Initiative aims to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Equip for Equality’s Employment Rights Helpline is a new service that provides free advice for employees and job seekers in Illinois. This initiative, made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust, aims to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Illinois.

The helpline staff can:

• Discuss your rights under the ADA
• Answer your employment rights questions
• Assist with reasonable accommodation requests
• Help you understand your options
• Share fact sheets, sample letters and forms
• Provide referrals
• Offer other assistance as needed

Contact information for the helpline:
Voice/Relay: (844) RIGHTS-9 (toll-free) or (844) 744-4879 (toll-free)
TTY: (800) 610-2779 (tty)
Email: employment@equipforequality.org
Web: http://www.equipforequality.org/employment

Peoria practice earns national distinction for its teamwork and focus on patients.

The University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria is pleased to announce that its University Pediatrics practice has earned Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for using evidence-based, patient-centered care.

The NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the healthcare system.

University Pediatrics is the only fully academic model of primary pediatric out-patient health care management available in the Peoria area. All of the clinicians are faculty of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria and each holds the highest level of certification. University Pediatrics also is the only practice in the area whose clinicians see their own patients who have been hospitalized.

The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) partners with private and public agencies across the state to promote the high national standards of care for children with special healthcare needs. DSCC staff worked with University Pediatrics’ quality improvement team to help achieve the NCQA recognition.

To learn more about this recognition and University Pediatrics, click here.

Museum provides accommodations for visitors with accessibility needs.

The DuPage Children’s Museum designates the third Thursday of each month as a time for families of children with special needs (e.g., mobility, visual impairments and autism spectrum) to enjoy the museum. Accommodations are made so all children can participate in general programs, and resources are available to help visitors structure their visit.

Reduced membership/daily admission for all families with an Illinois Medicaid card is as follows: $2 daily admission per person with your Medicaid card (proof of All Kids/Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services insurance) or $10 for a family membership for a year.

All siblings are invited to attend special needs nights. Caregivers, such as nurses or therapists, are admitted free with an employee ID.

Upcoming special needs nights are Feb. 16, March 16 and April 20.

For more information, visit https://dupagechildrens.org/visit/accessibility/.

Helpful instructions for how to create an IEP binder for your child.

Understood.org features an effective way that you can organize your child’s individualized education program (IEP) materials to better track progress and improve communication with their IEP team. A parent advocate and former teacher gives step-by-step instructions for how to create an IEP binder that sorts your child’s evaluation reports, IEP, report cards and other paperwork.

The article includes an IEP binder checklist, school contact sheet, parent-school communication log and IEP goal tracker that you can download and print for your own binder.

Read more here.

The health care law has improved coverage for both children with disabilities and their parents.

Recent reports from the Urban Institute show how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has improved health care coverage for special needs children and their families.

One report notes that children are more likely to have health insurance when their parents are also covered. This coverage often means conditions are diagnosed earlier and that families are more likely to utilize preventive services, such as developmental screenings and immunizations.

Read more about how families are making the most of their coverage and other benefits under the ACA at the Family Voices blog.

Your child will still receive the same vaccinations, but your provider will bill your All Kids insurance differently.

The Illinois Department of Pubic Health announced changes coming to the way providers bill insurance for vaccinations. Although families should not see a change in the vaccinations your child receives, it will change the way providers are reimbursed for those vaccinations.

If your provider has any questions about how to bill for your child’s vaccinations, please have them call the Illinois Department of Public Health at (217) 786-7500.

View the provider notice.

 

 

Special movie showings for guests and families living with autism or other speical needs.

AMC has partnered with the Autism Society to launch the Sensory Friendly Film Program, a national organization which aims to improve the lives of those affected by autism.

Participating AMC theatres will provide family-friendly movie showings where “you can feel free to be you.”  Lights will be turned up and the sound turned down.  Movie goers can “get up, dance, walk around, shout or sing.”

For a list of showings, times and participanting theatres visit the AMC Sensory Friendly Films website.

Several federal and state sites have accessible areas and programs.

For over 2000 federal recreation sites, a lifetime pass is available for people with disabilities. The pass offers free entry to sites that normally charge a fee and discounts on other services like camping, beach access, and tours. Passes are valid at federal recreation sites, including National Parks! To obtain an application or see where to go in person to request a pass, visit the Access Pass Overview at www.recreation.gov.

You can also enjoy the outdoors through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Disabled Outdoor Opportunities Program. It offers opportunities for accessible hunting and fishing. The program also aims to

• eliminate barriers to participation
• expand the use of trails, picnic areas, boat launches, and camping sites
• develop more accessible restrooms and shower houses

Do you have suggestions for the Disabled Outdoor Opportunities Program? Contact Jay Williams at (618) 435-8138 x130.

Old Capitol Farmer’s Market can double the value of your SNAP benefit!

When you shop Springfield’s Old Capitol Farmer’s Market, turn your SNAP benefit into double value tokens. As an example, the market can scan your card for $10 and give you $20 in tokens.

Double value tokens are good toward the purchase of whole, unprocessed produce. Any tokens you don’t spend can be held and used next time you visit the market.

To purchase tokens, stop by the market booth at 4th and Adams. Market hours are Wednesdays 3:00pm-6:30pm and Saturdays 8:00am-12:30pm.

For more information, view the SNAP farmers market flyer.

ComEd launched a utility assistance program for those facing unexpected medical expenses

The HEAL program helps ComEd customers pay their electric bill when they experience unexpected medical expenses. HEAL comes from the Hospital-Based Energy Assistance and Long-Term Health and aims to provide funds to eligible customers facing unforeseen hospitalizations or long-term outpatient care.

Assistance is offered to military families, veterans, senior citizens and people who have experienced job loss, illness or disability.  Assistance is also available to non-profit organizations experiencing hardship. ComEd helped more than 22,000 customers with financial grants last year.

For more information, visit ComEd.com/CARE or call (888) 806-2273.