Transition Tools

Healthcare Resources

• Lifespan Disability Clinic in Chicago

   UI Health’s Lifespan Disability Clinic provides one-stop, comprehensive primary care for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Lifespan Disability Clinic is a welcoming space that aims to collaborate with each individual to achieve their personal goals, such as obtaining appropriate accommodations, coordinating care and supporting the transition to adulthood.

  The Lifespan Disability Clinic has two locations. Services include:

  • Primary care (routine health exams)
  • Support for the transition to adulthood
  • Care coordination
  • Education and resources

• Charting the LifeCourse Nexus Training and Technical Resource Center

  Charting the LifeCourse Nexus or LifeCourse Nexus framework was developed by families to help individuals with disabilities at any age or stage of life and their families develop a vision for a good life. LifeCourse Nexus provides free infographics, YouTube videos and step-by-step tip sheets to help people of all ages and abilities with identifying their dreams and desires, thinking about what they need to know and do, identifying how to find or develop supports, and discovering what it takes to live the lives they want to live.

  The LifeCourse Nexus Library features a wide range of downloadable materials to help with the transition from school to community, including:

  • Person-centered tools for exploring your desires and unique needs
  • The family perspective booklet and tip sheets
  • Kits (The Life Domains) focusing on life stages and exploring employment, healthy living, housing options and other areas
  • Videos and step-by-step tip sheets on using the Integrated Supports Star tools to bring everything together

• The Center for Chronic Illness

  The Center for Chronic Illness (CCI) is a nonprofit organization offering support and education to promote well-being and decrease isolation for people affected by chronic illness. CCI offers adults and teens living with chronic illness a variety of support groups and programs focusing on emotional well-being, health education and community. ​CCI provides:

  • Chronic illness support groups for adults and teens
  • Supporting loved ones and parenting children with health challenges support groups
  • BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ support groups
  • Health education programs
  • Resources
  • Events

independence Resources

• Illinois Assistive Technology Program

  The Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) provides expertise in assistive technology and accessible information technology to all Illinois residents of all ages with disabilities and/or health conditions including family members, friends and caregivers.

  IATP provides assistive technology demonstrations and allows people to see, try and borrow devices before making a purchasing decision. IATP also allows people to donate or obtain gently used assistive technology devices.

  IATP also offers classes and help in finding the right AT devices for your needs:

  • Tech Kitchen offers cooking classes in a home-style kitchen showcasing accessibility and adapted tools. Classes are for individuals 14 and up with any disability.
  • Smart Home Technology features a five-room interactive Smart Home display highlighting home automation. Experts in assistive technology can discuss your needs and help you compare different AT devices. This program focuses on serving individuals receiving services from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS-DRS).
  • IATP Makers provides custom AT devices and open-source 3D printer files for Illinois residents.

• Illinois Life Span Program

  The Illinois Life Span (ILS) Program is a program of The Arc of Illinois that provides statewide resources and information, focused on developmental disability services and supports.

  Its website includes a resource locator that can help you find resources in your county and statewide.

  You can call ILS at (800) 588-7002.

• Transition Planning Committee for McLean, Dewitt and Logan Counties

  The Transition Planning Committee (TPC) for McLean, Dewitt and Logan Counties provides a wide range of resources to support students with disabilities and help their families navigate the transition to adulthood and life after high school. The resources are also helpful for educators and community members who are helping students and young adults build skills and explore their options after high school. The committee’s resources include:

  • Education and training programs
  • Support and mental health services
  • Transportation and employment
  • Legal and financial help
  • Recreation and social opportunities
  • Prioritization of Urgent Need for Services (PUNS)
  • Housing and developmental training

work Resources

• Arts of Life

  Arts of Life is a non-profit organization offering an artistic community and work environment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicagoland pursuing a career in art. Art of Life has three professional art studios. Artists have their own studio space and work independently from individualized project plans or receive one-to-one visual arts help to increase their artistic skill set. Artists earn a monthly stipend for participating in the program and bonuses based on personal annual art sales.

  Arts of Life offers opportunities for artists to work in one of its professional studios, in classes at partner art centers or in their homes. It brings together artists from 40-plus zip codes to work in community in West Town, Woodlawn, Glenview, Evanston, and Highland Park.

• Junior Achievement USA and Illinois Chapters

  Junior Achievement USA (JA) helps young people own their economic success, plan for their future and make smart academic and economic choices. The organization offers educational materials for schools and other organizations and hands-on learning experiences for students focusing on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. JA Connect also provides online self-guided activities to help students learn, apply and practice new skills. JA outreach in Illinois also includes:

  • Junior Achievement of Central Illinois Inc.
  • Junior Achievement of Chicago
  • Junior Achievement of the Heartland

• Goodwill Career Center

  The Goodwill Career Center offers free, one-on-one guidance to help you gain employment and reach your career goals. In-person and online resources are available to learn about training programs, how to fill out job applications, prep for interviews or get trained in new skills. Services may vary by location.

  Find a Goodwill Career Center near you using their locator tool.