could work in your setting, this website will help.
Disability Law Center Legal The Disability Law Center is a private, non-profit public interest law firm providing free Legal assistance and information to people with disabilities throughout Massachusetts.
disAbility.gov Disability Resource General Information about Developmental Disabilities provided by the Federal Government.
Disabled Persons Protection Commission Legal The Disabled Persons Protection Commission's mission is to protect adults with disabilities from abusive acts and omissions of their caregivers through investigation, oversight, public awareness and prevention. Cooperates with DSS and Elder Affairs.
Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities Disaster Planning Disaster preparedness planning and checklist.
Division of Health Care Finance and Policy State Resource; Health Responsible for health care information and pricing and regulatory functions, formerly known as the Rate Setting Commission, also administers the uncompensated care pool which reimburses hospitals and centers providing services for uninsured individuals.
Easter Seals Massachusetts Disability Resource Easter Seals provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on disability services and resources, plus referrals to all Easter Seals services and a wide variety of agencies/organizations statewide offering help to people with disabilities.

 
Emergency Procedures for Employees with Disabilities Emergency Services Emergency procedures for employees with disabilities.
Employment Incentives Employment This organization provides information on employment incentives for businesses including tax credits, business loans and grants, vocational rehab services, assistive technology information and other financial advantages that will encourage businesses to employ people with disabilities.
Epilepsy Foundation Disability Resource The Epilepsy Foundation helps ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences, and will prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, educational advocacy and services.
Exceptional Parent Magazine Disability Resource An on-line resource magazine for parents and families of children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them.
Executive Office for Administration and Finance State Resource; Policies and Procedures Provides state agencies with reliable administrative services and expertise in fiscal policies, information, technology, procurement and human resource.
Executive Office of Health and Human Services State Resource; Health Providing leadership and oversight to 15 state agencies. Effective leadership in delivery of health and human services that promote health and safety, independence and quality of life for individuals, families and communities.
Executive Office of Public Safety State Resource; Public Safety Executive Office of Public Safety is the planning and management arm of the Commonwealth's public safety efforts.
Family Support Net Family Support This is a project of the Institute for Community Inclusion at University of Massachusetts in Boston in partnership with Department of Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, and (BMO's)
Federation for Children with Special Needs Special Education A center for parents and parent organizations to work together on behalf of children with special needs and their families.
Future of the Workforce Disability Resource

A preliminary findings draft for the Councils on State Governments 2019 National Conference  -  Approaches to Increasing Access & Inclusion as well as Options for State Policymakers

GoVoter

 Voting Information and resources on voting and cognitive access for people with disabilities.
Governor's Commission on Intellectual Disability State Resource; Accountability The Governor's Commission on Intellectual Disability was established to examine the quality and comprehensiveness of the Commonwealth's program of services designed to address the wide variety of needs of people with intellectual disability.
Guardianship Challenges and Options Disability Resource

A guide for concerned persons when you think there may be a problem
Health Care Resource Guide State Resource / Health This is a comprehensive compilation of the latest Internet accessible information for disease management and control.
HEATH Resource Center Education / Transition The HEATH Resource Center of The George Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, is the national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Support from the U.S. Department of Education enables the clearinghouse to serve as an information exchange about educational support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, and opportunities at American campuses, vocational-technical schools, and other postsecondary training entities.
 
IDEA Practices Disability Resource The IDEA Partnerships are four national projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to deliver a common message about the landmark 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA legislation, litigation,best practices and more.
Impact Newsletter Disability Resource; ID/DD Impact is a quarterly newsletter published by the Institute on Community Integration (UAP) and the Training Center on Community Living, College of education and Human Development, University of Minnesota.
Information on Medicaid and the Uninsured Medical From the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Institute for Community Inclusion Disability Resources; Independent Living Supports the rights of children & adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the community.
Job Portal for Individuals with Autism Employment The Spectrum Careers is a job portal for individuals with autism.
Mass Access Housing Registry Housing Registry is a free program that helps people with disabilities find rental housing in Massachusetts. The Mass. Access Database keeps track of accessible and affordable apartments throughout the state and maintains information about availability.
Mass Advocates Standing Strong Self-advocacy Mass. Statewide self-advocacy organization
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination State Resource; Legal To ensure equality of opportunity by enforcing the Commonwealth's anti-discrimination laws, chapters 121B & 272 through the resolutions of complaints of discrimination in areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, services, credit and education.
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind State Resource; Rehabilitative Services MCB's mission is to work in partnership with legally blind individuals to reach their goals of independence, and to participate in their communities.
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing State Resource; Rehabilitative Services A state agency mandated to provide leadership, coordination of public policies, and specialized services to ensure full and equal opportunities for the deaf and late deafened and hard of hearing persons.
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council State Resource; Education; Disability Resource To provide opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families to enhance independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion.
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Federal Resource; Disaster Planning; Emergency Services Assisting people with disabilities in a disaster; providing assistance to people with disabilities, who, under normal circumstance, would need no assistance.
Massachusetts Community Gateway Family Support An organization to provide individuals and families with local and worldwide disability resources, events and family leadership trainings.
Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change (MFOFC) Family Support/Legislative Advocacy A statewide, grassroots coalition of individuals with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses and their families. We believe that supports for individuals and families can be more flexible and better designed to respond to the actual needs people have. We are actively organizing families and individuals to use the power of our numbers to effect positive change.

 
Massachusetts Health Connector Health To provide affordable health care coverage for Massachusetts residents as part of health care reform.
Massachusetts Health Council Health Non-profit, non-partisan statewide organization of more than 150 government and volunteer agencies, consumer and advocacy groups, professional societies and private corporations committed to improving and protecting the health of its citizens.
Massachusetts Office on Disability State Resource; Legal To bring about full and equal protection of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. The Commonwealth's "Americans with Disabilities Act" coordinating agency.
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission State Resource; Independent Living MRC assists individuals with disabilities to live independently and go to work. It serves individuals with all types of disabilities except those who are blind, because they are served through MCB.
Masshousing Housing State Agency overseeing housing issues
MassHousing Partnership Fund Housing The Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund (MHP) is a self-supporting state agency that promotes more stable and diverse neighborhoods in cities and towns across Massachusetts through the development and preservation of affordable housing.
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Developmental Disability Council Support NACDDC's mission is to provide support and assistance to member councils in order to promote a consumer and family centered system of services and supports for those with disabilities.
Center for Housing and New Community Economics Housing Through a five year cooperative agreement with the Institute on Disabilities (IOD), the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) created a technical assistance center, the National Home of your Own Alliance. This was based on a belief that non-traditional steams of income and federal, state and local subsidies could be structured to support homeownership for people historically excluded from housing market.
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) Education A national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. Special focus is from birth to 22 years old.
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Federal Resource; Disability Resource National leader in sponsoring leadership for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood.
New England ADA Center Disability Resource The New England ADA & Accessible IT Center is one of ten regional disability and business technical assistance centers funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The Center is a project of Adaptive Environments, Inc., a nonprofit organization.
New England Index Disability Resource Information on disabilities, technical services, information and referral services, and technical assistance on programs.
Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity State Resource; Employment The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Mass Health State Resource; Insurance The MassHealth program provides comprehensive health insurance - or help in paying for private health insurance - to more than one million Massachusetts children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Office for Refugees and Immigrants State Resource; Refugees and Immigrants To assist refugees in adjusting to life in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Offers programs, public advocates, coordination of state and federal services and works to make mainstream programs linguistically and culturally accessible.
Office of Child Care Services State Resource; Child Care Invests in children. Helps families improve the quality of child care.
Rewarding Work Resources, Inc. Personal Care Attendants A web site for elders, people with disabilities, and family members to find qualified personal assistants. Free trials are available. This is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that has been cited as a "Promising Practice" by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Special Education State Resource; Special Education Highlights issues and initiatives connected to Special Education
Statewide Emergency Telecommunication Board State Resource; Emergency Services Dial 911: save a life, stop a crime or report a fire.
Stay-At-Work / Return-To-Work Toolkit     Disability Resource

A resource from the Council of State Governments, designed for state policymakers to increase employment retention. 
Supported Decision-Making Disability Resource Supported decision-making (SDM) is an effective alternative to guardianship that is gaining momentum in Massachusetts and nationwide.  SDM gives people more independence, more dignity, more freedom. 
Supporting Siblings of Explosive Children Disability Resource; Family Support The explosive child in a family receives the bulk of parental attention, leaving the needs of siblings largely unmet, causing them to act out, seeking attention and approval. These siblings need support so they can learn to express their complicated emotions in appropriate ways and develop into well-adjusted adults.
The National Center on Secondary Education & Transition (NCSET) Disability Resource A new center on transition issues for youth with disabilities, funded by and a partner with the DOE and the Office of Special Education.
Travel Accessibility Resources Disability Resource Useful airline travel information for people with disabilities

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

 Federal Resource; Special Education Support to parents and individuals, school districts and states in special education, vocational rehabilitation, and research.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Department of Housing and Urban Development was developed by the Act of 1965 as a cabinet level agency.
United States Department of Justice Federal Resource;Legal Rights and Americans with Disabilities Act Information Line: 1-800-514-0301 and 1-800-514-0383
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Federal Resource; Employment A resource of job opportunities, training, and information regarding equal employment.
Work Matters Disability Resource

A report on the Framework for States on Workforce Development for People with Disabilities from the Council of State Governments and the National Conference of State Legislatures

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