HELPFUL LINKS
Resources & Organizations in the Baton Rouge Area
The Americans with Disabilities Act protects people with disabilities from discrimination. This site provides information on legal rights including equal access to child care, parental rights, parking, service animals, community integration, mobility devices, and effective communication.
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​The Arc Baton Rouge is a local chapter of the Arc of Louisiana, which is an advocacy group for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that assists with Early Steps, daytime support, residential services, employment services, and transitions from the school environment.
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Autism Society of Greater Baton Rouge is an affiliate of the National Autism Society. It creates connections, hosts family activities and events, informs of educational opportunities, hosts professional guest speakers, and assists in accessing appropriate services. The chapter meets quarterly, on Saturdays from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Bluebonnet Library.
https://www.autismsocietygbr.org
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BREC Adaptive Recreation is a program that provides social and recreational services to those with physical or developmental disabilities. They host the Sunshine Interactive Group, the Sunshine Club, Sunshine Socials, Inclusive Kickball, Inclusive Basketball, and Camp Sunshine Summer Camp. https://www.brec.org/AdaptiveRecreation
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The Brighton School is a private K-12 school that is dedicated to serving students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences, using multi-sensory instruction, and Orton-Gillingham based therapy.
https://www.thebrightonschool.org
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Capital Area was established by the Louisiana Legislature to operate and manage publicly funded, community-based programs and services for mental health, addictive disorders, developmental disabilities, and co-occurring disorders in the parishes of Ascension, East and West Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, Iberville, and Pointe Coupee. It is the local governing entity, under the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, which serves as the single point of entry into the developmental disabilities services system.
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Disability Determination Services (DDS) is the state agency responsible for determining if individuals are disabled according to federal criteria through the Social Security Administration (SSA). While DDS makes the medical disability determination for SSA, only SSA can determine who is eligible to receive benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
https://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/disability-determination-services
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Down Syndrome Awareness Group of Baton Rouge is a group that fosters connections between families of those with Down syndrome, as well as to the community as a whole. They offer interactive events and programs throughout the year to celebrate life.
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The Emerge Center provides occupational therapy, individual and group speech language therapy, applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, and audiology services. It also offers a tuition-free school for children with autism spectrum disorder through the Emerge School for Autism, grades K-3.
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Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge is a non-profit resource center organized and directed by family members of individuals with disabilities. They provide information and referrals, education and training, and parent-to-parent support.
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Lighthouse Louisiana is a nonprofit organization that assists people who are visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing in finding employment.
https://lighthouselouisiana.org
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Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network (LATAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping residents of all ages living with functional limitations or disabilities gain access to assistive technology and durable medical equipment.
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The Louisiana Department of Health provides a list of services and programs available that are available for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families through their Department.
https://ldh.la.gov/disabilities
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Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council is made up of 28 Governor-appointed individuals from across the state who are tasked with the development and implementation of a 5 year plan to address needed changes in ther service delivery system for persons with intellecutal and developmental disabilities.
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Louisiana's Educational Rights of Children with Disabilities: Special Education Processes and Procedural Safeguards is a guide developed by the Louisiana Department of Education to help parents navigate the complex system that oversees special education in Louisiana's public schools. https://doe.louisiana.gov/docs/default-source/academics/louisiana's-educational-rights-of-children-with-disabilities.pdf?sfvrsn=12
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Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is an arm of the Louisiana Workforce Commission. It assists persons with disabilities in their desire to obtain, maintain, or advance in integrated employment by providing rehabilitation services and working cooperatively with business and other community resources.
https://www.laworks.net/WorkforceDev/LRS/LRS_Main.asp
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Red Stick Cares is non-profit organization that offers programs for people with special needs, disabilities, or those who may be on the autism spectrum.
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St. Lillian Academy is a Christian private school serving students ages 5-21, grades K -12, that provides a holistic education based in three fields: education, developmental neuroscience, and behavioral science. The school was founded by a group of parents and developmental therapists. The curriculum includes on-site developmental therapy services, as well as behavioral intervention and management.
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Twinkling Smiles offers pediatric special needs dentistry, including behavioral disorders, mental, and physical disabilities from birth until 18 years old.
https://www.twinklingsmilesofbatonrouge.com/treatment/special-needs-dentistry
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Wrights Law is a website that hosts up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.
https://www.wrightslaw.com​​​​​​​
