Special Services Resources

The Lake Washington School District PTSA Special Education Group (SEG) provides books, DVDs and other materials for parents and/or staff to check out.

Books, DVDs and other materials are housed at the Lake Washington School District Resource Center (16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond, WA 98052). The same materials are also rolled on a cart into the monthly PTSA Special Education Group meetings for self-checkout. These materials are available to parents and staff of Lake Washington School District.

How to check out an item

• At the monthly meeting (select your item and fill out a checkout form).
• During school hours, you can check them out directly from the Resource Center LWPTSA Council office at the Resource Center.

Materials will be on loan for four weeks. Please return items promptly so that others will have access to them as well. 

How to return materials
There are three ways to return materials:

1. Work with your school to send it via intra-district mail, with attention to LWPTSA Council office at the Resource Center
2. Bring it to the PTSA Special Education Group monthly meeting.
3. Bring your item directly to the Resource Center and leave it with the front desk staff with a note that it is for the LWPTSA Council office. 

Donations are gladly accepted
Donations of books, DVDs, CDs, etc. about disabilities for adults and/or kids are always welcome! Include a note that states that the items are for the “Special Education Group Lending Library.”  Donations can be dropped off at the Lake Washington School District Resource Center (16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond, WA 98052) or work with your school to send donations via intra-district mail, with attention to Resource Center – Special Services.

Organizations that offer assistance to individuals with disabilities and their families

The Arc of King County
www.arcofkingcounty.org
Provides resources and support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families
Phone: 206-364-6337 or 877-964-0600

• Parent-to-Parent program connects those with similar disabilities: 206-957-7080
• Community Connections resource guide
• King County Parent Coalition
• Information and referral service
• Support for families of different ethnicities
• Information for adults with disabilities/supported living services

Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda
Provides services to qualified individuals with disabilities, such as Medicaid, family support and respite (care-taking)
Phone: Region 4 – 206-568-5700 or 800-314-3296

• Resources and training
• Rules and laws
• State Advisory Council
• Informing Families Building Trust: a coalition of DDA and other key organizations

The Father’s Network
www.fathersnetwork.org
Local group that supports fathers of special needs children
Phone: 425-747-4004

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
www.k12.wa.us/SpecialEd/default.aspx
State agency that oversees public education in Washington
Phone: 360-725-6075

• Procedural safeguards, Federal IDEA 2004 regulations
• Special Education Ombudsman (a support and resource person)
• Recent news in the field of special education and resource links
• Dispute resolution information

Sibshops – Sibling Support Project
www.seattlechildrens.org/
Support for siblings of children with special needs
Phone: 206-297-6368

Washington PAVE (Parents Are Vital in Education)
www.wapave.com
Provides information, training and support for parents and individuals with disabilities
Phone: 1-800-5-PARENT (1-800-572-7368)

• Understanding the educational system
• Support and transition to adult life

Does your child receive special education services? 
Would you like to connect with other parents who also have children with special needs?  The Arc facilitates and closely monitors the following closed and private groups created exclusively for people with disabilities and their parents and loved ones in King County. 

Facebook Groups
To join, search Facebook by group name or click on the link below, then click green “join group” button.

• Parent to Parent: King County
• P2P: Dads of Special Kids
• P2P: African American Families
• People with Disabilities in King County
• P2P: Aging Parents of Sons and Daughters with Disabilities
• P2P: Padres de niños, jóvenes y adultos con discapacidades

Google Groups
Arc of King County Parent to Parent 
A virtual support group for parents and caregivers in King County raising sons and daughters with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We provide emotional support over shared experiences in a civil, nurturing, supportive and safe space for all parents.

P2P: Into Adulthood 
A virtual support group for parents and caregivers in King County raising teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We provide emotional support over shared experiences in a civil, nurturing, supportive and safe space for all parents. Topics include housing, recreation, safety, resources and more.

For questions or concerns, contact Rachel Nemhauser, Parent to Parent Program Coordinator at The Arc of King County.

2-1-1 Call Center
www.211.org
A national help line that connects people with community services and volunteer opportunities
Phone: 2-1-1

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
exceptionalchildren.org
Organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, including disabilities
Phone: 703-620-3660

• 17 divisions for specialized information
• Special education publications, conferences and conventions

National Center for Learning Disabilities IEP Headquarters
http://www.ncld.org
NCLD's Information Center on Individualized Education Programs provides extensive information on IEPs.
Phone: 1-888-575-7373

• IEP eligibility
• What an IEP is
• What an IEP contains
• The parents' role in an IEP
• The IEP Meeting and IEP Team
• 504 Plans and Related Info

National Organization on Disability (NOD)
www.nod.org
National organization that raises disability awareness through numerous programs
Phone: 1-800-293-5960

• Community involvement programs
• Economic participation and access to independence information

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Education Rights (PACER) Center
www.pacer.org
National organization that helps to expand opportunities and enhance quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities and their families
Phone: 952-838-9000

Wrightslaw
www.wrightslaw.com
Leading website about special education law and advocacy

• Advocacy, federal laws, No Child Left Behind, IDEA 2004
• Thousands of articles and free resources
• Trainings and seminars
• Section 504 and IEP information

Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities
www.yellowpagesforkids.com
Service that enables you to find professionals, programs, organizations and support groups for people with disabilities in your state

• Information and how to connect with other parents/guardians and professionals
• Organizations and support groups in each state