These days most of us can be found using the Internet to check e-mail, update our Facebook status, using smart phones and other devices to keep up with busy schedules and look for information.\u00a0 Parents are no different.\u00a0 And parents of children with special needs frequently turn to the Internet to find information, advice, and support for caring for their children.\u00a0 It can sometimes be hard to find local support groups or the time to attend workshops, but online communities are only a click away.\u00a0 However, some parents may not be as savvy as others in conducting searches online, so the public library is a natural place to seek information and resources to support their needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A great way that your library can begin to serve the needs of children and families dealing with disabilities is to provide a list of resources, be it national, regional or local.\u00a0 Knowing where to go to gain support and access to services is the first hurdle to providing specialized care to children with disabilities.\u00a0 Knowledge is power and when parents are armed with the knowledge of where and how to seek support or services for their children, the library is doing its part to serve the community.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Your library might already provide pathfinders or bibliographies of service organizations and materials to assist individuals and families dealing with special needs.\u00a0 If not, consider making handouts, bookmark bibliographies or creating a section of your library\u2019s website dedicated to sharing resources for parents and caregivers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Below are some resources to help get you started making a pathfinder as well as some examples of libraries across the country that currently offer a space on their websites with information to support families and individuals in their communities with special needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0 http:\/\/www.autism-society.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n The Autism Society, the nation\u2019s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.techandyoungchildren.org\/children.html<\/a><\/p>\n Links that provide information and resources for using technology with young children in a center or classroom setting.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.ndss.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.nectac.org<\/a><\/p>\n NECTAC is the national early childhood technical assistance center supported by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs<\/a> (OSEP) under the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). NECTAC serves Part C-Infant and Toddlers with Disabilities Programs and Part B-Section 619 Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities in all 50 states and 10 jurisdictions to improve service systems and outcomes for children and families.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.parentcenternetwork.org\/national\/aboutus.html<\/a><\/p>\n The ALLIANCE National Parent Technical Assistance Center (NPTAC) provides Parent Centers<\/strong><\/a>, Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), with innovative technical assistance, up-to-date information, and high quality resources and materials.\u00a0<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.pacer.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n PACER Center is a parent training and information center<\/a> for families of children and youth with all disabilities from birth through 21 years old. Located in Minneapolis, it serves families across the nation, as well as those in Minnesota. Parents can find publications, workshops, and other resources to help make decisions about education, vocational training, employment, and other services for their children with disabilities.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.parentingspecialneeds.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n An exclusively online magazine for parents of children with special needs.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.trisomy.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n Support Organization for Trisomy 18, 13, and Related Disorders (SOFT) is a nonprofit volunteer organization offering support for parents who have had or are expecting a child with a chromosome disorder (especially Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13), and education to families and professionals interested in the care of these children.<\/p>\n \u00a0Public Library Examples:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0San Jose (CA) Public Library<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.sjpl.org\/specialneedschildren<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0Fairfield (CT) Public Library<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org\/child-specialneeds.htm<\/a><\/p>\n Elmhurst (IL) Public Library<\/p>\n
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