Links
Here are some helpful websites recommended by staff of The Arc of Frederick County. Note: The Arc of Frederick County, Inc., does not necessarily endorse the content or views expressed on these sites.
View all links alphabetically.
Links specific to the state of Maryland:
- The Arc of Maryland - Our state chapter provides useful information and links, including a Maryland legislative guide and calendar of events.
- Baltimore City Health Department - Information and resources on accessing health care through Maryland's HealthChoice Managed Care Program and the Maryland Children's Health Program.
- Brain Injury Association of Maryland - Support groups, information on conferences and seminars, discussion forums, and legislative alerts for people with brain injuries and their families.
- Developmental Disabilities Administration - Provides information on provider agencies, resource coordination, how to apply for services, and other useful information for Maryland residents.
- Family NET Works - Offers opportunities for Maryland families to interact with each other, posing questions and offering advice. Information on family support services, general family-interest topics, disability and generic resources, and links to other sites.
- Frederick County Commission on Disabilities - Information on the American with Disabilities Act and useful links to Frederick County and Maryland agencies.
- Frederick County Developmental Center - Comprehensive, multidisciplinary, community-based program providing specialized services to infants, toddlers, and children from birth to 21 years who have special needs.
- F.R.I.E.N.D.S. - This Frederick County-based group was formed to connect with other families to lend support, network and educate each other on Down Syndrome, while promoting understanding and acceptance of Down Syndrome within the community.
- Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS) - News from the Maryland legislature, public policy, links, disability news.
- The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council - Advocates for public policy and supportive practices and opportunities that promote the full inclusion of all people with developmental disabilities in community life. The site includes the helpful 'Planning Now' guidebook about Futures and Estate Planning.
- The Maryland Disability Law Center - Works to ensure that people with disabilities are accorded the full rights and entitlements afforded to them by state and federal law.
- Maryland Donated Dental Services - Dentists in the state donate their services to people who have disabilities.
- Maryland Health Care Commission - Health care links, facility surveys, information on HMO's.
- Maryland Relay - People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind or Speech Disabled can easily communicate through TTY (text telephone) with anyone using a standard phone. Also has free phone program available for people with disabilities.
Modern Babies and Children Magazine - Articles, resources, reviews, and events for families and parents in the Western Maryland area.
- The Parents' Place of Maryland - This organization's purpose is to serve the parents of children with disabilities throughout Maryland. Publications, resources, and workshops are available.
- Service Coordination, Inc. - Service Coordination Inc. exists to assist individuals with developmental disabilities needing assistance in determining and meeting their needs in ways they prefer.
- United Way of Frederick County - Our local chapter of the United Way supports 23 member agencies in Frederick County. The United Way plays an indispensible role in bringing together resources to address our most urgent social needs.
Links for parents and families:
- Family Village - A global community of disability-related resources for persons with mental retardation and other disabilities, their families, and those who provide them services and supports.
- From Emotions to Advocacy - Helps parents advocate for their children with disabilities. Includes articles, checklists, and resources.
- Kids Together - Site designed to provide helpful information and resources to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities, and communites as a whole.
- Modern Babies and Children Magazine - Articles, resources, reviews, and events for families and parents in the Western Maryland area.
- National Information Center for Children with Disabilities - Lists resources and contacts by state.
- National Center for Family Support - Provides technical assistance and training to states involved in the national family support initiative.
- Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center - PACER's mission is to improve and expand opportunities that enhance the quality of life for children and adults with all disabilities and their families.
- Sexuality Education of Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities - Policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Special Needs Trusts - Informative website that explains why special needs trusts are important. Includes a worksheet for planning a trust and suggestions for what to discuss with your family and your attorney.
- Through the Looking Glass - This organization has pioneered clinical and supportive services, training, and research serving families in which one or more members -- whether parent or child -- has a disability or medical issue.
Links to websites about inclusion in the community:
- American Association of People with Disabilities - Dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for Americans with disabilities.
- Freedom Clearinghouse - Working to help people move from institutions into the community.
- Inclusion Daily Express - Once-a-day review of disability rights and our movement toward full community inclusion and self-determination.
- Inclusion Press - Site is about creating and sharing tools, ideas, resources, and capacities, so everyone can live full lives.
- Inclusion Research Institute - Information on educational, therapeutic, and technological innovations that enable people with disabilities to be independent, productive, and included in schools, communities, and places of worship.
- Institute on Community Inclusion - Supports the rights of children and adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the community. Many publications available.
- Institute on Disability - Promoting full inclusion of people with disabilities in their community.
- National Organization on Disability - Promotes the full and equal participation of adults and children with disabilities in all aspects of life.
- National Service Learning Inclusion Project - Training and technical assistance project to increase the participation of people with disabilities in national service.
- Tash - Disability advocacy worldwide. 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.
- Training Resources Network (TRN) - Publisher that offers resources on the full inclusion of people with disabilities.
Links to websites on health care and medical issues:
- ADHD Support Company - Offers newsletter, tips on raising a child with ADHD, and information on ADHD.
- Epilepsy Advocate - Information about epilepsy, including diagnosis and treatment. Site also has helpful information on choosing Medicare Part D Providers for people with seizure disorders.
- FamiliesUSA - Dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health and long-term care for all Americans.
- Family Voices - National grassroots clearinghouse for information and education concerning the health care needs of children with special needs.
- Kaiser Family Foundation - Contains latest state-level data on demographics, health, health policy, and state legislation.
- Maryland Donated Dental Services - Dentists in the state donate their services to people who have disabilities.
- Medline Plus - Extensive information on mental retardation and other health topics, plus a medical dictionary, clinical trials, law and policy. Developed in conjunction with the National Library of Medicine.
- The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) - Part of the National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports research on topics related to the health of children, adults, and families.
- National Organization for Rare Diseases - A federation of nonprofit health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare diseases.
- Prader-Willi Syndrome Association - Information and resources about Prader-Willi Syndrome, a genetically-based developmental disability.
Autism and Asperger's Syndrome links:
Down Syndrome links:
Government and Public Policy links:
- The Arc of the United States Legislative Action Center - Issues, legislation, current bills, and more.
- Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities - A coalition of national disabilities organizations working together to advoacate for national public policy about issues for people with disabilities.
- The Disability Rights Activist - Information needed to enable anyone interested in the rights of people with disabilities to work for those rights.
- Division of Rehabilitation Services - Information and links to helpful sites.
- Election.com - Register to vote online, order absentee ballots, and much more.
- GovBenefits- A federal site that helps determine what government benefits you or your family member are eligible to receive.
- House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce - Includes the opportunity for parents, teachers, and others to make recommendations on how to strengthen and improve the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- National Council on Disability - An independent federal agency which makes recommendations to the President and Congress on assues affecting Americans with disabilities.
- Social Security Administration Information - Articles, publications, forms, and other information regarding disability benefits.
- Social Security Administration’s Work Site - Promotes the employment of social security beneficiaries with disabilities.
- U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education - Education resources, research, statistics, publications, and more.
- World Institute on Disability (WID) - An international public policy center dedicated to carrying out cutting-edge research on disability issues.
Education links:
- House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce - Includes the opportunity for parents, teachers, and others to make recommendations on how to strengthen and improve the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Learning Independence Through Computers - An organization that offers computer training to adults and children with physical and cognitive disabilities.
- The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) - Allows users to search a compilation of empirical research on the effects of various testing accommodations for students with disabilities.
- National Center on Secondary Education - Coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities.
- TransCen - Developing creative and innovative projects in school to work transition, systems change in education, and more.
- U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education - Education resources, research, statistics, publications, and more.
- WCD Foundation - Provides educational programs, financial scholarships, resource links, and a newsletter.
Technical Assistance links:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Technical Assistance Program - Provides information, training, and technical assistance.
- Assistivetech.net - Features a database of assistive technology products and links to disability services and resources.
- Maryland Relay - People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind or Speech Disabled can easily communicate through TTY (text telephone) with anyone using a standard phone. Also has free phone program available for people with disabilities.
- Section 508 - Resources and links, plus training for agencies, vendors, and the public on how to make electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.
Links to websites about accessibility:
- Access-Able Travel - Provides information on accessible travel for people with disabilities.
- Access Board - A federal agency committed to accessible design. Includes information on evacuation & emergency planning and accessibility guidelines.
- Center for an Accessible Society - Designed to focus public attention on disability and independent living issues. Webiste contains information on different disability-related topics as well as links to more information and an e-news letter.
- National Center on Physical Activity and Disability - A leading source for information about organizations, programs, and facilities nationwide providing accessible physical activity and recreation.
Links to sites about Employment:
- disABLED Person.com - An online, targeted recruiting site that conencts employers with job seekers with disabilities.
- Job Accommodation Network - Free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations, ADA, and the employability of people with disabilities.
- National Collaborative Workforce and Disability for Youth - A technical assistance center funded by the US Department of Labor to assist the workforce community address issues affecting the employment of people with disabilities.
- Office of Disability Employment Policy - An agency within the US Department of Labor, ODEP provides national leadership to increase employment opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities while striving to eliminate barriers to employment.
- Training and Technical Assistance for Providers - Assisting community-based service providers to develop their programs from segregated work and non-work options to competitive employment opportunities.
- WorkSupport.com - Information, research, and resources about work and disability issues.
Disability Research links:
- Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) - HSRI works to develop support systems for children, adults, and families, and enhances the participation of individuals and their families to shape policy and service practices.
- National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems (NAPAS) - Network of disability rights agencies, protection & advocacy systems (P&As) and client assistance programs (CAPs).
- National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research - Research on persons with disabilities, organizations, technical assistance, and more.
- Self-Determination Synthesis Project Final Report - Recommendations for implementing strategies for promoting self-determination and future research needs.
- State of the States in Developmental Disabilities - Updated guide by David Braddock, including charts, tables, profile revenue, and trends for long term services and supports.
- Usage of the term "Mental Retardation" - PDF report conducted by the University of Kansas.
Other helpful links that don't fit neatly into a category above:
- Alta Vista Looksmart Directory - For specific information on numerous disabilities. Just choose a topic from the fourth column (ex: 'developmental') and go from there. Hundreds of websites in this directory.
- American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - AAIDD (formerly AAMR) is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization of professionals (and others) concerned about mental retardation and related disabilities.
- The Arc Link - Many helpful links on accessibility, ADA, assistive technology, education, health care, etc.
- The Arc of the United States - Resources and information from our national headquarters. News from Capitol Hill, links to state and local chapters across the country, a discussion board, and more.
- BenefitsCheckUp - The nation's most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources.
- College of Direct Support - Comprehensive, on-demand training for people in direct support roles.
- Disability Cool - This site challenges all the preconceived notions about what it's like to live with a disability.
- Disability Grapevine - World news, message boards, an advice columnist, poems, employment, etc.
- The Disability History Museum - Promotes understanding about the historical experience of people with disabilities by recovering, chronicling, and interpreting their stories.
- Disability Social History Project - Presents images and information about historical figures who had disabilities and historical events in an attempt to give an introduction to disability social history.
- Disability World - Provides international perspectives on the worldwide disability rights and independent living movement.
- Friendship Ministries - Provides a nondenominational ministries curriculum for people with developmental disabilities. Also has a discussion forum and newsletter.
- The Guided Tour - Has offered individuals with physical and developmental disabilities opportunities for personal growth, recreation, and socialization through travel since 1972.
- Independent Living - Helping individuals with disabilities work for equal opportunities, self-determination, and self-respect.
- Mainstream Magazine - On-line version of the well-known disability magazine.
- The National Home of Your Own Alliance - Creating housing and support opportunities that people choose and control.
- National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) - Library and information center on disability and rehabilitation. Collects and disseminates the results of federally funded research projects.
- New Mobility Interactive Cafe - Disability news, resources, and culture.
- Partners in Making Your Case - A self-study course designed to help people with developmental disabilities and their families create positive change through advocacy.
- Plan for Achieving Self Support - An online resource to assist SSI recipients in understanding and using this work incentive.
- Practical Money Skills for Life - Offers lesson plans, budget calculators, budget books, and financial planning for children and adults with special needs.
- Program Development Associates - Ideas, training, and solutions for today's disability professional.
- PushAmerica - The national outreach project of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Its purpose is to promote a greater understanding of people with developmental disabilities.
- Quality Mall - Information related to or useful in promoting quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.
- SafePlace - Offers a curriculum, "Stop the Violence, Break the Silence" for providing staff, family, and consumer education training related to abuse prevention for individuals with disabilities.
- Welfare Information Network - A clearinghouse for information, policy analysis, and technical assistance on welfare reform.
- The World Congress and Exposition on Disabilities - Offers information about products and services available for the disability community.