Resources
- Adaptive Sports
- Aquatic Therapy
- Attorneys - Special Education
- Camps
- Education: ESE / IEP / IDEA / Section 504
- Employment
- Estate Planning / Tax Information
- Government Agencies & Programs
- Health Care & Medical Services
- Hippotherapy
- Independent Living
- Information Sources
- Latex Allergy
- Medical Supply Vendors
- Non-Verbal Learning Disorder
- Parent Advocacy
- Service Animals
- Spina Bifida
- Teens - For, By, and About
- Therapies: Physical, Occupational, and Speech
- Wish Organizations
- Everything Else
Adaptive Sports
Central Florida Miracle LeagueMission is to help children with disabilities build self-worth, overcome boundaries, and achieve their dreams by participating in America's past-time: baseball.
Disabled Sports USA
Established in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans to serve the war injured, now offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent disability. Activities include winter skiing, water sports, summer and winter competitions, fitness and special sports events. Participants include those with visual impairments, amputations, spinal cord injury, dwarfism, multiple sclerosis, head injury, cerebral palsy, and other neuromuscular and orthopedic conditions.
Florida Disabled Outdoor Association Works to ensure people with disabilities have the opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Since it's inception in 1990, the FDOA has promoted accessible recreation to persons with disabilities as well as the general public through special events, newsletters and community education. FDOA has also assisted in compliance of the Americans with Disabilities Act and worked closely with many state, local and private organizations to develop, enhance and/or support recreation opportunities for the disabled across Florida and other states.
Gliding Stars of Central Florida
Provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to increase their personal potential through development of ice skating skills in a regular program of instruction and practice in their own local community, culminating in the demonstration of those skills publicly in an end-of-season on-ice choreographed performance.
Aquatic Therapy
Florida HospitalAttorneys - Special Education
Camps
Camp Boggy CreekCamp Courageous of Iowa A year-round respite and recreational facility for individuals of all ages with disabilities.
Camp I Am Special / Camp Promise / Camp Care
For children with a wide variety of disabilities by providing a special week of summer camp fun. Camp I Am Special serves campers age 6-13; Camp Promise, campers age 14-20 and 21-30; Camp Care, specialized for children with severe and profound levels of disbility.
Dream Oaks Camp
Mission is to provide fun, educational, and recreational experiences in an outdoor camp environment to enhance the lives of children ages 7-17 with physical and developmental disabilities and serious illnesses.
Victory Junction Gang Camp
Education: ESE / IEP / IDEA / Section 504
Council for Exceptional ChildrenDedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted.
ESE Tutorial
Family Network on Disabilities of Florida
Statewide network of families and individuals who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families.
Florida Department of Education
Florida Department of Education: Bureau of Exceptional Education & Student Services
Administers programs for students with disabilities and for gifted students. Coordinates student services throughout the state.
Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
Provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide.
National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET)
Coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
Serves the nation as a central source of information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth; IDEA; No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities); and research-based information on effective educational practices.
Statewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities (STAND)
Purpose is to inform families of children with disbilities of their rights. Focus is on IDEA, Section 504, and ADA.
US Department of Education Programs
Comprehensive listing of programs that provide financial aid for eligible applicants for elementary, secondary, and college education; for the education of individuals with disabilities and of those who are illiterate, disadvantages, or gifted; and for the education of immigrants, American Indians, and people with limited English proficiency.
Employment
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth)Source of information about employment and youth with disabilities.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Employment resource for businesses and people with disabilities. Mission is to enable individuals with disabilities to obtain and keep employment.
Estate Planning / Tax Information
Special Needs TrustBrief article discussing special needs trust.
Tax Benefits for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities
Provides brief summary of the most significant federal income tax benefits for parents of children with severe learning disabilities as well as AD/HD or other physical, mental, emotional impairments.
Government Agencies & Programs
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)Works in partnership with local communities and private providers to assist people who have developmental disabilities and their families. Also provides assistance in identifying the needs of people with developmental disabilities for supports and services.
American With Disbilities Act / Disability Advisory Board (Orange County)
Provides citizen input to the Board of County Commissioners regarding related life and living conditions affecting those in the disability community.
Americans with Disabilites Working Group (ADAWG)
Encourages compliance with the ADA among state and local governments, the education community, the business community, the private sector, and the community of people with disabilities.
DisabilityInfo.gov
Online connection to federal government's disability-related information and resources.
Florida Childhood Services
Provides services to families and providers seeking advocacy, education, training, resource and referral, and information on disability services available in their communities.
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
Encourages and advocates opportunities for persons with disabilities and their families, to enhance their quality of life within their communities. Supports innovative initiatives that demonstrate new approaches to enhance the independence, productivity, inclusion and self-determination of individuals with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.
GovBenefits.gov
Free, confidential prescreening tool to search for benefits you may be eligible to receive.
National Council on Disability
Makes recommendations to the President and Congress to enhance the quality of life for all Americans with disabilities and their families.
Navigating Medicare & Medicaid
Explains the critical role Medicare and Medicaid have come to play in the lives of 20 million children, adults, and seniors with disabilities.
Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration Disability Benefits
Vocational Rehabilitation
Employment resource for businesses and people with disabilities. Mission is to enable individuals with disabilities to obtain and keep employment.
Health Care & Medical Services
Children's Medical ServicesProvides children with special health care needs with a family centered, managed system of care.
Early Steps
Serves Florida's infants and toddlers birth to 36 months with a developmental delay or a condition that places them at risk for developmental delay. Sixteen contracted local Early Steps across the state coordinate with community agencies and other contracted providers for the delivery of needed supports and services.
Hippotherapy
Freedom RideProvides therapeutic riding to adults and children four years and older with Spina Bifida, Mental Retardation, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disabilities, Brain Injury, Speech-Language Disorders, among others.
Heavenly Hoofs
Mission is to enhance the physical, emotional, and cognitive growth of people with life-threatening illnesses or disabilities using equine therapy.
Horses for Riders with Disabilities (HeRD)
The HeRD Equine Assisted Therapy program approaches the needs of those with disabilities through adaptive horseback riding lessons, therapeutic riding, and hippotherapy.
Independent Living
Information Sources
American Association of People with DisabilitiesProvides comprehensive website for disability-related news and information; dedicated to ensuring economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for Americans with disabilities; works in coalition with other disability organizations for the full implementation and enforcement of disability nondiscrimination laws.
Birth Defects Research for Children
Provides parents and expectant parents free fact sheets about the most common categories of birth defects and offers a parent networking service that will connect you with other families who have children with the same birth defects
Family Voices
Clearinghouse for information and education concerning the health care of children with special health needs.
Florida Institute for Family Involvement
Dedicated to creating solutions, strengthening partnerships, enhancing community collaboration, and building an information base for children and youth with special needs and their families.
March of Dimes (Florida chapter)
Mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality and is achieved through research, community services, education and advocacy.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHY)
Serves the nation as a central source of information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth; IDEA; No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities); and research-based information on effective educational practices.
National Organization on Disability
Provides latest in disability-related news, information, and resources.
Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC)
One of ten regional ADA & IT Centers funded by National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to provide training and materials on Americans with Disabilities Act and Information Technology.
Latex Allergy
American Latex Allergy AssociationProvides educational materials, support groups, publications, and product information to assist with understanding of natural rubber latex allergy.
Latex Allergy Links
Provides comprehensive, up-to-date listing of latex allergy-related sites and documents on the Internet; also includes articles and practical information about latex allergy and message board.
Medical Supply Vendors
Advocate Medical ServicesCCS Medical
UroMed
Non-Verbal Learning Disorder
Parent Advocacy
Advocacy Center for Persons with DisabilitiesProvides protection and advocacy services in the State of Florida.
Family Cafe
Created to fulfill an unmet need in Florida: the need for information. Offers educational opportunities and information on meaningful topics for individuals and their families in a family-centered environment.
Family Care Council Florida (FCCF)
Advocates, educates, and empowers individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, partnering with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), to bring quality services to individuals for dignity and choice.
Family Network on Disabilities of Florida (FND)
Statewide network of families and individuals who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families.
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
Expands opportunities and enhances the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.
Statewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities (STAND)
Purpose is to inform families of children with disbilities of their rights. Focus is on IDEA, Section 504, and ADA.
Service Animals
Canine Companions for Independence (CCI)Enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly-trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.
Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida Association (SBA)Spina Bifida Chapters in Florida:
Spina Bifida Clinics in Florida:
SB-List
Discussion list for parents of children with Spina Bifida. List focuses on information sharing and support.
SBA's YAA Blog
Dedicated to all the individuals in the world living with Spina Bifida and is maintained by the Spina Bifida Association of America's Youth and Adult Alliance (YAA).
Teens - For, By, and About
ActivTeenDisability Central department managed by and for teens with disabilities. They are an online cyber community where teens with disabilities can socialize, educate one another, and just have fun together.
CeDIR's Disability Awareness Site for Youth
Answers questions about disabilities.
High School - High Tech
Transition program designed to reduce the dropout rate of youth with disabilities, increase their enrollment in college and improve participation in education/vocational/employment related activities.
Therapies: Physical, Occupational, and Speech
United Cerebral Palsy of Central FloridaOffers therapeutic, educational, support and advocacy services to everyone touched by a disability, regardless of their ability to pay.
United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida
Provides vocational, residential and community-based support services for individuals seeking to maximize abilities, independence and quality of life.
Wish Organizations
New Hope for KidsGrants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses who have not yet reached their 19th birthday nor had a wish granted previously. Also provides additional services and supports beyond the wish itself through New Hope Kids Family which joins together for regular activities to have fun, share resources, and provide emotional support.
[Webmaster's note: Spina Bifida is a qualifying illness]
Everything Else
Advanced Technology for Challenged Kids (ATCK)Created to help bridge the technology divide. Purpose is to provide as many kids as possible with computers.
Disability Mentoring Day
Part of a national, broad-based effort to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, job shadowing and internships, or employment opportunities.
Give Kids The World Kids Club
Children battling life-threatening illnesses between the ages of 3-18 living in Orange, Osceola, Polk, Brevard, Seminole, or Volusia counties can join and participate with their immediate families in many fun-filled activities, including parties at GKTW Village, visits to local theme parks, and admission to area sporting events - all cost-free.
[Webmaster's note: Spina Bifida is a qualifying illness]
Grants for Individuals: The Disabled
Interventions Unlimited
Dedicated to providing applied behavior analysis to enable children and adults to achieve maximum potential in their homes, schools, and communities by teaching them adaptive skills and behaviors.
Joni & Friends
Equips Christ-honoring churches to building leaders among those affected by disability and developing disability effective churches.
Nathaniel's Hope
Brings hope and practical assistance to kids with special needs and their families by providing resources of encouragement and help, as well as respite care.
Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation
Helps children with serious illnesses and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through education, entertainment and family activities.
Variety: The Children's Charity
Kids on the Go Program provides equipment to enable children to participate in their community when this equipment cannot be obtained from any other source.
Wheelchairs on the Go: Accessible Fun in Florida
Access guide for visitors and residents who use canes, walkers, or wheelchairs.
Woodbine House
Publisher specializing in books about children with special needs. Our titles within the Special-Needs Collection cover AD/HD, Autism, Celiac Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Learning Disabilities, Spina Bifida, Traumatic Brain Injury, Early Intervention, Inclusion, Special Education, Communication Skills, and more. Since 1985 we've prided ourselves on publishing books of the highest quality and best value for parents, children, therapists, health care providers, and teachers.