U.S. Organizations that Serve People with Cognitive Disabilities

The ArcLink
"Harnessing the power of the Internet to provide people with developmental disabilities the information and resources to exercise informed choice to live self-determined and fulfilling lives in their communities...".
Find My Roommate
"FindMyRoommate is an online matching service for people with disabilities and their family members and, in some states, for people open to sharing a home with someone with a disability."
MOSAIC
"Mosaic is a faith-based organization serving people with intellectual disabilities."
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities (RRTCADD)
"This web site is designed to provide information on the latest research, model programs, and policy issues pertaining to this population. It describes training and technical assistance opportunities, conferences, and available resources." University of Illinois at Chicago
Voice of the Retarded
"We unite people in advocacy in order to educate and assist families, organizations, public officials, and individuals concerned with the quality of life and choice for persons with mental retardation within residential options."
National Bipolar Genetics Collaboration
"... information about Bipolar Disorder for people with the disorder as well as their friends and families." "... information about our collaborative genetics research study being carried on at major research universities across the U.S. ...".
National Bipolar Foundation
"... works towards reducing stigma, educating, and seeking affordable health care."
Think College
Conducts "... research, training, and technical assistance for professionals, families, and students related to postsecondary education for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities ...". An initiative of The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA)
"... promotes improvement in the lives of people with schizophrenia and their families ...".
President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Mission "... is to provide advice and assistance to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on a broad range of topics that impact people with intellectual disabilities and the field of Intellectual Disabilities ...".
The National Fragile X Foundation Home Page
"... unites the Fragile X community to: Enrich lives through educational and emotional support, Promote public and professional awareness, and Advance research toward improved treatments and a cure for Fragile X ...".
NDSC National Down Syndrome Congress Center
Mission "... is to provide information, advocacy and support concerning all aspects of life for individuals with Down syndrome ...".
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Mission "... is to reduce the burden of neurological disease - a burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all over the world ...". Part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
"... works to ensure that the nation's 15 million children, adolescents, and adults with learning disabilities have every opportunity to succeed in school, work, and life ...".
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
Mission "... is to promote the health of babies, children and adults and enhance the potential for full, productive living ...". Part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)
"... goal is to promote and assist state agencies in developing effective, efficient service delivery systems that furnish high-quality supports to people with developmental disabilities ...".
National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD)
Mission: "To advance mental wellness for persons with developmental disabilities through the promotion of excellence in mental health care."
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)
"... organization with the purpose of promoting and enhancing the outcomes of our member councils in developing and sustaining inclusive communities and self directed services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities ...".
National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)
"... raises money from donors around the world and invests it directly in the most promising research projects in mental health ...".
Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
"... is the largest non-profit volunteer organization advocating for individuals with learning disabilities and has over 200 state and local affiliates in 42 states and Puerto Rico ...".
Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism
"Our primary goal is to promote awareness and support families affected by autism spectrum disorders."
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
" ... organization fosters an environment of understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically based tools and information written in language the general public can understand ...".
The Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities
"... mission is to catalyze and integrate advances in science, engineering and technology to promote the quality of life and independent living of people with cognitive disabilities ...". University of Colorado
Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
"Vital information on bipolar disorder in children, teens, and young adults."
Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA)
"... the leading national organization serving and representing individuals, families and professionals who are touched by a life-altering, often devastating, traumatic brain injury (TBI) ...".
Best Buddies
"... organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities ...".
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
"Dedicated to advancing understanding, acceptance, & support for the autistic community."
Autism Speaks
Mission related to science, awareness, advocacy and family services.
Autism Society of America
Improves "... the lives of all affected by autism ... by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy ...".
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)
"... work with people with (developmental) disabilities, members of their families, state and local government agencies, and community providers in projects that provide training, technical assistance, service, research, and information sharing ...".
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND)
Provides "... long-term, graduate level interdisciplinary training as well as interdisciplinary services and care ...".
Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRC)
"... contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based practices by evaluating the effectiveness of biological, biochemical, and behavioral interventions; developing assistive technologies; and advancing prenatal diagnosis and newborn screening ...".
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
"A network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities."
The Arc of the United States
"... advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities ..."
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
"AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities."
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Mission is "... to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families—through member organizations dedicated to improving quality of life ...".
Alzheimer's Association
"... the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research ...".
National Resource Center on Supported Living and Choice
"... designed to promote the full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in community life ...". Syracuse University
Council for Exceptional Children: Division on Developmental Disabilities
"... an organization composed of persons committed to enhancing the quality of life of individuals, especially children and youth, with developmental disabilities, including those with cognitive disabilities/mental retardation, autism, and related disabilities ...".
Speaking For Ourselves
"An independent, grassroots advocacy organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities."
Institute on Community Integration (ICI)
"Through collaborative research, training, and information sharing, the "... ICI ..." improves policies and practices to ensure that all children, youth, and adults with disabilities are valued by, and contribute to, their communities of choice." A University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at The University of Minnesota.
The Research and Training Center on Community Living
"... provides research, evaluation, training, technical assistance and dissemination to support the aspirations of persons with developmental disabilities to live full, productive and integrated lives in their communities." Creator of "Self-Advocacy Online". A part of The Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota.