RECOMMENDED READING Special Needs Planning Guide more information

Articles & Information Links: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Regional Info National Info Independent Living Centers Waivers Additional Links   Join Email List For Email Newsletters you can trust			Resources: Links Commonwealth of Massachusetts Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts Assets (Opportunities through Assistive Technology) Assistive Technology Exchange in New England - designed to facilitate simple, easy transactions between Massachusetts residents who can benefit from assistive technology devices and those who have assistive technology devices that are no longer needed Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers - Advancing community organizations that support people with disabilities The Arc of Massachusetts Missions: to enhance the lives of individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities and their families. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Home Page Community Autism Resources Community Gateway - Community Gateway provides families, individuals and professionals in the Massachusetts community with a gateway to quality local and worldwide disability resources and events. Disability Law Center - Provides free legal assistance and information to people with disabilities throughout Massachusetts. Family Leadership Series Brochure (Acrobat format) - save or print Family TIES of Massachusetts A statewide information and parent-to-parent support project for families of children with special needs and chronic illness. It is administered by parent coordinators housed in each of the regional offices of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Greater Boston Legal Services M.A.S.S. (Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong): Dedicated to self-advocacy for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Massachusetts Commission for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Massachusetts Community Gateway Missions: To provide families, individuals and professionals in the Massachusetts community with a gateway to quality local and worldwide disability resources and events. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) - formerly Massachusetts Department of Education Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services: Strengthening Services for Children, Youth and their Families - Advisory Committee 2011 Reports Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Massachusestts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) - formerly Massachusetts Department Mental Retardation Patrick Administration and Advocates Welcome Name Change for Department of Developmental Services - Press Release of June 30, 2009 Massachusetts Department of Public Health Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council Providing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families to enhance independence, productivity, integration and inclusion. Massachusetts Division of Medical Assistance (MassHealth) Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress - Information, networking, and advocacy for and about Down syndrome Massachusetts Family Voices Massachusetts Legislative Home Page Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission PAL (Parent Professional Advocacy League) Special Needs Advocacy Network (SPAN) - Information and resources for advocates, parents, and other professionals. Special Needs Educational Resources in the Greater Massachusetts Area SPEDWatch - a grassroots, nonprofit, social change movement working to secure the educational rights of all Massachusetts students with disabilities, ages 3-21. TRANSTION22 - This website provides practical advice and resources geared specially for the transitional phase (age 22) for all disabilities. Transition from School to Adult Department of Mental Retardation Services Focus Groups: Themes and Recommendations - Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Governor's Commision on Mental Retardation Report of July, 2007. The Traveling Wheelchair by Kenny & Company - Kenny Cieplik's site offers user-contributed ratings of Massachusetts locations, including short reviews of the wheelchair accessibilityand other factors by using a Star Rating system.
Regional			Asperger's Association of New England New England Information on Disabilities Exchange
National			We Connect Now - We Connect is a site dedicated to uniting college students with disabilities in access to higher education and employment issues. ADA Watch ADA Watch and the National Coalition for Disability Rights (NCDR) is a coalition of national, state and local disability, civil rights and social justice organizations united to protect and promote the human rights of children and adults with physical and mental disabilities. For more information, go to www.adawatch.org and www.roadtofreedom.org Alliance for Full Participation A 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. Beach Center on Disability Disability.gov - Connecting the Disability Community to Information & Opportunities. Disability Resources On The Net A list of sites to help individuals and families with disabilities or medical conditions find information about health maintenance, coping, and quality of life. Disability Information - Reference guide to disabilities offered by MetroWest Center for Independent Living. http://www.disabilityinfo.org/ - Contained within this site is a wealth of information for people with disabilities, their friends, families and the people who serve them. Information within this site focuses on Massachusetts. The Disability Policy Consortium, Inc. is an organization of volunteer disability rights activists who share a common goal of equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities. Disaboom - Information and resources for people with disabilities Emergency Preparedness for Families & Children This PowerPoint presentation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration on Developmental Disabilities, provides information for families about preparing for emergencies. The presentation includes information on state and local resources for family readiness, developmental disabilities networks and checklists for parents of children with special needs. The presentation is also available in Word format. Family Voices Federation for Children with Special Needs A center for parents and parent organizations to work together on behalf of children with special needs and their families. Going to College - A resource for teens with disabilities. Inclusion.com - Web site of Inclusion Press, Inclusion Network and Marsha Forest Centre. Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) - Promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities. Affiliated with University of Massachusetts, Boston and Children's Hospital Boston. National Center for Family Support at Human Services Research Institute Information about project progress and NCFS sponsored events such as institutes, conferences, and symposiums and resources and publications with information about best practice and policy regarding family support. The Katydid Foundation - A Resource for Adults with Autism Kids on Wheels - A Young Person's Guide to Wheelchair Lifestyle National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) The Social Role Valorization Implementation Project (SRVIP) is a human service training, evaluation and consultation effort aimed at addressing the social devaluation of impaired and other vulnerable people in contemporary society. Training Resource Network, Inc. Resources on the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in their communities.
Independent Living Centers			Adlib, Inc The Center provides independent living and specialized services for people with disabilities in Berkshire County. Boston Center for Independent Living Inc. BCIL provides the four "core services" of independent living centers: peer mentoring, skills training, information and referral, and advocacy. Center for Living and Working, Inc. Founded in 1975, we now serve thousands of people in 92 cities and towns in central Massachusetts, through Independent Living programs and services, resources for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and outreach and advocacy. Independence Associates Center for Independent Living Serving the communities of: Abington, Marshfield, Attleboro, Mattapoisett, Avon, Middleboro, Bridgewater, North Attleboro, Brockton, Norton, Berkley, Norwell, Carver, Pembroke, Cohasset, Plainville, Dighton, Plymouth, Duxbury, Plympton, East Bridgewater, Raynham, Easton, Rehobeth, Foxboro, Rochester, Halifax, Rockland, Hanson, Scituate, Hanover, Seekonk, Hingham, Stoughton, Holbrook, Swansea, Hull, Taunton, Kingston, Wareham, Lakeville, West Bridgewater, Mansfield, Whitman, Marion. Independent Living Center of the North Shore & Cape Ann, Inc. ILCNSCA serves individuals who have disabilities and live or work, or want to live or work, in the following twenty-five cities and towns of the North Shore and Cape Ann: Beverly , Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marblehead, Melrose, Middleton, Nahant, North Reading, Peabody, Reading, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wakefield and Wenham. Metro West Center for Independent Living A community-based, consumer-controlled, cross disability center for independent living, serving the MetroWest area of Massachusetts. Multi-Cultural Independent Living Center of Boston, Inc. The Multi-Cultural Independent Living Center of Boston, Inc. provides information and referral services to disabled people and their families. Northeast Independent Living Program, Inc. NILP provides advocacy and services to all people with disabilities. Stavros Advocates for Independent Living "It is our goal at Stavros to give people with disabilities the tools to take charge of their life choices, act on their own behalf, and overcome situations that reduce their potential for independence."
Waivers			The Massachusetts Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver Program - Choice, Portability and Provider Selection - A User Guide for Individuals & Families Click here to read, print or download this document [acrobat format; 30 pages; 487KB]
Additional Links			About Me Books - Personalized stories for awareness and achievement. The Charity Guide Disability is Natural - The mission of this site is to encourage new ways of thinking about disability and to help create a society in which all people are valued and included. Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) The Family Center is a resource designed to support organizations and programs that work with families of children and youth with disabilities. Reidy Associates - Reidy Associates specializes in developing outstanding leaders, helping to plan and implement desired futures, and building high performing teams. Clients come from both the public and private sector, including health care, state and federal government, nongovernmental organizations, and industry. Special Needs Financial Planning - Information and support regarding financial planning for families with a member who has a disability or special needs. top