“If we as a community don't step up to help eachother, then who will?”

Kathy Grimes

Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies

CCIDS brings together the resources of the university and Maine communities to enhance the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Our statewide mission is met through interdisciplinary education, research and evaluation, community engagement, and dissemination of state-of-the-art information that reflect the guiding principles of inclusion, diversity, universal design and access, and social justice.

Visit CCIDS

MDOL Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, also known as “VR,” is a Department of Labor program that helps people who have disabilities to get and keep a job. VR helps people who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.

Visit DVR Site

Maine CITE

“The Maine Department of Education’s Maine CITE Program is designed to help make assistive technology more available to Maine children, adults and seniors who need them.

Administered by the Maine Department of Education and funded by the federal Administration for Community Living.”

Visit Maine CITE

Speaking Up For Us

“Speaking Up For Us (SUFU) is run by and for adults (maybe like you) who live with developmental disabilities.

SUFU shows us how to have more control of our lives, and use our voices to “Speak Up” for issues that are important to us and all people with disabilities.

And … we do have FUN!”

Learn About SUFU

Learning Disabilities Association of America

“LDA Visualizes a World in Which: all individuals with learning disabilities are empowered to thrive and participate fully in society; the incidence of learning disabilities is reduced; and learning disabilities are universally understood and effectively addressed. LDA’s mission is to create opportunities for success for all individuals affected by learning disabilities and to reduce the incidence of learning disabilities in future generations.”

Learn About LDAA

Autism Society of Maine

“The purposes of the Autism Society of Maine are:

  • To promote and advocate for the general welfare of individuals with autism;
  • To promote family and community support;
  • To help the community develop a better understanding of the problems of individuals with autism;
  • To further the advancement of all ameliorative and preventive study, research, therapy, care and cure of individuals with autism;
  • To promote the education, training, and vocational opportunities of individuals with autism and to foster the development of integrated care on their behalf;
  • To promote the establishment of adequate diagnostic, therapeutic, educational and recreational facilities for individuals with autism;
  • To serve as a clearing house for gathering and disseminating information regarding persons with autism and act as a public information and referral service for autism spectrum disorders;
  • To further the education and training of parents and professional personnel working with, educating, and caring for individuals with autism.”
Visit ASM Site

PSL Strive

“We at PSL Services/STRIVE are committed to being part of the community and assisting people with emotional and intellectual disabilities to live with dignity and respect as active members of our community. At PSL Services/STRIVE we work with the individuals who have selected us to support them in the life they have chosen.”

Visit PSL Strive Site