The Arc of the United States
500 East Border St., Ste. 300, Arlington TX 76010
(871) 261-6003; fax (817) 277-3491
e-mail: thearc@metronet.com
The Arc of the United States has more than 1100 affiliated chapters. The Arc is the
country’s largest volunteer organization committed to the welfare of children and
adults with mental retardation and their families.The Arc provides support groups,
resources, and funding for research in the field of disability. The Arc, with a rich
history in advocacy and services, is comprised of individuals with mental retardation,
family members, professionals, and other concerned citizens.
The Center on Human Development and
Disability (CHDD)
University of Washington, Box 357920, Seattle, WA 98195-7920
The CHDD is a hub for hundreds of activities aimed at improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families. Through research, training, clinical services and community outreach, the CHDD seeks to prevent or ameliorate developmental problems.
Family Village
Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1500 Highland Ave., Madison WI
53705-2280
e-mail: familyvillage@waisman.wisc.edu
The Family Village integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities for persons with mental retardation and other disabilities, their families, and those that provide services and supports. It is a cornucopia of useful information, including education and health issues, adaptive products, communication connections, discussion groups, and message boards.
National Center of Youth with Disabilities (NCYD)
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
PO Box 1492, Washington DC 20013
(800) 695-0285
e-mail: nichcy@aed.org
NICHCY is a national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues (including transition to adult life) for families, educators, and other professionals.
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
(NORD)
P.O. Box 8923, New Fairfield, CT 06812-8923
(203) 746-6518; 1-800-999-6673; fax: (203) 746-6481
e-mail: orphan@rarediseases.org
NORD is a federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD maintains a database with information rare diseases and resources aimed at persons with rare diseases, and provides opportunities for networking between families and funding for research.
PACER Center (Parent Advocacy for Educational Rights)
4826 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55417-1098
(612) 827-2966; (800) 53-PACER
PACER Center is a nonprofit organization that serves families of children and adults with disabilities. PACER has local, state, regional, and national projects; they carry out the philosophy of PARENTS HELPING PARENTS through workshops, individual assistance and written information. Through knowledge about laws, resources and parents' rights and responsibilities, families are better equipped to work with agencies to obtain appropriate services for their sons and daughters. PACER Center provides information and resources, including information about transition to adult life, for individuals with disabilities, families, and professionals.