We hope this page is a repository of helpful links as you search for local and national special needs and disability resources.
We appreciate our partner organizations who are also doing great work to ensure disabled individuals and the families of individuals with special needs lead the best possible, highest-quality of life.
National Resources
Legal
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
https://www.naela.org/
Advocacy
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
http://www.agbell.org
American Chronic Pain Association
https://theacpa.org
American Council of the Blind
http://www.acb.org
The ARC of the United States
http://www.thearc.org
The Autism Society of America
http://www.autism-society.org
Brain Injury Association of America
http://www.biausa.org
CHADD – The National Resource on ADHD
http://www.chadd.org
CURE – Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy
https://www.cureepilepsy.org
Disabled American Veterans
https://www.dav.org
Easter Seals
http://www.easterseals.com
The Epilepsy Foundation
http://www.epilepsy.com
March of Dimes
http://www.marchofdimes.org
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
https://www.nami.org
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
http://nacdd.org
National Down Syndrome Society
http://www.ndss.org
National Fragile X Foundation
https://fragilex.org
National Gaucher Foundation
http://www.gaucherdisease.org
National PLAN Alliance
http://nationalplanalliance.org/
Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA)
http://www.pwsausa.org
Rettsyndrome.org
https://www.rettsyndrome.org/
United Cerebral Palsy
http://www.ucp.org
United Spinal Association
http://www.spinalcord.org
Government
Social Security Administration
https://www.ssa.gov
Medicare
https://www.medicare.gov
General
https://www.mattressclarity.com/blog/how-to-overcome-down-syndrome-sleep-challenges/
Massachusetts Resources
Legal
Disability Law Center, Inc.
http://www.dlc-ma.org
Massachusetts Advocates for Children
http://massadvocates.org
Massachusetts Bar Association – Lawyer Referral Service –
https://www.masslawhelp.com/
Massachusetts Guardianship Association
http://www.massguardianshipassociation.org
Mass Legal Help
http://www.masslegalhelp.org/disability
MassNAELA
https://massnaela.com
Probate and Family Court Department
http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/pfc
Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association
https://www.vlpnet.org
Advocacy
The ARC of Massachusetts
http://thearcofmass.org
Centers for Independent Living
https://www.mass.gov/independent-living-centers
Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong
https://ma-advocates.org
Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change
http://mfofc.org
Massachusetts Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
http://www.molst-ma.org
New England ADA Center
http://www.newenglandada.org
Government
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
http://www.mass.gov/elders/healthcare
Executive Office of Health & Human Services
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/masshealth
Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
https://www.mass.gov/contact-the-attorney-generals-office
Mass 211
http://mass211.org
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
http://www.mass.gov/mcad
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/housing-and-community-development
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
http://www.mass.gov/anf/employment-equal-access-disability/oversight-agencies/mddc
Massachusetts Office on Disability
http://www.mass.gov/anf/employment-equal-access-disability/oversight-agencies/mod
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-rehabilitation-commission-0
Massachusetts – Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Centralized Waiting List
http://www.section8listmass.org
MassHealth
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/masshealth
Rhode Island Resources
Legal
Help RI Law: Rhode Island Legal Services
https://www.helprilaw.org/
Rhode Island Legal Services
http://www.rils.org/contact.cfm
RI Elder Info
https://rielderinfo.com/legal-help-for-seniors-in-ri/
Advocacy
Advocates in Action Rhode Island
http://www.advocatesinaction.org/
The ARC of Rhode Island
https://thearc.org/chapter/the-arc-rhode-island-family-advocacy-network/
The Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island, Inc.
https://biari.org/
Community Provider Network of Rhode Island (CPNRI)
https://www.cpnri.org/
Down Syndrome of Rhode Island
http://www.dssri.org/
New England ADA Center
http://www.newenglandada.org
Hotline: 1 (800) 949-4232 (V/TTY)
Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at Rhode Island College
http://www.ric.edu/sherlockcenter/advocate.html
Rhode Island Advocacy for Children
https://riadvocacyforchildren.org/
Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families
https://www.riccf.org/
Rhode Island Parent Information Network
http://www.ripin.org/
Rhode Island Rights and Access Coalition
https://ridrac.org/
United Way of Rhode Island
https://www.uwri.org/2-1-1/
Government
Rhode Island Attorney General
http://www.riag.ri.gov/
Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council
http://www.riddc.org/
Resources for Seniors
Guide to Home Modifications to Prevent Falls
https://www.bigrentz.com/how-to-guides/guide-home-modifications-prevent-seniors-falling
Handling Debt for Older Adults
https://www.annuityfreedom.net/financial-literacy/seniors-debt/
Fall Prevention
https://acl.gov/FallsPrevention
How to Safely Pick up a Senior After a Fall
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/pick-up-a-senior-after-a-fall-170447.htm
Legal Guide for Seniors
https://www.justgreatlawyers.com/legal-resources-considerations-seniors-special-needs
COVID Resources for Seniors
https://www.ncoa.org/ncoa_acf/covid-19-resources-for-older-adults/
Bathroom Modifications for Seniors and People with Disabilities
https://www.saniflodepot.com/pages/bathroom-modifications-for-seniors-and-people-with-disabilities