Resources

Supporting Families with Trusted Resources

SOAR Special Needs is committed to connecting individuals and families with the resources they need to thrive. Whether you're looking for government programs, educational support, health services, or community connections, we've curated comprehensive resource lists to help you navigate your journey.

Navigate to:

→ Agency & Kansas City Resources
→ Federal Programs
→ Education Resources
→ Health & Medical
→ Employment & Career Development
→ Housing & Home
→ Technology & Accessibility
→ Transportation
→ AoD Programs
→ Doc's Recommendations
→ Faith-Based Ministry Resources

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Looking Ahead: SOAR's Expansion Plans

SOAR is working toward a major expansion to serve our community even better. Our future initiatives include:

Adult Job Training Center (3-5 year timeline)
Providing employment skills and career development opportunities for adults with disabilities

Adult Housing & Assisted Living Facility
Creating residential options that promote independence and community

Expanded Respite Care Facility

  • 12-hour respite Monday-Thursday

  • 48-hour weekend respite

  • Increased capacity to serve more families

Conferences & Events

  • Regional conferences

  • National conferences

  • International conferences

  • Educational "road trips"

These resources represent our commitment to supporting individuals and families across their entire lifespan.

❊ Local + Travel

Agency Resources & Kansas City Connections

Travel Services for Families with Special Needs

Adaptive Adventures Travel

  • Official travel agent for SOAR

  • Specializes in travel arrangements for families with special needs

  • Mention SOAR when booking

Inclusive Travel: What Travellers with Disabilities Need to Know About Their Rights

  • Comprehensive information about traveler rights for individuals with disabilities

Exploring the World: A Comprehensive Wheelchair Accessible Travel Guide

  • Planning tips for accessible worldwide travel

Adaptive Clothing

No Limbits

  • Specialized adaptive clothing solutions

Kansas City Family Resources

Crystal Creek Ranch

  • FREE mini-vacations for families facing challenges

  • Serves families dealing with: special needs, pediatric oncology, counseling needs, life-threatening illnesses, military challenges

  • Mention SOAR Special Needs when contacting

Routine Factory

  • Create custom visual schedules and prompts

  • Individual resources/apps with customizable prompts

  • Perfect for individuals with special needs who benefit from visual supports

Best Inclusive Parks and Playgrounds in Kansas City

  • Accessible outdoor recreation throughout the metro area

  • Comprehensive list of inclusive play spaces designed for all abilities

Accessible Parks for Special Needs Children: Play Time!

  • iFamilyKC's guide to inclusive playgrounds in Kansas City

  • Updated listings with accessibility features

Free Arts & Crafts Activities to Do with Your Child

  • Downloadable creative resources for home activities

FREE Disability Stock Photos

  • Inclusive imagery resource

  • By: Disability is Beautiful

❊ National

Federal & Government Programs

Social Security & Benefits

• U.S. Social Security Administration Disability Benefits

• Social Security Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool

• Benefits.gov Disability Assistance

• Guide to Blindness Disability Benefits

Civil Rights & Legal Protection

• U.S. Department of Justice Disability Rights Section

• File a Disability Complaint

• Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health Care

• ADA.gov

• Disabled Veteran Rights and Discrimination

Community Living Programs

• Administration for Community Living

• Corporation for National and Community Service - Questions & Answers for People with Disabilities

• Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services

Emergency Preparedness

• DisasterAssistance.gov

• CDC Emergency Readiness for People with Disabilities

• FEMA Office of Disability Integration and Coordination

• American Red Cross - Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities (PDF)

• Ready.gov - Individuals with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs

Financial Resources

• A Financial Guide: Helping your Child with a Disability become a Financially Secure Adult

• COVID-19 Financial Scams

• 6 Tips to Prevent Fraud and Identity Theft for Your Kids

• Financial Guide for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

❊ School + More

Education Resources

Special Education & Homeschooling

• SPED Homeschool - Special Ed Homeschooling Headquarters

IEP & Educational Planning

• Developing Your Child's IEP (Also available in Spanish)

• The Short-and-Sweet IEP Overview (Also available in Spanish)

• Understanding Your Child's IEP: What Parents should Know

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

College & Higher Education

• Careers & Degrees in Healthcare: A Guide for Students with Disabilities

• Resources for Students with a Learning Disability

• Resources and Support for College Students with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, or Dyscalculia

• Scholarships & Resources for Students with Visual Disabilities

• Best Schools for a Student with a Learning Disability

• College Planning Guide for Students With Learning Disabilities

• College & Career Guide for Students with Disabilities

• Trade School Guide for Students With Disabilities

• Tips for College Students on the Autism Spectrum

• Navigating Online Learning: Effective Strategies for Neurodivergent College Students

• College Guide for Students with Learning Differences

Learning Support & Study Resources

• 17 Learning Resources for Kids with Dyslexia

• Homework Strategies for Students with Learning Disabilities

• Study Tips for College Students with ADHD

• Teaching Math & Computer Science to Kids with Special Needs

• How to Help Your Dyslexic Teen Do Their Best in Exams

• Inclusive Teaching Strategies for Special Needs

• Teach Students with Learning Disabilities Online

❊ Wellness

Health & Medical Support

General Health Resources

• Cerebral Palsy Guide

• HealthCare.gov

• Medicare.gov

• Medicaid.gov

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention State Disability and Health Programs

• How to Qualify for Medicaid and CHIP Health Care Coverage

• The Birth Injury Justice Center

Hearing & Communication

• Deafness and Hearing Loss

• Communication Plan for a Child Who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing (PDF)

• Resources for People Who Can't Afford Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants

• The Ultimate Guide to Hearing Health for Veterans

Dental & Oral Health

• Development Disabilities & Oral Health

• Dental Conditions Associated with Physical Disabilities

• Dental Help for Adults with Disabilities

• How Do Disabilities Affect Oral Healthcare Outcomes?

Vision & Eye Health

• Guide to Children's Eye Health

• Visual Snow Syndrome

• How to make the Internet Easier to Navigate with Impaired Vision

• Internet Navigation for Individuals with Low Vision or Blindness

Specific Conditions & Health Topics

• Disabilities and Weight Gain

• Cerebral Palsy Guidance

• How Autism affects Sleep

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Managing Learning Disabilities as a Teen & Young Adult

❊ Career

Employment & Career Development

Federal Employment Programs

• U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy

• What Can You Do? Campaign for Disability Employment

• Social Security Administration Ticket to Work

• Tips for Applicants with Disabilities Applying for Federal Jobs

• Information about Disability Employment in the Federal Government

• Information about the Schedule A Hiring Authority

Career Resources & Job Search

• The Definitive Guide to Disability Inclusion in the Workplace

• CareerOneStop Resources for Workers with Disabilities

• VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Benefits

• Disability and Employment Community of Practice

• Vets.gov Careers and Employment Information

• Resume & Employment Guide for People with Disabilities

• Disability in the Workplace: An Overview of Global Employees' Rights

• Neurodiversity in the Modern Workplace

• Applying for a Job With a Disability

• Employment Resources for Students with Disabilities

• How to Apply for Jobs if you have Dyslexia

• Dyslexia-Friendly Workplace: A Guide for Employers

❊ Living

Housing & Home Modifications

Housing Rights & Resources

• Housing Information for People with Disabilities

• Disability Rights in Housing

• Nursing Home Abuse Justice

• Navigating a Move with a Disability

Home Design & Modifications

• Building & Designing Eco-Friendly Homes for People with Disabilities

• Bathroom Modifications for People with Disabilities

• How to Design a Home for Individuals with Autism

• ReviewMobility - Website with reviews for anything you need for your home concerning mobility

❊ Tech

Technology & Accessibility

Assistive Technology

• Office of Disability Employment Policy - Accessible Technology Information

• Examples of Assistive Devices and How They Are Used

• Job Accommodation Network

• Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT)

Learning Technology

• How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Can Help Children with Speech, Hearing, and Language Disorders: 40 Free Resources

• Assistive Technology for Learning Disabilities

• 20 Useful Apps for Kids with Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities

❊ Getting Around

Transportation

Travel & Transportation Rights

• Equal Access to Transportation

• U.S. Department of State - Traveling with Disabilities

• Airport Screening for People with Disabilities or Medical Conditions

• Traveling with a Disability

• Tips for Driving as an Amputee

❊ Mental Health

Therapy & Specialized Services

Kincare Behavioral Health

  • Provides in-home ABA services for children with autism

  • Serving the Kansas City metro area

  • Click here for more

❊ AoD

Administration On Disabilities (AoD) Programs

Core Programs & Services

• Aging and Disability Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (ADEPP)

• Aging and Disability Resource Centers Program/No Wrong Door

• Americans with Disabilities Act National Network

• Centers for Independent Living

Specialized Support Programs

• Employment

• Help American Vote Act Programs

• National Limb Loss Resource Center

• Paralysis Resource Center (PRC)

• Person Centered Planning

• The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID)

• Self-Advocacy Programs

State & Local Programs

• State Councils on Developmental Disabilities

• State Protection & Advocacy Systems

• Supported Decision Making Program

• Transportation Research and Demonstration Program

• Traumatic Brain Injury Program

• University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research & Service (UCEDDs)

• Veteran-Directed Home & Community Based Services (VD-HCBS)

❊ From Doc’s Desk

Doc Hunsley's Resource Lists

As one of the national experts on special needs resources, Doc Hunsley is frequently asked for recommendations across a wide range of needs.

Explore his curated lists organized by topic below.

Book Recommendations

• The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

• The God Ask by Steve Shadrach

• A Spirituality of Fundraising (Workbook Edition) by Henri M. Nouwen

Education Resources (Doc's Recommendations)

• Careers & Degrees in Healthcare: A Guide for Students with Disabilities

• Resources & Support for College Students with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, or Dyscalculia

• Scholarships & Resources for Students with Visual Disabilities

• Guide To Paying For College for Individuals with Disabilities

Health Resources (Doc's Recommendations)

• Justice for Birth Injury Victims

• Hearing Health for Veterans

Home Resources (Doc's Recommendations)

• Home Improvements for People with Disabilities

Special Education Resources (Doc's Recommendations)

• ABA Program - Online Resource for Teachers, Students and Parents

• Special Needs Homeschooling

Therapy (Doc's Recommendations)

• Kincare Behavioral Health - In-Home ABA Services

Transportation (Doc's Recommendations)

• Electric Cars & Accessibility - What Drivers with Disabilities Need to Know

General Information Books (Doc's Recommendations)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Inclusive Classroom by Barbara Boroson

• Carly's Voice: Breaking Through Autism by Arthur Fleischmann with Carly Fleischmann

• I Am Strong: The Life and Journey of an Autistic Pastor by Lamar Hardwick

• Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Autism Spectrum, Tourette's, Anxiety, and More (2nd Ed) by Martin L. Kutscher, MD

• Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking by The Autistic Self Advocacy Network

• Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability by Shane Burcaw

• One Step at a Time: ABA and Autism in the Classroom

• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

• The Joy of Signing by Lottie Riekehof

• Loving Our Own Bones: Disability Wisdom and the Spiritual Subversiveness of Knowing Ourselves Whole by Julie Watts Belser

Looking for Faith-Based Resources?

Click Here

Need Additional Support?

SOAR Special Needs offers programs, activities, and events throughout the year to support individuals with special needs and their families. From our nation's largest disability day camp to monthly respite events, social clubs, and church partnerships, we're here to help your family thrive.

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