Children Resources

AblePlay - AblePlay is a consumer website for families and professionals with ratings and reviews of toys for children with disabilities. The website features comprehensive evaluations by Lekotek's special education and therapy experts and provides star ratings (1 - 5 stars) in four disability categories.

American Academy of Pediatrics National Center of Medical Home Initiatives for Children with Special - The mission of the National Center is to work in cooperation with federal agencies, particularly the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), to ensure that children with special needs have access to a medical home. The National Center provides support to physicians, families, and other medical and non-medical providers who care for children and youth with special needs.

Benefits For Children With Disabilities - This booklet is for the parents, caregivers or representatives of children under age 18 who have disabilities that might make them eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. It is also for adults who became disabled in childhood and who might be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

Challenge Air - Challenge Air for Kids and Friends, a not-for-profit organization, offers motivational, inspirational and life-changing experiences to physically challenged children and youth through aviation.

Children's Hopes and Dreams - Wish Fulfillment Foundation

Disabled Childrens Relief Fund - Has funds available for children under 18, esp. those without insurance.

Eparent.com - Exceptional Parent Magazine - parenting those with disabilities or special health care needs

Family Center on Technology and Disability - Provides information about assistive technologies to organizations that work with the families of children with disabilities.

Friends Of Disabled Adults And Children, too! - FODAC provides over $8 million each year in equipment and services to the community at little or no cost to the recipients. FODAC is a 501(c)(3) and does not have direct funding from Medicare/Medicaid for the services offered. Most equipment is issued for a suggested donation but some services have mandatory fees.

Miracle Flights for Kids - Miracle Flights for Kids flies children who are struggling with serious cancers and debilitating diseases and disorders to specialized medical treatment centers throughout the United States. Any child needing medical treatment or is seeking a second opinion that is not available in their area is eligible to apply for a miracle mission.

N.A.C.H. - The National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions is an organization of children's hospitals with 218 members in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. NACHRI promotes the health and well-being of all children and their families through support of children's hospitals and health systems that are committed to excellence in providing health care to children.

The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth - Addressing issues affecting the employment of people with disabilities. The site contains useful information and resources for youth with disabilities.

National Disabled Students Union -A national, cross-disability, student organization.

National Information Center For Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY) - NICHCY is the national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. Their special focus is children and youth - birth to age 22. Materials are also available in Spanish, on disk, and as camera-ready originals.

National Lekotek Center - The country's central source on toys and play for children with special needs.

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights - The mission of PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.

Respite Care Resources for Families of Children with Disabilities - Caring Communities is a small, yet growing, non-profit 501(c)3 organization based in Eldersburg, Maryland, which began in February of 1997 when a group of parents of children who had disabilities met to address the need for comprehensive respite care services.

The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) - A network of community-based resource centers, developers and vendors dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies. Site includes information on each state's center.

The Florida Youth Council - The Florida Youth Council is a group of youth (age 13-17) and emerging leaders (age 18-30) with disabilities or special health care needs that live in Florida.

Winners On Wheels! WOW empowers kids in wheelchairs