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Friends and other Resources
TOPAA focuses on the state and federal laws regulating the education and related services of Texas students with disabilities. Its membership includes a growing list of parents and professionals working to ensure better educational outcomes for Texas students. The non-profit aims to create a space where people's knowledge, resources, and ideas come together to form a positive force for students with disabilities in Texas and beyond.
Disability Rights, Texas, assists people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law to ensure their full and equal participation in society. Their staff accomplishes this with legal aid to people with disabilities, protection of the rights through the courts and justice system, advocacy of laws and public policies that protect and advance the rights of people with disabilities.
Approximately 10% of Army Families have members with special needs, including spouses, children, or dependent parents who require special medical or educational services. To support these families, the Army created the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) to be a comprehensive, coordinated, multi-agency program providing community support, housing, medical, educational, and personnel services to military Families with an EFM.
Texas Civil Rights Project promotes racial, social, and economic justice through community education and litigation. Its staff strives to foster equality, secure justice, ensure diversity and strengthen communities. Attorneys at Cirkiel Law Group can collaborate with TCRP on behalf of the underserved or those excluded from the justice system.
The Coalition for Texans with Disabilities (CTD) has worked for years to ensure that persons with disabilities may work, live, learn, play and participate fully in the community of their choice. CTD focuses on the areas of governmental advocacy, public awareness activities and professional disability consulting to fulfill its mission.
Launched in 2006, the Texas Project FIRST website is a project of Family to Family Network under a grant from the Texas Education Agency and Region 9 Education Service Center. Texas Project FIRST stands for “Families, Information, Resources, Support and Training.” The website contains a wealth of information on special education, written in a way that’s easy for parents to understand.
Don't Dismyabilities, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization developing and employing strategies aimed at addressing barriers to accessibility within communities through education, advocacy, and ADA-related actions to make lasting impacts on the lives of individuals with disabilities, their families, and the neighborhoods in which they live.
Michael Kinser, LPC, LMFT, offers Christian counseling services for individuals, couples, and families in the Greater Austin area to help them discover the answers needed for the problems they face. His sessions are solution-focused for his clients and their future and provide practical tools to help strengthen relationships provide understanding to help move forward.
Court-related information
Federal Sites
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Americans with Disabilities Act
State Sites
State Bar Grievance Procedures
Texas Guide to the ARD process
General Advocacy
Financial Resources for Students with Disabilities
Council of Parents Attorneys and Advocates
Wrightslaw information for special-needs parents
The Texas Organization of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
Overviews and PDFs of IDEA. You can read the whole thing at your leisure!
Modifications, accommodations, and alternative assessments
Family to Family Network—Great Site
The ARC: for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The Legal Framework Summaries of and links to special ed laws by topic. Very useful!
ADHD
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Asperger’s Syndrome
ASPIE of Houston: Asperger's Syndrome parent-professional Information exchange
Excellent information on Asperger's Syndrome
Autism
The Brain Connection: Excellent autism resource
The Autism Society of America
Families for Early Autism Treatment
Future Horizons: Leader in Autism/Asperger's Syndrome Publications
Behavior/Bullying
Information on Positive Behavioral Supports
National anti-bullying site: Discussion of the new anti-bullying provisions in Texas Law
CEPC: “Improving Services to Children and Youth with Emotional and Behavioral Problems”
ABA isn't just for autism. Behavior TLC is a splendid local resource.
Down Syndrome
Great information site for Down Syndrome parents
Dyslexia
Texas State Dyslexia Consultant: 1-800-232-3030 (Questions about dyslexia testing, services, and school district responsibilities)
The Dyslexia Handbook
Online Free Spell Checker -- free access online context iterative spell checker for people with dyslexia or dysgraphia, or who are not native-English speakers
Due Process Hearings
FAQ's about Due Process Hearings
IEP’s
Great e-brochure from the Special Advocacy Center in Illinois: IEP Tips, Do's, and Don'ts
Learning Disabilities / Response to Intervention
Comprehensive treatment of Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) and Response to Intervention (RTI)
“the leading Web site on learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and other professionals”
The National Learning Disabilities Association
National Research Center on Learning Disabilities
Music Therapy
American Music Therapy Association
Transition
Visually Impaired
Educational Resources For Individuals Working With Blind & Visually Impaired Children (thanks Mindie & Friends!)
Choices for Children “to educate policymakers, legislators, and the public about the unique educational needs of children who are blind or visually impaired”
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments.
Williams Syndrome
The Williams Syndrome Association