August 2017

The Disability Resource Library (DRL) provides educational information and resource materials to individuals with disabilities, family members, and practitioners throughout the state of West Virginia.

Resources available to loan include:

• Fiction and Non-fiction Books (children, adolescent and adult)
• Reference Materials
• DVDs
• Assistive technology devices & adapted toys
• Teaching and training curricula
• Demonstration kits and Medical models
• Disability Awareness Puppets

With two locations and knowledgeable staff, the Disability Resource Library is committed to supporting parents, educators, and the general public in finding appropriate, quality materials and services related to disability.The libraries are free of charge for the general public throughout the state and provide an online request and mail-out service.

Parent's Corner

Paths for Parents Program

Navigating systems as a parent or caregiver of a child with disabilities can be confusing and overwhelming. The Paths for Parents program provides information and support through three unique services in effort to empower parents in becoming real partners within the medical home.Services in this program include: The Disability Resource Library, Parent Network Specialists, and Nutrition Services. To learn more, visit www.cedwvu.org.

Professional Resource

The Encyclopedia of Disability represents the first attempt to bring an authoritative reference resource to the many faces of disability. It provides a fascinating entry into the world of disability where minds are expanded, prejudices shattered, and spirits raised. The Encyclopedia answers the question: What is disability and why is it important in my life? This book is a multidisciplinary, cross-cultural, and historically grounded resource tool that guides the reader across fields, theories, debates, and practices.

Young Adult Resource

Turning Skills and Strengths into Careers for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This practical college curriculum helps students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to begin to make the transition to the next stage of life - their career. With detailed personality and skills profiling, job-hunting strategies, and interview preparation, it is an ideal textbook for ASD college programs or for student self-study.

Child Resource

This sweet-sounding music box is activated by our popular shape switch. When the child inserts the correct shapes into place, the music box plays a pleasant tune. This teaches color and shape recognition. Every shape has a post for easy manipulation. Works as a stand-alone music box or as an external switch.

A Child's Champion

Meet Teri Utt, a true child’s champion. Teri is a Parent Network Specialist in the Paths For Parents Program. She is a member of the care coordination team within the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program in the northern area of West Virginia. She is the mother of quadruplets who were born prematurely and required hospitalization in the NICU at WVU Children’s Hospital. Teri understands how confusing and frustrating it can be for parents as they try to manage their way through the educational and vocational systems. In her role as a Parent Network Specialist, Teri helps families successfully navigate the systems of care by providing information, support and one-on-one coaching in self-advocacy skills. Teri was recently recognized at the Center for Excellence in Disabilities for “Excellence in Collaboration”. She was, is, and will continue to be...a child’s champion.

The Disability Resource Library is a collaborative project between the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health, West Virginia Birth to Three, West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Special Program, and the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED).