Resources For Parents

We believe compassion and caring can make a difference.

How do I plan for my child’s transition into adulthood? How can I get my church to pay attention to people with disabilities? Resources abound to help you, your school or church, or your business or organization reach out to, include, and assist people who live with disabilities. The resources below align with our vision of helping people with disabilities grow, learn and thrive.


All Belong

All Belong Center for Inclusive Education is the leading catalyst for creating and maintaining inclusive communities for persons of all abilities.

All Belong


Autism Certification Series

An online video-based learning solution that provides everyone in your family with practical information, real-life examples, and skills they can use to care for and support loved ones with autism spectrum disorder from early childhood through young adulthood.

Autism Certification Series


Autism Internet Modules

AIM is designed to provide high-quality information and professional development for anyone who supports, instructs, works with, or lives with someone with autism. Each module guides you thorough case studies, instructional videos, pre- and post-assessments, a glossary, and much more. AIM modules are available at no cost. If you would like to receive credit for your time on AIM, certificate and credit options are available for a fee.

Autism Internet Modules


Council of Exceptional Children (CEC)

CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

Council of Exceptional Children


Disability Employment

The Federal Government is actively recruiting and hiring persons with disabilities. We offer a variety of exciting jobs, competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and opportunities for career advancement.

Disability Employment


Interacting with Autism

A short video which gives the viewer a glimse into sensory overload (which is a common experience of someone who has autism).

Sensory Overload (Interacting with Autism Project) from Miguel Jiron on Vimeo.

 


IRIS Center

The IRIS Center is a national center, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, to create resources about evidence-based practices for use in preservice preparation and professional development programs. IRIS then disseminates and offers trainings on those resources. The IRIS Center is dedicated to improving education outcomes for all children, especially those with disabilities birth through age twenty-one, through the use of effective evidence-based practices and interventions.

IRIS Center


Joni and Friends

The namesake of founder and president, Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends has grown into an international ministry that includes a “Wheels for the World” outreach, as well as regional offices that promote the inclusion and support of people with disabilities. Their website includes blog posts, articles, a research and best practices journal, and ideas and suggestions useful for people who have or know someone who lives with a disability.

Joni and Friends


Key Ministry

Key Ministry promotes meaningful connection between churches and families of kids with disabilities for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Since 2002, Key Ministry has provided knowledge, innovation and experience to the worldwide church as it ministers to and with families of kids with disabilities. Key Ministry is also helping families become connected with local churches where parents and children can worship and grow in faith alongside other Christ-followers.

Key Ministry


LetterCase

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation’s Understanding a Down Syndrome Diagnosis is an accurate, balanced, and up-to-date booklet for use when delivering a diagnosis of Down syndrome and is part of the National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Resources at the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute (HDI). The booklet is the only prenatal resource to have been reviewed by representatives of the national medical and Down syndrome organizations and is available in both print and digital formats. You can request a printed copy through your medical provider or download an ePub for your smartphone, tablet, or desktop.

Lettercase


Learning Disabilities Association of America

LDAA is a national association that provides access to resources; advocacy for awareness, inclusion, and policies; professional development opportunities. Since 1963, LDA has provided support to people with learning disabilities, their parents, teachers and other professionals with cutting edge information on learning disabilities, practical solutions, and a comprehensive network of resources. These services make LDA the leading resource for information on learning disabilities.

Learning Disabilities Association of America


National Down Syndrome Society

The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

National Down Syndrome Society


Parables Church Disability Ministry

Parables is an interactive, hands-on, “special-needs friendly” weekly worship service led by Rev. Leslie Neugent, open to anyone and everyone. Parables is designed for “the little red fish in all of us”—embracing all people, those with special needs and those without. All are welcome!

Parables Church Disability Ministry


PTA

PTA is comprised of millions parents, teachers, grandparents, caregivers, foster parents and other caring adults who share a commitment to improving the education, health and safety of all children. The special education toolkit has an assortment of tools that assist families of children with disabilities.

PTA


RTI Action Network

The National Center for Learning Disabilities identified seven essential, evidence-based components to whole system reform to benefit all students. Discover how these components contribute to the effective implementation of a Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS), Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Response to Intervention (RTI).  Site developed by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, providing access to implementation tools, resources for schools and families, and online professional development.

RTI Action Network


The 5 Stages

The 5 Stages is a tool designed to help you, your family, your church, and your community identify where you are on the journey of “disability attitudes.” It starts conversations and is focused on change at the heart-level. Doing so means we focus less on demanding rights and defining our value as people with disabilities, and help other people see the Kingdom God is building, and our place in that Kingdom alongside our fellow believers.

The 5 Stages

 

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