Family Support Center on Disabilities: Knowledge and Involvement Network

Most of these organizations are national, many with state contacts or chapters. They address almost every disability related topic and others affecting your life, sometimes in other languages. In addition, many of these organizations offer training, conduct advocacy, report on research, and hold conferences.

We've grouped these organizations by the same categories you see on the Build Your Knowledge directory page. 

• Family Support: Help you access services to address the needs of your sons or daughters with a disability as well as your own support needs.

• Specific Disabilities: Provides information about a specific disability, advocate on behalf of and often provide services for individuals and families living with that disability.

• Community Supports: Provide a range of local specialized services; comprehensive, family-centered and family-directed supports are optimal.

• Legal/Legislation: Legislative, advocacy and information organizations focused on protecting and advancing the rights of people with disabilities to live and work in the community.

• Life Skills: Work with individuals with disabilities to acquire and enhance skills associated with choices and consequences, basic education, social skills, daily living skills, self-care, employability skills and the like.

• Health & Mental Health: Provide information, technical assistance and direct services in all areas of physical and mental health, as well as advocacy and research to improve the well-being of individuals with disabilities and their families.

• Quality Assurance: Promote quality of life and quality of service/support as well as information and technical assistance on quality assessment and enhancement.

• Employment: Work in all aspects of employment for individuals with disabilities, including assistance in finding employment, retention and promotion, job training, accommodations at work, addressing discrimination, and more.

• Housing: Provide information on housing options, supports, and advocacy for policy change.

• Recreation, Sports, Leisure & Arts: Offer programs and promoting participation in all forms of recreational activities.

• Education: Information, assistance and research on all aspects of formal and informal learning.  This includes early childhood programs, primary education, academic and technical education, post secondary education, adult education and life-long learning opportunities.

• Advocacy: Give voice to people with disabiltities and strive for systems change. 

You can also find more specialized organizations by clicking on the Organizations link in this box you'll see throughout the site on the right side of the page.

*If we have missed any organizations, please let us know by sending us an e-mail at familysupport@aed.org.