General Information
Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI)
http://www.seriweb.com/
SERI is a collection of Internet accessible information resources of interest to those involved in the fields related to special education. This collection exists in order to make on-line Special Education resources more easily and readily available in one location.
It also includes law and legal links to information on inclusion, families, and transition.
Educational Resources Information Center: Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education (ERIC EC)
http://www.ericec.org/
ERIC EC is one of 16 federally funded clearinghouses in the ERIC system, a nationwide information network sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. ERIC EC gathers and disseminates the professional literature, information, and resources on the education and development of individuals of all ages who have disabilities and/or who are gifted.
The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
http://www.nichcy.org/
NICHCY is the national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. Their special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22).
Disability Resources
http://disabilityresources.org
The Disability Resources page is frequently updated and is one of the best if you want information on what is happening or available at state and local levels. This site also has a wonderful and current list of the best disability resources on the Internet.
Easter Seals
http://www.easter-seals.org/
Easter Seals provides services to children and adults with disabilities and other special needs, and support to their families.
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
http://www.cec.sped.org/index.html
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. The following CEC division links provide excellent information about their areas of focus.
Medical Information:
MEDLINEplus
http://medlineplus.gov/
MEDLINEplus is a goldmine of good health information from the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine. Health professionals and consumers alike can depend on it for information that is authoritative and up to date. MEDLINEplus has extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted sources on over 500 diseases and conditions.
MedicineNet
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp
MedicineNet is an online, healthcare media publishing company. It provides easy-to-read, in-depth, authoritative medical information for consumers via a network of robust, user-friendly, interactive web sites. MedicineNet has a highly accomplished, uniquely experienced team of qualified executives in the fields of medicine, healthcare, Internet technology, and business to bring you the most comprehensive, sought after healthcare information anywhere.
Hearing Impairment
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
http://www.asha.org
The mission of ASHA is to promote the interests of and provide the highest quality services for professionals in audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech and hearing science, and to advocate for people with communication disabilities.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/
This organization pursues the challenge of understanding normal and disordered processes of human communication. NIDCD is associated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health.
American Academy of Audiology
http://www.audiology.com
The American Academy of Audiology is a professional organization of individuals dedicated to providing quality hearing care to the public. They enhance the ability of their members to achieve career and practice objectives through professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing disorders and audiologic services.
Gallaudet Research Institute (GRI)
http://gri.gallaudet.edu
This institute is internationally recognized for its leadership in deafness-related research. GRI researchers gather and analyze data concerning the demographic and academic characteristics of deaf and hard of hearing populations, primarily to provide information needed by educators in the field.
Alexander Graham Bell Association (AGBell)
http://www.agbell.org
AG Bell is an international membership organization comprised of parents of children who are deaf and hard of hearing, adults with hearing loss, and professionals who serve children with hearing loss.
Visual Impairment
American Council of the Blind (ACB)
http://www.acb.org/
The Council strives to improve the well-being of all blind and visually impaired people by serving as a representative national organization of blind people and elevating the social, economic, and cultural levels of blind people.
National Eye Institute (NEI)
http://www.nei.nih.gov/
The institute's mission is straightforward: The NEI attempts to discover safe and effective methods to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders of the visual system. In this way, the institute helps to prevent, reduce, and possibly even eliminate blindness and visual impairment.
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
http://www.afb.org/
A non-profit organization founded in 1921 and recognized as Helen Keller's cause in the United States, the AFB is a leading national resource for people who are blind or visually impaired, the organizations that serve them, and the general public.
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
http://www.nfb.org/
The purpose of NFB is two-fold—to help blind persons achieve self-confidence and self-respect, and to act as a vehicle for collective self-expression by the blind.
National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH)
http://www.navh.org/
The NAVH works with millions of people worldwide dealing with difficulties of vision impairment. This site is not just for the "HARD OF SEEING®" but for those with family and friends who need everything from large print books to the latest on their particular condition.
Lighthouse International
http://www.lighthouse.org/
The mission of Lighthouse International is to enable people of all ages to overcome vision impairment through worldwide leadership in vision rehabilitation services, education, research, and advocacy.
Autism
The Autism Society of America
http://www.autism-society.org/
The mission of the Autism Society of America is to promote lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families and to be fully included, participating members of their communities through advocacy, public awareness, education, and research related to autism.
Center for the Study of Autism
http://www.autism.org
The center provides information about autism to parents and professionals, and conducts research on the efficacy of various therapeutic interventions.
Autism Research Institute (ARI)
http://www.autism.com/ari/
ARI is primarily devoted to conducting research, and to disseminating the results of research, on the causes of autism and on methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating autism and other severe behavioral disorders of childhood.
Severe Disabilities
The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH)
http://www.tash.org/
TASH is an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm.
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults (HKNC)
http://helenkeller.org/national/
The mission of HKNC is to enable each person who is deaf-blind to live and work in his or her community of choice.
Physical Impairments
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
http://www.ucpa.org/
UCP has been committed to change and progress for persons with disabilities. The national organization and its nationwide network strive to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society - from the Web to the workplace, from the classroom to the community. As one of the largest health charities in America, UCP's mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, through our commitment to the principles of independence, inclusion and self-determination.
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)
http://www.mdausa.org/
MDA is the source for news and information about neuromuscular diseases, MDA research and services for adults and children with neuromuscular diseases and their families.
National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA)
http://www.spinalcord.org/
The association serves not only persons with spinal cord injuries but also persons who have diseases or conditions, the effects of which are similar to those of spinal cord injuries such as multiple sclerosis and spina bifida.
Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA)
http://www.sbaa.org/
The mission of SBAA is to promote the prevention of spina bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected. The association was founded in 1973 to address the specific needs of the spina bifida community and serves as the national representative of almost 60 chapters.
Arthritis Foundation
http://www.arthritis.org/
This organization provides information and support to those afflicted with arthritis through funding of research, advocacy and lobbying, and numerous community-based services.
Epilepsy Foundation
http://www.efa.org/
The Epilepsy Foundation (formerly the Epilepsy Foundation of America)® is the national organization that works for people affected by seizures. Current strategic goals include broadening and strengthening of research, providing individuals and families with easy access to reliable information, and assuring access to appropriate medical care for those affected by seizures.
Health Impairments
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF)
http://www.jdfcure.org
JDRF is an international organization with various branches in most states as well as in a number of countries. The organization was founded in 1970 by parents of children with diabetes. Their mission: to find a cure for the disease within their children's lifetime through the support of research.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CF Foundation)
http://www.cff.org/
The mission of the CF Foundation is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
http://www.nci.nih.gov/
NCI is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of eight agencies that compose the Public Health Service (PHS) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The NCI, established under the National Cancer Act of 1937, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research and training. The National Cancer Act of 1971 broadened the scope and responsibilities of the NCI and created the National Cancer Program.
American Lung Association (ALA)
http://www.lungusa.org/asthma/
ALA is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States, with a National Office and constituent and affiliate associations around the country. Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, ALA today fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health.
National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF)
http://www.hemophilia.org/home.htm
NHF makes an important difference in the lives of people and families with bleeding disorders. It has a national presence, chapters throughout the country, and an intricate communications network bringing healthcare professionals and consumers the latest bleeding disorders news.
HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB)
http://hab.hrsa.gov/
HAB of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) was formed in August 1997 to consolidate all programs funded under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. The CARE Act was signed into law on August 15, 1990 to improve the quality and availability of care for people with HIV/AIDS and their families. Amended and reauthorized in May 1996, and November 2000 the Act is named after the Indiana teenager, Ryan White, who became an active public educator on HIV/AIDS after he contracted the syndrome. He died the same year the legislation was passed.
