We constantly strive to gather a useful collection of resources and links to help parents with questions on child development delays, early intervention, social and emotional development, atypical child development and more.
Adaptive Sports & Recreation Resources
American Association of Adapted Sports Program – works with educational agencies to establish programs in interscholastic adapted sports for students with physical disabilities.
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability – an information center concerned with physical activity and disability.
New Horizons Unlimited – Community and Recreation Resources makes information and life experiences accessible to individuals with lifelong disabilities and their families.
Alternative Therapy
Ability Plus Therapy: Helps children with neuromuscular disorders achieve greater independence.
Therasuit: TheraSuit LLC is a pioneer of intensive Therapy and TheraSuit Method for children and adults with Cerebral Palsy.
Suit Therapy: TheraSuit LLC is a pioneer of intensive Therapy and TheraSuit Method for children and adults with Cerebral Palsy.
Island Dolphin Care: Island Dolphin Care, Inc. (IDC) was developed to help children with special needs and their families who are dealing with developmental and/or physical disabilities, emotional challenges, and critical, chronic or terminal illness.
Therapies 4 Kids: Intensive Suit Program for Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Developmental delays, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and other disabilities caused by trauma.
Bright Steps Forward: Bright Steps Forward, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides funding for intensive pediatric therapy to financially disadvantaged children with neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, disabilities of prematurely, autism and other congenital or acquired conditions that affect their physical functioning.
Assistance Programs for Children with Disabilities
The ARC: The Arc of the Pennsylvania advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together with our network of members and affiliated chapters, we improve systems of supports and services; connect families; inspire communities and influence public policy.
Social Security Disability & Medicaid: Medicaid is a jointly funded, Federal-State health insurance program for low-income and needy people. It covers children, the aged, blind, and/or disabled and other people who are eligible to receive federally assisted income maintenance payments.
United Way Agency: It strives to build Pennsylvania stronger by mobilizing communities to improve lives of people. It aims to do this by; energizing, inspiring people to make a difference.
Assistive Technology Resources
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America – a professional society for individuals and organizations interested in technology and disability.
Ability Hub: AbilityHub.com’s purpose is to help you find information on adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers. Searching the Internet for accurate information on Assistive Technology is much like “looking for a needle in a haystack.” This website attempts to reduced the size of the haystack and bring you the information in an organized fashion.
Enable Mart: It aggressively market, promote, and distribute the best-in-class Assistive Technology.
Kids Together: The goals of Kids Together Inc. include a desire to remove barriers that exclude people with disabilities. It supports the belief that children with disabilities, like all children, have the need to be cherished and embraced in our communities.
USSAAC: An organization dedicated to supporting the needs and desires of people who use AAC, as well as the professionals, manufacturers and family members making up our community. Augmentative and Alternative Communication refers to methods of communication that enhance (augment) or replace (alternative) conventional forms of expression.
Assistive Technology Fund: The Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) will provide funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. The ABC board of directors believes that this program will allow blind and visually impaired people access to technology products that will have a significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increase the level of independence and enhance their overall quality of life.
TriCare: The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) provides assistive technology and services to people with disabilities, Federal managers, supervisors, and IT professionals.
Autism Resources
Autism Hangout – Great site about autism that offers webinars, resources, news and reports.
Autism-PDD Resources Network – Autism-PDD Resources Network provides information, forums, and message boards.
Autism-PDD Resources Searchable by State: It takes you to a listing of resources by state.
Autism Society – Grassroots group dedicated to increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by these individuals.
Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support – OASIS has joined with MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome to create a single resource for families, individuals, and medical professionals who deal with the challenges of Asperger Syndrome, Autism, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
Autism Speaks Grants: The goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.
Act Today Grants: ACT Today is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to increase access to effective autism treatments. Our goal is to help facilitate treatment by providing the necessary resources including funding, information and referrals to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and their families.
Helping Hand Grants: The Helping Hand Program provides families with financial assistance in getting necessary biomedical treatments, supplements and therapy services for their children.
National Foundation for Autism Research: It takes you to a listing of resources for Autism by state.
Kidica Community: Autism can range from mild to severe, and although the cause is unclear and there is currently no cure, treatment plans exist that can help people with autism learn to function within their limitations and live a meaningful life. The best way to help loved ones with autism is to understand the condition and to work with them in coping.
Autism Source: The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. We do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.
National Autism Society Helping Hand: Financial aid for autism families.
Aspie Spot: Resource for children with Asperger Syndrome and their families.
Cerebral Palsy Resources
Healing Arts: This web site offers education about Cerebral Palsy.
4 My Child: They are committed, through education and empowerment, to eliminating all preventable cases of Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy, and other neurological injuries.
Diaper Resources
UR in Control: Finally there’s a comfortable & affordable way of dealing with incontinence. UrinControl offers a complete line of reusable, washable incontinence garments for adults and youth from brand names you can trust.
Duraline: We understand the issues you face every day and we are committed to finding the most appropriate products for your needs. Our goal is to make life easier for you.
Direct Medical: Direct Medical is a leading supplier of health care products. They promise a comfortable shopping experience, a quality product at an excellent price, and the convenience & confidentiality of direct to door delivery.
Tranquility: The Home-Caring Brand, a complete line of Adult Disposable Incontinence Products manufactured by Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. (PBE) in Dunbridge, Ohio, USA.
Woodbury Products: With over three decades of care behind us, we proudly deliver the best customer service in the business in order to provide the most superior incontinence products and accessories. Enjoy a wide range of products including Depend, Tena, Attends, Tranquility and other quality brands.
Diapers.com: This diaper resource provides information on: Double coupons, formula, feeding, nursing, safety, health & so on.
Home Delivery Incontinence Service: This diaper resource provides information on: Double coupons, formula, feeding, nursing, safety, health & so on.
Rebates on Diapers: The Caregivers Marketplace is the nation’s first cash back program for anyone who gives gets or needs care. You can receive cash back on eligible products that are not typically covered by insurance or Medicare – no matter where you buy them. Our program is free and your information is always kept confidential.
Disability Camp Resources
National Center on Accessibility – Considerations for sending a child to camp for first time
Camp Quest: Camp Quest helps you find the best overnight camp for your child, at no cost to you. CampQuest makes it faster and easier to find overnight summer programs of all kinds. Some camps are overnight, Special Needs, Academic and Sports etc.
Easter Seals State Directory: Easter Seals camping and recreation programs serve children, adults and families of all abilities.
Kids Camps: This site links to a variety of special needs camps.
Children’s Association for Maximum Potential: CAMP’s mission is to strengthen and inspire individuals with special needs – and those who care for them – through Recreation, Respite, and Education.
My Summer Camps: A list of liks to camps for children with specific disabilities. The extenisive list of categories include: HIV and AIDS, Cerebral Palsy, Tourettes Syndrome, etc.
Very Special Camps: VerySpecialCamps.com is an online camp directory for individuals with one or more of a wide range of special needs; allowing you to quickly locate a special needs camp based upon your specific requirements and interests.
Internet Special Education Resources: This is a national resource for camps for children with special needs. The Pennsylvania web site is www.camp-america.com which is a premier day camp for children from 2.5 to 14 years.
Therapy and Respite Camps: Information about summer camps that focus on therapy for kids with special needs and/or respite for the kids and their families. I have broken it into national categories and regional categories in the USA, Canada, Central America, & Greece.
Camps for All: Camp For All works in partnership with special needs groups whose members gain self-esteem, self-awareness and independence by participating in programs that are recreational, therapeutic and educational. The camp provides a fully-accessible environment and programs that are tailored to meet the needs of campers of all ages, interests and abilities.
Cherished Creations: Cherished Creations, Inc. is a 501-C-3 Non-Profit Corporation whose mission is to create better lives for seriously-ill children and the underprivileged.
Disability Product Resources
Adaptive Mall: At Adaptivemall.com, you’ll find everything your special needs child needs. Our on-staff therapist and first class customer service team are available to insure your satisfaction.
Accessible Environments: Accessible Environments carries the finest in pediatric products providing the industry’s best in special needs products for home, schools, or clinics. Our categories span feeding aids, mobility and sensory motor products, furniture, seating and standing systems, conditioning and exercise, bathroom, and assisted living technology to make all aspects of special needs living as convenient as possible.
Exceptional Parents Unlimited: Its mission is to strengthen and empower children and families facing extraordinary medical, developmental and parenting challenges.
eSpecial Needs: Is dedicated to providing our clients with the best selection of adaptive equipment and therapy solutions for children and adults with special needs. With over 5,000 products ranging from rehab supplies to treatment tables, special needs car seats to indoor swings, autism toys to child locators, our adaptive therapy products focus on movement, positioning, sensorimotor, exercise, play, rehabilitation andtherapy while educating the parents, caregivers and teachers.
The Boulevard: A disability resource directory of products and services for the physically programmed, elderly, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Services which were highlighted were: Accessible Housing, assistive Devices for Daily Living, Etc.
Disabled Recreations: A site created by the Hett family to share their experience with their daughter. Their intentions were to help families in their situation with education, physical and financial issues.
Flaghouse: FlagHouse is a premier global supplier of physical education equipment and resources for health and special education, sports and recreation, sensory integration, and special needs. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for people of all ages and abilities through more than 20,000 innovative and quality products and solutions. For over 50 years, we’ve enjoyed the trust of our loyal customers, including consumers, families, and professionals in education, recreation, and healthcare.
Special Kids Zone: Achievement Products offers hundreds of top quality therapy products, special needs exercise products and special education products from walkers and standers to therapy balls, feeder seats, rolls and wedges to help children achieve their best.
Southpaw Enterprises: We’re not all left-handed, but we do take a different approach to business. We’re all about creative solutions, information, and advice – not mass distribution of the latest gadget. In fact, since our founding in 1976, we’ve dedicated ourselves to developing and manufacturing sensory integration dysfunction (DSI) and neurodevelopment products that help therapeutic professionals, people with special needs, their families, and other professionals, solve problems or meet new challenges.
Pocket Full of Therapy: Pocket Full of Therapy (PFOT), established in 1989, assists parents, teachers, Occupational Therapists, learning & development professionals and others concerned with the development of children with finding the unique products and resources needed to provide effective, appropriate, motivating and fun, pediatric therapy and learning.
Therapro: Therapro’s goal is to provide unique speech and occupational therapy supplies that help to revolutionize the way occupational therapists, educators, and parents provide preventive, developmental, and rehabilitative care.
Therapy Shoppe: You will find a wonderful assortment of therapy merchandise: specialty toys and games, hard-to-find favorites, innovative new products you haven’t even heard of yet, and lots of other great goodies and gadgets!
Adaptive Design: The Adaptive Design Association works to ensure that children with disabilities get the customized equipment they need to participate fully in home, school, and community life.
Abilitations: Abilitation’s primary focus is serving the needs of individuals with special needs and learning differences. Our special education, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy product mix focuses on movement, positioning, sensorimotor, education, communication, exercise, and play.
Sensory Resources: Future Horizons was founded in 1996 in the belief that dissemination of information about autism and Asperger’s Syndrome through books, conferences, and other media would beneficially impact those who live and work with the condition, personally and professionally. Devoted entirely to supporting and fostering such works and programs, Future Horizons has grown to be a world leader in publications and conferences on autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.
Education Resources
The Division for Early Childhood – The Division for Early Childhood, dedicated to improving education outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities and/or the gifted.
ERIC – Education Resource Information Center is an online digital library of education research and information. ERIC is sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education.
National Arts and Disability Center – promote the full inclusion of audiences and artists with disabilities into all facets of the arts community.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities: It is the center that provides information to the nation on disabilities in children and youth, programs and services for disabled infants, children & youths, IDEA, the nation’s Special Education Law, No Child Left Behind, the nation’s general education law, & research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities. Anyone can use our services – families, educators, administrators, journalists, students. Our special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22).
Young Children is a peer-reviewed professional journal published bimonthly by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Young Children issues are organized around topical clusters that devote special attention to issues in the field of early childhood education. The practitioner based nature of Young Children makes is unique among journals and its award-winning status testifies to its excellence.
National Childcare Information: A service of the Child Care Bureau, it is a national clearinghouse and technical assistance center that provides comprehensive child care information resources to Child Care and Development Fund Administrators and other key stakeholders.
Early Intervention Parent Guide: This Parent’s Guide helps families learn how to get help for their young children with special needs that range from ages birth through 5 years. We have posed the most asked questions about early intervention services for children ages birth through 2 years old and special education and related services for children ages 3 through 5 years old.
Eyesight Resources
Unite for Sight: This webpage is designed to help you find free health programs that will enable you to receive quality medical care free of charge.
Lions Club: Whenever a Lions club gets together, problems get smaller. And communities get better. That’s because we help where help is needed – in our own communities and around the world – with unmatched integrity and energy.
Funding Opportunities for Children with Disabilities
Kaitilin Marie Bell Foundation: It provides financial assistance to children with disabilities who are unable to afford equipment and/or services that they need; insurance companies consider many of these items a luxury.
Aubrey Rose Foundation: Helps families caring for children with life threatening illnesses with the focus being on the family unity. It strives to lift families from life’s complexities during this difficult time by providing emotional and financial support.
Bright Steps Forward: Bright Steps Forward, Inc. is a 501c nonprofit organization n that provides funding for intensive pediatric therapy to financially disadvantaged children with neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, disabilities of pre-maturity, autism and other congenital or acquired conditions that affect their physical functioning.
United Healthcare Foundation: Children who have medical needs are sometimes not insured comprehensively to provide coverage for all of their medical treatments. There are few places for families who have gaps in their health benefit plan coverage to turn to for funding medically necessary services for their children. Children may go without necessary treatment, or, they receive the care and families assume a large amount of debt. The Foundation understands these needs and is willing to help fill this void.
Hanna & Friends: A non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
First Hand Foundation: A nonprofit organization that helps children with health-related needs when insurance and other financial resources has been exhausted. Our mission is to directly impact the health status of a young life. Since our inception in 1995, First Hand has assisted more than 60,000 children.
Midwest Special Needs Trust Grants: A program that provides small financial assistance grants to persons with disabilities who meet the eligibility criteria for disability and income. Two types of grants are available through the program.
Digital Wish: A non-profit charity, dedicated to helping schools gain technology access across all subject areas. Over 10,000 teachers are already using Digital Wish to find and share digital lesson plans. The site features a growing library of grants and fundraising ideas to help schools marshal community support.
Public Welfare Foundation: Supports the efforts to ensure fundamental rights and opportunities for people in need. We look for carefully defined points where our funds can make a difference in bringing about systemic changes that can improve the lives of countless people.
General Disability Resources
National Association for Rare Disorders – a dedicated to helping people with rare diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities – serves the nation as a central source of information on: disabilities in infants, toddlers, children & youth, IDEA, No Child Left Behind and effective educational practices.
TASH – Supports inclusion and participation for adults and children w/disabilities
Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide – includes travel tips for individuals who use wheelchairs, how to make travel easier, and handicap accessible attractions and accommodations
Housing Modification Resources
HUD People with Disabilities: Learn about renting, buying and making your home accessible, and about your Fair Housing rights.
Adaptive Access: Adaptive Access Company is proud to offer the finest in accessible construction and safety equipment available!
Boy Scouts: (Eagle Scout Projects) The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
Learning Disability Resources
Do 2 Learn: Provide learning tools for children with learning disabilities.
Bubel/Aiken Foundation: Serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with special needs and the world around them. They support communities with inclusive programs and together create awareness about the possibilities that inclusion can bring.
Attention Deficit Disorder Organization: Mission is to provide information, resources and networking opportunities to help adults with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) lead better lives.
CHADD – Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Medical Transportation Resources
Children’s Flight of Hope: For many children, however, specialized medical care is readily available but getting to a treatment facility located many miles from home is the greatest obstacle to overcome. Children’s Flight of Hope was founded to meet the transportation needs of these children.
Corporate Angel Network: We arrange free air transportation for cancer patients traveling to treatment using the empty seats on corporate jets.
Flights for Life: Flights for Life, Incorporated (FFL) was formed in 1984 as a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free air transportation for medically-related purposes. FFL works in cooperation with hospitals, blood banks, health-care agencies and private individuals all over Arizona and surrounding states.
Hope Air: Hope Air is the national charity that helps Canadians gets to medical treatment when they cannot afford the flight costs. Since 1986, we are proud to have arranged more than 56,000 flights.
Life Line Pilots: Founded in 1981 by Wanda Whitsitt of Champaign, IL, LifeLine Pilots, 501(c)(3), began as a small group of pilots in Illinois who envisioned using their special skill of flying to help people with emergencies to reach medical centers. Originally, there were 40 pilots coordinated by a group of volunteers. A total of 40 missions were flown the first three years. After five years, the group separated from the state agency in order to expand the service area outside of Illinois. The criteria were expanded to include financial need and logistical concerns as well as a time element. An answering service was engaged to take calls and refer them to the volunteer mission coordinators who were board members. Our 100th mission was flown in 1987.
Mercy Medical Airlift: Mercy Medical Airlift is 25 years old, cause for celebrating the tens of thousands of patients who have benefited from charitable medical flights throughout the years.
Miracle Flights for Kids: Since 1985, Miracle Flights has fulfilled its mission of helping families overcome financial obstacles by flying their seriously ill children to receive proper medical care and to get second opinions.
Northwoods Air Lifeline: Northwoods AirLifeline is a non-profit organization of volunteer pilots from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northeast Wisconsin who donate their time and aircraft to help patients and their families with urgent medical needs for services not found locally.
Operation Lift Off: Our mission is to provide hope for courageous and frightened children with air transportation for a treatment trip. It is our goal to gain the resources necessary to provide air transportation for children with a life threatening illness.
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health America – Mental Health America is dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives.
National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health – Provides advocacy at the national level for the rights of children and youth with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges and their families.
Miscellaneous Resources
Dental Coverage
The Humanitarian Foundation: The dental program is designed to help these children with special needs, under the age of 18, receive the best dental care possible.
Rare Disorders
National Organization of Rare Disorders: An unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare “orphan” diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them.
Temporary Housing
Believe in Tomorrow: Believe In Tomorrow provides exceptional hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families. We believe in keeping families together during a child’s medical crisis, and that the cadence of normal family life has a powerful influence on the healing process.
Service Organization Resources
Knights of Columbus: The Knights were formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
Elk’s Club: To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
Kiwanis International: Kiwanis, through guidance and example, works to develop future generations of leaders. Every day, Kiwanians are revitalizing neighborhoods, organizing youth-sports programs, tutoring, building playgrounds, and performing countles s other projects to help children and communities.
The American Legion: The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, war-time veterans organization, devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is a not-for-profit community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members, men and women, in nearly 15,000 American Legion posts worldwide.
The ARC: Provides a map which you could click your state. Once you do, it provides information of people who could help.
Easter Seals: Easter Seals provides exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy so that people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work and play in our communities.
Modest Needs Mission: To prevent otherwise financially self-sufficient individuals and families from entering poverty, To restore the financial self-sufficiency of individuals who are willing to work but are unable to do so because they do not have the means to remit payment for a work-related expense; To empower permanently disadvantaged individuals To strengthen small non-profit organizations by providing a forum whereby such organizations can apply directly to the general public for the help they need to complete the relatively inexpensive projects that will allow them to better serve their clients and the communities they exist.
Charity Vault: It provides you a listing of states which you click to get information. You have to click through a series of links that narrows the search to your specific area. There will be several local links shown that help.
Brave Kids Resource Directory: Find medical information and resources for children with special needs, chronic illness and disabilities such as: autism, cancer, cerebral palsy, ADHD, ADD and more here at Brave Kids. Brave Kids provides parents and children with information on health services, financial assistance, support groups, child care, dental assistance, camps, transportation and physical therapy to name a few.
Resources for Caregivers: It takes you to listing of numerous links of resourses that may help.
Kid Source Online: This web site is in depth & timely education & healthcare information that will make a difference in lives of parents and children.
Special Needs Alliance: The Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is a national, not for profit organization of attorneys dedicated to the practice of disability and public benefits law. Individuals with disabilities, their families and their advisors rely on the SNA to connect them with nearby attorneys who focus their practices in the disability law arena.
Wish Granting Organizations: This web site different links to different web sites of wish granting capabilities.
Equipment Catalogs: Find therapy equipment to help children with disabilities in these online catalogs and shops.
Simple Abilities: Provides help with equipment to help disabled people at job.
Disability Resource Library: This web site takes you to a search engine. You just type what you would like to learn about and it takes you to information on the subject.
Special Needs Clothing Resources
Able Apparel: Fashionable, functional & affordable adaptive clothing & accessories.
Adaptive Apparel: Well-designed, attractive clothes not only provide comfort but helps people feel good about themselves.
Adaptive Clothing Showroom: Provides clothing for men and women in need of regular as well as adaptive clothing to meet their ease of dressing needs. Many of our Dresses, Shirts, Tops, Sleepwear, and Undershirts are Back-Snap Opening. Our Pants are either Side-Snap or 2 Side-Zippered opening to provide easy on/off dressing. Dresses, Dusters, MuuMuus and Slips are also available with a Cut-Out Seat to provide comfortable clothes for women who are bedridden or wheelchair bound. For those who need special footwear due to edema, arthritis, diabetes or sensitive skin, we have a full line of diabetic socks, edema booties, slippers and shoes.
Easy Access Clothing: The most practical, functional, highest quality and most fashionable collection of clothing and products available today for the disabled consumer. It’s the most practical, functional, highest quality and most fashionable collection of clothing and products available today for the disabled consumer.
Kutaways: Is a website of clothes which are made from easy to get on fabric for people with disabilities.
Mini-Miracles: Provides customers with high quality products and service and offer adaptive clothing selections that are lacking in the marketplace to date.
Specially For You: Design, sew and sell adaptive clothing for the special needs of the physically challenged person.
Support Group Resources
Children’s Disabilities and Special Needs: A website with articles of children with special needs.
Disabilities-R-Us: An online chat room and support group created by and for people with physical disabilities (but everyone is welcome). For over 10 years we have been providing a warm and friendly place where
National Family Caregivers Association: The National Family Caregivers Association educates supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to help transform family caregivers’ lives by removing barriers to health and well being.
Today’s Caregiver: Caregiver Media Group is a leading provider of information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers. Founded in 1995, we produce Today’s Caregiver magazine, the first national magazine dedicated to caregivers, the “Sharing Wisdom Caregivers Conferences”, and our web site, caregiver.com which includes topic specific newsletters, online discussion lists, back issue articles of Today’s Caregiver magazine, chat rooms and an online store. Caregiver Media Group and all of its products are developed for caregivers, about caregivers and by caregivers.
Empowering Caregivers: The mission of the National Organization for Empowering Caregivers is to provide assistance; education, support, referrals and respite for informal family caregivers, as well as to promote public awareness about the realities of those who care for loved ones. NOFEC is a charitable non-profit organization deeply committed to helping family caregivers from all walks of life.
National Alliance for Caregiving: The National Alliance for Caregiving is dedicated to providing support to family caregivers and the professionals who help them and to increasing public awareness of issues facing family caregivers.
The Association for the Severely Handicapped: TASH is an international grassroots leader in advancing inclusive communities through research, education and advocacy.
A Special Needs Plan: A Special Needs Plan is designed to guide families, like yours, through the Special Needs Planning Process in the development of a proper Financial, Legal, and L.I.F.E.TM Plan.
PACER Center: The mission of PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.
Family Caregiver Alliance: Founded in 1977, Family Caregiver Alliance was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. Long recognized as a pioneer in health services, FCA now offers programs at national, state and local levels to support and sustain caregivers.
Kids Together: The Goals of Kids Together, Inc. include a desire to remove barriers that exclude people with disabilities. We support the belief that children with disabilities, like all children, have the need to be welcomed, cherished and embraced in our communities.
ARCH National Respite Network: Respite is temporary relief for caregivers and families who are caring for those with disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses, and the elderly.
Transportation Resources
Adaptive Mobility Systems: A web site that provides information on adapting vans. It also provides information on used vans for sale, new adapted vans for sale and other helpful information.
Mobility Works: Mobility Works now serves as the solution to the high prices, poor service and small selection offered by other shops. The company, led by owners Bill Koeblitz and Taylor Clark, seeks to revolutionize the wheel chair van industry by establishing large, well-managed companies that feature the service, quality and wide selection that people should receive.
Handicaps Inc. is a site of equipment for disabled people from vehicles to living aid.
Friends of Disabled Adults & Children: provides over $8 million each year in equipment and services to the community at little or no cost to the recipients. FODAC is a 501(c)(3) and does not have direct funding from Medicare/Medicaid for the services offered. Most equipment is issued for a suggested donation but some services have mandatory fees.
Special Kids Fund: SKF is a unique children’s charity alliance of social service organizations, hospitals, camps and schools caring for developmentally disabled children and at-risk youth. Many of our special needs children come from communities that cannot afford the one-on-one specialized care and expensive equipment necessary for them to thrive. Our unique children’s charity provides funding through your donations that make it possible to provide special needs programs that are opening new vistas for the educationally, emotionally and physically challenged.
Disabled Dealer: Regional Publications where people and business sell their used (and new) adaptive equipment; accessible vans, scooters, homes, wheelchairs and more.
Handicapped Driver Services: A specialized team of adaptive equipment professionals. Our compassionate and committed workforce is dedicated to providing increased vehicular mobility and independence to individuals not fully served by the traditional automotive market.
Ride Away: Ride Away is America’s largest provider of accessible vehicles and vehicle modifications including hand controls, wheelchairs and scooter lifts, ramps, raised doors, lowered floors and specialized gas, brake and steering controls. Over 400 accessible vehicles, from manufacturers such as Braun and Viewpoint, are in stock throughout our 11 East Coast locations.
HealthyChildren.org: is a site for child safety. The latest information for car seats.
Wheelchair Resources
Alternatives in Motions Grants: Provide wheelchairs to individuals who do not qualify for other assistance, and who could not obtain such equipment without financial aid.
Free Wheelchair Mission: The United States, the majority of disabled citizens will find access to a wheelchair and a life of independence. Public and private health care, government organizations, charitable groups and a variety of social services provide a safety net that grants coverage for many Americans.
Wheelchair Foundation: Wheelchair Foundation is a nonprofit organization leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities, to promote the joy of giving, create global friendship, and to deliver a wheelchair to every child, teen and adult who needs one, but cannot afford one. For these people, the Wheelchair Foundation delivers hope, Mobility and Independence.
Wine for Wheels: Wine for Wheels is an International Association of Wine Enthusiasts dedicated to the “Fruit of the Vine” and bringing Great Wine, Fine Cuisine, and Good Friends together for the purpose of providing Wheelchairs and mobility to those in need. It is all about Wine and Culinary Appreciation, and Education for a philanthropic cause.
Wheelchair Help: This site provides information on free wheelchair loaners & purchases.
Wish Granting Organizations
The Sunshine Foundation: The Sunshine Foundation’s sole purpose is to answer the dreams of seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children aged three to eighteen, whose families cannot fulfill their requests due to financial strain that the child’s illness may cause.
Make-A-Wish Foundation: Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation’s mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish (R) experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities.
New Hope For Kids: New Hope for Kids mission is to support children and families grieving the death of a loved one and to grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses in Central Florida.
Dreamweavers: Dreamweavers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in acts of kindness to individuals who have a need or a wish they cannot afford. We fulfill those needs and wishes anonymously.
A Wish with Wings: A 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that grants the Wishes of Texas children with life-threatening diseases. Working closely with children’s hospitals, child life specialists, and physicians our sole purpose is to grant the Wish of a child in need and bring a ray of hope and happiness into their lives during a time of sorrow and despair.
Tender Wishes: Life can be too short to see a dream come true for a child suffering from a potentially life-threatening illness. The Tender Wishes Foundation can’t promise more time to these children, but it can try to grant their wishes before their time runs out.
Children’s Wish Endowment: Provides helpful links on endowments.
Special Wish Foundation: A Special Wish Foundation is determined to make these dreams become a reality. With incredible support from local organizations and individuals, we have brought smiles to the faces of hundreds of children and their families.
Wish Upon A Star: Wish Upon A Star is a non-profit, law enforcement effort designed to grant the wishes of children afflicted with high-risk and life threatening illnesses. Our services are available to children throughout the state of California, ages 3 through 18 years. We have granted over 1800 wishes in our 26 years of service.
Starlight Starbright: When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, the day-to-day joys of childhood take a back seat to the rigors of treatment and hospitalization. For more than 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries by providing entertainment, education and family activities that help them cope with the pain, fear and isolation of prolonged illness.
Magic Moments: When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, their world becomes filled with countless doctor visits and ongoing medical treatments. The days of carefree laughter and fun are immediately replaced with anxiety and uncertainty. And sometimes these experiences cause children to lose their sense of hope. That’s where Magic Moments comes in. We give back their childhood – if only for a moment – and create smiles and memories that last a lifetime.
Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation: The state-of-the-art complex reflects the growth and diversity of the Tribe’s business interests, and the expanded services it provides to members of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.
Wishing Well Foundation: Was founded on the premise that children with life threatening illnesses are denied the basic right to grow into adulthood. For these unfortunate children, The Wishing Well Foundation will fulfill the fondest wish of any child not expected to reach age 18. Each wish, the child’s very own, must be completed while the child is able to enjoy the wish to the fullest extent. Both the child and family will share in the experience and create happy memories together. The Wishing Well Foundation is committed to this single purpose.
Jason’s Dreams for Kids: A nationally recognized charitable organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories and improving the quality of life for children. It assists children and their families through several key programs.
Kids Wish Network: A nationally recognized charitable organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories and improving the quality of life for children. It assists children and their families through several key programs.
Dreams Come True: An organization unlike any other of its kind. In 25 years, almost 2,400 dreams have come true for children battling life-threatening illnesses in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. There is so much more to be done.