The Library has both resources for people with disabilities and tools to educate people about numerous types of disabilities. Find hundreds of books on disabilities, including collections for children in grades K-3 and grades 3-6, as well as Adaptive Technology Kits, Sensory Kits and a Sensory Room, large print books, audiobooks, and numerous resources to assist those with special needs.
Table of Contents
Accessibility Resources at the Library General Special Needs Cognitive, Intellectual, and Developmental Deaf and Hard of Hearing Blindness and Vision Loss
Reach out to a librarian with any questions or for one-on-one assistance navigating these resources!
Call 574-282-4646
Email library@sjcpl.org
Visit any library location
Accessibility Resources at the Library
Adaptive Technology Kits
Adaptive Technology Kits include: large print keyboards, hearing loops, noise reduction headphones, and communication boards, and can be used for tele-meetings or on public computers.
Sensory Kits and Sensory Room
Every branch location has a sensory kit created by Lighthouse Autism Center. When a person becomes overstimulated, the items in the kit can help to calm and relax the individual.
General Special Needs
Busy Hands of Michiana
920 S 23rd St FL B,
South Bend, IN 46615
(574) 234-2515
office@busyhandsofmichiana.org
Busy Hands of Michiana is a volunteer organization that serves counties in both Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. Materials made by volunteers are donated to several agencies in Michiana serving people with special needs including: occupational therapists, special needs programs, cancer groups, veteran groups, nursing homes, hospice nurses, and SJCPL.
Camp Millhouse
25600 Kelly Rd
South Bend, IN 46614
campmillhouse@gmail.com
Camp Millhouse creates a nurturing environment for children and adults with disabilities, providing a multitude of activities throughout the summer. In addition to their regular staff, they welcome volunteers.
Children’s Dispensary & Hospital
812 E. Lasalle Ave
South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 234-1169
The Children’s Dispensary seeks to “enhance the learning and enrich the lives of individuals with special needs.” They provide programs and experiences intended to develop friendships, build social skills and self-esteem, and enrich learning. They welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, experiences, and interests.
COVID-19: The Children’s Dispensary facilities offer remote volunteering as well as virtual programming.
Hannah and Friends
51250 Hollyhock Road
South Bend, IN 46637
(561) 568-0084
Hannah and Friends is a nonprofit organization serving children and adults with special needs. They are dedicated to raising awareness, offering recreational programs, and supporting families. They operate a grant program for families with individuals with special needs. There are also opportunities for volunteers. Hannah and Friends is now owned by LOGAN Center.
Indiana Department of Education: Office of Special Education
Indiana Government Center North, 9th Floor
100 N Senate Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
specialeducation@doe.in.gov
The Office of Special Education strives to improve outcomes for students and provide equitable access. They compile data each year, help mediate disputes, and have a compiled list of parent resources.
IN*SOURCE
701 North Niles Avenue, Suite 110
South Bend, IN 46617
800-332-4433
insource@insource.org
IN*SOURCE provides resources and training to ensure effective education and appropriate serves for people with disabilities. They have parent and professional training classes, as well as legal and educational resources. Volunteers are welcomed.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Commerce Center
401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 270
South Bend, IN 46617
574-232-4861
Vocational Rehabilitation is a service provided by the Family and Social Service Administration to help people with disabilities in Indiana achieve their employment goals. Services include job coaching, providing assistive technology, and support for career advancement, and other services.
Cognitive, Intellectual, and Developmental
Adaptive Solutions, LLC
750 Lincolnway East
South Bend, IN 46601
574-786-0088
Info@adaptivebx.com
Adaptive Solutions provides ABA therapy services to people in the South Bend and Rochester areas. Clients can receive an assessment which includes interviews, testing, and a treatment plan.
ADEC
19670 State Rd 120
Bristol, IN 46507
574-848-2440
ADEC advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all walks of life. Some of their services include therapy, day services, summer camps, guardianship, transportation, residential, and skills training.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana
111 Sunnybrook Ct
Roseland, IN 46637
574-232-4235
The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana is a not-for profit organization and a division of REAL Services, which provides education, support, and training for families with individuals experiencing Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Autism Society of Indiana
10255 Commerce Drive, Suite 164
Carmel, IN 46032
(800) 609-8449
info@inautism.org
The Autism Society of Indiana helps to ensure all Indiana families affected by autism receive high quality services. They offer individual and family support, direct care, and career services. More resources and events can be found on their site.
The Clubhouse of St. Joseph County
1153 Northside Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46615
Phone: (574) 360-8409
The Clubhouse is a “community of support for people with mental illness,” which provides adults with opportunities to work, learn, and socialize.
Lighthouse Autism Center
South Bend Center
1827 E Ireland Rd
South Bend, Indiana 46614
574-406-0408
The Lighthouse Autism Center provides therapeutic services for children with autism.
LOGAN Center
2505 E. Jefferson Boulevard
South Bend, IN 46615
574-289-4831
Logan Center supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through various services including: behavioral supports, family supports, employment placement, recreation, social opportunities, and autism services.
Sonya Ansari Center for Autism
2505 E. Jefferson Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46615
574-289-4831
logan@logancenter.org
The Sonya Ansari Center for Autism is run through Logan Center and provides services, resources, and training for those who serve both adults and children with autism.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Bethel University – Department of Sign Language Interpreting
1001 Bethel Circle
Mishawaka, IN 46545
574-807-7000
Bethel University’s Department of Sign Language Interpreting includes a Deaf Studies major, a Sign Language Interpreting major, and an American Sign Language minor.
Community Services with All Deaf
6910 North Main Street, Building 9
Granger, IN 46530
(574) 247-6047
CSAD is a non-profit organization from the Department of Health for the deaf that serves several counties in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan, providing sign language interpreters, case management, information and referral, sign language classes, and in-service training.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (IN.gov)
402 W. Washington St., MS 23 IGCS – W453
Indianapolis, IN 46204
DHHSHelp@fssa.IN.gov
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is a program through the Family Social Services Administration through the State of Indiana. They have compiled resources on standards and education, case management, accessible technology, and sign language videos.
Goshen College – Sign Language Interpreting Major
1700 South Main Street
Goshen, Indiana 46526
(574) 535-7000
Goshen College offers a Sign Language Interpreting major and a Deaf Studies minor.
Hearing Aid Assistance Program of Indiana (HAAPI)
4740 Kingsway Drive Suite 33
Indianapolis IN, 46205
317-828-0211
HAAPI provides 300 hearing aids each year for children in Indiana who are eligible. Priority is given to children under the age of 14.
Indiana Lions Speech and Hearing, INC.
Riley Hospital, 575, Riley Hospital Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
The Indiana Lions Speech and Hearing is a project of the Indiana State Lions, intended to assist people with speech and hearing impairments in the State of Indiana. They provide loaner hearing aids for children and low-cost hearing aids for adults who qualify based on financial need. Additionally, they provide a scholarship for students enrolled in Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, and American Sign Language programs and run a Deaf children’s camp.
South Bend Clinic – Audiology
211 North Eddy Street
South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 234-8161
The Audiology of South Bend Clinic provides diagnosis and treatment for hearing disorders, including services such as hearing evaluation, cochlear implants, newborn and pediatric evaluations, assistive listening devices, and a variety of testing.
Blindness and Vision Loss
Blind and Visually Impaired Services of Indiana
The Blind and Visually Impaired Services of Indiana, through IN.gov, has compiled a list of resources and accessibility information for the blind and visually impaired.
Boling Vision Center: Kindness to Prevent Blindness
17900 Ireland Rd.
South Bend, IN 46614
(574) 293-3545
The Boling Vision Center’s community outreach program, “Kindness to Prevent Blindness” is comprised of community volunteers who provide free vision screenings, exams, and glasses for grades 1, 3, 5, and 8 in Elkhart Schools and St. Joseph County Schools.
Indiana State Library: Talking Book and Braille Library
140 N. Senate Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-3684
The Indiana State Library’s Braille and Talking Book Library provide free access to braille books, digital audio books, large print books, audio magazines, and special playback equipment for patrons with visual impairments or physical disabilities. Fill out an application for free library service.
National Federation for the Blind – Indiana
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
410-659-9314
nfb@nfb.org
The National Federation of the Blind offers a multitude of resources for people who are blind, losing vision, and their families, including: advocacy and education, scholarships, braille certification, guide dog resources, and much more.
