Education Resources
Learning Disabilities & Differences: What Parents Need To Know
HealthyChildren.org provides information on the early signs of learning disabilities and difficulties in children and how to help them succeed.
Learning Disabilities Association of America
The Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) provides tools, resources, and community. LDA’s mission is to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities through support, education, and advocacy.
Least Restrictive Environment Inclusion Toolkit for Families of Young Children With Disabilities
Early CHOICES’ Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Inclusion Toolkit aims to help families of children with disabilities navigate the early childhood system to ensure their child is included in the LRE. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking for specific support, this toolkit will empower you to champion inclusion for your child.
The LRE Inclusion Toolkit includes:
- Evidence for the benefits of inclusion
- Federal guidance for inclusion
- Resources with links and guidance to help you understand and use the tools effectively
- Bolded keywords throughout the document that you can easily find in the “Glossary” at the end of the toolkit
- QR codes for each of the embedded links
Little Friends provides programs and supports to empower children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work and thrive in their communities. Little Friends serves individuals and families throughout ten counties and more than 50 school districts across Illinois. Programs include:
- Schools, educational and vocational training programs
- Respite family services
- Community-based residential living
- The Center for Autism
- Inklude Studio
- The Fun Club
MPHI Center for Precision Public Health
The MPHI Center for Precision Public Health provides educational opportunities for clinicians, public health professionals, community organizations and families. The center focuses on improving the health and well-being of all through research, supporting data-driven initiatives, facilitating community-led program development, and providing technical assistance.
MPHI also provides free CME and CE Modules for families and professionals. Topics include:
- Improving care for developmental disabilities and dysmorphic features
- Patient-centered newborn screening communication
- Decoding genetic test reports for frontline clinicians
National Association of the Deaf
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) preserves and promotes the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States and U.S. territories. Resources include videos in American Sign Language (ASL) on a wide range of topics, a list of universities and education resources by state, webinars and more for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, their families and friends.
National Center for Learning Disabilities
The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides resources for parents and caregivers, educators, young adults and learning disability champions.
National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes
The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) shares information, networks, and strategies to improve continuing education and training for deaf people. It offers online courses, online gaming tools for youth, evidence-based resources, webinars and more.
NDC resources include:
- Free online learning modules and webinars for teens, college students and professionals
- Planning tools, tips and more for high school and college students
- Disability services providers portal and online training modules
- Deaf culture and awareness resources
- Deafverse, a choose-your-own-adventure online game created just for deaf teenagers
National Federation of Families Home Resources
The National Federation of Families shares resources for parents and caregivers to use at home.
These include educational resources, activities and more that can support families of children and youth who have mental health and substance use needs.
National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people in the United States. NFB helps create a wide range of opportunities for children and adults who are blind in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Programs and services cover a wide range of areas, including advocacy, education, Braille certification, parent support and resources, training, employment, technology and more.
A small sampling of NFB resources includes:
- Braille resources
- Free White Cane Program
- Free Slate and Stylus Program
- Scholarships and awards
- Career mentoring
For more information, contact NFB at (410) 659-9314 or nfb@nfb.org
There is also an Illinois chapter. Visit the National Federation of the Blind in Illinois website, call (312) 343-8396, or email president@nfbofillinois.org.