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Disability Services

Assistive Technologies

Braille and Talking Book Library: Assistive Technology Lending Program (800) 952-5666 Offers assistive technology devices free of charge that allow readers to use the Braille and Audio Reading Download Program to download books.
California Telephone Access Program (800) 806-1191 Provides free specialized phones and accessories to make it easier to hear, dial, and call.
Department of Rehabilitation - San Jose District Office (408) 277-1355 Resources, device loans, low and no cost devices.
Parents Helping Parents (PHP) (408) 727-5775 Assistive technology demonstration and training center.
Vista Center for the Blind and Sight Impaired (650) 858-0202 Assistive technology training.
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (408) 894-9041 Equipment for loan; daily living and mobility aids.

Counseling

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center
(408) 894-9041
Individual, family, and group

Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
(650) 858-0202
Support groups for those who are new to vision loss

Education

Achieve Kids (650) 494-1200 Operates two private schools, one in Palo Alto and the other in East San Jose, for students with learning disabilities. Enrollment is done through referrals from partnering school districts. Programs include special education, behavioral health, speech and language, and transition services.
Athena Academy (650) 543-4560 For students in grades 1-8 with dyslexia or twice exceptional (students with a high IQ who also struggle with learning).
Esther B. Clark Schools (650) 688-3634 A therapeutic day school for children in grades K-10 who struggle emotionally or behaviorally.
PACE (Pacific Autism Center for Education) (408) 245-3400 A nonprofit, non-public school that serves students aged 60-22 who live with moderate to severe Autism. Enrollment is conducted through a referral from a local school district.
Palo Alto Community Advisory Committee paloaltocac@gmail.com Supports families and students with special needs enrolled in PAUSD schools.
Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) Special Education Department (650) 833-4260 Services are provided for eligible students from ages 3 to 22.
Santa Clara County Office of Education Special Education Department (408) 453-6500 Partners with the county’s schools to serve students with disabilities from birth to age 22. Operates classes on public school campuses and acts as the Local Education Agency (LEA) for students who attend institutional schools, community schools and pediatric-skilled nursing facilities.

Employment Assistance

AbilityPath (650) 259-8500 Individual and group placement, and job development.
Ada's Cafe (650) 327-2327 Hires and trains employees with disabilities in their cafe located at the Mitchell Park Community Center and catering services.
California Department of Rehabilitation - San Jose District Office (408) 277-1355 Services include the Supported Employment Program, Career Counseling, and Information and Referral Services for Blind, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Disabled persons.
California State Employment Development Department (EDD) (916) 654-7799 Provides access to services so that all job seekers with disabilities receive equal employment opportunities.
Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA) (510) 343-6670 Provides deaf and hard of hearing job seekers information, resources, and tools to seek and maintain employment.
Goodwill of Silicon Valley Neurodivergent Pathways (408) 869-9265 Teaches essential personal and workplace skills for those with a two or four year degree and are underemployed or unemployed.
Goodwill of Silicon Valley Expandability (408) 869-9267 Provides individualized employment preparation, life management, job placement, and support services.
Hope Services (408) 284-2850 Offers job development, placement, and on-the-job coaching for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. Services provided by referral from a local regional center. The regional center for Santa Clara County is the San Andreas Regional Center.
Kainos (650) 363-2423 Provides skill building, job placement, and ongoing employment support.
Project Hired: Ability at Work (408) 557-0880 Provides a wide variety of programs including training, resources, and retention support.
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) (408) 894-9041 Offers independent living skills such as resume writing, interviewing skills, and basic computer skills.
Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (650) 858-0202 The Independent Immersion Program provides guidance and orientation, adaptive living skills, assistive technology training, and travel training (orientation and mobility).

Housing and Rental Assistance

Alta Housing
(650) 321-9709
Fosters, develops, acquires, rehabilitates, and operates affordable housing, including Sheridan Apartments, an affordable complex for persons with a disability and seniors.

Housing Choice Coalition
(408) 498-5777

Works with clients to determine individualized housing plans and helps submit completed housing applications.

Independent Living Association
A resource to find quality privately-owned or operated homes and complexes that provide shared housing for adults with disabilities, including mental illness, and others who may benefit from a shared living environment.

Parents and Advocates for Remarkable Children and Adults (PARCA)
(650) 312-0730
Offers independent living residences, assisted living residences, and a weekend out-of-home respite care program.

Silicon Valley Independent Living Center
(408) 894-9041
Offers referrals for housing opportunities and provides emergency services such as one-time rent and mortgage payment assistance and move-in costs for rental deposits.

Independent Living Skills Instruction

AbilityPath (650) 259-8500
Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA) (510) 343-6670
Greater Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled (408) 248-4464
Hope Services: Independent Living Services (650) 861-3029 Services provided by referral from the San Andres Regional Center.
Parents and Advocates for Remarkable Children and Adults (PARCA) (650) 312-0730
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (408) 894-9041
Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired 650-858-0202

Interpretation

Department of Rehabilitation: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
(916) 558-5670
Services include interpreter services, audiologic and hearing aid assessments, and referrals to specialized agencies.

Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA): Interpreting Services
(510) 722-7004
Provides affordable, qualified interpreters for on-site and video communication.

Deaf Services of Palo Alto
request@dspa.org
Provides interpretation services for corporate clients.

Legal Services and Advocacy

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (800) 949-4232 Information Hotline for ADA compliance
Bay Area Legal Aid (800) 551-5554 Advocacy and Legal Services
Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA) (510) 343-6670 Information and referral and advocacy services
Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) (510) 665-8644 Advocacy and Free Legal Services
Disability Rights California (800) 776-5746 Advocacy and Information on Legal Rights
San Andreas Regional Center (408) 374-9960 Advocacy and Diagnostic Services

Parent Resources

For more parent resources visit the Child Development and Youth Special Needs page.

AbilityPath: Family Support Services
(650) 259-0189
Coordinates several monthly parent support groups in English and Spanish. Free childcare is available.

Parents Helping Parents (PHP)
(408) 727-5775
Parenting skills development, support groups, workshops, and networking.

Partners and Advocates for Remarkable Children and Adults (PARCA)
(650) 312-0730
Programs for youth and adults, support groups, and networking opportunities.

Palo Alto Adult School - Parenting and Family Classes
(650) 329-3752
Offers classes in teaching students with autism, ADHD, and other educational areas.

Schwab Learning Center - Children’s Health Council (CHC)
(650) 617-3800
Offers evaluations and assessments for suspected learning disabilities. Also provides parenting education and workshops.

San Andreas Regional Center (SARC): Santa Clara County Office
(408) 374-9960
Service-coordination and free diagnostic evaluations for those living with learning disabilities.

Rehabilitation and Habilitative Services

AbilityPath (650) 259-8500 Speech and occupational therapy for youth (ages 0-22).
AbilityPath: Stroke and Brian Injury (650) 509-9530 Stroke and brain injury services; group and one-on-one sessions.
California Children’s Services (CCS), Santa Clara County Public Health (408) 793-6200 For youth (ages 0-21) with certain diseases/diagnosis. CCS has two parts, a Nurse Case Management Program (eligibility process, navigating health systems, referrals) and a Medical Therapy Program (occupational and physical therapy, durable medical equipment consultation).
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center: Rehabilitation Center (408) 885-2032 Rehabilitation services for brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, and other disabling neurological conditions. Accepts Medicare, Medi-Cal, Health Maintenace Organizations (HMOs), Commerical Worker's Compensation, California Children's Services (CCS), and private pay.
Stanford Medicine Health Care (650) 723-5462 Rehabilitation treatments for many conditions including assistive devices and stroke. Accepts most major health insurance carriers, including Medi-Cal and Medicare.
Weingarten Children’s Center (650) 365-7500 Speech, language, and occupational therapy for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Support Organizations

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) (650) 365-4868
Multiple Sclerosis Society, Northern California (916) 927-9113
National Association for Visually Handicapped (415) 775-6284
United Cerebral Palsy Association (408) 279-3013

Therapeutic and Recreation Activities

B.O.K Ranch
(650) 366-2265
Therapeutic horseback riding program in Woodside.

Catholic Charities Handicapables Program
(408) 325-5257
Events for adults with disabilities, based in San Jose.

Easterseals Central California: Camp Harmon
(831) 681-2166
An overnight summer camp in Boulder Creek for children with developmental and/or physical disabilities.

Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC)
(415) 474-7662
Offers white water rafting, cross-country skiing, and seas kayaking trips to people with disabilities and under-resourced youth. Based in San Francisco with trips in the Bay Area and throughout California.

Jewish Family and Children’s Services: Shupin Social Club
(415) 449-3805
Offers group events for neurodiverse young adults, events are held in the San Francisco area.

Magical Bridge Playground
A playground inclusive of all ages and abilities located at Mitchell Park in Palo Alto.

Morgan Autism Center: Adult Day Program
(408) 241-8161
Activities and education for adults with autism. Clients referred by the San Andreas Regional Center.

National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT)
(650) 851-2271

Therapeutic horseback riding program in Woodside.

PARCA Recreational Experiences for all Children (REACH) Summer Program

(650) 871-8402
A summer day camp in San Bruno for children with developmental disabilities.

PARCA Family Support Services

(650) 278-1606
Offers recreational activities, services are based in Burlingame.

Shared Adventures

(831) 459-7210
Outdoor recreational activities, overnight camps, and arts activities for people with developmental and/or physical disabilities, based in Santa Cruz. Many activities are free or low-cost.

Special Olympics Northern California

(925) 944-8801
Enriches the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities through sports, education, and athlete health. Programs are at no cost to participants.

Team River Runner - Palo Alto Chapter

(207) 266-3544
Adaptive and therapeutic paddling program for veterans, active-duty military, and their families.

Camp Via West

(408) 243-7861
Youth and adult summer camp programs.

Vista Center

(650) 858-0202
Social clubs and events for the blind and visually impaired, services in Palo Alto and San Jose.

Westwind Riding Institute

(650) 947-8680
Therapeutic horseback riding program in Los Altos.