General Disability Information
This page provides information and resources to help you more fully understand the characteristics of specific disabilities.
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Description: Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neuro-genetic disorder that occurs in one in 15,000 live births or 500,000 people worldwide. It is caused by a loss of function of the UBE3A gene in the 15th chromosome derived from the mother. Angelman syndrome shares symptoms and characteristics with other disorders including autism, cerebral palsy and Prader-Willi syndrome. Due to the common characteristics, misdiagnosis occurs often. People with AS have developmental problems that become noticeable by the age...
Description: The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. Their Core Values include: People First The Arc believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are defined by their own strengths, abilities, and inherent value — not by their disability. Equity The Arc believes that people with intellectual and...
Description: The Beach Center on Disability focuses research, training, and advocacy on promoting abilities of people of all ages who experience disability, in order to assure a self-determined, goal-driven, and self-selected quality of life within communities where everyone lives. The Beach Center on Disability, one of 15 centers within Life Span Institute (LSI) at the University of Kansas (KU), is a multidisciplinary research and training center committed to making a significant and sustainable positive...
Description: The Office of Head start (OHS) launched the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) in 2006 with a clear and innovative mission: to provide timely information and learning opportunities relevant to the Head Start and Early Head Start community, and to serve as a comprehensive resource for anyone involved in early childhood education. Head Start programs and parents visiting the ECLKC will find the latest information on OHS priorities, policies, and programs. The ECLKC also offers...
Description: The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of the learning disability, dyslexia as well as related language-based learning differences. Dyslexia is a neurological condition caused by a different wiring of the brain. There is no cure for dyslexia and individuals with this condition must learn coping strategies. Research indicates that dyslexia has no relationship to intelligence. Individuals...
Description: NADD’s mission is to promote leadership in the expansion of knowledge, training, policy, and advocacy for mental health practices that promote a quality life for individuals with dual diagnosis (IDD/MI) in their communities. (An IDD/MI dual diagnosis refers to individuals with an intellectual/developmental disability, IDD, who concurrently experience a mental health condition. While the exact prevalence is unknown, most professionals accept that roughly 35% of people with intellectual...
Description: Ataxia is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. Many symptoms of Ataxia mimic those of being drunk, such as slurred speech, stumbling, falling, and incoordination. These symptoms are caused by damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for coordinating movement. Ataxia treatment involves a combination of medication to treat symptoms and therapy to improve quality of life. People affected by Ataxia may experience problems with using their fingers and hands,...
Description: The Attention Deficit Disorder Association provides information, resources and networking opportunities to help adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder lead better lives.
Description: One in five people have learning and attention issues, including specific learning disabilities like dyslexia and/or attention issues like ADHD. These individuals are just as capable as their peers, but many struggle in school and beyond because they fail to get the support they need. We know that with the right support, they can thrive. NCLD works every day to make meaningful change for individuals with learning and attention issues.
Description: Founded in 1909 by Clifford W. Beers, Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. MHA’s work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who...
Description: The National Organization on Disability (NOD) increases employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities. Our programs and services enable companies to realize the competitive advantages of hiring people with disabilities.
Description: The National Spinal Cord Injury Association is the nation's oldest and largest civilian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) and their families.
Description: The Spina Bifida Association (SBA) serves adults and children who live with the challenges of Spina Bifida. Since 1973, SBA has been the only national voluntary health agency solely dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with Spina Bifida and those whose lives are touched by this challenging birth defect. Its tools are education, advocacy, research, and service.
Description: CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the nation's leading non-profit organization serving individuals with ADHD and their families. CHADD has over 16,000 members in 200 local chapters throughout the U.S. Chapters offer support for individuals, parents, teachers, professionals, and others. AN OVERVIEW GUIDE OF ADHD Everybody can have difficulty sitting still, paying attention or controlling impulsive behavior once in a while. For some people, however,...
Description: Mission Statement To be the indispensable resource for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, their families, and their communities. Vision Statement Life of inclusion for individuals with disabilities It’s a commitment to a life without limits for people with disabilities We’re committed to change and progress for adults and children with disabilities, whether it is a disability evidenced from birth, the result of an accident, or as a consequence of aging. UCP local...
Description: LDA visualizes a world in which learning disabilities are universally understood, so all individuals are accepted, supported, and empowered to live a self-determined life. LDA’s mission is to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities by learning disabilities through support, education, and advocacy.
Description: Anxiety and depression are treatable, but 80 percent of kids with a diagnosable anxiety disorder and 60 percent of kids with diagnosable depression are not getting treatment.Anxiety is a normal part of childhood, and every child goes through phases. A phase is temporary and usually harmless. But children who suffer from an anxiety disorder experience fear, nervousness, and shyness, and they start to avoid places and activities.
Description: The American Occupational Therapy Association advances the quality, availability, use, and support of occupational therapy through standard-setting, advocacy, education, and research on behalf of its members and the public. (National Organizations)
Description: The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is an individual membership professional organization representing more than 100,000 member physical therapists (PTs), physical therapist assistants (PTAs), and students of physical therapy. APTA seeks to improve the health and quality of life of individuals in society by advancing physical therapist practice, education, and research, and by increasing the awareness and understanding of physical therapy's role in the nation's health care system.
Description: The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. JAN’s trusted consultants offer one-on-one guidance on workplace...
Description: The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-directed national organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses. The organization fosters an environment of understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically based tools and information written in language the general public can understand. DBSA supports research to promote more timely diagnosis, develop more effective and tolerable...
Description: The NAMI movement works to raise mental health awareness, provide education and support, and improve the mental health system. These efforts involve three levels of organizational collaboration: NAMI, the NAMI state office, and local NAMI affiliates. As a big NAMI family, our pathways to success are intertwined, and each level has an important role to play. It’s valuable to understand the specific roles that each NAMI entity plays in the collective mental health movement. NAMI...
Description: TASH advances equity, opportunity and inclusion for people with disabilities, with a focus on those with the most significant support needs, in the areas of education, employment and community living through advocacy, research and practice.
Description: LD OnLine seeks to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate and up-to-date information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD. The site features hundreds of helpful articles, multimedia, monthly columns by noted experts, first person essays, children’s writing and artwork, a comprehensive resource guide, very active forums, and a Yellow Pages referral directory of professionals, schools, and products.
Description: AG Bell - works globally to ensure that people who are deaf and hard of hearing can hear and speak. They provide support, information, resources and more to provide guidance. They want all families to be informed and supported, professionals to be appropriately qualified to teach and help children with hearing loss, public policy leaders to effectively address the needs of people with hearing loss, and communities to be empowered to help their neighbors with hearing loss succeed. Whether you are...
Description: America Council for the Blind's mission is to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people.
Description: American Foundation for the Blind - Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for Blind has spent nearly a century ensuring that individuals who are blind or visually impaired have access to the information, technology, education, and legal resources they need to live independent and productive lives. From our earliest days, we have amplified the voices of people with vision loss, and have been the engine of advancement and opportunity for every person affected by blindness or vision loss. Screen...
Description: Brain Injury Association of America - BIAA's mission is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. You can find: National Brain Injury Information Center What is Brain Injury? Diagnosis Treatment And more.. Community Personal stories Support Groups Brain Injury Awareness And more.. Education Living with Brain Injury Survivor Webinars Being a Caregiver And more...
Description: The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) is a Federal advisory committee that coordinates Federal efforts and provides advice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on issues related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through its inclusion of both Federal and public members, the IACC helps to ensure that a wide range of ideas and perspectives are represented and discussed in a public forum. The committee reconvened in November 2015 to begin a new session under the Autism...
Description: Autism.com is a new online resource directory working to connect families and individuals on the autism spectrum with the therapeutic and educational services they deserve.
Description: Parallels In Time and Parallels in Time II tell the history of people with disabilities in Western Civilization. Each of the major aspects of a person's life — home, learning/education, and employment are presented by decade with images, photos, history, and stories that reflect and represent the reality of this period in our history. Video clips and interviews are contained in this presentation.
Description: Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VDBVI) is committed to providing quality services to assist Virginia's citizens who are blind, deafblind or vision impaired in achieving their maximum level of employment, education, and personal independence. The department provides an array of specialized services to blind Virginians of all ages to assist them in attaining the skills, confidence and positive outlook that are critical to independence.
Description: Child and Adolescent Mental Health - Mental health is an important part of overall health for children as well as adults. For many adults who have mental disorders, symptoms were present—but often not recognized or addressed—in childhood and youth. For a young person with symptoms of a mental disorder, the earlier treatment is started, the more effective it can be. Early treatment can help prevent more severe, lasting problems as a child grows up. Warning Signs It can be tough...
Description: The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), conducts and supports research in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. The NIDCD's mandate to conduct and support biomedical and behavioral research and research planning documents.
Description: The Center for Family Involvement at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University partners with the Virginia departments of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS), Education (VDOE) and Health (VDH), the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (AOD), and others in supporting a variety of activities to strengthen family involvement. OUR MISSION The Center for Family Involvement works with...
Description: The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (NPDC) was funded by the Office of Special Education Programs in the US Department of Education from 2007-2014. The NPDC developed free professional resources for teachers, therapists, and technical assistance providers who work with individuals with ASD. Resources include detailed information on how to plan, implement, and monitor specific evidence-based practices.
Description: The Virginia Project for Children and Adults with Deaf-Blindness (Google site) is committed to supporting families, teachers, and service providers in their endeavors to improve outcomes for children and youth who experience both vision and hearing loss. Through providing technical assistance, training, and information, we aspire to improve the quality of life for people with deaf-blindness as they live in their homes, learn in their schools, socialize in their communities and access the...
Description: PACER's Early Childhood Family Information and Resources includes: Early Development, Personal Stroies and Advice for Parents, Early Intervention, Child Care, Early Literacy, Transition to Kindergarten, Early Childhood Assistive Technology, Professional Training Material, Frequently Asked Questions, Organizations that Can Help, Early Childhood Publications
Description: Accommodations to the Physical Environment: Setting Up a Classroom for Students with Visual Disabilities - The resources in this module offer helpful tips on setting up the physical aspects of your classroom and will introduce types of equipment used by students with visual disabilities (est. completion time: 1 hour).
Description: The Virginia Autism Council is a council of autism experts seeking to define needed skill competencies and to advance higher education, training and educational opportunities for personnel and caregivers supporting individuals with autism. This website is Virginia’s clearinghouse on best practices and research-based education and training opportunities to advance personnel development and knowledge regarding autism in Virginia. Skill Competencies for Professionals and Direct...
Description: What is autism spectrum disorder? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. The symptoms are present from early childhood and affect daily functioning. The term “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability in functioning that can occur in people with ASD. Some children and...
Description: This website includes autism training and resources for law enforcement, emergency first responders, parents, educators, care providers, and the autism community.
Description: Autism Spectrum Disorders - A child may be found eligible for special education and related services as a child with autism if there is an adverse effect on the child's educational performance due to documented characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. Children with a medical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders must be found eligible for special education and related services under IDEA before an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed. Children who are suspected of having a...
Description: "Deafness" means a hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification, that adversely affects the child’s educational performance. 34 CFR § 300.7 (c) (3) "Hearing Impairment" means an impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance but that is not included under the definition of deafness in this section. 34 CFR §...
Description: Speech-language impairments can impact the way a student communicates. Speech errors include errors when producing specific sounds that are not a result of normal development or language acquisition, dysfluency (stuttering), or motor speech issues. Students may also receive therapy for improving the understanding and use of spoken or written language, pragmatics, and meta-linguistic skills. Students with swallowing disorders or dysphagia can also receive services from speech-language...
Description: “Deaf-Blindness” means hearing and visual impairments occurring at the same time, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children with deafness or children with blindness. 34 CFR § 300.7 (c) (3); 8VAC20-81-10.
Description: “Visual impairment including blindness” means an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness. (34 CFR §300.8(c) (13)
Description: "Orthopedic impairment" means a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by congenital anomaly, impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, etc.), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures). (34 CFR 300.8(c)(8)
Description: "Specific learning disability" means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or do mathematical calculations. The term includes such conditions as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. The term does not include learning problems that are primarily the...
Description: Our primary purpose is to educate ourselves, our families, friends, coworkers, teachers, hearing health care providers, industry, government, and others about hearing loss. HLAA provides adults and children with tools for self help; sensitizes the general population about the special needs of people who have hearing loss; and promotes understanding of the nature, causes, complications, and remedies of hearing loss. We provide information on many aspects of hearing loss, from technological and...