JCCA'S COMPASS PROJECT

• About the Compass Project
• Services for High School Students and Recent Graduates
• Services for College Students
• Services for Parents and Families
• Tests and Assessments
• Psychological Testing Services
• Theater for Action
• Compass Calendar of Events

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AUTISM, ASPERGERS AND PDD

• Autism Speaks A New York based advocacy organization working to improve public awareness about autism and promote autism research.
• Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association (AHA) A New York organization providing support and information for families, individuals and professionals affected by Aspergers Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
• Organization for Autism Research A parent-led organization using applied science to answer questions that other parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers and caregivers confront daily.
• The Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) One of the largest organizations in the world providing treatment to children with Autism, PDD and Asperger's Syndrome.
• MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and advice to families of More advanced individuals with Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).
• Autism Family Center A Westchester Jewish Community Services program offering parent support and education, networking, resources, social skills groups, and professional consultation.
• Autism United An alliance of families and individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders that works with professionals and organizations who serve the autism community.
• AutismLink A website providing information and support for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Includes general autism information, services to help parents meet other parents in their area, articles, newsletter, message boards, and a nation-wide database of service providers.

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OTHER DISABILITIES

• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) A national nonprofit organization providing education, advocacy and support for individuals with AD/HD.
• Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) A nonprofit organization providing information, resources and networking to adults with AD/HD.
• The International Dislexia Association A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia, their families and the communities that support them.
• NLD on the Web Information and resources on Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD).
• Nonverbal Learning Disorders Association A nonprofit dedicated to research, education, and advocacy for nonverbal learning disorders.

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SUPPORT, INFORMATION AND ADVOCACY

• Parent to Parent of New York State A statewide network enabling families of individuals with special needs to meet and share information. Click here for Parent for Parent programs in other states.
• National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) An information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues.
• Family Village: A Global Community of Disability-Related Resources Provides information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for people with disabilities and their families.
• GRASP - The Global and Regional Asperger's Partnership Offers information, resources and a support group network for adults with spectrum disorders
• YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Provides a wide range of services, education and training in the field of developmental and learning disabilities.
• The Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at Stony Brook University Offers clinical services for children and adults with Autism and related disorders, graduate-level coursework and training opportunities for clinicians, a Resource Center, social skills and parent training programs, family workshops, and programs for young people transitioning to adulthood.

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EDUCATION AND LEARNING DISABILITITES

• Schools with Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities JCCA's Compass Project
• National Center for Learning Disabilities Provides information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities.
• Learning Disabilities Association of America A nonprofit organization advocating for for invdividuals with learning disabilities.
• All Kinds of Minds A nonprofit institute that helps students who struggle with learning measurably improve their success in school and life by providing programs that integrate educational, scientific, and clinical expertise.
• Schwab Learning Resources for parents of children with learning disabilities.
• Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities A nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the parents of children with learning disabilities and attention-deficit disorder.

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HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE TRANSITION

• Schools with Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities JCCA Compass Project
• Schools with Programs for Students with Asperger's JCCA Compass Project
• Advocacy Tips for Transition from High School to Adulthood JCCA Compass Project
• Vocational Rehabilitation Programs and Academic Programs for Adults with Learning Disabilities (pdf) Ernst VanBergeijk, Ph.D., M.S.W. Associate Dean, Executive Director, VIP, New York Institute of Technology
• Planning for Post Secondary Options (pdf) Ernst VanBergeijk, Ph.D., M.S.W. Associate Dean, Executive Director, VIP, New York Institute of Technology
• ThinkCollege.net Resources for high school students with learning disabilities who are thinking about college, their family members and professionals. Includes a searchable databse of postsecondary education programs that support youth with learning disabilitites.
• Transition for Secondary Students with Disabilities Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, NYS Education Department
• AHEAD: Association on Higher Education And Disability A professional association committed to full participation of persons with disabilities in postsecondary education.
• Effective College Planning WNY Collegiate Consortium and Disability Advocates
• Transition and Your Adolescent with Learning Disabilities: Moving from High School to Postsecondary Education, Training, and Employment (pdf) Handbook providing families with information about how to plan for the transition from school to postsecondary settings and information about different postsecondary options for adolescents with disabilities.
• Transition Strategies from High School to College Center for Advancement and Learning, Muskingum College
• Transition to College and Work for Teens National Center for Learning Disabilities
• Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
• Documentation Guidlines for Students with Disabilities Queensborough Community College
• "Are you considering college?" Flow Chart (pdf) Student Advocacy Handbook for High School Juniors and Seniors Transitioning to College
  The Northern New York Post Secondary Transition Team
• What Does Health Have to Do with Transition? Everything! Parent Brief, National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
• Developing the Transition Component of the IEP by Barbara D. Bateman, Ph.D., J.D.
• Differences between High School and College for Students with Disabilities
• New York Institute of Technology Vocational Independence Program (VIP) A college-based educational, vocational, social, and independent living program for individuals with learning differences.
• Section 504: The Law and its Impact on Postsecondary Education American Council on Education
• Getting Ready for School: Success and and the Transition to Adulthood (pdf) Social and academic development and strategies to increase success.
  Presentation by Matthew Cruger, Ph.D., Clinical Neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry.

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EMPLOYMENT

• Ability Jobs & Resumes / JobAccess A website for job seekers with disabilitites.
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Provides information on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities for people with disabilitites.
• School To Work Transition Program (Board of Jewish Education of Greater NY) Offer screening, testing and counseling for disabled youth in the difficult transition period between graduation from school and the start of a job.
• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) Provides information about employment and youth with disabilities.
• Ticket to Work An employment program for people with disabilities who are interested in going to work.
• Transition: Community-Based Work Experience for Students Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, New York State Education Department

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JEWISH PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK

• Listing of Services for Jewish Persons with Special Needs Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York
• Listing of Congregational Jewish School Programs for Children with Special Needs Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York
• Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services Offers a variety of services for children and young adults with learning disabilities.
• The Jewish Community Center in Manhattan: Special Needs Programs Programs for children with special needs and their families.
• F.E.G.S. Health and Human Services System Offers a variety of services for children and adults with disabilities.
• Jewish Community Center of the Greater Five Towns Offers an array of programs for the special needs population, inlcuding social, recreational and educational programs, caregiver respite, and advocacy.
• Jewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester Offers programs for children, teens and adults with special needs, including a resource and referral center.
• Jewish Community Center of Staten Island Services for children with special needs include preschool, Jewish education, social, recreational, skills assessment and tutoring programs.
• MATAN: The Gift of Jewish Learning for Every Child A nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of and providing opportunities for children with special needs to receive a Jewish education.
• Samuel Field Y Special Needs Programs Offers after-school and summer programs for children with learning disabilities and social, recreational and educational activities for children and adults with developmental disabilitites.
• Westchester Jewish Community Services: Services for People with Disabilities Provides a variety of programs and living arrangements for individuals with developmental, physical and learning disabilities.
• Ezra Center for People with Disabilitites, The Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC Offers after-school and summer activities for children ages 5-12 with ADHD, ADD, Aspergers, PDD, autism, learning disabilities or speech and language delays, as well as parent support groups.
• The Hebrew Educational Society Provides after-school childcare, tutoring, and recreational activities for children with special needs and recreational programs for young adults with special needs.
• Jewish Community Center on the Hudson Offers programs for children and adults with disabilities and their families.
• Kings Bay YM-YWHA Offers after-school programs for children and teens with special needs.
• 92nd Street Y Provides after-school, weekend and summer programs for children and teens with learning and other developmental disabilities and recreational and social programs for young adults developmental disabilities.
• Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center: Special Services Center Offers after-school, weekend and summer programs for children with special needs, social and recreational programs for adults with special needs, parent workshops, counseling, and therapy.
• The Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center: Butler Special Needs Program Offers after-school, vacation and summer camp programs for children with special needs, social skills groups, young adult social program, parent seminars, and sibling support groups
• Ohel Children's Home and Family Services Offers summer day camp programs for children and teens with developmental disabilitites, group home residential services and day habilitation program for adults, in-home services, and family support.
• Richard G. Rosenthal Jewish Community Center of Northern Westchester The Special Services Department provides a variety of social, theraputic, vocational, and recreational activities for children, teens and adults with special needs.
• Riverdale YM-YWHA Holds classes and monthly support group meetings for families with special needs children.
• The Shield Institute Provides wide-ranging educational and support services to children and adults of all backgrounds with autism and other developmental disabilities.
• Ramapo for Children A nonprofit organization providing adventure-based, experiential learning programs for children and teens with special needs.