1. General
Information and Advocacy Organizations
Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.
Foundation
Provides seed
funding for projects that enhance the lives of persons with mental
retardation. Information and links for families and individuals.
http://www.jpkf.org
The Arc
The parent
organization of The Arc of Massachusetts.
The Arc is the national organization of and for people with mental
retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families.
Web site contains extensive
resource information and links to other sites.
http://www.thearc.org
Quality Mall
Provides
information about person-centered supports for people with developmental
disabilities.
http://www.qualitymall.org
Parent Pals
A special education
community where parents and professionals share information and offer
support. You can submit your articles and links.
http://www.parentpals.com
Administration on Development
Disabilities
An online resource for communication
and collaboration. The Resource Library contains additional
collaborative tools, including the Collaborative Forum,
organization-specific pages, as well as links to news from around the ADD
Network.
http://www.addup.org
American Association on
Mental Retardation (AAMR)
AAMR promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices,
and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities.
Provides online resources and information.
http://www.aamr.org
Resources, support and help for the individual with
developmental disabilities.
http://specialed.about.com/od/devdelay/
Family Village
A global
community that integrates information, resources, and communication
opportunities on the Internet for persons with cognitive and other
disabilities, for their families, and for those that provide them
services and support.
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/index.htmlx
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Best Buddies
The mission of Best
Buddies is to enhance the lives of people with mental retardation by providing
opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
http://www.bestbuddies.org
Club NDSS
An
interactive site especially designed for people with Down's syndrome and other
intellectual disabilities. It is a fun, upbeat place where people can learn new
skills and make new friends.
http://www.clubndss.org
NOF
Training Units for Teachers
of Pupils with Severe and Complex Special Educational Needs.
http://www.inclusive.net/resources/units/units.shtml
Linda Burkhart
Wealth of information on using technology as
a tool for education and communication.
http://www.lburkhart.com
Activities Using Switch Operated Devices
Information and related articles for single
switch users.
http://www.inclusive.co.uk/infosite/swtact.shtml
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3. Massachusetts Programs and Resources
The Arc of Massachusetts
http://www.arcmass.org
Developmental Disabilities Program at McLean Hospital
Information about the Developmental
Disabilities Program at McLean Hospital under the Direction of Karen
Shedlack, M.D.
http://www.mclean.harvard.edu/patient/adult/ddph.php
The
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center
The Center's research is focused on
understanding neurological and behavioral development. The Center promotes
the understanding of neurological, cognitive and behavioral development
associated with developmental disabilities, emphasizing mental retardation.
http://www.umassmed.edu/shriver/Research/
The Walter E.
Fernald Association
A non-profit
organization devoted to organizing, operating and maintaining programs that
promote the general welfare of persons classified as developmentally
disabled, particularly those residing at and/or served by the Fernald
Center.
This site has information about the activities open to members of the
community, such as the Activities Center, the swimming pool, the gym, the
recycling center – all located at the Fernald Center in Waltham. It also
contains information about upcoming events open to the public – Golf
Tournament, Flea Market, and more.
http://www.fernaldassociation.org
Charles River Arc
A non-profit social service agency that has been
providing advocacy and a variety of services to children and adults with
mental retardation, related developmental disabilities and their families
since 1956.
http://www.crarc.org
Federation for Children with Special Needs
The Federation is a center for parents and
parent organizations to work together on behalf of children with special
needs.
http://www.fcsn.org
Central Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change (CMFOC)
A statewide, grassroots coalition of individuals with
disabilities and/or chronic illnesses and their families.
http://www.cmfoc.org/
Coalition
of Families and Advocates for the Retarded, Inc. (COFAR)
COFAR is a family support, education and advocacy
organization in Massachusetts funded entirely by member families.
http://www.cofar-mass.org
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4. Articles on Issues Related to Mental Retardation
Aging with Developmental Disabilities: Women's Health Issues
http://www.disabilityexchange.org/taxonomy/detail.php?fid=74&path=74&c=2&tid=1665
Life
Skill Instruction in the Age of Inclusion
http://www.attainmentcompany.com/news_edit5.html
Job Accommodations for People with Mental
Retardation
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/MR.html and
Job
Accommodations for People with Cerebral Palsy
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/CP.html
Vision Concerns for Older Persons with a Developmental Disability
http://www.thearc.org/faqs/visfact.html
www.thearc.org/pdf/vision.pdf
Autism and autism related resources and links
http://www.untangleautism.org/linda.htm
Deafness and Mental retardation
http://deafness.about.com/cs/multipledisab/a/deafmr.htm
Mental Health
Aspects of Developmental Disabilities
Collection
of articles on this important aspect of people with
developmental disabilities
http://www.mhaspectsofdd.com/
Mental Retardation: Fact Sheet 8
http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs8txt.htm
Mental Illness in Persons with Mental Retardation
http://thearc.org/faqs/mimrqa.html
Working Effectively with Persons who have
Cognitive Disabilities:
Reasonable accommodation and
considerations for the interview process for individuals with
cognitive limitations.
http://www.dlrp.org/html/publications/employment/onthejob/cognitive.html
Enhancing Independent Task Performance for Individuals with
Mental Retardation Through Use of a Handheld Self-Directed
Visual and Audio Prompting System
http://www.beachcenter.org/Research%5CFullArticles%5CPDF%5CTUPID4_Enhancing%20task%20performance.pdf
Finding Appropriate Toys For A Child With Vision Loss
Although directed at children, article has many good ideas that can be
applied to all ages.
http://www.visionconnection.org/Content/ChildrensVision/Toys/FindingAppropriateToysforaChildWithVisionLoss.htm
Sources for Online Books
http://www.visionconnection.org/Content/Technology/AssistiveTechnologies/AccessibleMedia/SelectedSourcesforElectronicText.htm
Lighting and the Aging Eye
http://www.visionconnection.org/Content/ForProfessionals/PatientManagement/ManagingthePatientWithLowVision/LightingandtheAgingEye.htm
Growing Older With A Developmental Disability: Physical and Cognitive
Changes and Their Implications
https://depts.washington.edu/aedd/growing_older_dd_Factor.html
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5. Environmental
Access / Universal Design
AARP
Webplace/Universal Design
http://www.aarp.org/universalhome/
Adaptive Environments & Universal Design
http://www.adaptiveenvironments.org/universal/index.php
ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities
http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm
National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification
Provides
national directory of home modification & repair programs, links to relevant
sites, library of on-line publications, etc.
http://www.homemods.org
Housing For The Lifespan: Furnishing A User-Friendly Home
http://pearl.agcomm.okstate.edu/fci/housing/t-5134.pdf
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6. Free Software Downloads
Inclusive Technology
Free downloads including a switch accessible on-screen CD
player.
http://www.inclusive.co.uk/downloads/downloads.shtml
Cognitive Concepts
Features Earobics software and Game Goo - online
games to play for auditory processing, sequential listening, etc.
http://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/index.cfm?bhflver=5
Edmark/Riverdeep
Edmark is a
well-respected brand of children’s educational software - now available at
Riverdeep. The site has games that can be played for free.
http://www.riverdeep.net/portal/page?_pageid=414,105268&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
Attainment Company Software Demos
http://www.attainmentcompany.com/demo.cfm
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7. Adaptive Clothing
Tips on Adapted Clothing
http://www.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_Living/Docs/clothes.html
Adaptations by Adrian
Adaptive clothing for adults and children.
http://www.adaptationsbyadrian.com/
Buck and Buck Designs
Quality clothing for home health care and
nursing home residents.
http://www.buckandbuck.com/
Professional Fit Clothing
Clothing to meet the needs of adults with
developmental disabilities, with adaptive closures and other features.
http://www.professionalfit.com/
Rolli-Moden
Fashionable clothing and accessories for adults
using wheelchairs.
http://www.rolli-moden.com/
Talon Adaptive Clothing
Specializing in adaptive outerwear for adults
and children: wheelchair rain capes and jackets.
http://www.talonclothing.com/
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8. Adaptive Gardening
Why is Horticulture a Good Medium for Work With People With Special
Needs?
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Jane_Stoneham/jmcd.htm
Gardenscape: Enabling Tools
http://www.gardenscapetools.com/pages/enablingtools.htm
Susan Tomlin’s Disabled Gardening Page
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/1391/disabled.html
Gardening in Raised Beds and Containers for Older Gardeners and
Individuals with Physical Disabilities
http://www.hort.vt.edu/human/pub426020d.html
Take It Easy: Tips To Make The Work Easier
http://gardenscapetools.com/pages/enablingtoolsTips.htm
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