Parents with Disabilities

This book list highlights children’s books that feature parents and families with disabilities. The collection helps children see a variety of family experiences while promoting understanding, inclusion, and positive representation of disability. These books can be a great way for families, educators, and caregivers to start conversations about disability, celebrate different ways of parenting, and help children see that loving families come in many forms. 

This page provides a sampling of books by families with disabilities. They include memoirs, autobiographies, and collections of stories by parents with disabilities or those serving in the parent role. Stories share pregnancy and/or parenting journeys. Children of parents with disabilities also offer their stories of growing up with a parent with a disability.

The Disabled Parenting Project is an online community created by and for parents with disabilities and people who are thinking about becoming parents. It offers practical information, adaptive parenting ideas, personal stories, and opportunities to connect with other disabled parents. The website also includes resources for healthcare providers and professionals to help them better support disabled parents. Its goal is to promote inclusion, reduce stigma, and ensure that disabled parents have access to the information, community, and support they need to thrive.

IATP’s mission is to provide Illinoisans of all ages, including early learners, with disabilities and health conditions greater access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services so that they may enhance their independence and participation in all aspects of life. To achieve this, IATP offers numerous assistive technology programs and services to learn about and try AT devices. IATP also provides training, technical assistance, and a variety of contracted services including professional AT evaluations.

The website offers easy-to-understand information on parenting, disability rights, family support, child welfare, adaptive parenting, and healthcare. Families can also find webinars, fact sheets, research summaries, and practical resources designed to help parents make informed decisions, advocate for their rights, and connect with support. The Center works alongside disabled parents to ensure its resources reflect their experiences and priorities.

This webpage explains the legal rights of parents with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It helps parents understand their rights when working with schools and other public services. The page also describes common forms of disability discrimination, the responsibility of organizations to provide reasonable accommodations, and where families can find help if they believe their rights have been violated. It includes fact sheets, guidance documents, and additional resources to support parents and professionals.

Through the Looking Glass provides direct services, information, and referral to a diverse group of parents with disabilities, and their families, including parents with physical and visual disabilities, parents with hearing differences, parents with intellectual or other cognitive disabilities, and parents with diverse medical conditions. They assist with adaptive equipment, child custody issues, and more.