Advocacy, Education and Support
State
Americans with Disabilities Initiative: Kentucky
The purpose of this web site is to inform people with disabilities of their rights and available programs.
Arc of Kentucky
The Arc of Kentucky holds a Vision of a positive future for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a future of communities with services and supports that will promote lives of value for Kentuckians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of Kentucky believes that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are contributing members of schools, work places, churches, synagogues, neighborhoods, and their communities. The Arc values services and supports that enhance the quality of life through interdependence, friendship, choice, and respect for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)
A nonprofit organization run by and for Autistic people. ASAN is advancing the disability rights movement for those with ASD. The organization organizes local chapters, resources, and several projects, including Autism Campus Inclusion and the Autistic Leaders Project.
Information brief prepared by the KY Autism Training Center - Fast Facts about Guardianship, Fast Facts on Special Needs Trusts, Improving Outcomes for Adults with ASD's Living in Kentucky, KATC Postsecondary Education Brief, Support System Policy Brief, The Legal System in Kentucky and Autism, Transition Practices in Kentucky.
Autism Society of Kentuckiana (ASK)
The Autism Society of Kentuckiana (ASK) is a non-profit organization serving Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana that provides support for families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. ASK provides resources and education for families and individuals through our monthly meetings, workshops and social events. ASK is run completely by volunteers and relies on membership dues, fundraisers and donations to fund its services.
Autistics United Kentucky (AUK)
A local organization run by autistic people for the advancement of autistic rights and the safety and autonomy of the autistic community.
Center for Accessible Living
The Center for Accessible Living (CAL) is an independent living center (ILC) serving the Louisville, Bowling Green and Murray, Kentucky areas. CAL offers five independent living services: information and referral, independent living skills training, peer support, individual and systems advocacy, and transition (including school-to-work transition and transition from nursing homes). It provides these services through grants from the federal Administration on Community Living and the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living. In addition to these services, CAL also provides ramp-building services, employment services, housing coordination, sign-language interpreting, among others. CAL serves all disabilities and all ages.
Kentuckiana Autistic Spectrum Alliance - KASA
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network(ASAN)is a national organization of Autistic people advocating for the rights of Autistic people.
Kentucky Protection and Advocacy
To protect and promote the rights of Kentuckians with disabilities through legally based individual and systemic advocacy, and education.
Kentucky Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities
The mission of the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities is to create change through visionary leadership and advocacy so that people have choices and control over their own lives.
https://ccdd.ky.gov/Pages/self-advocacy.aspx
Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network, Inc.
KY-SPIN, Inc. (Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting programs which will enable persons with disabilities and their families to enhance their quality of life. KY-SPIN, Inc. has a Board of Directors comprised of parents and professionals who provide guidance and assistance to the various programs. The mission of KY-SPIN, Inc. is to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to effectively advocate for and access needed information, resources and support networks in order to enhance the quality of their lives. SPIN PTI (SPIN Parent Training & Information Project) is funded by the US Department of Education
https://www.kyspin.com/parents/advocating-for-your-child/
University of Kentucky Human Development Institute
The Human Development Institute is Kentucky's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. We focus our efforts on improving lifelong opportunities and services for individuals with disabilities, their families and the community. The Institute provides a strong foundation for more than 40 research, training and service projects, addressing a wide range of topics and issues in areas such as early childhood, education and alternate assessment, transition across the lifespan, employment, community living, and personnel preparation.
Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence
The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit citizens' organization that mobilizes Kentuckians to improve public schools.
The Council on Developmental Disabilities
Since 1952 The Council on Developmental Disabilities, a private non-profit association of families and friends of persons with mental retardation, has been advocating for persons with mental retardation in Jefferson County since 1952. The Council is a member agency of Metro United Way. Additional funding sources include: private, state, and federal grants; self-generated and program fees; foundation gifts and grants; and donations from the general public.
FIND (Family Information Network on Disabilities) of Louisville
The Family Information Network on Disabilities (FIND of Louisville) is a non-profit organization that provides free information, training, referral, and advocacy to parents and professionals working with children with disabilities and special needs. We serve families of children of ages birth to 26 years old and all disabilities (i.e., physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional).
KY IEP Advocates
KY IEP Advocate, based in Louisville, KY, offers specialized education planning services to families as they navigate the special education process in the classroom.
Kentucky State Legislature: "Who's my Legislator?"
The website providing information about the Kentucky State Legislature. This site includes a search tool for determining who your state senator or state representative is and how to contact them.
National
American Autism Association
Description: The American Autism Association is a not for profit organization dedicated to helping families and individuals affected by autism, while increasing awareness of the varied difficulties individuals with autism spectrum disorder face. Services focus on accessible education through parenting workshops, advocacy and therapeutic recreational programs.
The ARC (National)
The Arc is the world's largest community based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides an array of services and support for families and individuals and includes over 140,000 members affiliated through more than 730 state and local chapters across the nation. The Arc is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Autism Society of America (ASA)
The Autism Society of America (ASA), the nation's leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. ASA is the leading source of trusted and reliable information about autism. (Search: advocacy)
Autism Speaks
At Autism Speaks, our goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. We are committed to raising the funds necessary to support these goals. Autism Speaks aims to bring the autism community together as one strong voice to urge the government and private sector to listen to our concerns and take action to address this urgent global health crisis. It is our firm belief that, working together, we will find the missing pieces of the puzzle.(Search: advocacy)
Disability.gov "Connecting the Disability Community to Information & Opportunities
This site features comprehensive information from 22 federal agencies, as well as educational institutions, non-profit organizations and state and local governments. Topics covered on the site include: benefits; civil rights; community life; education; emergency preparedness; employment; health; housing; technology; and transportation.
TASH
TASH is an international leader in disability advocacy. Founded in 1975, TASH advocates for human rights and inclusion for people with significant disabilities and support needs – those most vulnerable to segregation, abuse, neglect and institutionalization. TASH works to advance inclusive communities through advocacy, research, professional development, policy, and information and resources for parents, families and self-advocates. The inclusive practices TASH validates through research have been shown to improve outcomes for all people. (Look for chapter information for Kentucky chapter)
National Organization on Disability (NOD)
NOD is the national leader in helping businesses tap the disability labor force. We don’t just analyze, advise, and assess; we make the journey with companies. Our strength derives from our mission and history, from the extent and quality of the services we offer employers, from our personal experiences of disability and how it plays out in the community and the workforce, and from the leadership we mobilize to ensure that people with disabilities can achieve the dignity, fulfillment, and financial independence that comes from productive employment.
Association of University Centers on Developmental Disabilities- American Association of University Affiliated Programs for persons with Developmental Disabilities
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) is a membership organization that supports and promotes a national network of university-based interdisciplinary programs. These programs serve and are located in every U.S. state and territory and are all part of universities or medical centers. They serve as a bridge between the university and the community, bringing together the resources of both to achieve meaningful change.
Family Voices
Family Voices is a national family-led organization of families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and disabilities. We connect a network of family organizations across the United States that provide support to families of CYSHCN. We promote partnership with families at all levels of health care–individual and policy decision-making levels—in order to improve health care services and policies for children.
Autism National Committee
Welcome to the web page of the Autism National Committee (AUTCOM)! This is the only autism advocacy organization dedicated to "Social Justice for All Citizens with Autism" through a shared vision and a commitment to positive approaches. Our organization was founded in 1990 to protect and advance the human rights and civil rights of all persons with autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and related differences of communication and behavior.
Wrightslaw
Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities. (Search: advocacy)