Resource available at http://www.fvkasa.org/, (888) 835-5669

Kids As Self Advocates (KASA) is a national, grassroots project created by youth with disabilities for youth. We are teens and young adults with disabilities speaking out. KASA knows youth can make choices and advocate for themselves if they have the information and support they need. KASA has numerous advocacy resources on its website related to topics such as: civil rights, staying safe, education, health, work, sports recreation and leisure, dating and relationships, technology, transportation, disability history and culture, and working with a group.

Published By: Family Voices

Knowbility's mission is to ensure barrier-free information technology - supporting the independence of people with disabilities by promoting the use and improving the availability of accessible information technology. Services of Knowbility include accessibility consulting and advisory services, accessibility training, educational and community initiatives, and awareness programs. Knowbility has developed ATSTAR (Assistive Technology: Strategies, Tools, Accommodation and Resources), an online curriculum designed for teachers to learn how to use assistive technology in the classroom.

Learning Disabilities Association of Texas (LDAT) is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to advancing the education and general welfare of persons with learning disabilities. LDAT enhances public awareness of learning disabilities, provides information and referral services, encourages early identification and appropriate instruction of students with learning disabilities, assists parents of children with learning disabilities to advocate for their children, advocates on behalf of individuals with learning disabilities for services and to assist in upgrading existing programs.

Author: Region 3 Education Service Center

Resource available at http://www.esc3.net/index.php/3-lid-home, (361) 573-0731

Region 3 ESC is responsible for providing leadership to the Texas statewide group of Low Incidence and Deafblind network members in order to help them build their capacity to meet the identified areas of need of students who have a severe cognitive disability, or are medically fragile or deafblind. The website is designed to provide information for the network members as well as serve as a first point of contact for school staff and families of individuals with low incidence disabilities.

Published By: Region 3 Education Service Center

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation's premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States. Established in 1980, NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value. Advocacy efforts include early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, and youth leadership.

The mission of the National Black Deaf Advocates is to promote the leadership development, economic and educational opportunities, social equality, and to safeguard the general health and welfare of Black deaf and hard of hearing people.

The National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth (NCLD/Y) serves as a national youth-led information, training, and resource center. NCLD/Y works with the next generation of disability leaders and develops materials to better prepare them for transition to adulthood and leadership. NCLD/Y develops training modules to inform, educate, and train youth and emerging leaders with developmental disabilities in disability policy and works with the network of Centers of Independent Living on increasing their capacity to serve youth and emerging leaders.

National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) advocates for basic rights for people with disabilities and ensures accountability in health care, education, employment, housing, transportation and within the juvenile and criminal justice systems for individuals with disabilities.

Author: Erika Beltran and Sarah Dolan

Resource available at http://www.nclr.org/index.php/publications/new_leaders_new_directions_tools_for_advancing_an_early_childhood_agenda_for_the_latino_community/

This toolkit is designed to help Early Care and Education champions build stronger, more effective strategies to ensure educational success for Latino and English language learner (ELL) children. It includes chapters on Framing the Issue, Identifying Your Partners and Targets, Taking Action, and Media Tools and Resources. It also includes a number of appendices on different topics, including data collection and the legislative process. National Council of La Raza believes that early care and education is an essential component of school success.

Published By: National Council of La Raza

The Division of NCLB Program Coordination of TEA is responsible for the state-level administration and implementation of federal education programs under the No Child Left Behind Act and the Ed-Flex Partnership program.

Not Without Us! provides information and assistance to people with disabilities and their families in accessing support systems and gaining full access to the community. Other services include: peer support; information and referral for services such as housing, education, and attendant assistance services; and independent living skills training on activities such as cooking, money management, and using transit systems.

PACER helps families make decisions about education and other services for their child or young adult with disabilities through projects, workshops, publications, and other resources. Services and programs include summer camp and internships where girls explore opportunities in math, science, and technology, social events, information about independent living and housing options, employment training, a leadership academy for high school students, and assistive technology workshops and lending library.

Resource available at http://www.tecec.org/files/Parent_Toolkit_A.pdf

The mission of the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition (TECEC) is to build a system of quality early care and education that prepares children in Texas for success in their education and life. TECEC brings together researchers, universities, foundations, providers,the business community, and parents to advocate on behalf of young Texans ages birth to five. The Parent Advocacy Toolkit includes information for parents about: the Texas early childhood education system, ways to advocate, and information about the Texas legislative process.

Published By: Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition

Author: Military HOMEFRONT

Resource available at http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/mhf/MHF/MHF_DETAIL_1?section_id=20.40.500.570.0.0.0.0.0&content_id=218947

The Department of Defense Special Needs Parent Toolkit has comprehensive information and tools to help military families of children with special needs navigate special education services, community support, and benefits and entitlements. Modules include: Birth to Age Three, Special Education, Health Benefits, Families in Transition, Advocating for Your Child, and Resources and Support.

Published By: United States Department of Defense

Author: Statewide High School Transition Network

Resource available at http://sww.transitionintexas.org/10081011201122657/lib/10081011201122657/Parents/Transition for Parents 08-09 PDF.pdf, (817) 740-3600

Because parents are an important member of the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee, and have a particularly important role in helping students during the transition process from high school into the world of adult activities, this PowerPoint training was created by the Statewide High School Transition Network to help facilitate the understanding of the transition process and the role parents should take in the process. For more information about transition, Education Service Center XI provides statewide leadership for the Texas Secondary Transition/Post-School Results Network.

Published By: Statewide High School Transition Network

Author: Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

Resource available at http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/education/index.html

Partners in Education is an online course designed to help parents of children with developmental disabilities navigate the special education system and help their children make the most of their potential. The course covers the history of education for children with developmental disabilities, key laws, parents' roles in their child's education, how to advocate to help ensure a quality educational experience, and information about understanding due process rights.

Published By: Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

Partners Resource Network (PRN) is a nonprofit agency that operates the statewide network of federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) in Texas. The PRI projects are PATH, PEN, and TEAM. The programs and services of PRN are based on the concept of parents helping parents. PRN empowers parents of children and youth with disabilities and promotes partnerships among parents and professionals. The major programs of PRN include Parent Training and Information and a Parent Leadership Institute.

The Paso Del Norte Children's Development Center strives to provide quality services to children with special needs and their families. Services and programs include: an inclusive child development center, early childhood intervention, informational and referral for community resources, and education and leadership training programs.

Resource available at http://www.partnerstx.org/courses/i_c_home.html, khenning@partnerstx.org

Partners Resource Network offers an online course entitled "Procedural Safeguards." Procedural Safeguards are legal rights for parents regarding the education of their children with disabilities in public schools. The current federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004 (IDEA), continues to provide the parents and guardians of children with disabilities with a variety of legal rights to be involved in and make decisions about a student's education. This course helps parents understand what their right are.

Published By: Partners Resource Network

Resource available at http://www.proyectovision.net

Proyecto Vision is a bilingual project of the World Institute on Disability aimed at connecting Latinos with disabilities to educational and employment opportunities. The website contains a variety of employment resources, information about awards and scholarships, success stories, and announcements of upcoming events, including Proyecto Vision's annual "Bridges" conference. This project is a project of the World Institute on Disability.

Published By: Proyecto Vision