Websites

“The Arc” [] Thearc.org is an amazing website for anyone who works or cares for children with disabilities. It is a network organization that connects people in similar situations locally as well as on the web. There are local chapter that can meet and do things together because a persons best resource for someone caring for someone with a disability is someone who has already experienced what they have. The Arc also offers tons on recourses and publications that caretakers can look to for information. The recourses range from legal information and accommodations to specific information for specific disabilities. There are also resources to get you in touch with insurance companies and other medical programs. The Arc puts a lot of different information that is important to the caretaking of a child with disabilities and puts it all together in one easy to use site.

“Unlocking Autism” [] Unlocking Autism is a great informational site for parents of children who have Autism or may worry that their toddler is starting to show signs of Autism. Along with giving a brief overview of what the website offers and stating their mission as an organization, Unlocking Autism explains what Autism is. This is important because many may have speculation and misconceptions about the disability but by clearly stating what it is you can accurately learn about it. Unlocking Autism also gives tons of topics that parents have questions about as well as the information and discussions about what to do and what people may have done when they were faced with a situation. There is also a parent-to-parent network, which can be the best resource of all. There is also news information, support groups, and ways you can take action to fight Autism in your local community.

“United Cerebral Palsy” [] United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading resource and informational site for Cerebral Palsy. UCP is also a huge advocate for children with disabilities. UCP lists tons and tons of resources and individually do a lot of work in areas of education, health and wellness, housing, products and services, sports and leisure, and transportation. When a child has a physical disability it is hard for them to do things regular kids do, and it is not that they cannot do it, but they have to find their own way to do it. One of things that UCP advocates is for the independence of children with disabilities. By informing those who seek information UCP can help many families raise children with disabilities to be active, productive, and independent children.

“Spina Bifida Association” [] Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect. Spina Bifida is a physically restricting disabilities that effects people for their entire life. From the beginning the have to learn how to do everyday things differently. The site offers facts about Spina Bifida and what accommodations are needed when living with Spina Bifida. It offers support groups and addresses topics that only people with this disorder can understand. This site would be a great resource for anyone raising a child with Spina Bifida as well as working with a child with this physical disability such as teachers. "National Association For Downs Syndrome" [] Downs Syndrome is one of the most common disabilities around the world. It is a chromosomal disorder that affects children of all races, nationalities, ethnicities, and gender. What the National Association For Downs Syndrome (NADS) mission is to make people aware of what causes Downs Syndrome and what can be done for children who suffer from the disability. It specifically has a fact sheet explaining Downs Syndrome as well as local support groups, products and publications, rescores, and programs. This is a great site for parents, especially first time parents, of children with Downs Syndrome as well as teachers who may have a child with Downs Syndrome in their class. With these resources listed on the NADS website everyone can become more informed about Downs Syndrome and know how to interact with a child with this disability.

“National Association of the Deaf” []National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is an incredible organization to that supports and advocates the deaf community. It has resources for anyone who is affected by partial or total hearing loss such as parents, teachers, and even the deaf themselves. NAD puts on huge conventions and does a ton of community work spreading awareness of the deaf community. Nad.org had links of their website for legal rights, advocacy issues, and info and facts. Also the newsroom links people to what is going on the world of deaf advocacy. As many other advocacy sites do, NAD has a community outreach program connecting deaf families and children in their local community.

Attention Deficit Disorder Association []Attention Deficit Disorder affects many children around the world. It has become one of the most common disabilities in classrooms today. It affects simple tasks that children do and their focus and sometimes even their behavior. The ADDA offers events and support groups that allow parents and children with ADD to get help, advice, and assistance. Nation wide events are also hosted for people to gather strategies, techniques, and the proper help for children with ADD. The website also offers an extensive list of articles on various subjects relating to ADD. This would be a great website to be looked at by teachers and parents who work with or have a child with ADD.

“American Foundation for the Blind” [|http://www.afb.org/]American Foundation for the Blind’s (AFB) website is absolutely amazing. The first thing I noticed was that it is user friendly for the blind community. You can adjust the size of the font and the colors to make it viewable by people who are vision impaired. The AFB’s website has tons of resources for the blind community and those who may be working with, such as teachers, and parents of blind or vision impaired children. There are many different links for learning about the blind community, tips for working with the blind of all ages (even in the schools and work place), what AFB does as an organization, and a sections called quick links. The quick links section gives tons of interesting information. A key feature of the site is the Family Connect section. This links parents of blind children with other parents and experts to learn what they should do to help their child. This is the perfect resource for anyone raising a visually impaired child. The information on this site gives amazing incite on what can and should be done for blind children.