There are numerous state and federal government service and support programs available to individuals with developmental disabilities as well as for parents and guardians of persons with a disability. In addition, there are a wide range of “not-for-profit” organizations and agencies which serve the needs of people with developmental and other types of disabilities. Listed here are just a few of these “point-of-entry” resources, most of which will take you to an ever wider range of support and services agencies and organizations. To get started, click on the links below to access the many disability-related resources.

State Government Agencies

• Department of Human Services/DDS Waiver Services
  Provides a variety of community-based services to eligible individuals
  

• Department of Human Services/Developmental Disabilities Services
  Provides a wide range of services and supports for people with developmental disabilities
  

• Department of Human Services/Children and Family Services
  Provides mental health and medicaid services, as well as well-child and early screening diagnosis and treatment programs
  

• Department of Human Services/Behavioral Health Services
  Provides services for people experiencing mental health difficulties and/or emotional problems
  

• Department of Human Services/Aging and Adult Services
  Provides a wide range of services and supports for older people with developmental disabilities

• Department of Human Services/Children’s Services
  Provides information about medical and rehabilitation services for children with disabilities at or below age 18
  

• Department of Health/Child and Adolescent Health
  Child and Adolescent Health manages two major programs: Newborn Screening and Infant Hearing.
  

• Department of Health/Disability and Health
  The mission of the Arkansas Disability and Health Program is to improve the health and well-being of Arkansans with disabilities.
  

• Department of Health/Division of Health/Women, Infant, Children (WIC)
  Provides information and special nutritional program for women, infants and children
  

• Department of Education/Special Education Division
  Provides screening, evaluation, analysis, eligibility and related services for children with disabilities
  

• Department of Workforce Education/Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
  Provides a wide range of vocational services for people with disabilities
  

• Department of Workforce Education/Arkansas Workforce Centers
  Provides locally developed and operated services designed to link jobseekers and employers
  

• Increasing Capabilities Access Network (ICAN)
  Provides information about and funding for assistive technology
  

• Partners for Inclusive Communities
  Provides training, technical assistance and other services for people with disabilities
  

• AR-GetCare
  Provides one-stop access to statewide services and supports for the individual and family
  

• ArKids
  Provides health insurance for children who might not get adequate medical care.
  

State Organizations

• Disability Rights Center
  Provides individual and systems advocacy and legal services for people with disabilities
  

• Arkansas Children’s Hospital/Dennis Developmental Center (alternate link)
  Provides diagnostic/evaluation services for children at risk for or experiencing developmental disabilities
  

• Arkansas Independent Living Council
  Provides information, service programs, counseling and technical assistance on topics related to independent living
  

• Arkansas People First
  Provides training programs and other activities designed to improve self-advocacy skills
  

• Arkansas Can Do, Inc.
  Strives to increase positive perceptions of individuals with disabilities.
  

• Helping Educate About Autism Recovery (HEAR)
  Provides information and support for families dealing with autism spectrum disorders

Federal Government Agencies

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
  A free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities
  

• Disability.gov
  An on-line connection to the federal government’s disability-related information and resources
  

• Administration on Developmental Disabilities
  Responsible for carrying out the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
  

• Administration for Children & Families
  Provides information on the agency’s programs for people with disabilities
  

• Social Security Administration
  Provides information on the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs for people with disabilities
  

• U.S. Department of Education/Office of Special Education
  Provides information on regulations pertaining to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA)
  

• National Council on Disability (NCD)
  Recommends to the President and Congress programs designed to achieve self-sufficiency and inclusion for people with disabilities
  

National Organizations

• American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
  A nonprofit organization dedicated to the independence and total integration of people with disabilities
  

• American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  A national association for professionals who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  

• The Arc of the United States
  A nonprofit organizatiuon that advocates for the rights of people with developmental disabilities
  

• Disability.Blog
  The official blog of Disability.gov, features weekly posts from subject matter experts who answer questions and address important topics for people with disabilities, their families and others
  

• Inclusion Research Institute
  A nonprofit organization that develops innovations designed to make people with more independent and productive
  

• National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)
  A national trade group that provides information on the status of legislation currently before the Congress
  

• National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD)
  Advances mental wellness and the ability to learn and develop for persons with developmental disabilities.
  

• National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY)
  A nonprofit orgamization that serves as a source of information on issues relating to IDEA and No Child Left Behind
  

• National Organization on Disability (NOD)
  A nonprofit organization dedicated to raising disability awareness through programs and information
  

• TASH
  An international association committed to promoting the civil rights of people with disabilities
  

• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
  A nonprofit organization that provides information on cerebral palsy and advocates for people with disabilities
  

• Wrightslaw
  A for-profit organization that provides accurate and reliable advice about special education law and advocacy