Special Education Links
Third-Party Links
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Content
- ADD/ADHD
- Autism
- Blind & Visually Impaired
- Federal Resources
- General Disabilities
- Learning Disabilities
- Local Resources
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Specific Disabilities
- State Resources
ADD/ADHD
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
The mission of CHADD is to improve the lives of people affected by ADHD. CHADD is a non-profile organization providing education, advocacy, and support for individuals with ADHD.
Autism
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC website gives information on the signs and symptoms of autism.
Blind & Visually Impaired
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
AFB is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. The website includes a "Parents' Guide to Special Education for Children"
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
NFB is the largest membership organization of blind people in the US.
Federal Resources
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services of more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) is a division of the US Department of Education. OSERS has three components: The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), which conducts comprehensive and coordinated programs of research and related activities to assist in the achievement of the full inclusion, social integration, employment and independent living of people with disabilities; the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), which supports a comprehensive array of programs and projects authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that improve results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities; and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) which administers and supports a comprehensive array of formula and discretionary grant programs and projects that serve and assist individuals with disabilities.
OSERS is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation, and research.
National Council on Disability (NCD)
NCD is an independent federal agency composed of members appointed by the president. NCD provides advice to the President, Congress and executive branch agencies to promote policies, programs, practices and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. The website includes links to the Americans with Disabilities Act, disability statistics, education and other topics.
Social Security Income (SSI) for Children with Disabilities
The Social Security Administration provides benefits for qualified children with disabilities. The website is a valuable resource for information on all of Social Security programs.
General Disabilities & Special Education
Child's Special Needs - Department of Education Resources
A U.S. Department of Education website that provides links to a variety of websites related to children with disabilities.
TASH
TASH is an international organization of people with disabilities, their family members, and other advocates and professionals working for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm. It is a civil rights organization for, and of, people with mental disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, physical disabilities and other conditions that make full integration a challenge.
Learning Disabilities
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children is the largest 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. The website provides a wealth of information regarding IDEA, national and state conferences and workshops, federal legislation and policy issues, publications and products, career commendations, and the ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education.
Council for Learning Disabilities
The Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD) is one of the largest professional support and advocacy organizations for learning disabilities in the country.
International Dyslexia Association
The purpose of the IDA is to pursue and provide the most comprehensive range of information and services that address the full range of dyslexia and related difficulties in learning to read and write in a way that creates hope, possibility, and partnership.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is part of the National Institute of Health and sponsors research related to learning disabilities and other reading/literacy related issues. The site includes excellent summaries of research findings, publications for parents and professionals, and conference information.
Schwab Foundation for Learning
The Schwab Foundation for Learning is the largest learning disabilities-related support organization in California. The site contains useful information, links, documents, and more.
Local Resources
Diagnostic Center, Northern California
The Diagnostic Center, Northern California, is one of three regional assessment centers operated by the State Special Schools and Services Division of the California Department of Education. The Centers provide assessment, training and technical assistance to all school districts and county offices of education in California. Diagnostic Center services are provided by expert, interdisciplinary teams of diagnostic professionals, including educational specialists, speech and language specialists, transition/secondary specialists, school psychologists, clinical psychologists, and pediatricians who address the unique educational needs of Northern California's most difficult-to-serve students enrolled in special education programs.
Golden Gate Regional Center
Working toward a future where all people with developmental disabilities and their families have the opportunity to belong contribute and thrive in their home communities by directing their own lives. Services individuals with developmental disabilities and their families who reside in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties.
Parents Helping Parents
Parents Helping Parents (PHP) is a 33-year-old nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefit agency located in San Jose, California. PHP's mission is to help children and adults with special needs receive the support and services they need to reach their full potential by providing information, training, and resources to build strong families and improve systems of care. This includes children of all ages and all backgrounds who have a need for special services due to any special need, including but not limited to illness, cancer, accidents, birth defects, neurological conditions, premature birth, learning or physical disabilities, mental health issues, and attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder, to name a few.
San Mateo County Special Ecucation Local Plan Area (SELPA)
The San Mateo County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) is responsible for the implementation of the Local Plan for special education and for ensuring a free appropriate public education for all students with identified disabilities in San Mateo County. The SELPA is a state-mandated agency composed of the San Mateo County Office of Education and all of the school districts in the county.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
CASEL - Advancing Social and Emotional Learning
Specific Disabilities
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI focuses on awareness, education, and advocacy.
Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND)
The MIND Institute is an international, multidisciplinary research organization, committed to excellence, collaboration, and hope, striving to understand the causes and develop better treatments and ultimately cures for neuro-developmental disorders.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
The NORD website contains a database of information about rare disorders.
State Resources
California Children Services (CCS) San Mateo County
CCS is a statewide program that arranges, directs, and pays for medical care, occupational and physical therapy, equipment, and rehabilitation for children and young adults up to 21 years old who have eligible medical conditions. CCS is not a health insurance plan and will not cover all of a child's health care needs, only the ones which are related to CCS eligible conditions. This program is a tax supported program and for some of the services, there is a financial eligibility requirement.
California Content Standards (K-12)
Standards adopted by the California State Board of Education for English/Language Arts, Mathematics, History/Social Science, and Visual/Performing Arts.
California Department of Education, Special Education Division
Provides information and resources to serve the unique needs of individuals with disabilities so that each person will meet or exceed high standards of achievement in academic and non-academic skills.
Department of Developmental Services
The California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) works to ensure Californians with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to make choices and lead independent, productive lives as members of their communities in the least restrictive setting possible.
Laws and Regulations
A composite of laws database search engine from the California Department of Education.
Office of Administrative Hearings
The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) is a quasi-judicial tribunal that hears administrative disputes. Established by the California Legislature in 1945, OAH provides independent Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) to conduct hearings for over 1,500 State and local government agencies. OAH provides both adjudication and alternative dispute resolution services.