“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                                                                     

626-396-1010Ability First

Toll Free: 877-768-4600
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 activities 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 after-school 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.
6101 W. Centinela Ave #150 Culver City, CA 90230
Website: www.low-vision.org
Low vision rehabilitation services to maximize remaining sight using devices and technology, on-going resources, referrals and support groups.

800-539-7309Christopher 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. Bilingual.

916-654-1690Department of Developmental Services

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

310-338-1597Empowertech

M-F 9am-5pm; Drop-in W 3:30pm-6pm; Th 9am-6pm (call during business hours)
Website: www.empowertech.org
Consultations and training of computer technology for people with disabilities.
 

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

M-Th 8am-4:30pm; F 8am-4pm (call during business hours)
Website: www.juniorblind.org and www.fjb.org
Children’s residential, special needs school, after-school programs, adult independent living, and braille. 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; Closed 12pm-1pm (Call during business hours)
Website: www.gladinc.org
Information and referrals for any questions on hearing impairment and deafness. Interpretive services. Advocacy in the case of discrimination. Job search, independent living skills, HIV education, and learn pregnancy prevention.

800-223-1138Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

M-F 9am-5pm (Eastern Time), Call during business hours.
Website: www.jdrf.org
Also: 800-533-2873
Information and referrals.

800-221-4792Learning Allies Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic

M-Th 9:30am- 9:30pm; F-Sat 9:30am-3:30pm                                            
Also 800-RFB-TEXT
Website: www.learningally.org
Provide recorded textbooks and other educational materials in audio format for the blind. Shifts available days and evenings for 15 or older.

800-344-4867National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Local Chapter in California: 310-479-4456; M-F 9am-5pm (call during business hours)
Also 800-FIGHTMS and 310-479-4456
Website:www.nationalmssociety.org
Counseling, information, and referrals.

818-782-2211United Cerebral Palsy

M-F 8am-5pm (Call during business hours)                                                     
Website: www.ucpla.org
Information, housing, and referrals.