Resources

The Basics

• Resources for Parents A document with a list of linked resources related to Special Education in NJ and SOMA, including Virtual Support information.
• Acronyms A document with a list of acronyms related to special education.
• Special Education Resource Packet A comprehensive guide to the special education process, information on SEPAC, the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan, as well as other special education resources.

New Jersey

• The Family Support Center of NJ http://www.fscnj.org/
• Family Support Coalition http://www.familysupportcoalition.org/
• Family Support Planning Councils https://njcdd.org/
• NJ State Disability Services http://www.state.nj.us/nj/community/disability/
• NJ Self Help Clearinghouse http://www.njgroups.org/
• NJ Special Olympics & Unified Sports http://www.sonj.org/unified-sports.html
• Very Special Arts – NJ VSA http://www.vsanj.org/
• Office of Recreation NJ Department of Community Affairs http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/rec/

• The State of New Jersey Department of Special Education 
• Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)    Provides services to qualified individuals with disabilities, such as Medicaid, family support and respite (care-taking) resources and trainings
• New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities
• Parental Rights in Special Education – P.R.I.S.E.
• Education Law Center  In particular the publication on “The Right to Special Education in New Jersey: a Guide for Advocates”, second edition 2008 (English/Spanish)
• The ARC of Essex County
  Provides community based programs and services to individuals with developmental disabilities from birth to senior years
• The New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education
• SPAN Parent Advocacy Network
• ASPEN – Asperger/Autism Syndrome Education Network
• Autism New Jersey [NJ COSAC]

National

• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
  Organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, including disabilities; 17 divisions for specialized information; special education publications, conferences and conventions.
• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
  National organization with disability information for all ages; resource information, publications ;resources to help locate organizations and agencies that address disability-related issues; IDEA and No Child Left Behind information, as related to children with disabilities; research-based information on effective educational practices
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
  NCLD provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning, and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities.
• Wrightslaw
  Leading Web site about special education law and advocacy, federal laws, No Child Left Behind, IDEA 2004; articles and free resources; trainings and seminars; Section 504 and IEP information
• CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) posted this regarding the OCR and new guidelines for 504s for ADHD, but there are good general 504 guidelines in there as well.