Advocacy & Support

Local

VELA –  empowers families of children with disabilities, through the parent, for the child. Provides training and support in both English and Spanish.

Easterseals of Central Texas – early childhood interventions, outpatient rehab, audiology, parent support and training, community housing, employment and job training, advocacy and public policy.

Disability Rights Texas – we help protect people with disabilities from the myriad forms of discrimination that limit their full and equal participation in society — because all people have dignity and worth

Austin Special Needs – Facebook support group for families of children with disabilities in the Austin area.

Coalition for Special Education Equity in AISD – Facebook group for parents, educators, and community partners focused on improved education of children with disabilities attending Austin ISD.

AISD Family School Support Services – collaborative team that is focused on providing special education support to schools and families.

Autism Society of Texas – The Autism Society of Texas changes lives by connecting families and individuals to community resources and support throughout Texas. Offerings include support meetings; on-line networking opportunities; Sensory Friendly films; and fun family activities.

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Transition Hope – CPATH provides resources, support, and financial assistance to a community of interconnected families and individuals living with cerebral palsy, to access resources, build awareness, and pursue acceptance for all.

Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT) – provide education, support, and resources to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and professionals and the community while building public awareness and acceptance of the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome.

Sped Tex – Provides information and resources that can help you understand your child’s disability, your rights and responsibilities under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and facilitate collaboration that supports the development and delivery of services to children with disabilities in our State. 1-855-773-3839 or inquire@spedtex.org

Texas Parent to Parent – TxP2P empowers families to be strong advocates through parent-to-parent support, resource referral, and education.

Texas Project FIRST – for parent, by parents – committed to providing accurate and consistent information to parents and families of students with disabilities.

Community Partners for Children – Community Partners for Children (CPC) is a community partnership that meets with families to create individualized service recommendations to support the child and family.

The Arc of the Capital Area – committed to empowering Central Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through compassionate case management and innovative programs.

Navigate Life in Texas – a project supported by the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS), was created to inform and empower parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs. 

NAMI Austin – Founded in 1984, NAMI Central Texas, formerly NAMI Austin, is a member of the largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Through innovative education, support and advocacy programs, we are changing the way our community addresses mental health.

National

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates – Directory – Resources to protect educational rights for students with disabilities and their parents or family members.

Center for Parent Information & Resources – Supporting the Parent Centers Who Serve Families of Children with Disabilities

Understood.org – We focus on making real, positive impact in the lives of people who learn and think differently by offering tools, support, and community. Because our differences are our greatest strength.

Wrightslaw – Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.

How to Help Students with Learning Disabilities Focus on Their Strengths