Resources by Subject

*This is a non-exhaustive list. To submit a resource, please email Progdir@pwsaofwi.org with the name of the resource and website.

Advocacy

• American Association of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities: AAIDD is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization of professionals and others concerned about intellectual and developmental disabilities. They're tireless promoters of progressive policies, sound research, effective practices and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Disability Rights Wisconsin: Helping people across Wisconsin gain access to services and opportunity through advocacy and legal expertise
• Find Your Legislators: Contact your legislators and make your voice heard
• Global Genes: Believes that together we can do more to tackle the challenges of rare disease, by educating, equipping, and empowering the global community with tools and resources to influence change. They connect rare disease patients, advocates and rare disease experts to help eliminate the challenges of rare disease.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness
• National Association for the Dually Diagnosed: Their mission is to provide leadership in the expansion of knowledge, training, policy and advocacy for mental health practices that promote a quality life for individuals with dual diagnosis (IDD/MI) in their communities
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): NORD, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a patient advocacy organization dedicated to individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them
• National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making: Here, you’ll find information about the Right to Make Choices – the right we all have to make our own decisions and direct our own lives
• Save IRIS: Working to shape and maintain long-term care in Wisconsin
• Survival Coalition Wisconsin: Focuses on changing and improving policies and practices that support people with disabilities
• The Arc National: Promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes
• The Arc Wisconsin: Promotes and protects the human rights of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities: Advocates on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities
• Wrightslaw: Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities

Benefits

• IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct): The IRIS Program is a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver for self-directed long-term supports
• Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program: The Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program is a Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) Waiver that provides Medicaid funding for children who have substantial limitations in their daily activities and need support to remain in their home or community.
• Katie Beckett (Medicaid): The Katie Beckett Program is a special eligibility process that allows certain children with long-term disabilities, mental illness, or complex medical needs, living at home with their families, to obtain a Wisconsin ForwardHealth Medicaid card
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS): Your starting place for disability benefits in Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Family Caregiver Support Programs: Access to programming and education that can make being a caregiver more manageable
• Wisconsin Family Care (long-term care): Family Care is a long-term care program which helps frail elders and adults with disabilities get the services they need to remain in their homes
• Family Care, IRIS, Partnership, & PACE Benefits Matrix: Chart displaying services covered by Family Care, IRIS, Partnership, & PACE

Birth to Three/Early Intervention

• Birth to Three: The Birth to 3 Program is a federally-mandated Early Intervention program to support families of children with developmental delays or disabilities under the age of three.
• Finding Your Way Navigation Guide: This resource has been reviewed by content experts, information and referral specialists, and families. The guide includes brief descriptions of programs, services, systems of support, and contact information for these resources.

Camps

• Easter Seals WI Camps: Campers can enjoy camp year-round with programming at both Camp Wawbeek and Respite Camp. Which camp you choose is based on the level of care needed.
• Wisconsin Badger Camp: Outdoor recreational camp serving individuals with developmental disabilities
• Wisconsin Lions Camp: Camp for individuals with various special needs.

Disabilities (General)

• Disability Scoop: The premier source for developmental disability news
• The Mighty: Real stories about disability

Disabilities (Organizations)

• Best Buddies Wisconsin: Offers one-to-one friendship and leadership development programs.
  
• Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin: Changing the way the world defines and views disabilities by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day
• Regional Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN): Promoting quality care for children and youth with special health care needs in Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Facets: Providing and broadening opportunities that enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities and their families

Education

• A Day in our Shoes: IEP Resources, support and more from a special needs mom and advocate
• Genesee Lake School: Genesee Lake School is a nationally recognized school located in Oconomowoc, WI dedicated to improving the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, neurological disorders, or emotional disturbances
  
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Information about the IDEA Act
• Latham Centers: Latham Centers, located in Cape Code, MA,  was founded in 1970 to provide residential care, education, and treatment for children ages 8–22. They serve intellectually disabled girls and boys with special needs as well as children and adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
  
• The Richardson School: The Richardson School, located in Beloit, Brookfield, Madison and West Allis, is a therapeutic day school that specializes in working with children, adolescents and young adults who have diagnoses of developmental/neurological disabilities, and behavioral and emotional issues
• Special Education in Plain Language: User-friendly handbook on special education laws, policies, and practices in Wisconsin
• U.S. Department of Education: Promotes student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access
• PWSA (USA) Tips for School Success Toolkits: The Prader-Willi syndrome one-stop shop for special education advocacy information

Employment

• Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR): Information for job seekers, businesses, and service providers
• Career Guide for People with Disabilities: Information about job searching, career ideas, and more

Family Support

• Family Resource Centers: Family Resource Centers are a place where parents can learn to be the best parents they can be
• Grandparent E-booklet from PWSA (USA)
• New Grandparent Welcome from PWSA (USA): PWSA (USA) is here to help and support you as you grow in your role as the grandparent of a child with PWS and offer a free one year membership in our organization, an amazing online support community, extensive encouraging and informative printed materials, and more, to our newly diagnosed grandparents
• Parent to Parent of Wisconsin: The opportunity to connect with other parents of children with disabilities with similar experiences
• PWSA (USA) Grandparents Facebook Group: PWSA (USA) Grandparents is a sharing and support group for Grandparents of children (of any age) with Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Parents of Recently Diagnosed Welcome from PWSA (USA): PWSA (USA) would also like to present you with a free one-year PWSA (USA) membership (USA only), including a subscription to The Gathered View, our bi-monthly newsletter and other benefits, such as the PWSA Parent Mentoring Program and Age-specific online support communities
• Sibling Support Project: Dedicated to the life-long and ever-changing concerns of millions of brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and mental health concerns
• Waisman Center Grandparent Coffee Group: The grandparent coffee group meets at the Waisman Center to share advice and discuss concerns as well as learn about resources that can help create positive environments within families and communities
• WisconSibs: Connecting siblings with resources for their lifelong journey

Financial

• ABLE National Resource Center: (ANRC) is a collaborative whose supporters share the goal of accelerating the design and availability of ABLE accounts for the benefit of individuals with disabilities and their families
• Private Wealth Management (Appleton, WI): Private Wealth Management Group is uniquely qualified to provide guidance and expertise in the areas of Wealth Management and Special Needs Planning. With over 35 years of financial experience and skill, we help our clients plan for and achieve their goals and dreams, as well as understand the challenges of caring for an individual with special needs.
• Ronald McDonald House: Provides a place for families to call home so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little to no cost

Guardianship and Transition Planning Information

• Wisconsin Guardianship of Adults Handbook: Complete guide to guardianship in Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center: Provides information and assistance on issues related to guardianship, protective placement, advance directives, and more

Hospitals

• Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
• Nexus Children's Hospital
• The Children's Institute: The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh offers a Care Coordination program, consultative services, and educational training modules to meet the needs of persons with Prader-Willi syndrome

Housing

• Community Housing Task Force for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Inspiring and championing innovative, community-based supportive housing options for people with IDD in Wisconsin
  
• Housing by Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin: Subsidized housing communities in Wisconsin
• Prader-Willi Homes of Oconomowoc: specializes in providing residential services and supports to individuals diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome
  
• Wisconsin Housing Assistance Programs: An overview of public programs that can offer assistance with renovating and weatherizing existing housing, filling energy needs and obtaining access to public housing and rent assistance
• WI Housing Search: A free resource to help you find a home that fits your needs and budget
  

• Bethesda College of Applied Learning: The Bethesda College of Applied Learning is a unique, two-year post secondary certificate program where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can realize their dream of receiving a college education
• Edgewood College (Cutting Edge): The Cutting Edge is an individualized approach to education and inclusion in college for students with intellectual developmental disabilities
• Madison College (Campus Connect): Campus Connect is an innovative approach to inclusive post secondary education for adult learners with intellectual disabilities
• Think College: College options for people with intellectual disabilities
• Shepherds College: Post-secondary educational program that equips young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to successfully transition from school to work, home to independent living

Prader-Willi Syndrome (National and International Organizations)

• Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA): An organization of families and professionals working together to raise awareness, offer support, provide education and advocacy, and promote and fund research to enhance the quality of life of those affected by Prader-Willi syndrome.
• International Prader-Willi Syndrome Organisation: IPWSO provides PWS support and education for over 100 countries, and translation where possible. Key contacts are also available in the member and affiliate countries
• Foundation for Prader-Willi Research: The mission of FPWR is to eliminate the challenges of Prader-Willi syndrome through the advancement of research

• Alert Me Bands: Alert Me Bands communicate who to contact in an emergency situation when you can’t
• Angel Sense: The only GPS & voice-monitoring solution designed for children with special needs
• Feel Better Friends: handmade dolls stuffed with love and well wishes custom made with the child’s likeness in mind, crafted by volunteers and donated to children battling cancer and other illnesses
  
• GizmoPal Watch from Verizon: Quickly make calls to and from the GizmoPal 2. Locate it from your phone, so you know where your child is, or get notifications if your child crosses set GPS boundaries
• Handwriting without Tears Program: uses multisensory, developmentally appropriate strategies to increase success with early writing skills
• Refrigerator Locks by Marinelock LLC: For a 10% discount enter the coupon code PWSA10
• Refrigerator Locks by SecureRefrig: Magnetic lock with keypad
• Signing Time: teaches children of all abilities and ages how to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL)

Publishers/Publications

• Brooks Publishing Co: Quality resources for all learners
• The ORP Community: the ORP Library shares stories and resources about Bullying, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Asperger’s, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), and Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)
• Publications from PWSA (USA): booklets, pamphlets, books and other materials on a variety of topics about Prader-Willi syndrome
  
• Woodbine House: Trusted source for books about disabilities

Recreation/Activities

• Fishing Has No Boundaries: Hosts annual fishing events for people with disabilities. Chapters throughout Wisconsin.
  
• iCan Shine Bike Camps: iCan Shine provides quality learning opportunities in recreational activities for individuals with disabilities
• Little League Challenger Baseball: The Little League Challenger Program is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges
• Miracle League Baseball: Provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities
• Real Movies for Real Needs: Enjoy movies at Marcus Theatres in a setting that is more comfortable for those with special needs. Lights are turned up and sound is softer.
  
• Special Olympics Wisconsin: Provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports
• Please make sure to check locally for activities and programs in your area. Some YMCA's have programming for those with special needs. Search tip: Search online using key words such as "Adaptive", "Special Needs", "Disabilities", "All Abilities" along with the name of your city/county.
  

Respite Care

• Respite Care Association of Wisconsin: Looking for a respite care provider? Join the Wisconsin Respite Care Registry here.
  

Sex and Relationships

• Terri Couwenhoven: Terri Couwenhoven MS, CSE is a well known sex educator and author, specializing in the design and implementation of sexuality programs and resources for people with cognitive disabilities, their parents, and the professionals who support them

Siblings

• WisconSibs: Serving siblings of people with disabilities along their lifelong journey through peer support programs, education and networking opportunities, leadership development, and more. 

• Sibling Support Program: Sibling Support Project is the first national program dedicated to the life-long and ever-changing concerns of millions of brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and mental health concerns.  

Spanish Resources

• ALAS: Alianza Latina Aplicando Soluciones is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the independence of families of children and youth with diverse abilities in Wisconsin

Technology

• AngelSense: The only GPS & voice-monitoring solution designed for children with special needs
• Center on Technology and Disability: Free resources about assistive and instructive technology for individuals with special needs
• Moms with Apps: Moms With Apps is a blog supporting the thoughtful use of technology with a family-friendly point of view
• WisLoan: The WisLoan program offers loans for assistive technology

Therapies

• Apraxia Kids: Helpful information on speech apraxia
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Many resources to help you understand communication and communication disorders
• Exceptional Equestrians: Hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, and more located in De Pere, WI
• Lifestriders: Hippotherapy and therapeutic riding located in Waukesha, WI
• Three Gaits: Hippotherapy and therapeutic riding located in Stoughton, WI serving Dane County and surrounding areas