The following is a list of resources that people with disabilities, their families and advocates may find helpful:
*These resource websites, although regarded as reputable and helpful by The Arc of Missouri, are not governed or maintained by The Arc. Please be aware that we can not attest to the safety, lack of spyware, or the like on any of these sites. If you need assistance calling any of these resources, please use Missouri Relay service by calling 711.
Cerebral Palsy Group is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, birth injuries, or brain injuries.
Governor's Council on Disability The Governor's Council on Disability promotes full participation and inclusion of the nearly 1 million Missourians with disabilities in all aspects of community life by educating citizens, businesses, schools, universities and others of their rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It conducts educational seminars and on-site training as well as publishes a legislative newsletter, a resource directory and informational brochures on topics relating to people with disabilities. The Council provides information about compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and assistive technology to maximize the productivity of people with disabilities. The Council aims to promote positive images and protect persons with disabilities through equal access to services and employment opportunities.
Governor's Council on Disability
P.O. Box 1668 Jefferson City, Missouri 65201
Phone: 800-877-8249 or 573-751-2600
Encircle Technologies- Columbia MO
Program designed to meet individual needs with curriculum and teaching-styles that are designed to help foster growth and ensure you walk away with the skills needed to work in the tech industry.
Maryville University College Guide
Researching and selecting a college that fits your needs can be daunting, but that challenge can be even greater when you’re a student with disabilities. However, that doesn’t mean your options are limited.
Missouri Assistive Technology (MAT)
The mission of Missouri Assistive Technology is to increase access to assistive technology for Missourians with all types of disabilities, of all ages.
Missouri Assistive Technology
1501 NW Jefferson Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015
Phone: 800-647-8557 or 816-655-6700
Missouri Association of County Developmental Disability Services (MACDDS)
The Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services (MACDDS) is dedicated to ensuring that quality community supports are available for people with developmental disabilities. The organization is comprised of 48 county boards that provide local services for an estimated 36,000 people with developmental disabilities. These County Boards are also known as Senate Bill 40 Boards in reference to the state legislation which allows for local control and financial support for a variety of community based programs and services for persons with developmental disabilities. MACDDS members invest over $14.5 million in partnership with the state Department of Mental Health - Division of DD in the Medicaid Waiver. 94.3% of the general population of Missouri resides in counties that have a SB40 tax; 65.4% of the general population of Missouri resides in counties that are members of MACDDS.
Missouri Association of County Developmental Disability Services
311 S. Providence, Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: 573-442-5599
Missouri Department of Mental Health Division of Developmental Disabilities
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD), established in 1974, serves a population that has developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, head injuries, autism, epilepsy, and certain learning disabilities. Such conditions must have occurred before age 22, with the expectation that they will continue. To be eligible for services from the Division, persons with these disabilities must be substantially limited in their ability to function independently.
The Division improves the lives of persons with developmental disabilities through programs and services to enable those persons to live independently and productively. In 1988, the Division began participation in the Medicaid home and community-based waiver program, designed to help expand needed services throughout the state.
Division of Developmental Disabilities
1706 E. Elm St., Jefferson City , MO. 65102
Phone: 573-751-4122 or 800-364-9687
Find your Regional Office: http://dmh.mo.gov/dd/facilities/
Missouri Developmental Disabilities Resource Center- Missouri Family to Family Program
Linking You to Information, Parent to Parent Support, Peer Support & Volunteer Opportunities, The Missouri Developmental Disability Resource Center (MODDRC) is one center that provides three levels of support. Whether you want to become more informed, get connected or find ways to volunteer, MODDRC offers a network of support options to get you started and support you throughout your journey.
Institute for Human Development (IHD), UCE
Missouri Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
215 W. Pershing, Kansas City , MO 64108
Phone: 816-235.1763 or 800-444.0821
Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC)
The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council is a federally-funded, consumer driven council, appointed by the Governor. Its mission is to assist the community to include all people with developmental disabilities in every aspect of life.
Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council
1706 E. Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573-751-8611 or 800-500-7878
MPACT empowers families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life – through support, training, and education.
7421 Mexico Road, Suite 200, St. Peters MO 63376
Phone: 800-743-7634
Missouri Protection and Advocacy (MO P&A)
MO P&A is a federally mandated system in the state of Missouri which provides protection of the rights of persons with disabilities through legally-based advocacy. MO P&A was established in 1977 to address public outcry in response to the abuse, neglect, and lack of programming in institutions for persons with disabilities.
Missouri Protection and Advocacy
925 South Country Club Dr., Jefferson City MO 65109
Administration: 573-893-3333 / 866-777-7199
Application Unit: 573-659-0678 / 800-392-8667
Missouri Centers for Independent Living (CIL's)
The Independent Living (IL) program provides services to people with disabilities to increase their independence and their opportunity to participate in day-to-day life within their communities. There are 22 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) statewide that offer independent living services. The CILs are funded through Vocational Rehabilitation grants and are managed by persons with disabilities who have been successful in establishing their own independent lifestyles.
SILC
3024 Dupont Circle, Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: 573-526-7039 or 877-222-8963
Missouri Inclusive Housing Development Corporation
125 Gordon, Marshall, MO 65340
Toll Free Number 1-855-444-5100
Provides information about safe, accessible, affordable housing in Missouri for those with developmental disabilities
Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Vocational Rehabilitation works with individuals who have a physical or mental impairment that may cause problems with them finding and keeping a job. VR specializes in employment and training services that can assist people in becoming employed. Once determined to be eligible for services individuals work with a counselor to develop a plan for their rehabilitation.
Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation
3024 Dupont Circle
Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
Phone: 573-751-3251 or 877-222-8963
People First of Missouri
People First of Missouri is a self-advocacy organization that was formed by, is run by, and exists for people with developmental disabilities in the state of Missouri. Its membership consists of local affiliated chapters. It currently has over 20 local self advocacy groups all over the state. People First of Missouri is a non-profit organization that promotes equality for people with disabilities so they can live the life they want in the community.
People First of Missouri
PO Box 30142
Kansas City, Missouri 64112
800-558-8652
PROJECT STIR (Steps Toward Independence and Responsibilities)
A class designed to teach people about becoming self-determined individuals.
Sessions include:
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Knowing Yourself- Students learn to identify their strengths and weaknesses to assist them in becoming a self-advocate.
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Communication-Students learn how to properly use the three types of communication: Assertive, Aggressive, and Non-Assertive. Role play is used to demonstrate the proper style of communication for different situations.
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Problem Solving and Negotiating- Focus is on being able to identify when a problem occurs-what the problem really is and how to solve it. Team work is an emphasis of Session Three.
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Responsibilities-Students will learn what a rule is, what responsibilities are, and how they are connected.
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Self-Advocacy and Money-Show me the Money Game helps prepare students for dealing with everyday expenses such as rent, food, entertainment, and unexpected expenses.
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This session is tailored to each specific audience. Topics can include: employment, starting an advocacy group, joining a club, or starting a volunteer project.
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After the six session training, students may choose to attend a train-the-trainer session on how to teach others Project STIR.
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB)
Provides services to people with varying degrees of visual impairment, ranging from those who cannot read regular print to those who are totally blind.
800-592-6004
For district office locations: http://www.dss.mo.gov/fsd/rsb/rhabofc.htm
Free service for people with hearing or speech problems to communicate with standard telephone users.
Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
University of Missouri
205 Portland Street, Columbia MO 65211
573-884-6052
The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri is a national leader in confronting the challenges of autism spectrum disorder & other developmental conditions through its collaborative research, training and service programs.
UMKC Institute for Human Development
215 W. Pershing Road, 5th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-235-1770
The UMKC Institute for Human Development (UMKC IHD) works to improve the quality of life of people from underserved communities, particularly those with developmental disabilities, through interdisciplinary training, applied research, community program development, and information dissemination.