NICHY - National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

NICHY Helps People Connect with Disability Organizations Across America

Introduction

NICHY is a center that provides information to America related to disabilities in children and youth, programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities and, 'No Child Left Behind,' America's general education law.

Main Digest

The NICHY organization provides information regarding IDEA, America's special education law, and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities. Anyone who desires to use NICHY's services will find them available to them, whether they are an administrator, student, educator, family member, or journalist. The organization has a focus on children and youth from the ages of birth through the age of twenty-two.

NICHY presents information related to a variety of subjects. The organization presents information to anyone who is interested related to subjects such as:

• Parent materials
• Specific disabilities
• Transition to adult life
• Disability organizations
• Professional associations
• IEPs (individualized education programs)
• Resources and connections in every state
• Education rights and what the law requires
• Research on effective educational practices
• Special education and related services for children in school

NICHY also offers visitors a toll-free telephone number to call, a team of information and research specialists available to speak with people to address their unique questions, a bilingual website, and the ability to answer questions in either English or Spanish. The organization has a research center where people can find information regarding effective educational practices for their children and youth with disabilities. NICHY has an eNews service available so that people can tell them the kinds of information they are interested in. NICHY sends people occasional emails that highlight requested information. Everything on the NICHY site is copyright-free and may be shared with others; the organization hopes that people will share the information.

NICHY connects people with research on effective educational practices for children with disabilities. They inform people about decision-making concerning research and how to use research to improve early intervention and special education services. The research center at NICHY grows every day.

The organization offers publications in both English and Spanish. Their publications are available for download, or you may ask them for a printed copy of a publication. They offer their publications through their website at no cost. Among the publications, NICHY produces state resource sheets, fact sheets related to specific disabilities resource lists, and parent guides, among others. People who need a copy of a publication that NICHY produces in an alternate format can receive one by sending the organization an email request.

NICHY helps people to connect with disability organizations from across America, such as state agencies, parent groups, and other disability organizations that can assist people and provide information. Through the NICHY website, people can search for organizations that address their particular area of interest, identify materials, locate resources in their particular state, and more. The organization has information specialists who can assist people in their search for resources and information.

NICHY can also help people obtain information addressing their concerns and needs through their National Dissemination Center. The organization searches through its resources and through what is available nationwide for free. NICHY provides a wealth of information to people who visit their website about children and youth with disabilities. Examples of the information to be found on their site are included below.

Overview of Early Intervention:

Learn the basic steps that are involved in early intervention, including the evaluation of babies and toddlers to identify their needs and eligibility for services.

Parent Participation:

NICHY believes that parents are a child's first teachers and know their child better than anyone else. They believe a parent's participation when providing services to young children with disabilities is essential. The organization provides a list of resources that promote family involvement in early intervention.

How to Write a Services Plan:

The 'IFSP' is the written plan that parents and professionals create together to address the needs of a baby or child. The plan needs to include specific information, and NICHY can assist in learning how to write an IFSP.

Services in Your State for Infants and Toddlers from birth through 3:

NICHY helps people to connect with early intervention services for infants and toddlers in the family's particular state, as well as helping people to find other state resources.

Transition to Preschool:

In this section of the NICHY website, people can find answers to questions such as: What happens when my child turns three and is no longer eligible for early intervention services? What is a transition, and how do I determine what options may be available to me?

Effective Practices in Early Intervention:

NICHY helps people to learn about effective intervention practices related to the field of early childhood education in this section of their website.

10 Basic Steps in Special Education:

In this area of the NICHY site, people can learn what special education is all about. They can learn what it involves and how a child becomes eligible for help in school.

Q & A Series on IDEA:

This area of the NICHY site covers Key definitions and purposes of IDEA, as well as Parent Participation.

Special Education Services for Preschoolers with Disabilities:

If you have wondered what services are available for preschoolers who experience developmental delays or where family members or childcare providers and educators can find support, this is the area of the NICHY site to look in.

Evaluating Children for Disability:

In this area of the NICHY site, people can learn about the evaluation process required for a child to receive special education and related services for the first time.

All About the IEP:

The fact that every child who receives special education services must have an IEP or 'Individualized Education Program,' which is a written document detailing the services and supports a child will receive, leaves some parents wondering what an IEP is all about.

Author Credentials:

Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursing Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant Thomas has assisted people from a variety of racial, religious, gender, class, and age groups by providing care for people with all forms of disabilities from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson's; para and quadriplegia to Spina Bifida. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.

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Disabled World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and carers. You can connect with us on social media such as X.com and Facebook.

Cite This Page (APA): Weiss, T. C. (2010, February 27). NICHY - National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Disabled World. Retrieved May 17, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/children/nichy.php

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