The following is a list of websites that might be helpful to you, whether you're a member of the IDDI community or a visitor to our site in need of additional information:
www.disabilityinfo.org – Maintained by New England INDEX, the site focuses primarily on Massachusetts and contains a wealth of information for people with disabilities, their friends, families, and the people who serve them.
http://www.fcsn.org/ — Organized in 1975 as a coalition of parent groups representing children with a variety of disabilities, the Federation for Children with Special Needs operates a Parent Center in Massachusetts that offers a number of services to parents and parent groups.
www.thearc.org—The Arc is the national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. This site provides links to local Arc chapters. Download helpful state-specific documents with family resource information at http://www.thearc.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=1400&srcid=183.
www.nichcy.org—The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) offers a wealth of information (in English and Spanish) on: disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth; IDEA, which is the law authorizing special education; No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities); and research-based information on effective educational practices.
www.massfamilyties.org/—Family TIES of Massachusetts is a statewide information and parent-to-parent support project for families of children with special needs and chronic illness. It is administered by parent coordinators housed in each of the regional offices of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
www.matp.org—Massachusetts Assistive Technology Partnership (MATP) provides information, referral, training, and technical assistance on assistive technology and funding sources. This site includes an extensive resource library.
www.mass.gov/dmr—The Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) is a state agency that provides an array of services to people of all ages with mental retardation, and to children with developmental disabilities and their families.
www.state.ma.us/dph—The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Division for Children with Special Health Care Needs, plans, implements and evaluates public health programs for children with special healthcare needs and their families.
www.state.ma.us/mod—The Massachusetts Office on Disabilities (MOD) provides advocacy, information, and referral services for individuals with disabilities.
www.doe.mass.edu/sped/—The Massachusetts Department of Education/Special Education site lists IEP processes, forms and notices, and other helpful information.
www.mass.gov/masshealth—This site provides information regarding Massachusetts' MassHealth program.
www.eparent.com—This is a parent magazine online resource.
www.specialolympicsma.org/—This website offers information on the Special Olympics in Massachusetts.
www.specialolympicsri.org/—This site provides information on the Special Olympics in Rhode Island.
www.medicare.gov—This site offers assistance with the Medicare Prescription Drug Program.
www.ssa.gov—The Social Security Administration website provides help with social security and SSI benefits, in addition to assisting individuals who may be eligible for help with prescription drug costs.
http://www.community-autism-resources.org—Community Autism Resources, Inc. in Swansea, MA is a great resource. The organization provides hands-on education and training on all aspects of autism for parents, children, and staff, as well as information on special education law, obtaining services, understanding IEPs, etc.