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Need help finding information or services for yourself or a loved one with special needs?

Start by checking out our ever-growing list of resources.

Community Resources

Alzheimer’s Disease

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

General Resources

Parkinson's Disease

Visually Impaired

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)
AFA offers a variety of resources for people with Alzheimer’s disease. It also hosts the “AFA’s Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest” that encourages high school seniors to tell how Alzheimer’s has impacted their lives and how they coped.

Alzheimer’s Orange County (ALZOC)
ALZOC provides easy access to brain health and dementia education, residential memory care services, and other local resources.

Resources to help those caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease
Free mental and physical health resources for people caring for others with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment.

UCI Mind
UCI Mind is Orange County’s only state and federally funded Alzheimer’s research center. It provides access to \community, education, and support programs and panels.

Autism

Airplane Travel Guide for People with Autism
A guide to help prepare children with autism for airplane travel provided by jetBLUE for GOOD and Autism Speaks.

Autism Partnership Foundation (APF)
This non-profit conducts Autism Spectrum Disorder research and provides education, workshops, and services to families touched by ASD.

Autism Society of California
Provides support services so individuals with autism can lead productive lives and is a partner in the Matthew Paul Finnigan Memorial Scholarship Fund which awards two scholarships annually to graduating high school seniors with ASD.

Autism Speaks
Provides access to financial assistance, family services, education, support, and events for people with autism.

AutismOne
A parent-driven organization that provides education and advocates for individuals with autism and their families.

California Autism Foundation
Provides a variety of programs for people with autism including youth-centric, vocational, employment, and residential.

Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
In collaboration with UCI and CHOC, this organization teams with experts in the assessment, diagnosis, support, and education of children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Center for Autism & Related Disorders (CARD)
CARD provides access to a lengthy list of financial assistance and support for those with autism.

Family Autism Network (FAN)
Education, services, and events for people with autism, plus detailed step-by-step instructions for hosting your own social event anywhere.

Is a Therapy Dog Right for Your Child with Autism?
DogDigz website provides a complete guide to help you determine if a therapy dog is a good fit for your child.

Sesame Street and Autism
The Sesame Street Workshop helps kids 2-5 with autism and their families deal with common challenges using videos, activities, and readings.

Sleep Help For People With Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Weighted Journal provides tips and resources to help adults and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder-related sleep issues get better rest.

STEM curriculum—it helps kids with special needs learn
The digital currency company BitIRA provides extensive STEM research and learning tools to help children with special needs grasp math and computer science concepts.

The Autism Community in Action (TACA)
Programs, services, conferences, and events for people with autism.

Tips to get kids with autism to take their meds
SingleCare provides this must-read how-to guide for parents, “Sensory Overload: Teaching Children with Autism to Take Medication”.

Care Partners

California Caregiver Resource Centers (CRC)
Provides assessment, care planning, direct care skills, wellness programs, respite services, and legal/financial consultation vouchers to those caring for an adult family member with physical and cognitive impairments.

Care Action Network (CAN)
CAN offers free services for family members across the country who care for loved ones with a serious diagnosis.

Caregiver.com
Home of Today’s Caregiver magazine where you can read the current copy, access back issues, and search for other family and professional care partner resources.

Caring.com
Online resources for multiple types of care including caregivers, memory, in-home, and assisted living.

Family Caregiver Resource Center (FCRC)
Offers free services for families in Orange County coping with the physical, emotional, and ﬁnancial responsibilities of caregiving.

National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC)
Focused on improving the quality of life for care partners and those in their care by advancing research, advocacy, and medical innovation.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell)
The mission of this non-profit is to help people who are hearing impaired maximize the use of their residual hearing, speech reading, and language skills.

American Society for Deaf Children
The ASDC is a parent-to-parent support network for families raising deaf or hard of hearing children. Their website provides numerous resources, including ASL storytime videos of popular children's books.

Free Sign Language Learning Resources
Lifewire’s article entitled “17 Free Sign Language Learning Resources” includes sign language courses, video games, apps, and printable charts.

Hands and Voices
A parent-driven non-profit that provides resources and support to families with deaf or hard of hearing children.

Hearing Health Magazine
Free quarterly hearing health magazine.

John Tracy Center
Non-profit education center focused on helping young deaf and hard of hearing children function in a hearing world.

LIONS sight & Hearing Foundation
This Lion’s Club foundation funds hearing devices for qualified individuals in California who need financial assistance.

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
Founded in 1880, NAD is run by and advocates for the rights of deaf people.

National Cued Speech Association (NCSA)
Cued speech uses hand and mouth movements in unison to communicate. NCSA is an advocacy group that provides family/educator support and learning in the form of Cued Camps, instructor certification, conferences, and family cued vacations to promote the effective use of cued speech for communication.

Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation (OC-DEAF)
OC-DEAF connects people to state, national, and international resources for the deaf and hard of hearing, including job seeker and employer services.

General Resources

211 Orange County
A free 24/7 information referral hotline that connects people to the information they need. Assistance programs include crisis, food, insurance, housing, domestic violence, financial, employment, and many other services.

Apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
The California Department of Social Services provides In-Home Supportive Services to help keep people safe in their homes. To apply, you must be 65 years old or older, disabled, or blind.

Dayle McIntosh Center
Provides support services and training for people with disabilities, including youth transitioning into adulthood.

Helping Hands Monkey Helpers
Apply for a highly trained capuchin monkey that helps people with spinal cord injuries or other mobility issues live more independently by assisting them with everyday tasks.

Home Improvements for People with Special Needs
Home Improvements for People with Special Needs Trying to wrap your head around home modification for people with physical disabilities?  Then read this informative and detailed article from Bankrate.

Home Modifications for Kids with Special Needs
DIY guide to modifying your home so a child can thrive living there with a disability courtesy of HomeCity.com.

Moving with Special Needs Kids
YourStorageFinder.com provides a guide for parents on how to make the family move less stressful on children with special needs.

National Center of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
Affiliated with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the NCBDDD conducts research and provides information on birth defects, developmental disabilities, blood disorders, and living with disabilities.

Reduce the Noise: Help Loved Ones With Sensory Overload Enjoy Shopping
An informative guide from ReatilMeNot.com Blog on how to reduce sensory overload so you have a successful shopping trip.

Regional Center of Orange County
An organization that provides services and support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Return Home Registry (Irvine)
Designed specifically for people with cognitive impairment, this free opt-in service provided by the Irvine Police Department helps find and return lost or wandering people to their families or care partners. Registration required.

State of California Department of Developmental Services
Services and support for individuals with developmental disabilities provided by the State of California.

Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK)
Helps families navigate the special education, disability services and assistive technology that’s available for them as well as providing emotional support.

The Assistance Fund
Apply to get financial assistance to help cover medication co-pays.

The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Renting Housing With Disabilities
The Zebra, an independent insurance comparison site, provides tips and resources for people with disabilities seeking rental property.

Parkinson's Disease

American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA)
An expansive grassroots network providing services, education, and access to government assistance plans for those battling Parkinson’s disease.

Bond with others who relate and stay informed with the PMD Alliance
The Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance offers a variety of insightful in-person and online programs to help people with PD connect, learn, and thrive.

CurePSP
Atypical PD resources and support for people with prime of life neurodegeneration including PSP, CBD, MSA, and related diseases.

Davis Phinney Foundation
Provides tools and inspiration for people living with Parkinson’s disease and funds research studies on exercise, movement, speech and other activities that impact daily life.

Free PD-savvy webcasts at Ending Parkinson’s Disease.org
Visit Ending Parkinson's Disease to access the virtual series Voices of Parkinson's which spotlights prominent voices in the community. You’ll also find other informative resources about PD care, treatment, and advocacy.

GEOFIT
International fitness vacation packages designed for people with Parkinson’s disease and their car partners.

Grants and support services for people with Parkinson’s disease
Apply for a grant from the Parkinson's Wellness Fund to help pay for boxing classes, PD-related home modifications, brain boot camp, acupuncture, hygienic supplies, and more.

Melvin Weinstein Parkinson’s Foundation
Promotes a safe and healthy lifestyle by awarding equipment and supplies to eligible people with Parkinson’s disease.

Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF)
Focused on finding a cure, this organization has research studies people with PD can join as well as informative webinars and other support resources.

Neuro+ Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Clinic
Dr. Siddharth Kharkar, a neurologist specializing in moving disorders, has created a detailed and easy to navigate guide for people with Parkinson’s disease that includes information on DBS (deep brain stimulation).

Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO)
Provides a variety of resources such as emotional/educational support, one-on-one coaching, and vetted, video-driven resources directory to prevent people from being isolated by this disease.

Parkinson’s Association of Orange County (PAOC)
Local events, programs, services, and support for the Parkinson’s community.

Parkinson’s Foundation
Provides education, care programs, support, and guidelines on how to create your own Parkinson’s research fundraising opportunities.

Parkinson’s Wellness Fund (PWF)
Apply for a grant to help cover PD-related service expenses. Money is paid directly to the provider and applying is free.

Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN)
Provides funds to eligible people with PD who have insurance but need help covering their deductible or out-of-pocket costs to receive the services they need.

PD Buzz
“People with Parkinson’s helping people with Parkinson’s” in Orange County with an easy to use online local resources directory.

Stay updated with Parkinson’s News Today
Get a daily recap of the latest Parkinson’s news and participate on its forums.

When Life Gives You Parkinson’s (podcast)
Find out where to download and listen to 40-something husband/father/career man Larry Gifford’s personal story about Parkinson’s for free.

World Parkinson Coalition
An international Parkinson’s forum that shares the latest scientific discoveries, medical practices, and care initiatives both online via updates and in-person at World Parkinson Congresses.

Seniors

RetireGuide.com
Provides free and easy to understand guides for seniors on Medicare, annuities, life insurance, and retirement planning.

Visually Impaired

Be My Eyes
This free app connects blind and people with low vision to sighted volunteers and company representatives via video chat so they can get assistance with everyday tasks like reading labels. Be My Eyes also has a program to help make the workplace more accessible for the visually impaired.

BeSpecular
Visually impaired people can ask sighted volunteers questions about things they need assistance with by snapping a photo on their phone then recording their question.

LIONS sight & Hearing Foundation
This Lion’s Club foundation funds eye procedures for qualified individuals in California who need financial assistance.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

General Resources

Parkinson's Disease

Visually Impaired

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