Parent Resources

  • aaamath.com – http://www.aaamath.com/
    AAA Math features a comprehensive set of interactive arithmetic lessons. Unlimited practice is available on each topic which allows thorough mastery of the concepts. A wide range of lessons (Kindergarten through Eighth grade level) enables learning or review to occur at each individual’s current level.
  • aaawhere.com – http://www.aaawhere.com/
    A great site to help learn geography
  • ADHD News – http://www.adhdnews.com/
    Excellent website for information and resources about ADHD. Site has e-mail discussion group for parents of children with ADHD.
  • AHEDD – https://www.ahedd.org/
    AHEDD is a private non-profit organization with a mission to serve the community as a catalyst in the employment and development of persons with a disability
  • American Association of Persons with Disabilities – http://www.aapd.com
    A disability rights organization that advocates for independence for all people with disabilities (cross disability civil rights). A good site for beginning the journey of advocating.
  • The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) – https://www.cadreworks.org/
    CADRE’s major emphasis is on encouraging the use of mediation, facilitation, and other collaborative processes as strategies for resolving CADRE Staff disagreements between parents and schools about children’s educational programs and support services.
  • Community Resources for Independence (CRI) – http://www.crinet.org/
    Community Resources for Independence (CRI) is a community based, non-residential, non-profit corporation that provides services to individuals with disabilities in order to maximize their independence and the accessibility of the communities in which they live
  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) – http://www.cec.sped.org/
    The CEC is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. The website provides a lot of information about the educational rights of children with disabilities, and it offers an on-line discussion forum for CEC members.
  • Creative Culture Consulting LLC – http://www.patrickschwarz.com
    Using a creative culture to re-think, re-imagine and transform education and human services for people of all ages and abilities.
  • cut-the-knot.org – http://www.cut-the-knot.org/
    Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles
  • Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania – http://drnpa.org/
    A statewide, non–profit corporation designated as the federally–mandated organization to advance and protect the civil rights of adults and children with disabilities.
  • Edinboro University’s Office for Students with Disabilities – http://www.edinboro.edu/departments/osd/
    Office for Students with Disabilities is to promote confidence and independent functioning of students as well as educate and increase understanding of students with disabilities in the college community.  they recognize our role in promoting the full participation of all people in the global community.  As an integral part of the University’s infrastructure, the services provided by the Office for Students with Disabilities benefit the administrators, faculty, staff as well as regional agencies and organizations
  • eduplace.com – http://www.eduplace.com/tales/
    Online Mad Lib to help improve Reading and writing skills.
  • Erie Homes for Children and Adults – http://www.ehca.org/
    EHCA is a private, non-profit, multi-faceted organization offering both residential and community-based supports to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Through 9 programs, EHCA serves over 275 people and their families every day throughout 4 counties: Erie, Crawford, Venango, and Potter.
  • ERIE SPROUT – http://www.eriesprout.com/
    SPROUT is intended to provide Erie County, Pennsylvania parents, caregivers and youth with information about where to turn for help and how to make informed decisions for themselves and their loved ones. The website is interactive and user-friendly – providing people with the ability to submit questions and be linked with agencies and informed individuals to help meet their needs. SPROUT will also allow access to a community calendar, and promote connections with mentors and other support groups.
  • factmonster.com – http://www.factmonster.com/
    A great website for improving all different types of skills
  • Family Services of North West PA – http://www.fsnwpa.org/
    Family Services of NW PA can help you handle life’s challenges. Our mission is to strengthen family life by providing counseling, education and advocacy. Our continuum of care offers you the ability to access multiple services within our agency according to your needs. No more referrals, phone calls or juggling appointments with several agencies
  • funbrain.com – http://www.funbrain.com/
    Great games to improve grammar, reading, and math skills.
  • Gannon University’s Office of Disability and Support Services – https://www.gannon.edu/Student-Life/Student-Success-Center/Disability-Support-Services/
    Office of Disability and Support Services assists eligible students in receiving basic services free-of-charge as determined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act. Every effort is made to arrange appropriate accommodations based on a student’s disability.They work with other offices, academic departments, and individual faculty members to assure that the classes, programs, and services are accessible. The services provided by these offices are meant to help students devise strategies for meeting college demands and to foster independence, responsibility and self-advocacy
  • Google – http://www.google.com
    Google search engine.
  • HomeAdvisor – https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/disability-friendly-backyard-for-kids/
    How to Create a Backyard Sanctuary for Kids with Disabilities
  • IDEA Practices – http://www.ideapractices.org/
    This site is maintained by four projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and it provides a wealth of information about special education law and practice. Contains links to disability-specific sites.
  • Job Accommodation Network of West Virginia University – http://www.jan.wvu.edu/
    A resource for people with disabilities and employers for work place enhancement and reasonable accommodations. The site gives valuable information concerning job accommodations and consultants are available for assistance.
  • KaleidAScope – http://www.kas-erie.org/
    The purpose is to help individuals with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) from age 15 and throughout their lives
  • LD OnLine: Learning Disabilities Information & Resources – http://www.ldonline.org/
    Excellent site for basic and in-depth information about a wide range of learning disabilities. Offers a free electronic newsletter to provide updates about issues involving children with learning disabilities.
  • mathgoodies.com – http://www.mathgoodies.com/
    Math Goodies is your free math help portal featuring interactive lessons, worksheets, and homework help. A pioneer of interactive instruction, our goodies have received rave reviews from the media! Today, we have hundreds of unique resources for students, educators and parents.
  • Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) – www.ed.gov/ocr
    OCR, an office in the U.S. Department of Education, supports programs that assist in educating children with special needs, provides for the rehabilitation of youth and adults with disabilities, and supports research to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.  OCR’ website includes a link to a document entitled “A Guide to the Individualized Education Program” that can be downloaded off the Internet.
  • onlinemathlearning.com – http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/
    Is math your favorite subject or your most hated topic in school? Here’s plenty of online math help, math fun and other useful resources for you! Find interesting quizzes, practice, homework help and other materials to keep you occupied; or fun facts, games, puzzles and other cool stuff to make this subject something to be enjoyed rather than dreaded. Have some fun while learning some key skills to improve your grades.
  • Parent Education Advocacy Leadership Center – http://www.pealcenter.org/
    Parent Advisors and Mentors answer education questions, provide information on resources, offer trainings in most of PA, Information Center staff helps with accessing health care and community services PEAL Center hosts an annual statewide conference featuring national experts
  • Parents Involved Network of PA (PIN of PA) – http://www.dbhids.org/parents-involved-network/
    PIN of PA is a statewide support, advocacy, information, and referral resource, and technical assistance center for families of children and adolescents with emotional or behavioral disorders. Website provides fact sheets on a wide range of topics, including medication, wraparound services, and special education. Site also provides access to back issues of Sharing, PIN’s newsletter.
  • Penn State Behrend Disability Services – http://www.psbehrend.psu.edu/student-life/educational-equity-and-diversity/student-resources/students-with-disabilities-and-learning-differences
    Penn State is strongly committed to providing full access to its programs and services for all individuals. The University encourages academically qualified students with disabilities to take advantage of the educational programs offered at Penn State Behrend.  The Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs, located in the Student Affairs Suite, on the second floor of the Reed Union Building, provides assistance and support for students.  A disability services coordinator provides services tailored to meet the specific needs of each student.
  • Pennsylvania Centers for Independent Living – http://www.pcil.net/
    They strive to provide breaking news, technical assistance, and special benefits to their members. To the disabled citizens of this Commonwealth, they try to remove physical and attitudinal barriers and facilitate everyone’s dream about choosing where they want to live and how they live by having control over their lives.
  • Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) – http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/special_education/7465
    Contains links to all of PDE’s Basic Education Circulars (policy statements), Intermediate Unit web pages, and school district web pages. Navigate to the Standards aligned System where you will find the K – 12 standards for every area of learning.  It breaks it down into the concepts that should be mastered for each grade level and subject.  There videos and other materials that assist educators and families to make learning accessible for all students who range from gifted abilities, English as their second language or varying abilities.
  • Pennsylvania Housing Search – http://www.pahousingsearch.com/
    A free, online rental and homeownership service that links people who need housing with the housing they need. We hope it helps you make a more informed decision when exploring your housing options.
  • Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network – http://www.pattan.net/
    PaTTAN, formerly known as the Instructional Support System of Pennsylvania, offers assistance to school personnel in the area of Effective Behavior Support, as well as other areas. Types of support available include information, training and technical assistance on conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments, designing positive behavior support plans, and systems level interventions. PaTTAN has posted several of its publications on positive behavioral support on its website. You can download the side-by-side Chapter 14/IDEA Regulations, click on IDEA 2004 under Regulations & Forms. This same website has annotated forms such as IEP, ER, NOREP, Permission to Evaluate, Mediation Request and others These have notes that explain every part of the forms.
  • Proceedural Safeguards new audio version – http://odr-pa.org/procedural-safeguards-notice/
    Listen to the new audio recording of the procedural safeguards notice.  The notice informs parents about their rights and protections which are available through the federal and state laws for special education
  • RebeccaMoyes.com – http://www.rebeccamoyes.com/
    Provides information concerning awareness, education strategies and therapies to assist persons with autism and aspergers.
  • Safe Harbor Behavioral Health – http://www.safeharborbh.org/
    Safe Harbor Behavioral Health has an uncompromising commitment to high quality, state-of-the-art mental health treatment for adults and children. It has been recognized as a Model Program in the development and implementation of Crisis Services and the delivery of innovative outpatient services to individuals and families. A multidisciplinary staff of experienced behavioral health professionals works collaboratively with all hospitals, social service agencies, police jurisdictions and school districts in Erie County.
  • SoftSchools.com – http://www.softschools.com/
    SoftSchools.com provides free math worksheets, free math games, grammar quizzes and free phonics worksheets and games. Worksheets and games are organized by grades and topics. These printable math and phonics worksheets are auto generated .
  • Special Education ConsultLine – https://odr-pa.org/parents/consultline/ (1-800-879-2301) is a PA toll free help line for your special education questions and concerns. ConsultLine advisors will answer your questions and provide information about special education programs and the laws governing these programs for parents of and advocates for children with disabilities.
  • Stairways Behavioral Health – http://www.stairwaysbh.org/
    Stairways Behavioral Health assists persons with mental health care needs at any stage of life in their recovery by providing comprehensive rehabilitation, treatment and supports essential for living, working, learning and participating fully in the community.
  • Starfall.com – http://www.starfall.com/
    Starfall.com opened in September of 2002 as a free public service to teach children to read with phonics. Our systematic phonics approach, in conjunction with phonemic awareness practice, is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, special education, homeschool, and English language development (ELD, ELL, ESL). Starfall is an educational alternative to other entertainment choices for children.
  • SUNY Fredonia office of Disability Support Services for Students – http://www.fredonia.edu/tlc/DSS/
    The office of Disability Support Services for Students (DSS), located in the Learning Center, provides support services for students with disabilities on the SUNY Fredonia campus. The DSS office coordinates those services essential for providing the student with a disability the opportunity to be successful at Fredonia. Services range from academic assistance to assistance with residence life.
  • The Achievement Center – http://www.achievementctr.org/
    The Achievement Center is celebrating 87 years of assisting children to reach above and beyond their therapeutic goals. Since 1923, the center has expanded and grown to meet the needs of nearly 4,200 children annually with physical disabilities, developmental delays, emotional/behavioral problems, and autism spectrum disorders.
  • The Autism Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania. – https://www.autismnwpa.org/
    The goal of this organization is to share:  their contacts, their experiences and their friendships.  they will inform you of the many professional agencies that they have in their area.  they will notify you of any important news or legislation that could affect your family.  they will listen to your concerns at our monthly support meetings.  And they will share the fun and laughter at our family gatherings. they are part of a team that will assist your child, and your family, as you navigate the world of autism.  No one should ever have the feeling that they are alone.
  • The Barber Center – http://www.barberinstitute.org/
    The barber center provides everything from life skills to job training and placement in erie.
  • The Broadreach Centre – http://www.broadreachtraining.com/
    At the Broadreach Centre, we provide training, counseling, and mediation around disability issues. We believe that new possibilities emerge when we intentionally choose and work from alternative narratives of disability, identity, and conflict.
  • The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) – https://www.copaa.org/
    COPAA is an independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization of attorneys, advocates and parents established to improve the quality and quantity of legal assistance for parents of children with disabilities. COPAA’s site includes links to other websites of interest, including a link to EDLAW, which maintains a list of attorneys who represent parents throughout the United States. EDLAW’s website is: http://www.edlaw.net/
  • The Mentor Parent Program – https://pafamiliesinc.org/
    The Mentor Parent Program is a community-based parent project created in 1989 by parents of children with special needs to support, assist and provide expertise to parents in rural northwest Pennsylvania
  • The Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) at Allegheny College – http://sites.allegheny.edu/disabilityservices/
    The Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) at Allegheny College is dedicated to ensuring nondiscrimination and equal access to all programs, services, and activities for qualified students with disabilities. Students with disabilities have access and opportunities to engage in the full range of experiences available to all students at Allegheny including curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities.
  • The Pennsylvania Autism Self-Advocacy Coalition – http://www.paautism.org/
    Their mission is to advise and educate state and local government, law enforcement, educators and the medical community concerning spectrum conditions and community integration
  • The Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program – http://www.icdri.org/legal/PennsylvaniaCAP.htm
    CAP is an advocacy program for people with disabilities administered by the Center for Disability Law & Policy.CAP helps 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
  • The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
    The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. OVR provides services to eligible individuals with disabilities, both directly and through a network of approved vendors
  • The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville-Disability Resources and Services (DRS) – https://www.upt.pitt.edu/student-life/health-center-counseling/disability-and-resource-services
    The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville is committed to providing equal opportunities in higher education to academically qualified students with disabilities. Students with disabilities will be integrated as completely as possible into the University experience. Disability Resources and Services (DRS) shares with you, the student, the responsibility for creating equal access toward achievement of your academic goals.
  • Transportation Solutions – http://www.driveablesolutions.com/programs/vocational-rehab/
    They help to train people with disability to learn to drive a car or van.
  • Voices for Independence (VFI) – http://www.vficil.org/
    First and foremost, Voices for Independence provides Many types of attendant services. their services also include  empowering all people with disabilities with the skills to be their own advocates.they also help with De-Institutionalization which is a priority for VFI. they work with individuals who are in group homes, nursing homes, and other institutions who want to relocate into the community setting of their choice.
  • webmath.com – http://www.webmath.com/
    Webmath is a math-help web site that generates answers to specific math questions and problems, as entered by a user, at any particular moment. The math answers are generated and displayed real-time, at the moment a web user types in their math problem and clicks “solve.” In addition to the answers, Webmath also shows the student how to arrive at the answer.
  • Wright’s Special Education Law – http://wrightslaw.com/
    Excellent site operated by an attorney who represents parents in special education matters. Provides updates of recent court decisions from around the country, along with basic information about special education law.

General Resources

  • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
    This federal law discrimination of people with disabilities.
    • Title I. Employers may not discriminate
    • Title II. State or local government may discriminate
    • Title III. Public accommodations (i.e., businesses may not discriminate).
  • Rehabilitation Act of 1973
    Section 504 states that any entity that receives federal dollars may not discriminate against persons who disabilities. The corresponding PA regulations are chapter XV. Students who only need accommodations without altering the curriculum are protected by this law.