In this video, produced by the National Gateway to Self Determination, individuals with disabilities describe what self-advocacy is, how it works, why it’s needed, and how one can work to become more self-determined and use self-advocacy in his/her own life.
View the Video – Gateway to Self-Determination: Self-Advocacy
This video tells a story of how one young man uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to perform daily tasks and live independently in his community. It also addresses the misconceptions that people have about those that use AAC.
View the Video – Chris Klein: Building Relationships through the Tools of Communication
This webpage presents a list of 25 scholarships available to students on the autism spectrum who are interested in pursuing post-secondary options. It includes the deadline and contact information for each scholarship.
View the Webpage – 25 Great Scholarships for Students on the Autism Spectrum
This webpage provides an overview of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities (IWDs), and requires these employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals.
View the Webpage – U.S. Department of Labor: Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act
The National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC) provides cross-disability information and support to Navigators and other enrollment specialists to ensure that people with disabilities receive accurate information when selecting and enrolling in insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces. The project will develop disability-content materials, including a technical assistance guide; a dedicated website that will include all materials as well as state-specific information, resources, and experiences; provide on-going TA to navigators; and will discuss the feasibility of providing “hands-on” technical assistance to navigators and/or their host organizations.
View the Website – ACA National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC)
This article from a March 2010 issue of Exceptional Parent discusses topics that parents may want to consider as children with I/DD approach the age of 18. More specifically, it focuses on decision-making issues and possible government benefits for the adult child.
View the Article – Exceptional Parent: Planning Ahead For When Your Special Child Turns 18
This article from a July 2012 issue of Exceptional Parent provides a list of program that the federal government offers to individuals with disabilities and their families. Additionally, it connects readers to links that they can visit to find out more information about eligibility and the application process.
View the Article – Exceptional Parent: Government Benefits for Children with Special Needs
This article discusses the results of a 2014 study, published by researchers with the UC Davis MIND Institute and UCLA. The study found that close to half of the younger siblings of children with ASD develop in an atypical fashion. It is estimated that 17 percent of younger siblings develop ASD and 28 percent show delays in areas of development or behavior. Among siblings, these delays can be detected as early as 12 months of age.
View the Article – UC Davis MIND Institute: Atypical development in the siblings of children with autism is detectable at 12 months
The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability (NCCJD), funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, is the first national effort of its kind to bring together both victim and suspect/ offender issues involving people with I/DD under one roof. The NCCJD’s products and services include: training and technical assistance (including webinars); an on-line resource library; white papers, literature reviews and reports to promote identification and evaluation support of promising practices.
View the Website – The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice & Disability
The Autism Society of Maine is working to ensure that police departments and other responders understand and are best equipped to assist and interact with individuals with autism during times of emergencies. This webpage contains points that prosecutors are encouraged to consider when it comes to certain areas such as confessions, criminal intent, trials, sentencing and more.
View the Webpage – The Autism Society of Maine: Facts for Prosecutors
