VACHP: Educational and Transition Resources


	Educational Resources Education opens doors and offers opportunities to children from all walks of life. It is an undeniable right for children in our country. Children with disabilities can benefit tremendously from the normalization that participating in an educational program can provide. Equally important is planning for your child's transition from childhood to adulthood. The resources listed below may help you to ensure that your child's full potential is being met through his or her educational system.	Philadelphia Office: 100 N. 20th Street Suite 201 Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-977-8830 215-977-8228 (FAX #) Pittsburgh Office: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC One Children's Hospital Drive 4401 Penn Avenue AOB, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15224 1-877-KID-VENT
		Updated 01/24/2012
	AbilityInfo Useful links to disability resources for students and professionals. Find news, jobs, and discussion resource for students from around the world studying to support and work for individuals with disabilities. Children's Defense Fund A voice for children with particular attention to poor, minority and disabled children. Council for Exceptional Children This is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities and the gifted. DisabilityInfo.gov Provides quick and easy access to comprehensive information about disability programs, services, laws and benefits. You can begin your search by visiting any of the nine subject areas at the top of this page. Education Law Center-PA (ELC) Provides advice and direct legal representation in all educational issues affecting children including special education. Publishes a manual, The Right to Special Education in Pennsylvania, which explains the special education process (available in English and Spanish). Single copies are free to parents. Also publishes a pocket guide, Special Education in a Nutshell, which reviews the most often asked questions about the special education process and their answers. Single copies of both publications are free to parents. ELC publishes several informational brochures and newsletters (subscription fee). ERIC Online The Educational Resources Information Center includes many links, resources, databases and the National Library of Education. Family Village This site integrates information, resources and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with mental retardation and other disabilities, for their families, and for those who provide them services and support. Federation for Children with Special Needs This site keeps families with special needs children informed of their rights in the areas of education, health care and other topics of concern. Inclusive Education Resources This site contains great information for parents on inclusion, resources, links to other sites and an Inclusion Listserv. Local Right to Education Task Force (LTF) 1-800-360-7282 National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education The mission of The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE) is to render all possible support and assistance to parents with children in special education, both in and outside of school. NAPCSE is dedicated to ensuring that all children and adolescents with special needs receive the most appropriate education possible. NAPCSE develops and promotes excellence in special education through the support of parents who have children with special needs and the professionals with whom they work. PA Department of Education The Commonwealth's website provides information for parents, students, teachers, school board members, school administrators and citizens interested in learning about Pennsylvania's schools, as well as information about Department of Education programs and services. Pennsylvania Families Incorporated PFI is a statewide network that shares the common concerns about children and their special needs, brings groups together and uses the power of all families to bring about change in the community, county and state. PaTTAN (Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network This site provides links to many quality early intervention and special education sites on the Internet. Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights Lists many web sites with information and publications. Parent and Education Advocacy Leadership Center The PEAL Center serves families of children with disabilities and special health care needs. We provide information and training on education in Western and Central Pennsylvania, and on healthcare needs and support services statewide for parents and friends of children with disabilities, educators, health care and community service providers, and advocates. Parent Education Network (PEN) Provides technical assistance, consultation and referral for assistance with workshops on special education laws, regulations, and communication skills. Publishes informational materials. Parents Union for Public Schools (Philadelphia, PA) parentsu@aol.com Provides information about education in Philadelphia public schools and special education advocacy. The Peal Center (Parent Education and Advocacy Leadership Center) The PEAL Center is Pennsylvania's parent training and information center serving Western and Central PA. This organization of parents of children with disabilities reaches out to assist other parents and professionals. The Special Ed Advocate This site offers parents, educators, attorneys and other helping professionals with the information they need to be effective advocates for special needs children. The Special Education Consult Line 1-800-879-2301 United States Department of Education Government's web site highlighting President Bush's campaign for equal access to education for all Americans. Transition Resources: Department of Health This article contains information on transition for families from the Department of Health. Department of Health This guide contains information on incorporating assistive technology into your child's transition planning. Education Law Center Information from the Education Law Center on obtaining the necessary services and supports for successful transition from school to adulthood. HEATH Resource Center Information on post-secondary education for individuals with disabilities. Liberty Resources Liberty Resources is a non-profit, consumer-controlled organization that advocates and promotes independent living for persons with disabilities. Services include information and referral, peer support, skills training, advocacy, as well as several additional programs and services. National Information Center for Children with Disabilities This website provides information on planning transition needs and services into your child's IEP. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Information on the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program Advocacy group which provides support and assistance for people who are seeking services from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Blindness and Visual Services, Centers for Independent Living and other programs funded under federal law.