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Community and Internet Resources


Community: Support Groups and Disability Specific Organizations

Developmental Disabilities

National

Alliance for Full Participation is a formal partnership of leading organizations serving the developmental disabilities field that share a common vision - to help create a better and more fulfilling quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. To learn more about their initiatives, visit the alliance's website or call (301) 706-6252.

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities,formerly AAMR, is a non-profit organization. They offer a Reading room on their website, bringing you free reference material on intelectual and developmental disabilities. You can browse by subject, or search the database using keyword, author, or title fields. For more information, visit their website.

National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) is a leading North American expert in providing professionals, educators, policy makers, and families with education, training, and information on mental health issues relating to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. They offer numerous resources and a discussion forum on their website.

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities seeks to promote optimal fetal, infant, and child development, prevent birth defects and childhood developmental disabilities, and enhance the quality of life and prevent secondary conditions among children, adolescents, and adults who are living with a disability. They offer an informative website covering a wide range of developmental disabilities. For more information, call (770) 488-7150 or e-mail bddi@cdc.gov.

The ARC of the United States is the national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. It is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for people with mental retardation and their families. The association also fosters research and education regarding the prevention of mental retardation in infants and young children. For more information, visit their website or contact your local chapter.

State Listings

Florida

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council encourages and advocates opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to enhance their quality of life within their communities. The council offers a range of services including adult day training, supported employment, early intervention, parent training, a range of therapies, counseling, respite, supported living, personal care assistance and much, much more. For more information, call (800) 580-7801.

Illinois

New Sign A Better Life's mission is to empower community members who have developmental disabilities, and their families, to provide information and help to secure resources that are tailored to their needs. A BETTER LIFE primarily serves DuPage and Will Counties in Illinois and bordering communities. This site has a comprehensive list of Illinois resources: State & County Agencies, Parenting Resources, Direct Service Providers and Funding Sources, Support Groups & Advocates, Sources for Used Equipment, Local Equipment Suppliers & Vehicle Modifications, Equipment Suppliers, Information on Technology & Augmentative Communication,Travel Information and Wheelchair Safety and Potpourri.

Illinois Life Span is the statewide information and advocacy coordination system for people with developmental disabilities. They can assist families in locating necessary services while also assisting them in advocating for the rights of their family members with developmental disabilities. For more information, visit their website or call (800) 588-7002.

Kentucky

Council on Mental Retardation, located in Louisville, Kentucky, serves children and adults with developmental disabilities. They offer various recreational programs, educational workshops and presentations, family advocacy and much more. For more information, call (502) 584-1239.

New York

DD Info Link is an on-line information service for Western New York residents impacted by developmental disability. This on-line service offers resources on hundreds of issues and topics for residents of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagra, and Orleans Counties.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council promotes community involvement for people who have developmental disabilities. This organization uses the ideas and problems of the developmentally disabled to change services and supports to better meet their needs.

Tennessee

Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities is a a State office that promotes public policies to increase and support the inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities in their communities. They offer the Disability Information and Referral Office. This office publishes and periodically updates an exhaustive list of services in three volumes, provides a website with access to its database, and maintains a calendar of training events of interest to individuals with disabilities and their families. To contact the I & R office call toll free (800) 640-4636.

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[Updated December 31, 2009]
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