Education Resources
National Center for Learning Disabilities
The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides resources for parents and caregivers, educators, young adults and learning disability champions.
National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes
The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) shares information, networks, and strategies to improve continuing education and training for deaf people. It offers online courses, online gaming tools for youth, evidence-based resources, webinars and more.
NDC resources include:
- Free online learning modules and webinars for teens, college students and professionals
- Planning tools, tips and more for high school and college students
- Disability services providers portal and online training modules
- Deaf culture and awareness resources
- Deafverse, a choose-your-own-adventure online game created just for deaf teenagers
National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people in the United States. NFB helps create a wide range of opportunities for children and adults who are blind in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Programs and services cover a wide range of areas, including advocacy, education, Braille certification, parent support and resources, training, employment, technology and more.
A small sampling of NFB resources includes:
- Braille resources
- Free White Cane Program
- Free Slate and Stylus Program
- Scholarships and awards
- Career mentoring
For more information, contact NFB at (410) 659-9314 or nfb@nfb.org
There is also an Illinois chapter. Visit the National Federation of the Blind in Illinois website, call (312) 343-8396, or email president@nfbofillinois.org.
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois (NFBI) is a nonprofit organization serving blind individuals and their sighted friends and family of all ages. NFBI provides information, programs and well-trained leaders to help newly blind people adjust to vision loss, promote the full participation and integration of blind people in our communities, and effect change at the state and national levels. Programs include:
- A free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, or otherwise print-disabled
- Scholarship and education programs
- Voter resources
- Statewide and local chapters
Visit NFBI’s website to view the complete list of Illinois chapters and contact information.
Please contact the chapter nearest you for more information.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS ) is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical or perceptual disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS offers books the way you want them: in braille or audio, mailed to your door for free or instantly downloadable.
NLS works to ensure that all may read by providing eligible individuals access to reading material regardless of age, economic circumstances or technical expertise.
National PTA Special Education Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers
National PTA promotes family-school partnerships and building community at the local, state and national levels. Its website offers a variety of family-focused resources, including a Special Education toolkit, Parents’ Guide to Student Success, College and Career Readiness resources and more.
The National Resources for Access, Independence, Self-Determination and Employment (RAISE) Technical Assistance Center provides technical assistance and resources to support youth and young adults with disabilities and their families during the transition to adulthood. RAISE provides information, toolkits, webinars and support to help individuals:
- Better understand vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs and services
- Communicate more effectively with transition, rehabilitation and other professionals
- Understand the Rehabilitation Act and how it supports employment, supported employment and independent living
- Develop an Individualized Plan for Employment
RAISE’s resources include:
- The RAISE Youth Engagement Toolkit Series
- Parent Centers
- Resources for self-advocates, families, partners and parent centers
- Adult Ally Toolkit and Podcasts – to guide and empower adults in disability advocacy, post-secondary transition, education and beyond
Many of the resources are also available in Spanish.
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C)
The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides a wide range of information, training and supports to build and strengthen services and instruction for secondary students and out-of-school youth with disabilities. Its website offers:
- Training and technical assistance.
- Easy-to-find transition topic areas. Each topic includes an additional list of key resources, related topics and training webinars.
- Webinars and toolkits
Lists many educational and other resources for parents as well as a mentoring program.
Parent Guide to Special Education
“A Parent’s Guide – Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois” is a guide for parents, teachers, administrators and others to learn about the educational rights of children who receive special education and related services due to disabilities that affect their ability to achieve academically.
Special education laws and procedures are complicated and can be difficult to understand. This guide from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will clarify some of the procedures of special education. It contains information about many of the most common topics related to the broad special education landscape, from identification and evaluation to transition planning and complaint procedures.
Review individual topics and chapters or download a complete copy of “A Parent’s Guide – Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois” on ISBE’s website.