Resources: Organizations

4People.org
4People provides fast, quick, lists of resources and services in each county, for the State of Washington, with printable lists to hand out to those in need.www.4people.org

Advocacy Groups and Resource Links
Follow this link to learn more about advocacy, resource and support organizations in Washington State and the nation.
www1.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/links.shtml

The Arc of Washington State
Since 1936, The Arc of Washington State has been a leader in the development of services and programs for people with developmental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, epilepsy and related neurological disorders which occur before age 18. The Arc of Washington State is a non-profit organization affiliated with The Arc of the United States and eleven local Arc chapters throughout the state.
www.arcwa.org

The Arc of Washington State's mission is to promote the education, health, self-sufficiency, self-advocacy, inclusion and choices of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. With the strongest commitment to integrity and objectivity, the BLS will be premier among statistical agencies, producing impartial, timely, and accurate data relevant to the needs of its users and to the social and economic conditions of the Nation, its workers, and their families.
www.bls.gov

Census Bureau
The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. We honor privacy, protect confidentiality, share our expertise globally, and conduct our work openly. We are guided on this mission by our strong and capable workforce, our readiness to innovate, and our abiding commitment to our customers. Our goal is to provide the best mix of timeliness, relevancy, quality, and cost for the data we collect and services we provide.
www.census.gov

Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.
www.cecsped.org

Division on Career Development & Transition
The mission of DCDT is to promote national and international efforts to improve the quality of and access to, career/vocational and transition services, increase the participation of education in career development and transition goals and to influence policies affecting career development and transition services for persons with disabilities.
www.dcdt.org

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
The DDD assists individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to obtain services and supports based on individual preference, capabilities and needs, and which promote everyday activities, routines and relationships common to most citizens.
www1.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/services.shtml

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
Each DVR office throughout the state is committed to offering a welcoming environment and providing the information and support necessary for people with disabilities to direct and receive the goods and services in a way that makes the most sense for them.
www1.dshs.wa.gov/dvr

DVR High School Liaisons
Find liaison information for every county in Washington state.
https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/dvr/schooltransition/search.aspx

Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT)
DO-IT serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. It promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment.
www.washington.edu/doit

Labor and Industries
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries regulates the wage, hour and working conditions for all workers in the state.  This website is a valuable resource for student research, staff training and parent information.
www.lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/Wages/default.asp

National Alliance for Secondary Education and Transition (NASET)
The National Alliance for Secondary Education and Transition (NASET) is a national voluntary coalition of more than 40 organizations and advocacy groups representing special education, general education, career and technical education, youth development, multicultural perspectives, and parents.
www.nasetalliance.org

National Center on Educational Outcomes
The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) provides national leadership in designing and building educational assessments and accountability systems that appropriately monitor educational results for all students, including students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.
www.education.umn.edu/NCEO/Default.html

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCWD)
NCWD/Youth is your source for information about employment and youth with disabilities. Our partners—experts in disability, education, employment, and workforce development—strive to ensure you will be provided with the highest quality, most relevant information available.
www.ncwd-youth.info

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
NICHCY is a wealth of information on disabilities as a central source of information on:

• IDEA, which is the law authorizing special education,
• No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities),
• research-based information on effective educational practices,
• disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth.
www.nichcy.org

National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC)
The goal of the NSTTAC isto ensure full implementation of IDEA and help youth with disabilities and their families achieve desired post-school outcomes.  NSTTAC assists states to build capacity to support and improve transition planning, services, and outcomes for youth with disabilities and disseminate information and provide technical assistance on scientifically-based research practices.
www.nsttac.org

Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics

For hundreds of different types of jobs Occupational Outlook Handbook gives:

• the training and education needed
• earnings
• expected job prospects
• what workers do on the job
• working conditions

In addition, the Handbook gives you job search tips, links to information about the job market in each State, and more.
www.bls.gov/oco

PACER Center
PACER, a national center, responds to thousands of parents and professionals each year. From California to Minnesota to New York, PACER resources make a difference in the lives of 6.5 million children with disabilities nationwide. www.pacer.org

PAVE
PAVE, a non-profit organization, exists to share information and resources with people whose lives are linked to children and adults with disabilities. PAVE's resources include a free lending library of books and video tapes, a quarterly newsletter (PAVE Pipeline), website, a toll-free telephone number, You Are the Expert Conference, bi-lingual/bi-cultural staff, and free and low cost materials in a variety of formats and languages.
washingtonpave.com