Families
As a professional organization for special educators, CEC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with exceptionalities and their families. CEC has developed the following list of resources to provide parents and caregivers with the evidence-based tools and information they’ll need to effectively advocate for their exceptional child and partner with professionals to provide special education services.
Want more? Consider joining CEC to get the fullest access to our resources. Associate membership is for family members who do not work full-time in the field of education and includes online access to CEC's peer-reviewed journals.
CEC's Online Resources
Publications of Interest to Families
Other Resources for Families
CEC's Online Resources
About Exceptionalities
In the Exceptionality area of CEC’s Teaching and Learning Center, you’ll find information on many different disabilities, as well as gifts and talents. In addition to basic information, this section also provides CEC resources and current issues in each exceptionality area. Please use the navigation bar on the left of the page to learn more about the topics that interest you.
CEC SmartBrief
Sign up for CEC SmartBrief and this free digest of special education news will be delivered to your e-mail inbox five times a week -- for free.
Reality 101 for New Teachers
Want to see special education through the eyes of a new teacher? Follow our bloggers at "Reality 101."
CEC on Facebook
Connect with fellow parents and special educators and keep up with CEC news on the world's premier social-networking site.
Policy and Advocacy Resources
CEC works to improve and influence public policy affecting children with disabilities and gifts and talents, their parents, and the professionals who work with them, at all levels of government. In advocating on behalf of children with exceptionalities, CEC examines policy issues, develops appropriate responses to those issues, and influences local, state, provincial, and federal egislation. CEC also monitors and makes recommendations for program regulations and funding. In addition, CEC maintains a network among its units for influencing policy.
Learn more about special education policy issues, including IDEA and NCLB
Read CEC’s public policy priorities for 2009-2011 on IDEA, No Child Left Behind, gifted education, Medicaid, and more.
CEC's Policy Insider
The perfect way to learn about the special and gifted education issues Congress and the administration are considering. Subscribe today to receive free weekly e-mail updates! Policy Insider content is also available as a regularly updated blog.
Get involved
Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or e-mail your member of Congress on the latest issues facing students with disabilities and giftedness in only minutes when you visit our Legislative Action Center.
Publications of Interest to Families
CEC is the recognized leader in special education publications. Click here for a list of our products of interest to families.
Other Resources for Families with Children with Exceptionalities
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
Provides research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities as well as information on disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth; IDEA; and No Child Left Behind. Look for NICHCY state-specific information to locate contacts in your area.
Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers
Parent Centers serve families of children of all ages (birth-26 years) with all disabilities (physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional). Site includes a map to find Parent Centers in your state.
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
OSEP is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.
Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)
Sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education, ERIC provides ready access to education literature to support the use of educational research and information to improve practice in learning, teaching, educational decision making, and research.
Exceptional Parent
Provides practical advice and educational information for families of children and adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Publishes Exceptional Parent magazine 10 times per year.
Family Support Center on Disabilities: Knowledge & Involvement Network (KIN)
Offering a centralized resource on the full range of options available to individuals with disabilities and their families. Sign up for KINews, a monthly e-newsletter, and read past issues
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