Disabilities

All of us live with both abilities and disabilities. For some persons the disabilities are significant enough that most people notice that they are "different." These folks usually require extra care or adaptations in their environment in order to function in society and feel included in their communities.

The focus of this page is on developmental disabilities which are lifelong and significantly alter the typical patterns of personal and family life. These disabilities may be physical, developmental, mental, or any combination.

Resources on this page are group in two categories:

• General Resources
• Resources for Families

Chronic mental illness is also a disabling condition, but because of some of its unique nature and needs, there is a separate page to devoted to it.

Separate pages are also devoted specifically to two sub-topics: Autism, Down Syndrome, and Fragile X Syndrome.

Gentle Teaching
A way of caregiving, especially suited for persons with disabilities, which focuses on meeting the needs of persons for safety and love.

General Resources

The Arc of the United States
The Arc is one of the oldest organizations advocating for persons with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities. Has extensive resources including free publications, information on legislation, and locations of local chapters. Includes and extensive list of links, Disability Related Links.

Cognitive and Developmental Disabilities Resources
A big alphabetical list of sites related to disabilities from the Waisman Center, a national center dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about human development and developmental disabilities.

Reach Out Magazine
Subscription service to encourage friendships among persons with disabilities. The focus tends to be more physical than cognitive disabilities.

State Resource Sheets
What are the resources in your state for persons with a disability and their families? The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities has a comprehensive listing for each state going from the governor on down to resource centers for specific disabilities.

Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Affiliated with Indiana University, this organization provides resources "that enable communities to include, support, and empower people with disabilities and family members."

Resources for Families

Family Village
The Family Village is a global community that integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with mental retardation and other disabilities, for their families, and for those that provide them services and support. Includes religious resources.

Exceptional Parent Magazine
Online version of highly regarded magazine for parents who have children with all types of disabilities.

Pacer Center
A Minnesota parents' network that is useful to persons in other states as well.

Indiana Parent Information Network
Nonprofit organization to help Indiana parents of children with disabilities.

Riverbend Down Syndrome Parent Support Group
An excellent resource site on the most common genetic cause of mental retardation.

Della Landes Foundation
A family foundation started in memory of a young woman with developmental disabilities. The foundation exists "to help meet the spiritual needs of those who are mentally retarded, mentally ill, or are physically disabled." Includes a "Resource Guide for Religious Leaders" back issues of a quarterly newsletter, and more.

Down Syndrome

This section moved to its own page.