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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.

TOPAA - blue, white, and red.jpg
Disability Rights Texas logo

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.

U.S. Army Exceptional Family Member Program logo
Texas Civil Rights Project logo

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.

Coalition of Texans with Disabilities logo
Texas Project First lolo

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.

A hand uses a red marker to draw an X through 'Dis' in the word 'Disability'
A hiker offers another hiker a hand up.

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

Find courts, jails, prisons, police departments, sheriffs, and district attorneys, including contact info and services.

 

Federal Sites

Department of Education

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Americans with Disabilities Act

 

State Sites

The State Bar of Texas

State Bar Grievance Procedures

Texas Education Agency home

TEA – SPED in Texas A-Z Index

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

Disability Rights Texas

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

National Disseminating Center for Children with Disabilities: Extremely useful source for special needs parents

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”

An in-depth look at Functional Behavioral Assessments prepared by the Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice

ABA isn't just for autism. Behavior TLC is a splendid local resource.

 

Down Syndrome

Great information site for Down Syndrome parents

Dyslexia

The International Dyslexia Association: information, resources, local conferences for parents and professionals

TEA Region 10 Dyslexia page

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

Project FIRST (Families, Information, Resources, Support & Training. This specific page addresses "Diagnosis vs. Disability Category

National Research Center on Learning Disabilities

Response to Intervention: Questions PARENTS Must Ask (From Learning Disabilities Association of America)

 

Music Therapy

American Music Therapy Association

 

Transition

National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center: Extensive resource for transition information, planning, and IEP development

Travel Training Information

 

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

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