At SpecialNeeds.com, we are always excited to highlight companies that are leading the way in creating inclusive and accessible workplaces for individuals with disabilities. Headspace, a global leader in mindfulness and meditation, has recently demonstrated its strong commitment to disability inclusion through several notable initiatives. Headspace's dedication to workplace equality was recently recognized by Disability:IN, a nonprofit organization that promotes disability inclusion in the business world. The company was named a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" and achieved an impressive score of 90 on the Disability Equality Index (DEI), a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build roadmaps for tangible actions toward disability inclusion and equality. Building on this recognition, Headspace took a significant step forward by signing Disability:IN's CEO Letter on Disability Inclusion. This letter, designed for CEOs to take action in building inclusive, accessible, and equitable workplaces, showcases Headspace's commitment to advancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. By signing the letter, Headspace joins a growing list of companies that are prioritizing disability inclusion at the highest levels of leadership. Headspace's dedication to inclusion is further evident through its employee resource group, SpoonSpace. This group focuses on increasing visibility, connection, and collaboration among people with diverse abilities within the company. By hosting events like the recent Autism Awareness Month panel, SpoonSpace is actively fostering a culture of understanding and support for employees with disabilities. The impact of Headspace's efforts extends beyond its own walls. As a participant in the DEI, Headspace is part of a larger movement of companies...

Headspace prioritizes disability inclusion through initiatives like SpoonSpace, Disability Equality Index, and ESG alignment.

Headspace's Commitment to Disability Inclusion: A Model for Corporate Leadership

Due to few advances in the Nation’s Report Card, SpecialNeeds.com has announced Bonnie Terry, M. Ed., BCET as their International “Go-To” Pro. SpecialNeeds.com realizes that the nation’s report card needs to improve. After an extensive search, they have named Bonnie Terry of http://www.BonnieTerryLearning.com their “Go-To” Pro. Using her custom-designed “Awaken the Scholar Within Programs”, Terry has a record of realizing three years’ grade-level advancement in reading, writing and math gains for her students in just one year. Students and researchers alike celebrate the gains. Parents, as well as teachers, now have an International “Go-To” Pro at SpecialNeeds.com to get advice on helping their students. “My son turned his school performance around so much that he was moved from the lowest groups to the middle groups and then to the highest groups. It was amazing. He was so excited, because work that he had previously struggled with became easy,” says parent Karen Macy. Terry’s developed her own games the Sentence Zone, the Comprehension Zone, and the Math Zone, based on years of scientific research showing that kids learn better when color is used, and when they also have fun while they play and learn.   


SpecialNeeds.com names Bonnie Terry, known for advancing students 3 grade levels in a year, as their International 'Go-To' Pro.

SpecialNeeds.com Appoints International “Go-To” Pro

 A study published January 2012 by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) says many adults with disabilities do not have regular daily activities. This lack of educational-vocational activity leads to larger problems, such as depression, poor health, and less close sibling relationships.   The study investigated nearly 800 participants; siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities completed a web-based survey. Results show that nearly 13 percent of these adults did not participate in daytime activities, and they typically had more health and emotional problems, were underserved by the service system, and had parents who were less able to provide care.    Researchers said these adults who did not have daily activities had three times the unmet needs as their peers who are working, volunteering, or attending school. These individuals are perhaps the most in need of formal support and activities, yet they are the ones not receiving care.    Additionally, the siblings of those individuals not participating in daily activities also had poorer mental and physical health, and their relationships with their disabled siblings were weaker.   When individuals with disabilities age out of the school system, where many of their needs are provided for, they typically either stay home or are placed in a community home. Many of these group homes are expensive or hard to get into, which makes it more difficult for families to provide long-term care for these adults.   Research such as this study shows...

Study reveals adults with disabilities lacking daily activities face more health/emotional issues and are underserved by support systems.

Study: No Daily Activities for Adults with Disabilities

Urban Angels, an elite UK child modeling agency, opens their books only twice a year in search of new talent. Little Taya Kennedy was one of 50 children chosen out of 2,000 applicants. The fact that she has Down syndrome “did not enter the equation,” says Alysa Lewis, owner of the agency.  Taya’s mother, Gemma Andre, told the Daily Mail that she was overjoyed when she heard the news, “not because Taya was going to be a model. More importantly, she had competed on equal terms with every other child and succeeded.” At 14 months old, Taya seems to have been born to surpass expectations. Children diagnosed with Down syndrome typically are not expected to walk until they are three to five years old. Taya is already able to stand and has excellent muscle tone. Her physiotherapist thinks she will be walking by Christmas. Taya also responds well to visual stimulation and likes it when people mime to her, “so the whole family is learning sign language,” says Gemma. It was difficult at first for Gemma and Taya’s father, Robbie. When the doctor delivered the news that Taya was born with Down syndrome, “we didn’t know what to expect or hope for,” Gemma says. “We were literally sent home with a booklet.” Gemma and Robbie were unprepared and grief-stricken. “We couldn’t help but selfishly wonder why this had happened to us.” But Taya’s parents decided that they would not dwell on their daughter’s limitations due to her condition. Instead,...

A UK modeling agency, Urban Angels, signs 14-month-old Taya Kennedy, a child with Down syndrome, after outshining 1,950 applicants.

Girl with Down Syndrome Signed as Model

Ultra-accessible family fun park Morgan’s Wonderland is teaming up with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (EMHE) to build a new home for a wounded warrior and his family in San Antonio, TX. According to a joint press release, the deserving recipient of this new home will be Army SSgt. Shilo Harris, who was critically injured in Iraq when the truck he was riding in struck an IED. Even though he suffered burns on over 40 percent of his body, Harris focused his concern on the safety of his men before allowing himself to be treated. Over the last five years, Harris and his wife, Kathreyn, have worked to help other wounded veterans through the process of rehabilitation and recovery. Despite Harris’s constant suffering, he motivates others who have been similarly affected. The Harris family’s current home is a constant reminder of the horrible injuries this hero sustained while fighting for his country. The house insufficiently shields Harris from dust and heat and his family has been unable to make it comfortable enough to alleviate his pain. Now, for the first time in nine seasons on the air, EMHE has selected a nonprofit organization to coordinate the project of building the Harris family a new home.  Morgan’s Wonderland founder Gordon Hartman was a successful builder before shifting his focus to developing the first completely accessible theme park of its kind. Hartman will use his three decades of construction experience to coordinate hundreds of craftsmen and community volunteers and assemble a team...

Morgan's Wonderland and EMHE team up to build a new home for injured veteran Shilo Harris, airing on ABC as a special.

Morgan&#8217;s Wonderland to Team up with EMHE

 Out of more than 120 submissions from high schools and colleges across the country, 15 emerging artists with disabilities were selected to showcase their works at the Ripley Center, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The chosen pieces embody the theme “Momentum” and examine the force that drives their artistic interests. VSA (the international organization on arts and disability) and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., partnered to give artists ages 16-25 a chance not only to exhibit their art but to finance their pursuit the arts as a career, with over $60,000 in prize money awarded to those selected. Grand Prize winner Dimelza Broche says that “being in a wheelchair has stopped me from physically going places, but it hasn’t stopped me from traveling to the unexplored places in my subjects’ minds.” Broche has osteogenesis imperfecta, which is a genetic disorder characterized by extremely fragile bones. Her painting, Soul Reader, immediately connects with viewers as the subject peers directly out of the canvas and seemingly into their very thoughts, reading secrets hidden deep in their souls. Krista Kuskye, whose photograph titled Union Station, Indiana, is a symbolic representation of the daily pain she faces living with fibromyalgia, talks about finding art to be like therapy. “It takes my mind off the pain and into an alternative world . . . I can’t help but to reflect on who inspired me the most.” The haunting black and white image of a crumbling interior of a building represents her...

15 young artists with disabilities exhibit at the Smithsonian, winning over $60k in prizes and showcasing diverse artworks.

Artists with Disabilities Gain “Momentum”

You're already logged in! If you've forgotten your password and would like to reset it, <a href="/logout/?redirect=/forgot-password/" alt="Logout page link" title="Logout page link">log out</a> first.

Forgot Password

Login

Zippedy Zap, You're Out!

Poof! You're Logged Out!

Logged Out and Ready to Go!

See You Later, Friend!

Bye for Now!

Farewell, Buddy!

Adios, Amigo!

Until Next Time!

So Long, Friend!

Ciao, Buddy!

Bon Voyage, Friend!

Goodbye for Now!

Hasta Luego, Amigo!

Catch You Later!

See You Soon!

Farewell for Now!

Bye-Bye, Friend!

Until We Meet Again!

Logout

Let's give you a brand new password. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

The reset ID you provided is invalid. Please check the link you used to get here and try again. To request a new reset link, please visit the <a href="/forgot-password/">forgot password page</a>. 🔄

Let's get your password reset. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

Reset Password 🔑

Your password has been reset! You can now <a href="/login/" alt="Login page link" title="Login page link">log in</a> with your new password. 🔒

Aw, shucks! We're not quite ready for more friends to join in just yet. 😿But here's the good news! We have a special, sparkly waitlist made just for you! 🥳🎉All you have to do is hop over to <a href='/waitlist/' alt='Waitlist Page' title='Waitlist Page'>the waitlist</a> and sign up. We'll get everything ready and before you know it, you'll be part of our SpecialNeeds.com family!🌟🤗💕 We can't wait to see you soon, 😃

Let's get you signed up so you can join our family. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

Sign Up

The link you clicked appears to have embarked on its own adventure. Double-check it and let's try again, explorer! 🧭

Just a few more details and your fantastic journey begins! 😊 Rest assured, your data is as safe as a treasure in a dragon's den! 🐉🔒

Checkout

Title

Contact Listing Owner 🗣️

Looks like you need to join our fantastic community to contact the owner. Sign up now and dive into the adventure! 🎉

Whoa, There! 🖐️

This magical form lets you send an initial message to the listing owner. Just jot down a snappy topic (50 characters or less) and your message. Let's get the conversation rolling! 💌

Step right up! 🎪

Find local special needs events near you.

Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover the inspiring stories and experiences of our users who have found invaluable resources, support, and connections through SpecialNeeds.com.

Feedback

John Luthor

SpecialNeeds.com has been instrumental in helping me find the right resources for my child. The wealth of information and supportive community is invaluable.

Sarah Taylor

As a teacher, SpecialNeeds.com is my go-to website for understanding my students' diverse needs. The strategies and tips shared have been very helpful.

Alex Hales

The user interface of SpecialNeeds.com is very friendly and easy to navigate. It's a great platform with a lot of useful features for individuals with special needs.

David Warner

SpecialNeeds.com is a beacon of hope for parents like us. The online resources are fantastic and the supportive community is heartwarming.

Jessica Brown

The speech therapy resources on SpecialNeeds.com are top-notch. They've been incredibly helpful in my practice.

Michael Johnson

I've found so much support and understanding in the SpecialNeeds.com community. It has made all the difference for my family.

Emily Davis

SpecialNeeds.com is an invaluable tool in my classroom. The educational resources and community support are amazing.

Oliver Smith

SpecialNeeds.com offers practical and actionable occupational therapy strategies. It's a resource I use daily in my practice.

Sophia Miller

Navigating the world of special needs parenting can be challenging, but SpecialNeeds.com provides resources and a community that truly help.

User’s Feedback About SpecialNeeds.com

Guide your special needs-related business to reach its full potential. Here's the straightforward path to success

Begin by signing up for an account to join our community and initiate your journey.

Join Our Community

With your account set up, it's time to create your business listing. A well-crafted and engaging listing can attract more visitors.

Create Your Listing

Choose from our range of packages for your listing, including various features to suit your needs. We offer multiple options, including a free package.

Select Your Package

Once you submit your listing, our team will review it. Upon approval, your listing will be published on the site for public viewing.

Await Approval

Congratulations! Your listing is now live. You can view it on our site and begin attracting new visitors.

Your Listing is Live

How It Works

Discover our extensive directory featuring a wide range of special needs-related listings. Add your listing to join our growing community.

Explore Our Directory

Engage directly with users through our messaging feature. Manage all your conversations efficiently from your dashboard.

Connect and Communicate

Draw more visitors and grow your business. You have full control over your listing and can update or modify it as needed from your dashboard.

Enhance Your Listing

Supporting Your Business Growth

New Chat Received! 🎉

Enter your name

Pricing

Privacy Policy

Hi there! At SpecialNeeds.com, we care a lot about keeping your information private. We promise to do our best to keep your information safe and sound. This means we collect only the necessary information to provide you with the best possible experience on our site, and we take all the necessary steps to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

1. Our Promise

When you join our site, we collect your email, display name, and password. We don't ever collect your location unless you tell us it's okay. Additionally, we use various analytics tools, which may collect other information like which pages you visit on our site, your IP address, and other data related to your use of our site. These tools help us understand how our site is used and enable us to improve your experience.

2. What We Collect

We collect information from you when you fill out forms on our site, like when you sign up. We also use cookies and Google Analytics to learn more about how you use our site. If you choose to enable the distance search feature, we'll collect your location information after getting your consent by clicking a button.

3. How We Collect It

We use your information to help you use our site and to make our site better for you. We also use it to see how people use our site, so we can make it better for everyone. Your location information, if you choose to share it, is used to help you find resources and services near you.

4. How We Use It

The majority of your information is kept confidential and is not shared with any third parties outside of SpecialNeeds.com. However, for users interacting with our directory listings (such as camps, schools, etc.), we may share aggregated and anonymized analytics data with the owners of these listings. This data may include metrics like the number of page views, time spent on the site, and other related usage statistics. It's important to note that this shared data will not include any personally identifiable information and is solely used to provide insights to our paid listing owners.

5. Who We Share It With

We use some fancy tech stuff to keep your information safe, like HTTPS for secure browsing, bcrypt to keep your password safe, and encryption to keep your location safe if you choose to share it with us. We also store your encrypted location information (if provided) in your browser's local storage and not on our servers, to add an extra layer of security.

6. How We Keep It Safe

You can change your email and password whenever you want. You can't change your display name once it's set, though. If you want to delete your account, you can do that, too. And remember, you can always tell us to stop using your location info by revoking your consent.

7. Changing or Deleting Your Info

Our site isn't made for kids under 13. We don't collect information from anyone under 13, and if we become aware of any such information, we will take steps to delete it.

8. Kids Under 13

Our site is made for people in the U.S. Even though we collect some information from people outside the U.S. through Google Analytics, our website is not targeted at them, and we do not use their information for anything other than Google Analytics.

9. People Outside the U.S.

Sometimes we might need to change this policy. If we do, we'll send you an email, and we'll put a notice on our site and on our social media accounts, if we have any. Please keep checking so you always know our latest policy.

10. Changes to This Policy

Remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions about this privacy policy, just ask!

Privacy Policy for SpecialNeeds.com

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions for SpecialNeeds.com

Hi there! Welcome to SpecialNeeds.com. We're a website that helps people learn about special needs resources, like camps, schools, and therapists. We also share articles and news about special needs topics. But before you start exploring, we need you to understand and agree to our rules.

1. Welcome to Our Site!

Our site is primarily made for people who are 13 years or older. However, individuals under the age of 13 may access the content on our site under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian. While they cannot register for an account, they are welcome to read and learn from the information available with appropriate guidance.

2. Who Can Use Our Site

We want everyone to have a good time here, so we have some rules. You can't use our site to do anything illegal, to bother other people, to share spam, or to post mean or offensive things. And please, don't share anything that belongs to someone else without their permission.

3. Our Rules

Users can add items to our directory, but we'll need to say okay first. We use a smart computer program to check if anything mean or offensive gets posted. And we'll take down anything that's not okay right away.

4. Adding to Our Directory

If you break any of our rules, we might have to stop your account. This means you won't be able to use our site anymore. We don't want to do this, but sometimes we have to.

5. Accounts and What Can Happen

We do our best to share good, helpful information. But we can't promise that everything is perfect or right for you. We're not doctors, and we don't give medical advice. Always check with your own doctor or do your own research.

6. What We Can Promise

If we have a disagreement, we'd like to work it out with you. But if we can't, then we'll have to ask a neutral person or group (this is called an arbitrator) to help us solve it.

7. What Happens If We Disagree

Sometimes we might need to change these rules. If we do, we'll send you an email, and post on our social media accounts, if we have any. Please keep checking so you always know our latest rules.

8. Changes to These Rules

Remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, just ask!

At SpecialNeeds.com, we strive to foster a community of trust and reliability. One significant way we ensure this trust is through our Verified Badge. You may have spotted this little checkmark symbol on our platform. But do you know what it signifies? Allow us to pull back the curtain on this important aspect of our platform. The Verified Badge isn't merely decorative - it's a symbol of authenticity, accuracy, and connection. When you see this badge associated with a company, you can rest assured that the company has been thoroughly vetted and is confirmed to be genuine. But how do we ascertain this genuineness? The process is both rigorous and meticulous. To earn the Verified Badge, a company representative or a SpecialNeeds.com staff member must first register with us and provide evidence of their affiliation with the company. This is typically in the form of a business email address. However, the badge doesn't just signify affiliation. It's also a testament to accuracy. The representative or our staff member is responsible for verifying all information associated with the company - from contact details to rates and features. Only when every piece of information has been scrutinized and confirmed do we award the coveted Verified Badge. Maintaining the Verified Badge isn't a one-time effort - it requires an annual renewal. Each year, company representatives are required to reaffirm their details and reverify their information. This ensures that the data associated with Verified Badge holders remains up-to-date and accurate. If the information isn't refreshed yearly, the Verified Badge status lapses. This renewal requirement serves as an ongoing commitment to accuracy, reinforcing our dedication to providing reliable, current information for our community. But why is this badge important? Why should you, as a user of our platform, trust it? The answer is simple. The Verified Badge is your compass on SpecialNeeds.com, guiding you with the assurance of truth and reliability. This badge is our commitment to you. It's our guarantee that the information you're viewing has been checked for accuracy and confirmed for authenticity. Whenever you see this badge, you know you're looking at a company that has been meticulously verified. That's our promise to you. So, as you explore the vibrant world of special needs-related businesses on SpecialNeeds.com, remember to look out for our Verified Badge. It's more than a symbol - it's the mark of trust you can rely on.

Verified Badge

Verified Listing: Last verified <lastVerified>. Click to learn more.

Special Needs
Articles

Headspace's Commitment to Disability Inclusion: A Model for Corporate Leadership

SpecialNeeds.com Appoints International “Go-To” Pro

Study: No Daily Activities for Adults with Disabilities

Girl with Down Syndrome Signed as Model

Morgan’s Wonderland to Team up with EMHE

Artists with Disabilities Gain “Momentum”

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Headspace's Commitment to Disability Inclusion: A Model for Corporate Leadership

SpecialNeeds.com Appoints International “Go-To” Pro

Study: No Daily Activities for Adults with Disabilities

Girl with Down Syndrome Signed as Model

Morgan&#8217;s Wonderland to Team up with EMHE

Artists with Disabilities Gain “Momentum”

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles

Morgan’s Wonderland to Team up with EMHE