Administration on
Developmental Disabilities (ADD)
ADD works to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and
their families help decide what services they should get and that
they indeed get the support and services they need. Service areas
include education, employment, health, child care, housing,
protection and advocacy, recreation, transportation, and quality
assurance. ADD is part of the Administration for Children and
Families.
Center for Medicaid and Medicare
Services (CMS)
CMS has two programs, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health
Insurance Program, that can help children and adults with
disabilities get health care coverage.
DisabilityInfo.gov
DisabilityInfo.gov has information about disabilities resources in
the federal government. Topics include jobs, education, housing,
transportation, health, income support, technology, community life,
and civil rights.
Maternal and Child Health Bureau
(MCHB)
MCHB promotes the health of children and mothers. It has programs in
areas such as children with special health care needs, newborn
hearing screening, child health and safety, and genetics. MCHB is
part of the Health Resources and Services Administration.
MEDLINEplus Health
Information, National Library of Medicine
MEDLINEplus, an online service of the National Library of Medicine,
links people to information about topics such as autism, cerebral
palsy, hearing loss, mental retardation, and vision impairment.
National Council on Disability
(NCD)
NCD ensures that people with disabilities have the same
opportunities as people who do not have disabilities. It promotes
policies and programs that help people with disabilities live on
their own, support themselves, and take part in all aspects of
society. NCD makes recommendations to the President and Congress on
issues that affect Americans with disabilities.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Several institutes within NIH conduct and fund research about
developmental disabilities. They also offer information to the
public and educational programs for health professionals.
National Eye Institute
(NEI)
NEI studies ways to prevent and treat eye diseases and vision
problems and to improve the lives of people with these
conditions.
National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
NICHD studies the impact that disabilities such as autism and
mental retardation have on people’s lives, as well as possible
causes and treatments of those disabilities.
National Institute on
Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
NIDCD studies hearing loss, deafness, and problems with speech
and language.
National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH)
NIMH studies mental illness and behavior problems, including
such conditions as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, and learning disabilities.
National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
NINDS studies the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
of brain and nervous system disorders such as cerebral palsy and
epilepsy.
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
NIDRR promotes the participation of all people with disabilities in
their communities. It also helps communities provide opportunities
and support for people with disabilities. NIDRR focuses on studies
related to topics such as jobs, health, assistive technology, and
independent living. NIDRR is part of the U.S. Department of
Education.
Office of
Disability Employment
The Office of Disability Employment works to increase job
opportunities for people with disabilities. It promotes access to
education, training, assistive technology and other support so that
people with disabilities can get and keep jobs. It helps businesses
increase the number of work options for people with disabilities.
The Office of Disability Employment is part of the U.S. Department
of Labor.
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
OSEP works to improve the lives of children and youth with
disabilities from birth to age 21 through education and support
services. OSEP administers the Individuals with Disabilities Act
(IDEA), the federal law that supports special education and related
services for children and youth with disabilities. OSEP is part of
the U.S. Department of Education.
Office on Disability
The Office on Disability oversees the implementation of federal
disability policies and programs. It works to remove barriers facing
people with disabilities so they can participate more fully in their
communities. It also fosters interactions between the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (of which it is a part),
other federal agencies, state agencies, local agencies, and private
sector groups.
Rehabilitative Services Administration (RSA)
RSA helps people with disabilities get jobs and live more
independently. RSA is part of the U.S. Department of Education.