This Sunday is Mother’s Day in the US when we celebrate moms of all stripes, including moms with disabilities and moms of children with disabilities. According to the National Council on Disability, there are more than 4.1 million parents with disabilities in the US. About five percent of children under 17 have a disability and often their main caregiver is a parent. Statistically, women (moms) are more likely to take on the caregiving role for either a child or an aging family member like their own parents or grandparents. On top of taking care of their families, moms with and without disabilities may also be out in the workforce. In other words: Moms are superheroes, and every mom deserves a huge Thank You!
To say “thanks” we turned to the NIDILRR grantee community and the greater disability and rehabilitation community to gather a “bouquet” of resources to support moms (and dads) for all the amazing things they do for us:
The National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities and Their Families conducts research and develops programs and products to support parents with disabilities, as well as the legal and health professionals who work with these parents. Among their resources you’ll find:
- Advice from parents for parents
- Information about parental rights across the US
- Resources for researchers who want to work with parents with disabilities.
The Family Support Research and Training Center focuses on the needs and experiences of families who provide support to children and adults with disabilities over the life course. Visit their website to find:
- Research briefs and focused reports on many aspects of family caregiving
- Parents Taking Action webinar
The Northwest Spinal Cord Injury System Center has a long history of hosting discussion panels with people with SCI and health practitioners. These recorded SCI Forums cover a wide array of topics including:
- The ABCs of Parenting with an SCI
- Women with SCI – Health and Wellness: Opportunities and Challenges
A little technology can go a long way to helping a parent with a disability. Check out AbleData’s AT for Parenting with a Disability to see how technology fits in the family.
Parents with and without disabilities may also find these resources helpful from our partners in the community:
The National Council on Disability (NCD) published a landmark study called Rocking the Cradle: Ensuring the Rights of Parents with Disabilities and Their Children. The lengthy report details the disability law framework, civil rights of parents with disabilities, the child welfare system, family law, access to adaptive services and technology, and much more. Out of this report, NCD and the Reeve Paralysis Center developed the Parenting with a Disability Toolkit.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources is a Dept. of Education-sponsored information hub supporting the parent centers who serve families of children with disabilities. You’ll find webinars, events, publications, and resources, plus a comprehensive list of Parent Centers across the US.
Are you interested in research in this area? Try these links to explore our REHABDATA index of literature (search results may overlap):
Parenting with a disability (all)
Mothers/motherhood/maternal (NIDILRR-funded H133* and 90*)
Mothers/motherhood/maternal (General US search)
Mothers/motherhood/maternal (International research)
Parents/parenting (NIDILRR-funded H133* and 90*)
Parents/parenting (General US search)
Parents/parenting (International research)
Contact an information specialist if we can help you find more research or resources on parenting, caregiving, or any other topic!
Collection Spotlight from the National Rehabilitation Information Center 