Special Needs Resources

American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB’s priorities include broadening access to technology, elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss, and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources.

The ARC
The Arc is the world’s largest community based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides an array of services and support for families and individuals. The Arc is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
DDRC provides leading-edge services that create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families to participate fully in the community. Quality, dignity and choice are the values of DDRC.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
The National Dissemination Center is the center that provides information to the nation on disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the nation’s special education law and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities. Anyone can use their services—families, educators, administrators, journalists, students. Their special focus is children and youth birth to age 22.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now. They help each person address the challenges of living with MS through their 50-state network of chapters. The Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

National Organization on Disability
The mission of the National Organization on Disability (NOD) is to expand the participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. NOD is working toward closing the participation gap by raising disability awareness through programs and information.

Office of Special Education Programs
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) understands the many challenges still facing individuals with disabilities and their families. Therefore, OSERS is 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.

Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration’s Strategic Plan provides a guide for meeting the goals of the President’s Management Agenda and the Government Performance and Results Act, and describes how the Agency will deliver results for the American people.

United Cerebral Palsy Association, Inc.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.