Resources
Jump to….
ADVOCACY
Advocating for Students on the Autism Spectrum
Just Great Lawyers
Renter's rights and Housing Assistance for People with Disabilities
MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Problem Resolution System (PRS)
Throught its PRS, DESE handles complaints that allege a school or a district is not meeting legal requirements for education. Anyone including parents, students, educators, community members, and agency representatives, may contact the PRS office for assistance.
The Arc of Massachusetts
The Arc's mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism and their families.
Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc
SPaN's website acts as a vehicle for networking while providing links to other important information for advocates, processionals and parents.
Massachusetts Advocates for Children
Mass Advocates' mission is to remove barriers to educational and life opportunities for children and youth.
The Federation for Children with Special Needs
The Federation provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners and their communities.
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
It is the mission of the Office for Civil Rights to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights. OCR enforces several Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education.
Center for Law and Education
The Center for Law and Education (CLE) strives to make the right of all students to quality education a reality and to help enable communities to address their own education problems effectively, with an emphasis on assistance to low-income students. CLE’s project, Access to Justice through Lay Advocacy, will through training and support, prepare about 20 non-lawyer volunteers to provide effective assistance to low-income students at disciplinary hearings.
COLLEGE
College for Students with Disabilities
Guide To Paying For College For Students with Disabilities
Preparing for A Study Abroad Program If You Have a Disability
MIT Project Connect
Provides the opportunity to include youth with disabilities from the greater Boston area on our college campus.
College & Career Guide for Students with Disabilities
College Guide for Students with Learning Differences
Trade School Guide for Students with Disabilities
EDUCATION
Boston Public Schools
Guide to the Boston Public Schools for Students & Families
The Guide to the Boston Public Schools is available in Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. This publication summarizes many laws, policies, regulations, and practices that are important to Boston Public Schools (BPS) students and their parents and guardians. It is not intended to be a complete directory of all laws and policies concerning students and parents. Federal and state laws, BPS policies, regulations, and practices at the district and school building levels are subject to change.
Where's My School Bus?
Where’s My School Bus makes real-time bus information available online for parents and guardians in Boston Public Schools. Your student’s bus is displayed on a detailed map, showing both its recent and current location.
EdLaw Project: MA Problem Resolution System with Remote Learning Guidance
EdLaw Project: Brief Guide to MA Dept. of Education Problem Resolution System
The Disability Law Center (DLC)
The DLC is the Protection and Advocacy agency for Massachusetts. DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. DLC brochure.
Special Education Rights Video Series
The world of special education is complicated. Navigating the special education process, understanding your and your child's rights, and making sure those rights are respected is hard - especially for parents who are new to the United States or have limited English proficiency.Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) is excited to release a new series of educational videos to help parents understand their rights and what to do if those rights are violated. Videos are available in Spanish and English.
National Resource Center on ADHD
National Center for Learning Disabilities
FINANCES
Scholarships & Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
Financial Resources and Discounts for Students with Disabilities
Helpful guide to various financial resources, discounts and savings opportunities, and travel tips for students with disabilities.
LIFE SKILLS
Safety Guide For Pedestrians & Drivers with A Disability
WIOA for youth (ages 14-22) with disabilities including those with psychiatric disabilities or serious mental health conditions
Finding Apartments for Disabled Apartment Hunters
Special Needs Checklist
How Disability Friendly is your city?
Vocational Training
Best Vocational Training Programs for Disabled in 2018
Big Rentz
Transistion to Adulthood: Home Modifications for Young Adults with Special Needs
Greater Massachusetts Special Needs Events
HEALTH & WELLNESS
The Bridge Center
The Bridge Center specializes in affordable, year-round therapeutic recreation and equine-assisted therapy programs for individuals with disabilities.
Medication Management for People with Disabilities
Succeed BOSTON @ the Counseling & Intervention Center
Succeed Boston @ the Counseling & Intervention Center supports student growth by planting SEEDS: Social, Emotional, Educational, and Decision Making Skills, that promotes students' ability to assess risk, consider consequences, and improve decision making skills.
PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
Family Ties of Massachusetts
Family Ties provides information and referral services, emotional support, and trainings to parents of children and youth with special needs. They also have Support Parents available for parents.
Parent/Professional Advocacy League
PPAL is a statewide family organization dedicated to improving the mental health and well being of children, youth and families through education, advocacy and partnership.
Family and Caregivers Guide for the Disabled
How to Create a Backyard Sanctuary for Kids with Disabilities
TECHNOLOGY
Tech Goes Home (TGH)
Empowering communities to access and use digital tools to overcome barriers and advance lives.
Internet Essentials
Affordable Internet at home for eligible households.
Accessible Guide to Smart Homes
Smart devices can help individuals with disabilities live independently.
Assistive Technology and Cars
Assistive Technology Makes Cars Accessible For People With Disabilities.