National Resources

MY PLAN" ONLINE PERSON CENTERED PLANNING TOOL
"My Plan" is an online person centered planning tool created to help people with disabilities think about their strengths, needs, wants and dreams, and put them in a plan to use to make decisions about their life. The plan is separated into four categories (Home, Community, Health & Work) and is created completely online. It also includes information on looking for services on TheDesk.info (Medicaid Reference Desk). http://www.thedesk.info/
Source: TheArcLink Incorporated

SCHOOL DAYS TO PAY DAYS

An Employment Planning Guide for Families of Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Collaboratively designed by ICI and the Department of Developmental Services through the Work Without Limits employment initiative, this booklet will help families get started with the school-to-work transition process. Readers will learn about resources, services, and programs available for young adults with intellectual disabilities in Massachusetts; and find inspiration in the many success stories of young adults who have secured fulfilling employment with appropriate supports.

http://www.communityinclusion.org/schooldays/

JobTIPS is a free online program designed to help individuals with autism and other disabilities explore career interests, seek and obtain employment, and successfully maintain employment. JobTIPS addresses the social and behavioral differences that might make identifying, obtaining, and keeping a job more difficult. This program (including all of the printables, assessments, and videos) is suitable for delivery by teachers, family members, clinicians, mentors, and job coaches. It includes ideas for personal appearance, interactions with co-workers, coping strategies, and workplace bullying and harassment. Click here to learn more. http://www.do2learn.com/JobTIPS/index.html

Making Your Case

This three-hour self-study course is designed to help people with disabilities and their families create positive change through advocacy. The course helps participants understand the legislative process, the essential elements of good advocacy, identify and research personal issues, then advocate for systems change as individuals and as part of larger community efforts. The course includes opportunities to put what has been learned into practice through a series of interactive exercises.Last updated in 2011. www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/makingyourcase

Possibilities: A Financial Resource for Parents of Children with Disabilities - first published in 2004 by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) and PACER, updates this financial planning guide to an online format, and includes more content relevant to parenting transition-age youth with disabilities. The guide offers tips and information on many financial issues and concerns of families raising children with disabilities from infancy to young adulthood. Topics include organizing financial records, managing money, preparing income taxes, health insurance options, dealing with debt, saving for college, preparing youth for adult employment, etc.

http://www.pacer.org/publications/possibilities/

The National Employer Technical Assistance Center (NETAC) has launched a new Web site, a one-stop resource for employers seeking to recruit, hire, and retain qualified employees with disabilities. The site is an employer resource provided by the Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN). NETAC is funded by a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) to Cornell University. http://www.askearn.org/

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Needs Assessment Guide

This guide from the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration provides state VR agencies and State Rehabilitation Councils with basic tools needed to meet the requirements of a fully developed comprehensive statewide needs assessment (CSNA). *For more information visit this link: http://www.disability.gov/employment/jobs_&_career_planning/vocational_rehabilitation

Disability.Gov - The US Government web site for disability Information

Social Security Cash Benefit Program - The Social Security Cash Benefit Programs section contains information on income support programs available through the Social Security Administration (SSA) for people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities. Visitors can learn more about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), applying for benefits and filing appeals.

Disability.Gov Housing information - Accessible, affordable housing is essential for people with disabilities to live independently in their communities. This section of Disability.gov has information about housing rights, tax credits, making a home accessible, and supportive housing services that can help people with disabilities live independent, self-directed lives.

From Disabled-World.com Making ends meet with a disability or health problem is often a challenging task. Therefore we have created a home budget calculator, or household finance planner, so you know where you're money is going. Once your budget is created you can start to alter and prioritize what you do with your money to enable you to live within your means. Read more: http://www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/budget-planner.php

GET HELP IN UNDERSTANDING WORK INCENTIVES - This web site offers a state-by-state list of contacts to help people who receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and are interested in working or learning more about how working would affect their benefits. The site can be found at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/bystate

GOING TO WORK: A GUIDE TO SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND EMPLOYMENT FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (2009 EDITION) - This booklet from ICI, provides basic information about Social Security disability and health benefit programs, discusses what happens to Social Security disability and health benefits when a young person goes to work, and explains how to maximize a young person's options when he or she goes to work. For more information go to: http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=211

Special Olympics - National home page

Interesting News

HUD Partner to Provide Rental Assistance to Support Independent Living for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities -

Thousands of Americans with disabilities will have housing assistance specifically targeted to meet their needs, according to the departments of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Housing & Urban Development (HUD). As part of President Obama's Year of Community Living initiative, HHS and HUD have been working to provide housing support for non-elderly persons with disabilities to live productive, independent lives in their communities rather than in institutional settings. HUD is offering approximately $40 million to public housing authorities across the country to fund nearly 5,300 Housing Choice Vouchers for non-elderly persons with disabilities, allowing them to live independently.

Stanford students reach local community with designs to help people with disabilities - For the past four years, lecturer David L. Jaffe has opened his class to all undergraduate and graduate students who want to work on a project that helps people with disabilities in the local community. Read about his project Click Here

Web Resources for Children

Let's Play Projects - this web site looks at ways for young children to play through assistive technology and toys designed for children with disabilities.

Zac Browser Zone for Children Living with Autism

Zac Browser (www.zacbrowser.com) is a totally free software package. It is the first Internet browser developed specifically for children living with variants of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, PDD not otherwise specified and PDD-NOS, also called atypical autism. Zac Browser was designed to offer a pleasant, rewarding and secure experience. Children sing, play and discover the best that the Internet has to offer with only a few clicks of the mouse. Zac Browser is software that allows your child to access games (a lot of games) activities (based on diverse interests) along with videos (that allow a stimulating experience and encourages children to talk). All games, activities and videos are specifically chosen for their positive effect on children suffering from autism.

“ If according to times and needs you should make fresh rules and change certain things, do it with prudence and good advice.” -St Angela of Merici