Disabled Services

“Are there summer camps for autistic teens?” – 16-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:

Intellectual Disability — (Characteristics: limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior; covers many everyday social and practical skills.)
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 intellectual disability or requiring similar treatment.

NOTE: People with autism, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy do not necessarily have intellectual disability.

A Person May Have a Developmental Disability if He/She:

Has a physical or intellectual 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

However, these signs can be present in individuals without a disability, so don’t be too quick to label someone as disabled.

LISTINGS

Ability First

Toll Free: (877) 768-4600
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.

1300 E Green St,
Pasadena, CA 91106

http://abilityfirst.org

626-396-1010

Affordable Colleges Online

Provides resources for prospective college students with disabilities.

Guidebook includes:

A comprehensive overview of the various cognitive, physical, or other types of disabilities students face while attending school,
Reviews of several technologies and advocate groups available to students who face various disabilities, such as dyslexia and dyscalculia,
Tips and resources to help students transition from college to career.

Visual Impairments Guide: http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/colleges-helping-visually-impaired-students/ This guide explores how visual impairments impact the educational experience, what colleges are doing for the visually impaired, provides resources and tips from experts, and a listing of scholarships and grants.

The following guide provides additional tools, technologies, and resources to cultivate academic success for the hearing impaired: http://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/students-with-hearing-impairments/

http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/resources-for-students-with-disabilities/

Braille Institute Library Services

Books and magazines in Braille, audio books, or digital books. Free library for the blind and visually impaired.

741 N Vermont Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90029

M-F 8:30am-5pm

http://braillelibrary.org

323-660-3880

800-808-2555

lla@brailleinstitute.org

Braille Institute Los Angeles Sight Center

FREE afterschool activities, summer camp & some weekend activities.

741 N Vermont Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90029

M-F 8:30am-5pm

http://www.brailleinstitute.org

1(800) 272-4553

Center for the Partially Sighted

Low vision rehabilitation services to maximize remaining sight using devices and technology, on-going resources, referrals and support groups.

6101 W Centinela Ave,
Culver City, CA 90230

M-F 8:30am-5pm and 9am-3pm for doctor’s appt.

http://low-vision.org/

323-344-8105

Christopher and Diana Reeve Foundation

Provides free information about spinal cord injuries and paralysis from any cause and relevant research. Some referrals. Free educational book available. Bilingual.

636 Morris Turnpike,
Millburn, NJ 07078

M-F 9am-5pm

http://christopherreeve.org

800-255-0292

Department of Developmental Services

Provides information on services for those with developmental disabilities: education, treatment, referrals, and advocacy.

1600 9th St,
Sacramento, CA 95814

M-F 8am-5pm

http://www.dds.ca.gov

916-654-1690

EmpowerTech

Consultations and training of computer technology for people with disabilities.

9100 S Sepulveda Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90045

M-F 9am-5pm & W (Drop-in) 3:30pm-6pm & Th 9am-6pm (call during business hours)

http://empowertech.org/

310-338-1597

info@empowertech.org/

Five Acres Deaf Services

Provide mental health services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in Los Angeles County area. Individual and family counseling; Home Based, School Based, Community Based. Serves Los Angeles County ages 0 to 65+ Case management services.

Additional Phone: 626-421-7861 (VP)

867 N Fair Oaks Avenue,
Pasadena, CA 91103

Monday -Friday Hours vary

http://www.5acres.org

626-993-3100 (Voice)

akay@5acres.org

Foundation for the Junior Blind of America

Children’s residential, special needs school, after-school programs, adult independent living, and braille. FREE recreational programs for teens, including summer camp.

5300 Angeles Vista Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90043

M-Th 8am-4:30pm & F 8am-4pm (call during business hours)

http://juniorblind.org/

323-295-4555

info@juniorblind.org

G.L.A.D. – Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness

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.

2222 Laverna Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90041

M-F 8:30am-5pm (Closed 12pm-1pm)

http://gladinc.org/

323-478-8000

info@gladinc.org