OPDP Learning Disability Study Carrel

Learning Disabilities

Internet Resources

Disability Rights and Legal Assistance

ADA Information Line
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 66738
Washington, DC 20035-6738
Telephone: (202) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0301
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/infoline.htm

This site answers questions about Title II (public services) and Title III (public accommodations) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It provides materials and technical assistance on the provisions of the ADA.

ADA Technical Assistance Programs
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone/TTY: (800) 949-4232
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/taprog.htm

Federally funded regional resource centers provide information and referral, technical assistance, public awareness, and training on all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Calls to the toll free number will be automatically routed to the technical assistance center in the caller's region. It also provides information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through a toll-free ADA Information Line: (800) 514-0301 (voice); (800) 514-0383 (TDD). http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/infoline.htm

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
2212 6th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710-2219
Telephone/TTY: (510) 644-2555
Fax: (510) 841-8645
Email: dredf@dredf.org
http://www.dredf.org

A national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy, technical assistance and education and training of attorneys, advocates, persons with disabilities, and parents of children with disabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
1801 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20507-0001
Telephone: (800) 669-4000/TDD and (800) 669-6820
http://www.eeoc.gov

This Federal agency provides assistance with discrimination complaints about employment.

Employment
Access Board
1331 F Street, N.W., Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20004-1111
Telephone: (202) 272-0080; (800) 872-2253 (Voice)
(202) 272-0082; (800) 993-2822 (TTY)
Email: info@access-board.gov
http://www.access-board.gov

The Access Board enforces the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), ensuring accessibility in facilities built, altered, or leased using certain Federal funds. It develops the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), which are minimum accessibility guidelines for places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, state and local government facilities, and transportation vehicles and facilities. The Access Board is also charged with developing accessibility guidelines for telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment. The Access Board offers training, technical assistance, and publications to individuals and organizations throughout the country on removing architectural, transportation, and communication barriers.

Accessible Community Transportation in Our Nation (Project ACTION)
700 Thirteenth St., N.W., Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (800) 659-6428; (202) 347-3066
(202) 347-7385 (Voice/TTY)
Email: project_action@opa.easter-seals.org
http://www.projectaction.org

Project ACTION is a national program that supports innovation and cooperation in solving transit accessibility problems. Project ACTION provides various direct forms of technical assistance and training, and maintains a library of information and materials addressing accessible transportation for people with disabilities. Project ACTION disseminates its newsletter Project ACTION Update, training curricula, surveys, technical materials, and reports.

America's Job Bank
http://www.ajb.dni.us

Useful both for job seekers and employers; offers job announcements, talent banks and information about getting a job.

Americans with Disabilities Act Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs)
Telephone: (800) 949-4232 (Voice/TTY).
http://www.adata.org/

For information on legislation, rights, and resources. Callers are automatically routed to the DBTAC in their region. The DBTACs provide information, referral, technical assistance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to businesses, state and local governments, and persons with disabilities to facilitate employment for individuals with disabilities and accessibility in public accommodations and government services. The DBTACs also conduct training and promote public awareness on the ADA.

Career Connections
http://www.career.com

Posts job announcements and an online application form, and hosts cyber job fairs.

Career One-Stop
http://careeronestop.org
This web site is a publicly-funded resource for job-seekers and businesses. Job-seekers can search for jobs-from entry level to technical to professional to CEO-locate public workforce services in their area, explore alternative career paths, compare salary data for different occupations, learn which careers are hot, get resume writing tips and job interview strategies, and more. Employers can identify job-ready workers with the right skills.

Davis Memorial Goodwill Industries, Inc.
2200 South Dakota Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20018
Telephone: (202) 636-4225 (Voice)
Email: jedavis@dcgoodwill.org
http://www.dcgoodwill.org

This provides vocational evaluation, training, employment, and job placement services for persons with disabilities. An information packet describing Goodwill's services is available upon request.

Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
To identify the VR office in your vicinity, consult your local telephone directory or visit: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/SBSES/VOCREHAB.htm

Vocational Rehabilitation is a nationwide federal-state program for assisting eligible people with disabilities to define a suitable employment goal and become employed. Each state capital has a central VR agency, and there are local offices in most states. VR provides medical, therapeutic, counseling, education, training, and other services needed to prepare people with disabilities for work. VR is an excellent place for a youth or adult with a disability to begin exploring available training and support service options.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
1801 L Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20507
Telephone: (202) 663-4900; (800) 669-4000 (Voice)
(202) 663-4494; (800) 669-6820 (TTY)
http://www.eeoc.gov
Spanish spoken; Spanish materials available

The EEOC is a government agency that handles discrimination complaints about employment based on age, sex, race, ethnicity, and disability. The toll free number will connect callers with their local EEOC office, which can discuss complaints.

Finding Your Career: The Holland Interest Inventory
http://icpac.Indiana.edu/infoseries/is-50.htm

This includes ncludes information on self-assessing one's skills and matching them to careers.

JobAccess
1001 W. 17th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Email: generalinquiries@jobaccess.org
http://www.jobaccess.org

The goal of JobAccess is to enable people with disabilities to enhance their professional lives by providing a dedicated system for finding employment. JobAccess provides a place where people with disabilities can seek employment and be evaluated solely on their skills and experience. The JobAccess Resume Builder helps users to build and post a professional looking resume that companies across the U.S. will be able to browse.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6080, Morgantown, WV 26506-6080
Telephone: (800) 526-7234 (Voice/TTY)
Email: jan@jan.icdi.wvu.edu
http://www.jan.wvu.edu
Spanish spoken; Spanish materials available

The Job Accommodation Network, a service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the U.S. Department of Labor, brings together information from many sources about practical steps employers can take to make accommodations for the functional limitations of employees and applicants with disabilities. JAN consultants provide technical details and assistance with accommodations and the implementation of products and procedures in the workplace. Callers should be prepared to explain the specific problem and job circumstances. Brochures, printed materials, and a newsletter are available free of charge.

Mainstream, Inc.
6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 240
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Telephone: (301) 891-8777
Fax: (301) 891-8778
Email: info@mainstreaminc.org
http://www.mainstreaminc.org

This provides specialized services and links people with disabilities to employers and service providers.

National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems
900 Second Street, NE, Suite 211
Washington, DC 20002
Telephone: (202) 408-9514
Fax: (202) 408-9520
Email: napas@earthlink.net
http://www.protectionandadvocacy.com

The Protection and Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) make up a nationwide network of disability rights agencies that provide literature on legal issues and referrals to programs that advocate for the right of people with disabilities. P&A agencies provide legal representation and other advocacy services to persons with disabilities. CAP provides information and assistance to individuals seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act. Callers to the above number will be referred to P&A and CAP programs in their area.

National Center on Workforce and Disability/Adult (NCWD)
Institute for Community Inclusion
University of Massachusetts, Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
Telephone: (888) 886-9898 (V/TTY)
Email: contact@onestops.info
http://www.onestops.info
Spanish spoken. Spanish materials available.

The National Center on Workforce and Disability/Adult (NCWD) provides training, technical assistance, policy analysis, and information to improve access for all in the workforce development system. Areas of expertise include: accommodations and assistive technology, relationships with employers, helping clients with disabilities find jobs, and advising employers as to how to provide job-related supports.
NISH
8401 Old Courthouse Road
Vienna, VA 22182
Telephone: (571) 226-4660 (Voice)
Email: info@nish.org
http://www.nish.org
Spanish spoken

NISH (formerly the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped) is the national nonprofit agency that assists community rehabilitation programs (CRPs) nationwide in expanding job opportunities for people with severe disabilities. NISH provides technical assistance to CRPs and helps them obtain federal funding contracts through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program. Information is available to the public.

Office of Disability Employment Policy
Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20210
Telephone: (202) 376-6200 (Voice); (866) 487-2365 (Department of Labor, toll-free)
(877) 889-5627 (Department of Labor, TTY)
Email: infoODEP@dol.gov
http://www.dol.gov/odep
Spanish spoken

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (formerly the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, PCEPD) provides information, training, and technical assistance to America's business leaders, organized labor, rehabilitation and other service providers, advocacy organizations, families, and individuals with disabilities. ODEP's mission is to facilitate the communication, coordination, and promotion of public and private efforts to empower Americans with disabilities through employment. ODEP also serves as an advisor to the President of the United States on public policy issues affecting employment of people with disabilities.

Online Career Resources
http://www.jobhunt.org/slocareers/resources.html

This contains assessment tools, tutorials, labor market information, etc.

Social Security Administration (SSA)
http://www.ssa.gov/work
Spanish materials available

The Social Security Administration's provides clarity on matters affecting the employment of Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities. The site contains the latest news on proposed policy changes, upcoming events, and other initiatives related to the Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.

General Educational Development (GED) Testing Service
American Council on Education
One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 250
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 939-9475
http://www.acenet.edu/calec/ged/intro-TT.html

This provides information about GED Tests, test sites, accommodations, and the application process.

General Information
Clearinghouse on Disability Information
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
U.S. Department of Education
330 C Street, SW, Mary E. Switzer Building
Washington, DC 20202-2524
Telephone: (202) 205-8241
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/index.html

Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities
The Coordinated Campaign is an effort by key organizations in the field of learning disabilities to make people aware of learning disabilities, share information with parents, and promote the need for early detection and intervention. The Web site includes answers to frequently asked questions about learning disabilities.
http://aboutld.org

Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD)
CLD is an international organization that promotes new research and effective ways to teach people with learning disabilities. The CLD Web site offers conference information, updates on scholarly initiatives, general information about learning disabilities, and research reports.
http://www.cldinternational.org

Disability Direct
This provides one-stop online access to resources, services, and information available throughout the federal government to Americans with disabilities, their families, employers, and service providers. It also promotes awareness of disability issues to the general public.
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov

International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
IDA is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families, and the communities that support them. IDA focuses its resources in four major areas: information and referral services, research, advocacy and direct services to professionals in the field of learning disabilities. The web site includes information for parents, teachers, other professionals, and children.
http://www.interdys.org

LD OnLine
LD OnLine offers information for parents, teachers, and other interested professionals in the areas of learning disabilities, legal issues, current research, instructional strategies, and personal stories.
http://www.LDOnline.org

LD Pride
This provides information about learning disabilities and offers support through bulletin boards and chat services.
http://ldpride.net

Learning Disabilities Association (LDA)
LDA is a non-profit organization. Its purpose is to advance the education and general welfare of children and adults who manifest disabilities of a perceptual, conceptual, or coordinative nature. LDA's web site offers alerts and bulletins, links to other organizations, publications, and contact information.
http://www.ldanatl.org

National Association for the Education of African American Children with Learning Disabilities
The NAEAACLD web site includes information and resources provided by an established network of individuals and organizations experienced in minority research and special education. It also provides a parent resource network and publications for teachers, parents, and others.
http://www.charityadvantage.com/aacld/HomePage.asp

National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
NCLD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness and understanding of learning disabilities as well as enabling children and adults with learning disabilities to achieve their full potential and enjoy a more fulfilling and productive participation in our society. The web site includes: information about learning disabilities, research reports on strategies and instruction, summaries of political activity, and first person accounts.
National Center for Learning Disabilities
381 Park Avenue South Suite 1401
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (212) 545-7510
Fax: (212) 545-9665
Toll Free: (888) 575-7373
http://www.ld.org
http://www.ld.org/LDInfoZone/InfoZone_FactSheetIndex.cfm - Online Fact Sheets

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
A national information and referral center; provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues to families, educators and other professionals, with a special focus on children and youth (birth to age 22).
Academy for Educational Development
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013-1492
Telephone/TTY: (800) 695-0285
Email: nichcy@aed.org
http://www.nichcy.org

Office of Special Education, Curry School of Education
This web site provides information about resources, organizations, and instructional strategies.
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/cise/ose/categories/ld.html

Office of Special Education Programs
U.S. Department of Education
330 C Street, S.W., Mary E. Switzer Building
Washington, DC 20202
Telephone: (202) 205-5507
This agency administers programs and projects relating to the free appropriate public education of all children and young adults with disabilities, from birth through age 21. It provides information and publications about disabilities and special education.
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/index.html

Schwab Learning
Schwab Learning is an online guide to the landscape of learning disabilities, developed by the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation especially for parents of children who are newly identified with a learning disability.
http://www.schwablearning.org

Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers-The Alliance
This provides technical assistance for establishing, developing, and coordinating Parent Training and Information Projects under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
http://www.taalliance.org

Postsecondary Education
American Coaching Association
This links people who want coaching with people who do coaching; coaches help individuals to set goals, accept limitations and acknowledge strengths, develop social skills and create strategies that enable them to be more effective in managing their day-to-day lives.
P.O. Box 353
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
Telephone and Fax: (610) 825-4505
http://www.americoach.com

Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
AHEAD is an international, multicultural organization of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities. AHEAD offers numerous training programs, workshops, publications, and conferences to promote this mission.
P.O. Box 540666
Waltham, MA 02454
Telephone: (781) 788-0003 (V/TTY)
Fax: (781) 788-0033
Email: ahead@ahead.org
http://www.ahead.org

Division of Adult Education and Literacy
This division within the Office of Vocational and Adult Education at the Department of Education can provide the adult community with resources in adult education, including putting adults in contact with the Office of Adult Education within their state. Fact sheets, bibliographies, directories, and other publications are available for adults who have special learning needs.
Office of Vocational and Adult Education
U.S. Department of Education, 4090 MES
400 Maryland Avenue S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-7240
Telephone: (202) 205-5451
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/index.html

Federal Student Aid Information Center
This provides information about student financial aid for college.
P.O. Box 84
Washington, D.C 20044
Telephone: (800) 433-3243
http://www.ed.gov/finaid/landing.jhtml?src=ln

Foundation for Science and Disability
The Foundation seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of the educational system for individuals with disabilities, specifically in the various areas of science. The Foundation acts as a clearinghouse for information on science, education, technology, and science careers for persons with disabilities. The Foundation also makes several awards a year to graduate students who have disabilities and are studying in the science field.
236 Grand Street
Morgantown, WV 26505-7509
Telephone: (304) 293-5201, ext. 2513
Email: u0072@wvnvm.evnet.edu
http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/organizations

HEATH Resource Center
The HEATH Resource Center, the national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities, collects and disseminates information nationally about disability issues in postsecondary education. The clearinghouse provides information on educational support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, transition, and opportunities at American campuses, vocational-training schools, adult education programs, independent living centers, and other training entities after high school for individuals with disabilities. Numerous publications are available upon request.
The George Washington University
2121 K Street N.W., Suite 220
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: (800) 544-3284 (V/TTY); (202) 973-0904
Email: askheath@heath.gwu.edu
http://www.heath.gwu.edu

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS/BPH)
NLS/BPH - Library of Congress
This is a free national library program of Braille and recorded materials for persons with visual and physical disabilities and is administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress. With the cooperation of authors and publishers who grant permission to use copyrighted works, NLS selects and produces full-length books and magazines in Braille and on recorded disc and cassette. Reading materials are distributed to a cooperating network of regional and local libraries where they are circulated to eligible borrowers. Reading materials and playback machines are sent to borrowers and returned to libraries by postage-free mail. Spanish spoken.
1291 Taylor Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20542
Telephone: (202) 707-5100; (800) 424-8567 (Voice)
(202) 707-0744 (TTY)
Email: nls@loc.gov
http://www.loc.gov/nls

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D)
RFB&D is a national nonprofit service organization that provides educational and professional books in accessible format to people with visual impairments, learning disabilities, and other physical disabilities that prevent them from reading printed material. This includes individuals who are no longer in school but who are using educational books to pursue careers or personal interests. RFB&D also accepts requests to record books that are not already contained in its 75,000-title Master Tape Library. To become an individual member of RFB&D, you must complete an application form (which contains "disability verification" and "certification" sections) and include a $50 registration fee and a $25 annual membership fee. Application forms are available from RFB&D's Customer Services Department at 800-221-4792. Spanish materials.
The Anne T. Macdonald Center
20 Roszel Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Telephone: (609) 452-0606 (Voice)
Customer Service: (800) 221-4792
Email: custserv@rfbd.org
http://www.rfbd.org

Instructional Practices
Learning Disabilities Research Centers
Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice (CECP)
It is the mission of the Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice to support and promote a reoriented national preparedness to foster the development and the adjustment of children with or at risk of developing serious emotional disturbance. To achieve that goal, the Center is dedicated to a policy of collaboration at Federal, state, and local levels that contributes to and facilitates the production, exchange, and use of knowledge about effective practices.
http://cecp.air.org

Center for Electronic Studying (CES)
CES is a research and development group at the University of Oregon College of Education investigating innovative applications of technology for middle school, secondary, and post-secondary students, their teachers and their schools. Their web site offers information and resources about the projects currently under investigation.
http://ces.uoregon.edu

Center on Accelerating Student Learning (CASL)
CASL is a research effort to create instructional programs that will accelerate learning for students with disabilities in the early grades and thereby provide a solid foundation for strong achievement in the intermediate grades and beyond. CASL is a five-year collaborative effort supported by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Participating institutions are the University of Maryland, Teachers College of Columbia University, and Vanderbilt University. Visit the Outreach section of the CASL Web site for information on ordering materials to use in the classroom.
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/casl

Institute for Academic Access
The Institute for Academic Access is conducting research to create instructional methods and materials that will provide secondary students with disabilities authentic access to the high school general education curriculum. It is a five-year, three-site, federally funded collaborative project of the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning (KU-CRL) and the University of Oregon Institute for the Development of Educational Achievement (UO-IDEA). Each web site provides information about instructional strategies.
http://www.academicaccess.org

National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum (NCAC)
In a collaborative agreement with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Programs (OSEP), CAST has established a National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum to provide a vision of how new curricula, teaching practices, and policies can be woven together to create practical approaches for improved access to the general curriculum by students with disabilities.
http://www.cast.org/ncac

National Center to Improve the Tools of Educators
This center operates through the University of Oregon and provides research reports and online documents to help improve teaching.
http://idea.uoregon.edu/~ncite/index.html

Online Academy
The Online Academy develops web-based modules and other technology innovations for moving validated educational interventions from research to practice. Currently, the Web site offers instructional modules for teachers in the areas of reading, technology, and positive behavioral support. It is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U. S. Department of Education.
http://www.onlineacademy.org

OSEP Technical Assistance Center for Positive Behavioral Supports (PBIS)
PBIS has been established by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education, to give schools capacity-building information and technical assistance for identifying, adapting, and sustaining effective school-wide disciplinary practices. The center has two foci: (a) broad dissemination to schools, families, and communities about a technology of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and support and (b) demonstrations at the level of individual students, schools, districts, and states that school-wide positive behavioral interventions and support are feasible and effective.
http://www.pbis.org/English

Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS)
Developed through research at Vanderbilt University, PALS is a version of class wide peer tutoring that combines proven instructional principles and practices and peer mediation so that research-based reading and math activities are effective, feasible, and enjoyable.
http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/kennedy/pals

SchwabLearning
This site is sponsored by the Charles Schwab Foundation. It includes a multitude of material on learning disabilities and ADHD such as behavior, assistive technology, learning strategies, and homework. To utilize SchwabLearning.org, use the "select a topic to search" drop-down menu at the top or enter a keyword and search, or click on the tabs "managing" or "connecting" to find the info on school you're looking for.
http://www.schwablearning.org/index.asp

University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning
University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning is an organization noted for creating instructional solutions that dramatically improve quality of life, learning, and performance for students with disabilities. Researchers at the center have developed the Strategic Instruction Model (SIM), a comprehensive group of strategies that include revised curriculum materials and teaching routines to address the needs of learners in their classrooms. The Center offers training and professional development programs.
http://www.ku-crl.org.

Other Instructional Sources
ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education (ERIC EC) and the ERIC/OSEP Special Project
ERIC is a national information system on education, with the world's largest database of education-related documents, journal citations, and other print materials. As one of 16 ERIC clearinghouses nationwide, ERIC EC gathers, selects, and abstracts literature on disabilities and gifted education.
http://ericec.org

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE)
FREE provides hundreds of education resources compiled by the U.S. Department of Education.
http://www.ed.gov/free

Reading Rockets
ReadingRockets.org provides detailed information about learning to read and strategies for supporting struggling readers at home, at school, and in the community. It offers news, practical information, expert advice, and resources for parents, teachers, tutors, child care providers, and policy makers.
http://www.readingrockets.org

Study Skills Web Site
Contains information on developing study skills for high school students.
http://www.ci.maryville.tn.us/mhs/studyskills/index.htm

The Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM)
This service provides access to lesson plans, curriculum units, and other education resources. Created by the U.S. Department of Education.
http://www.thegateway.org

The Knowledge Loom
The Knowledge Loom is a resource on what works in teaching and learning for all students. The site offers research-based characteristics for successful professional development, along with examples of those characteristics in practice. Sign up for "On the Loom," a free periodic e-news note about what's new on the Knowledge Loom web site.
http://www.knowledgeloom.org