Resources
Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities
www.ddcouncil.org
The Council supports people with developmental disabilities in the achievement of independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in the community. The Council provides information and training resources for parents, families, and individuals with developmental disabilities.
Arkansas People First
www.arkansaspeoplefirst.org
Arkansas People First is the statewide self-advocacy organization of people with disabilities in Arkansas. Their mission is: “Working together for our rights as People First, speaking for ourselves as members of the community.” AYU works with Arkansas People First to educate and involve young adults in the local, state, and national self-advocacy movement.
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS)
www.arsinfo.org
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services provides career training to people with disabilities. Their services include counseling and evaluation, medical services, schooling and vocational training, equipment purchases, and job placement assistance. Click the link to find out about services that can help you reach your job or educational goals.
Arkansas Support Network (ASN)
www.supports.org
Arkansas Support Network offers a variety of programs to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families including family support, supported living services, supported employment, and an affordable housing program. Click the link to learn more about these programs and who to contact.
Arkansas Transition Services (ATS)
www.arkansastransition.com
Arkansas Transition Services works regionally with school staff, families, and others to help prepare youth to transition from high school to adulthood. Paul Johnston is the NW Arkansas Transition Consultant. He represents Arkansas Transition Services on our Resource Panels to bring information directly to young people, families, and school staff.
Disability Rights Center (DRC)
www.arkdisabilityrights.org
The Disability Rights Center advocates for and protects the rights of people with disabilities. They provide many services free of charge including information and referral, outreach, and education.
Division of Developmental Disability Waiver Services
http://www.state.ar.us/dhs/ddds/NewWebsite/Html/index.html
The Division provides a variety of community-based services to eligible individuals as an alternative to placement in an ICF/MR. If you are a young person in middle or high school, the time to apply for waiver services is now! Contact Amala Sista to find out how to apply at 479-273-9011 x 188 or amala.sista.@arkansas.gov.
Economic Opportunity Agency of Washington County (EOA)
www.eoawc.org
The Economic Opportunity Agency’s mission is to help low-income families and individuals succeed in the social and economical arenas of Northwest Arkansas. They offer several programs designed to help individuals and families lift themselves out of poverty including Individual Development Accounts or IDAs. IDAs are special savings accounts that help you save money a lot faster than traditional savings accounts by matching the money you deposit by three to one! Contact EOA to see if you qualify and sign up for this program.
EmployAbility Project
www.workingdisabled-ar.org
Arkansans with disabilities can work without losing the benefits (like SSDI, SSI, and Medicaid) they depend on! The EmployAbility Project provides information and assistance to people with disabilities who want to work. For information about how you can work and you’re your benefits, call the Employment Sources Hotline toll-free 1-866-283-7900.
The Jones Center for Families
www.jonesnet.org
The Jones Center provides a multigenerational, social, educational and recreational facility where “all are welcome.” Their facilities are free or low cost and include meeting space, classrooms, a computer lab, and fitness facilities including a swimming pool, gym, basketball court, and hockey rink. They offer a wide variety of health and community education programs to the public. Check out their website for current programs.
Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) Office of Disability Services
http://www.nwacc.edu/LSS/disability.php
The Office of Disability Services at NWACC helps students with disabilities succeed in school by providing direct supports (like note takers, audio taped lectures, extended time to complete assignments and other services). If you are a student, or are thinking about becoming one, stop by the Office and talk to a staff person.
Northwest Arkansas Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC)
www.supports.org/CPRC
The CPRC serves families of children with disabilities ages birth through 26 living in Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington counties. The CPRC advocates for children in special education and provides training and information to parents related to their rights and available services. The Center specializes in providing these services to immigrant families, foster families, parents who are working to reunite with their children, and young people in the juvenile justice system as well as their parents. CPRC staff facilitate our parent meetings and represent the Center on our Resource Panels.
Ozark Regional Transit
www.ozark.org
Ozark Regional Transit provides safe, reliable, and affordable public transportation to residents of Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, and Rogers. They offer accessible transportation called Paratransit. Reservations for Paratransit services must be made one to seven days in advance. Call between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm Monday through Friday to schedule this service: 479-756-5901 or 1-800-865-5901 extension 2.
Partners for Inclusive Communities
www.uams.edu/partners/about
Partners is a Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. Their mission is to support individuals with disabilities and families of children with disabilities to fully and meaningfully participate in community life, effect systems change, prevent disabilities, and promote healthy lifestyles.
Razorback Paratransit
www.transit.uark.edu
Razorback Transit provides free transportation to on-campus locations and major off-campus living and shopping areas Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. They also offer accessible transportation called Paratransit, which operates during the same hours. Reservations for Paratransit must be made two weeks in advance. Call the Paratransit Coordinator at 479-575-6993 to schedule a ride.
Sources for Community Independent Living Services
www.arsources.org
Sources is an Independent Living Center that assists people with disabilities to reach their individual goals. Sources provides services, support and advocacy for individuals with disabilities, their families and the community. Director Jim Mather represents Sources on our resource panels to bring information directly to students, parents, and school staff. Visit their website to see what services they can offer you.
Spread the Word to End the Word
www.r-word.org
Join AYU in taking the pledge to stop using the R-word. People with disabilities should be able to go to school and live in their communities without being bullied and degraded by the use of the “R” word. This kind of harassment affects their sprit, their zest for life, and their desire to go to school and be the best they can be. Manners do matter.
University of Arkansas Center for Educational Access
http://csd.uark.edu/
The Center provides direct support (like note takers, audio taped lectures, extended time to complete assignments and other services) for students with disabilities so they can be successful in the classroom. They also provide training and educational resources to the University community as a whole. If you are a student, or are thinking about becoming one, stop by the Center and talk to a staff person.
National Resources
The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD)
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add
The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is the U.S. Government organization responsible for implementation of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, known as the DD Act. Their mission is to improve and increase services individuals with developmental disabilities. They also promote opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to make their own choices, contribute to society, have supports to live independently, live free of abuse, neglect, financial and sexual exploitation, and violations of their legal and human rights. ADD provided the initial funding for AYU and 20 other youth projects around the country.
Healthy and Ready to Work (HRTW)
www.hrtw.org
HRTW is a National Resource Center whose vision is that all youth with special health care needs receive the services necessary to transition to all aspects of adulthood, including adult health care, employment, and independence. They provide information and connections to health and transition expertise nationwide – from those in the know, doing the work and living it – youth! Check out the resources on their website.
Kids As Self-Advocates (KASA)
www.fvkasa.org
KASA is a national, grassroots project created by youth with disabilities for youth. KASA is led by teens and young adults with disabilities that speak out about important issues. They believe youth with disabilities can make choices and advocate for themselves if they have the information and support they need. KASA leaders help spread helpful, positive information among their peers to increase knowledge and decision-making around various issues.
National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN)
www.nyln.org
The National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) is dedicated to advancing the
next generation of disability leaders. NYLN promotes leadership development, education, employment, independent living, and health and wellness among young leaders; fosters the inclusion of young leaders with disabilities into all aspects of society at national, state and local levels; communicates about issues important to youth with disabilities and the policies and practices. Check out what’s happening nationally on their website.
The Riot!
www.theriotrocks.org
The Riot! is an electronic newsletter for self-advocates. Self-advocates are people with disabilities who speak up for themselves and others. The Riot! is all about self-advocacy. Every issue focuses on a timely theme, or a particular idea. Issues also cover life topics, such as dating, health, and everyday fun. Check out this national newsletter written by and for self-advocates. It is edgy and fun and will make you laugh!
Think College
www.thinkcollege.net/students
Think College is an initiative of the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston. ICI is a leader in the area of postsecondary education (any type of training beyond high school) for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Their website provides helpful resources for students, families, and professionals.
What Can You Do Campaign
www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org
The Campaign for Disability Employment is a national collaborative effort between several disability and business organizations. They promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent people with disabilities bring to the workplace. Visit their employer page to learn how your organization can capitalize on the talents of people with disabilities and access resources to help recruit, retain and advance skilled, qualified employees.
Youthhood
www.youthhood.org
Youthhood is a web site built to help young people plan for the future. What will you do after high school? Will you work? Go to college? Live in a place of your own? Use this Web site to start planning for your future today!