“How can I find out about recreational activities and summer camps for blind teens?” – 14 year old

WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY?

Disabled Services Disability is a term used to describe a number of conditions which permanently limit an individual’s development.

A developmental disability is generally defined as: “A severe chronic disability which is caused by a mental or physical impairment.” Disabilities include:

• Mental retardation — (Characteristics: adaptive behavior not typical for age level; below average intelligence.)
• Epilepsy — (Characteristics: unusual brain activities due to electrical discharges; produces a variety of types of seizures.)
• Cerebral Palsy — (Characteristics: prenatal, perinatal or postnatal trauma which results in damage to those parts of the brain which control and coordinate muscles.)
• Autism — (Characteristics: occurs prior to 30 months of age; social development not typical for age level; delayed language development; insistence on sameness.)
• Other handicapping conditions — Closely related to mental retardation or requiring similar treatment.

NOTE: People with autism, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy do not necessarily have mental retardation. A Person May Have a Developmental Disability if He/She:

• Has a physical or mental disability
• Has seizures (convulsions)
• Has difficulty talking or walking
• Has trouble learning to read or write
• Was slow to sit, crawl or walk
• Does not interact with other people

DISABLED SERVICES RESOURCES

877-768-4600Ability First

Website: www.abilityfirst.org
Los Angeles (213) 748-7309, M-F 8:30am-5pm
East L.A. (323) 268-8178, M-F 9am-6pm
Pasadena (626) 449-5661, M-F 8:30am-5:30pm
Woodland Hills (818) 884-5112, (818) 884-6612, M-F 8:30am-5pm
Recreational activites for teens with physical/developmental disabilities. Therapy, rehabilitation and after-school programs.

323-660-3880Braille Institute Library Services

M-F 8:30am-5pm
Website: www.braillelibrary.org
Additional phone: (800) 808-2555
Books and magazines in Braille or on tape.

323-663-1111Braille Institute Los Angeles Sight Center

M-F 8:30am-5pm
Website: www.brailleinstitute.org
FREE afterschool activities, summer camp and some weekend activities.

310-988-1970Center for the Partially Sighted

M-F 8:30am-5pm and 9am-3pm for doctor’s appt.
Website: www.low-vision.org
Counseling, support groups, transportation, HIV program.

800-539-7309Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

M-F 9am-5pm (Eastern Time)
Website: www.christopherreeve.org and www.paralysis.org
Provides free information about spinal cord injuries and paralysis from any cause and relevant research. Some referrals. Free educational book available.

310-338-1597Empowertech

M-F 9am-5pm; Drop-in W 3:30pm-6pm
Website: www.empowertech.org
Consultations/exploration of computer technology for people with disabilities.

916-654-1690Department of Developmental Services

M-F 8am-5pm
Website: www.dds.ca.gov
Provides information on services for those with developmental disabilities: education, treatment, referrals, and advocacy.

323-295-4555Foundation for the Junior Blind of America

M-Th 8am-4:30pm; F 8am-4pm
Website: www.juniorblind.org
FREE recreational programs for teens, including summer camp.

323-478-8000G.L.A.D. (Greater L.A. Council on Deafness)

M-F 8:30am-5pm
Website: www.gladinc.org
Information and referrals for any questions on hearing impairment and deafness. Interpretive services. Advocacy in the case of discrimination.

800-223-1138Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

M-F 9am-5pm (Eastern Time)
Website: www.jdrf.org
Los Angeles Chapter: 213-233-9901
Information and referrals.

800-344-4867National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Local Chapter in California: 310-479-4456 M-F 9am-5pm
Website:www.nationalmssociety.org
Counseling, information, and referrals.

800-221-4792Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic

M-F 8:30am- 5pm; Sat 9am-1pm
Website: www.learningally.org
Los Angeles Studio: 323-664-5525
Provide recorded texbooks and other educational materials in audio format for the blind. Shifts available days and evenings for 15 or older.