Everyone considering a move to a new town has questions about what it is like to live in that town on a daily basis. For families with a child or adult with a disability, the inquiry necessarily includes topics such as special education, special services and therapies, universally accessible recreation, medical facilities, support networks, etc. If these issues are of concern for you and your family, the following links will help you get started. This list is just a taste of what’s available – please feel free to call or email me with any questions and for additional information.
RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
Montclair Child Development Center’s Head Start/Early Head Start (inclusion program for children with special needs ages 3 months to 5 years)
Carolyn Lane (973) 748-5901 or carolynlane@att.net
Montclair Developmental Learning Center (public preschool for children with special needs)
Linda Colucci – (973) 509-4208
http://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/WebPage.aspx?Id=552
Montclair State University Children’s Center (inclusive childcare and Early Intervention center for children of differing abilities from birth through age five)
(973) 655-7177
http://cehs.montclair.edu/academic/childrenscenter/index.shtml
Special Eduation Parent Advisory Council of Montclair
www.montclairspecialeducationpac.org
ARC of Essex County
(973) 771-0580
SPAN – Statewide Parent Advocacy Network
www.spannj.org
NJCIE -New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education
www.njcie.org
New Jersey DDD – Department of Human Services Division of Developmental
Disabilities, Community Services for Essex County
(973) 693-5080
RECREATIONAL
Universal Playground at Edgemont Memorial Park (full playground with universal access for children of all ages and abilities)
Valley Road (just south of Watchung), Montclair, NJ
Montclair YMCA (offers a wide variety of programs, including swim lessons and workout “buddy” program)
Robin Mitchell (buddy program) (973)-744-3400
www.montclairymca.org
Ashley’s Soccer Domain (multiple sport programs for children of all abilities and various ages)
14 Depot Square, Montclair, NJ
http://www.sdamontclair.com/Montclair/Special-Need…
Montclair United Soccer
Chris Harnett (973) 783-1804 (TOPS program)
www.montclairsoccer.com
Montclair Baseball Club (weekend programs in the spring and fall for children of all abilities)
Steve Singer (973) 509-1092
www.montclairbaseballclub.com
Cornerstone Montclair (A leader and community partner committed to empowering people of all abilities to be included as active participants in the vibrancy of Montclair.) http://cornerstonemontclair.com/
Top Soccer (The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl who is challenged by a broad spectrum of disabilities, ranging from physical challenges to cognitive disorders. Our goal is to enable all young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the MUSC family.) http://www.montclairsoccer.com/Default.aspx?tabid=91651
Sunday Friends and Fun (social recreational program for children ages 3-9) with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition, they provide a Parents’ Room and a bi-monthly sibling support group.
YM-YWHA of North Jersey in Wayne
Barbara Zitcer (973) 595-0100, ext. 247 or zitcerb@ymha-nj.org
www.ymha-nj.org/youth.htm#special
JCC in West Orange (social and recreational programming for special needs children)
Amy Sigona at Asigona@jccmetrowest.org
Spectra Academy (social skills training through art and drama programs for children and adolescents with Asperger’s disorder, high functioning autism and related social pragmatic difficulties, ages 8-16)
Alev Erdi, PhD (973) 783-7891 or host@spectra-academy.org
www.spectra-academy.org
Montclair Music Studio
Contact: (973) 783-4330
www.montclairmusic.com
Rocking Horse Rehab (hippotherapy)
www.rockinghorserehab.com
NJAPE (Adapted Physical Education and Inclusive Movement Services)
http://njape.org/
Theatre Access NYC (Theatre Access NYC provides assistance to theatregoers with disabilities. Those who are hard of hearing or deaf, have low vision or are blind, who cannot climb stairs or who require aisle seating or wheelchair locations, who are on the autism spectrum or have other developmental or cognitive disabilities now have one great place to find out everything you need to know to choose a show, buy tickets and plan your trip to Broadway.) http://www.theatreaccessnyc.org/
