These are some of my favorite go-tos when it comes to housing, advocacy, independent living, caregiver support and encouragement, finances, and future planning. Although some may be tailored to specific locations or diagnoses, they can still be helpful to your journey.
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). With hundreds of state and local chapters they provide a wide variety of services, supports, and advocacy for people with IDD and their families.
Autism Speaks is a non-profit autism awareness organization and the largest autism research organization in the United States. Autism Speaks provides resources for individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities.
AHN aims to provide a central hub of housing information, developer tools, and resources in order to build more neuro-inclusive communities (See AHN comprehensive housing series in the Video/Webinar section below).
ACL maximizes the independence, well-being, and health of people with disabilities across the lifespan, and their families and caregivers.
The Charting the LifeCourse framework was developed to help individuals with disabilities and families at any age or stage of life develop a vision for a good life.
PACER provides individual assistance, workshops, publications, and other resources for families. Pacer Center, based in Minnesota, provides valuable resources for families regardless of location.
Parents Helping Parents will empower you at every stage of your child’s life, from birth through adulthood. Together, they will create a plan that will help you, your child, and your entire family thrive!
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs provide assistance to people who meet the requirements for physical and developmental disabilities.
The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 allows states to create tax-advantaged savings programs for eligible people with developmental disabilities. These extra funds allow individuals to achieve a higher quality of life.
Empowering people with disabilities and their families to lead lives of dignity and purpose through expert legal planning and advocacy.
Special needs planning professionals such as attorneys, financial planners and trust officers who provide services and advice to persons with special needs and to their families.
TFC is united to protect and advance the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to live, work and thrive in a community or setting of their choice.
Helping people with disabilities lead amazing lives through supported decision making.
A non-profit organization that orients and empowers parents and others caring for children with serious medical conditions, by providing resources and tools.
Parents, advocates, teachers, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for reliable, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.
A nonprofit dedicated to shaping the world for difference. They provide resources and support so people who learn and think differently can thrive — in school, at work, and throughout life
OSEP is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.
The Mighty is a growing community of people with lived experience sharing their honest stories. They help people connect with others around mental health, chronic illness, rare disease, disability, and more.
HTT comprehensive housing guide includes information and resources for families to plan for housing. It also includes a video series based on families personal housing experiences. This guide was created by a Think Tank in Southwest Ohio, but could be beneficial to anyone regardless of their location.
Karen Mayer Cunningham is a secial education advocate. She Has been advocating for children for over 25 years. She is passionate about training, educating, and empowering everyone that sits at the 504/IEP table. You can also find her on her Facebook page at Special Education Boss.
Founded in 2008, Disability Scoop is the nation’s largest news organization devoted to covering developmental disabilities. With daily coverage of autism, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and morele. You can also find her on her Facebook page at Special Education Boss.
When I need advice and guidance, I turn to those who understand the path I’m on. Here are families sharing their journeys through vlogs, podcasts, blogs, and entrepreneur ventures.
Kim Albrecht is a mom planning the future for her nonspeaking teen daughter with level 3 autism & inviting you to fumble through it with her through her podcast series. You can also find Kim's podcasts series at lnk.bio/LOMAH.
The Maass' are creators of an Autism family vlog. Battling the stigma of ASD (autism spectrum disorder) with a first hand look into the struggles, joy, and comedy of fathering autism. You can also follow the Maass' on Facebook.
Kate Swenson is the creator behind Finding Cooper's Voice. A website where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.
Adrian H. Wood, PhD is a blogger/vlogger and mother to Amos. He is the subject of much of her writing as she learns to embrace the extra special need status that has blessed her family. You can also follow Adrian on Facebook.
Carrie Cariello is an author and mother to Jack who has Autism. Jack is the source of most of Carrie's writings and vlogs. You can find her blog at What Color Is Monday. You can also follow Carrie on her blog at CarrieCariello.com and on X.
Rob Gorski shares his personal journey as a single dad, navigating the joys and challenges of raising his three extraordinary autistic children
In June 2018, Jordyn's Summer Shirt Project was created in the Moore family's basement. It was started as a summer project for their daughter Jordyn who has autism to learn new vocational skills. Years later, it has turned into a successful family business. You can find Jordyn's Summer Shirt Project on Facebook and Instagram.
Sandra Peoples is a special needs mom, an author of three books, and a special-needs ministry consultant, helping churches around her state start and strengthen their disability ministries. She also co-host for Key Ministry: The Podcast, where she shares her perspective on family aspects of disability ministry and inclusion.
Diane is a Christian wife, special-needs parent, and disability ministry consultant, author and speaker. Her passion is to encourage and comfort others with the comfort received from Christ, and to speak up for those who cannot.
Trent is an artist with autism. He is known for his one-of-a-kind drawings and artistic style. He has a large social media following that his family helps run. Trent has an online store for purchasing his drawings on various products. You can follow Trent on Facebook and Instagram
John's Crazy Socks is an online store inspired by the co-founder, John Cronin. John is a young man with Down Syndrome who loves his socks and wants to share his love of socks with the world. You can follow John on Facebook and Instagram.
Little Rebel With a Cause is a family owned business who make apparel with a purpose for little advocates & upstanders who embrace differences, or Little Rebels, as they like to call them. David and Lauren have a son, Wilson, who has Autism and a daughter, Charlie who is her brothers biggest advocate.
I love webinars or video series. They cover a ton of information all in one place. Though some of these resources may be tailored to specific locations or diagnoses, don’t let that stop you. They are worth the listen!
School to Adult Life Transition™ is an online video series developed to help families navigate the transition from school to adult life. This series is specific to Ohio but offers resources beneficial to most families regardless of location.
Pacer Center offers a video series on a variety of topics for individuals with disabilities and their families. Pacer center is located in Minnesota but offers resources beneficial to most families regardless of location.
Learn more about housing and support options, life as an autistic adult or someone with I/DD, and more through AHN informative videos.
While this may not be a video series, it is worthy of watching. A Good Life takes an intimate look into the lives of adults living with I/DD and their families. The film shares the challenges and opportunities they face.
Video content that meets the information needs of the disability community and promotes advocacy, best practice, and innovation.
