Given that severe disabilities is a low-incidence area it is often difficult to locate current information. There are many web sites that have specific information about severe disabilities and others that provide more general information that may have some relevance. We have chosen to provide direct links to selected web sites that are most pertinent to the area of severe disabilities and to provide a listing of web sites that you may also want to access. We have found great sources of information, that take you to many exciting places related to disability issues. 

National Web Links

Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) - is sponsored the Department of Health and Human Services. This site provides an excellent source of information on developmental disabilities for professionals, families, and people who are interested in this area. The site has the most up-date federal regulations, programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, and wonderful links to other relevant organizations and government sites. 

Children with Disabilities   The Children With Disabilities Web site presents families, service providers, and other interested individuals with information about advocacy, education, employment, health, housing, recreation, technical assistance, and transportation. It contains material about a broad array of developmental, physical, and emotional disabilities, including learning disabilities, such as attention deficit disorder; debilitating illnesses, such as cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, and cancer; and physical challenges, such as blindness and deafness. The Web site also provides assistance for children whose healthy development is threatened by social factors, such as poverty and abuse. 

Community Advocacy Press - People with Developmental Disabilities speak out for what they believe. Free magazine edited and written by people with disabilities. Capabilities Unlimited Inc., 2495 Erie Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208, 1-800-871-2181, Fax: 513-871-5893, E-mail: Countusin@aol.com

Council of Exceptional Children - This site provides an excellent source of information on special education. This site leads to its collection of books, articles, and journals related to all aspects of special education.  You may be interested in a new CEC publication that is related to the 1997 IDEA reauthorization changes. 

IDEA Practices Web Site - This web site is first of many products planned by the IDEA partnership grants.  This web site helps you keep knowledgeable and current on what's being said, done, read, and researched regarding the implementation of IDEA '97.  Specifically, this site has several unique features, including a fully hyperlinked version of the IDEA  '97 Law and Final Regulations, informed analyses, summaries, FAQs, and other selected resources to keep you up-to-date about implementation of IDEA '97.

IDEA '97:Let's Make It Work - CEC's new publication, IDEA '97: Let's Make It Work will answer your questions concerning reauthorization of IDEA and what it means to you and your students.  Written in an easy-to-follow question and answer format, it provides answers to basic questions, such as "what has to go into an IEP?" as well as addresses issues concerning the intent of the law.  To order, call 888/CEC-SPED.

Internet Resources for Special Children (IRSC) - IRSC provides lots of useful information related to the needs of children with disabilities to improve environment for children with disabilities and to create positive changes and enhance public awareness and knowledge of children with disabilities. They have lots of great sub-sites, but the disabilities site is really excellent! 

Macomb Projects - The Macomb Projects, based at Western Illinois University is an umbrella title for a group of one state and seven federally funded grant projects that deal with young children with disabilities, their families and teachers.  This site provides access to all of the projects and their staff, access to conference/workshop information and project products.  Links to related sites are also available.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities - General information about NICHCY and resources with a focus on issues relating to children and youth (birth - age 22).  NICHY provides information and makes referrals in areas related to: specific disabilities, early intervention, IEP, family issues, disability organization, education right, transition to adult life, and much, much more! 

Parent Pals - This site provides lots of general information and links to several useful special education sites.  This site keeps up to date on news in the area of special education, conferences, and on many other topics.  You can order books on a variety of topics in this site.  Check out "Tips of the week" and "Teaching Tips" in this site.  They provide lots of creative ideas you can play with your children.  In the site, you can also locate professionals in your area, and it even has a language enhancing game (4 levels) for your children to play. 

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE) - A NEW ONE-STOP WEB SITE for teaching and learning resources was announced April, 8, 1998 by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley.  Although this site is not focused on severe disabilities, it provides a wealth of information related to teaching. This site offers: (1) a quick access to hundreds of teaching & learning resources across the federal government; (2) a place where teachers, federal agencies and other organizations can begin forming partnerships to develop new resources for teaching & learning; (3) information about an effort to support partnerships of federal agencies and teachers, as well as other organizations, to develop internet-based learning resources & internet-based learning communities. 

Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI) - Excellent source of information on the Special Education!  SERI is a collection of internet accessible information resources of interest to those involved in the fields related to special education. Topics in this site include general disabilities information, disability products, legal & law resources, mental retardation, physical & health disorders, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, speech impairment, ect. 

 The Behavior Home Page - This page is sponsored by the state of Kentucky. There are many articiles on behavioral interventions, and links to other resources on behavior. It's a good starting point for information on students with behavior as part of their disability.  

Disability Resources on the Internet-This site is a valuable resource to professionals seeking information regarding a variety of topics related to students with varying degrees of disabilities. This source was designed to promote and improve awareness, availability and accessibility of information that can help people with disabilities live, learn, love, work and play independently. This site maintains an extensive database of disability-related resources such as advocacy, assistive technology, specific disability information, employment opportunities, independent living, rare disorders, plus hundreds of other topics.

The Ideal Lives Project-This website is aimed at parents, teachers, even case managers who have or work with children with special needs. Included is a professional support link, an inclusive link, and a page where you can download free e-books pertaining to special needs. The goal of the Ideal Lives Project is to provide personalized support to parents and professionals as well as providing information guiding to become effective advocates.

The Fathers Network-This site is an advocacy organization for fathers of children with disabilities. The organization advocates for an provides support and resources for men and their families who have children with special needs. The mission of this network is to promote fathers as crucially important people in their children's and families' lives. At the site you will find conference announcements, links to other web sites regarding disabilities, families, health care, legal issues, and much more!

The Sibling Support Project- The sibling Support Project is a national program dedicated to the interest of brothers and sisters of people with special health and developmental needs. At this site you will find information about workshops, general information on sibling issues, planning for the future, and there is even a link where siblings can share their feelings with other people that have siblings with disabilities. At this site, you will also find books, newsletters, videos, and movies for and about brothers and sisters.

National Transition Alliance for Youth with Disabilities (NTA)-This National Center on Secondary Education and Transition is an organization that seeks to increase the capacity of national, state and local agencies and organizations to improve secondary education and transition results for youth with disabilities and their families. This organization focuses on coordinating national resources that connect policy makers, administrators, professionals, educators, employers, parents, and youth with disabilities to information and useful resources; developing research-to-practice tools for everyday use; and information and useful resources; developing research-to-practice tools for everyday use; and providing technical assistance and outreach. Several of valuable resources you will find at this site include: links related to collaborating partners, funding sources, secondary education assessment and curriculum related resources, post-school outcomes links, and you and parent participation related resources.

Exceptional Parent Magazine-Exceptional Parent is an on-line magazine that is dedicated to providing information, support, ideas, encouragement and outreach for parents, families and professionals working with children with disabilities. At this site you will find listings of links to companies and organizations who specialize in developing products for children with special needs, book videos, and software for parents and educators, a children's page where children with disabilities and their friends and family can share their stories, and articles that suggest toys for children with special needs, as well as strategies for adapting ordinary toys that can help them become accessible to all children.

Nebraska Web Links and Resources for Families

Lincoln Early Development Network -- 402-441-6710

Early Development Network In Lancaster County, ESU #6, 1-800-327-0091

Early Childhood Training Center, 6949 S. 110th, Omaha, NE 68138-5722, 402-597-4820

The Nebraska Parents' Information & Training Center, 1941 S. 42nd St., Suite 122, Omaha, NE 68105, 1-800-284-8520

Nebraska Network for Children & Families - An Internet resource for families of children with special needs. Discussion groups are FAMILYTALK, for families of children with special needs; FOSTERTALK for foster families: & SCTALK for Services Coordiators. No passwords are required.

The ARC of Lincoln-Lancaster County - This website offers resources for individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities and their famiies. The Arc of Lincoln-Lancaster County, 1101 Arapahoe, Suite 5, Lincoln, NE 68502, 402-421-8866, Fax; 402-421-8922.

The ARC of Nebraska - This site provides information related to the needs of persons with developmental disabilities and their families. The ARC of Nebraska, 1672 Van Dorn Street, Lincoln, NE 68502, 402-475-4407.

Hy Vee Videos - Lincoln Area -- Videos on specific disabilities and information about general isues and services dealing with disabilities are available at all Lincoln Hy Vee Grocery Store Video Departments. The videos are free of charge but are checked out like any other video tapes. The videos, "Your Baby Has Down Syndrome" and "Like any Child: Raising a Child With Down Syndrome" are available now. This program is provided as a joint effort by the Arc Lincoln-Lancaster Co., the Lincoln Early Intervention Planning Region Team and Hy Vee.

Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation (MMI) - MMI is part of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. There are many clinical services available to cihldren with disabilities and their families.

Nebraska Health and Human Services System Medically Handicapped Children's Program (NHCP) - NHCP provides many services for families of children who have disabilities.

Parent Training & Information of Nebraska - This is a parent directed organization. They offer information, education programs, and parental support. Many of their workshops are offerd at no cost. Parent Training & Information of Nebraska, 3135 N. 93rd St., Omaha, NE 68134-4717.
 

Browder, D. (Ed.)(Spring, 1997). Research in severe disabilities. The Journal of Special Education. Pro-Ed, 31(1). Pro-Ed Journals, 8700 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin, TX 78757. Cost: $10.00, single issue 

This 1997 special issue is devoted entirely to severe disabilities. Topics include research related to inclusive education, curriculum, instructional methods, behavioral support, and communication intervention. Responses to each article are provided by leaders in the field.

Volume 12, issues 2 & 3 are a special series devoted entirely to individuals with severe to profound handicaps. These two issues present applied research specific to the needs of people with severe disabilities with an emphasis on behavioral state and communication.

1999 Exceptional Parent Magazine Resource Guide - This magazine has published its 1999 Resource Guide which contains a wide variety of information of interest to parents of exceptional children.  The 188-page book costs $12 and can be ordered by calling toll-free (877)372-7368. 

Good Books About Disabilities: Special Needs Project Master Catalog - An extensive catalog of books for both children and adults.  The Project not only produces the list, but sells books and will locate specific titles for consumers.  For additional information or a copy of the catalog: (800) 333-6867 or email: Books@specialneeds.com. 

The Special-Needs Reading List: An Annotated Guide to the Best Publications for Parents and Professionals - Wilma K. Sweeney, Woodbine House, Inc., 1998.  Short reviews and recommendations of books, journals, newsletters, organizations, and other information sources about children with disabilities.  Part one covers topics related to disabilities in general such as disability awareness, family life, legal issues, and education.  Part Two focuses on specific disabilities.  Comprehensive reading lists.  To order: (800) 843-7323. 

1998 "Exceptional Parent" Library Summer/Fall Selections - Nearly 150 titles covering general disabilities, education, families and specific disability categories. All titles are annotated and available from Exceptional Parent.  The catalog is free.  (800) 535-1910.  Visit their bookstore on the web. 

Setting Goals....Achieving Results-Nebrska IEP Technical Assistance Guide (1998). 
Nebraska Department of Education. URL: http://www.nde.state.ne.us/ 

This guide book was written to assist teachers, parents and other professionals involved in the IEP process. The development and implementation of an IEP for a student can be a daunting task and this document is intended to make that task easier. It provides practical information as well as information about best practices. It guides individuals through the IEP process by reviewing the requirements of the law, determining why those requirements are important and deciding how each requirement can best be implemented. 
To know more details about this document you can visit the website listed above. The website allows you to access the entire document and provides interactive tutorials. This document is about 150 pages and only $5 dollars per copy. To get a copy of the document please contact Nebraska Department of Education-Special Populations (402) 471-2471. 

Anderson, K.M. & Anderson, C.L. (1997). Helpful web sites for parents of children with disabilities.  Intervention in School and Clinic, 33(1) Sept., p 40-42. 

         For parents who have a child with disabilities, questions often go unasked and unanswered because they sometimes don't know which  questions or whom to ask.  In addition, they frequently want interaction with other parents of children with disabilities.  The Internet and the World Wide Web are now a very handy way for parents to gain information. 
 This article provides a number of web sites on a variety of topics.  Some include explanations of the initial diagnosis, information on parenting children with specific disabilities, posted suggestions by other parents, and opportunities to speak directly with other parents.  Just a few of the topics accessible include:  health information, purchase of clothing or computer software, advocacy resources, disability laws, nutrition, camps, assistive technology, as well as descriptors of most disability categories.