Reach Out and Read provides resources for families as well as information and training for pediatricians and clinicians working with children with disabilities. The nationwide program focuses on increasing literacy by helping all families learn how to build literacy skills by talking, reading, and singing with their babies from birth.

Reach Out and Read offers resources for families, pediatricians and clinicians, including:

• Tips for reading, booklists and more for families with young children
• Training opportunities for clinicians on building connections, understanding disabilities and more
• Current research and podcast

The Discovery Center Museum is a fully accessible, nationally recognized children’s museum in Rockford, featuring over 300 hands-on exhibits. It follows the Smithsonian Institute’s accessibility guidelines, providing ramps, accessible restrooms, an elevator, and ample space around exhibits. An adult changing table and wheelchairs are also available. Guests can explore ways to make bubbles, a calm space, a giant soft brick playland, and a multi-sensory space to discover the science of optics and light.

To learn more, contact information@discoverycentermuseum.org or call (815) 963-6769.

Lifeway Mobility offers a comprehensive list of various accessibility funding sources in Chicagoland, northwest Indiana and southeast Wisconsin. The guide provides information on organizations and other resources that may be able to help you pay for a stair lift, ramp or other accessibility solution.

You must contact the individual organizations directly for specific details. Please use the information provided to contact the organization/option listed.

YMCA of Metro Chicago provides a wide range of day, overnight, family and winter camping activities for all abilities. YMCA’s Camp MacLean and YMCA Camp Duncan offer campers endless adventures, joy and an opportunity to build confidence, leadership skills and independence. YMCA camps offer activities that challenge both the mind and body, supportive staff and a welcoming community where campers connect and feel empowered. Overnight summer camps registration usually opens in late November. Day camp registration usually opens in early January.

Learn about YMCA of Metro Chicago camps, including:

• YMCA Camp Duncan
• YMCA Camp MacLean
• YMCA Camp Independence
• YMCA Summer Day Camp
• YMCA Family Camp Nawakwa – A year-round family place
• YMCA Camp Pinewood

Mercy Housing is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing. Mercy Housing offers affordable rental properties in the Chicago area to low- and moderate-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Its programs include:

• Supportive housing for the formerly unhoused
• Transitional housing
• Permanent rental
• Affordable homeownership

Each Mercy Housing community has its own leasing office and its own application process. Use the search tool to find a list of communities and search by city. If you have general questions about low-income assistance, please contact the corporate office at (866) 338-0557.

Renaissance Social Services helps prevent and end homelessness for vulnerable Chicagoans, including individuals and families living with disabling conditions. It partners with landlords across Chicago to provide safe and affordable housing for its participants.

Renaissance also provides participants a range of services, including prevention, outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health care, and clinical case management.

To find housing placement with Renaissance, you must first register with the Chicago Coordinated Entry System (CES). Learn more and register with CES by visiting the Coordinated Entry System and access points to complete a housing assessment.

For more details about Renaissance Social Services, call (773) 645-8900 or visit the Renaissance contact page.

Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford offers community-based, comprehensive services and supports to individuals in the city of Chicago, surrounding suburban Cook County, and the Rockford area. Programs focusing on early learning and disability services include autism services and supports, diagnostic services, early intervention and education programs, teen and young parent services, respite care, employment opportunities, and additional support services.

Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford services and programs include:

• Family support and respite services
• Harry’s Buttons and Threads (HB Threads) offering employment opportunities, job training, and life skills development for individuals with disabilities
• Teen and young parent family support, resources and doula services
• The Autism Program (TAP) at Easterseals serving families in JoDaviess, Lake, Stephenson, Boone, Winnebago, McHenry, and Northern Ogle counties.
• The Illinois Autism Partnership at Easterseals offering programming support for organizations. Resources include the Activities of Daily Living Toolkit.

For more information, visit the Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford’s website contact page.

Spectrum Sailing is a nonprofit organization that provides sailing camps for children aged 10 to 17 with autism. Camp sessions in Chicago typically take place in June. The three-day experience includes learning about the boat’s parts, how to tie knots, and how to sail.

Check Spectrum Sailing’s website for the application and camp deadlines. For any questions about the Spectrum Sailing program or sessions, please call (847) 863-3059 or email info@spectrumsailing.org.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA (SVdP) fosters personal relationships and service to people in need. Local SVdP Councils and Conferences, located in rural, suburban, and urban communities, provide rental and utility assistance, food pantries, charitable pharmacies, day centers, transitional housing for people with disabilities and veterans, thrift stores and more.

SVdP has chapters throughout Illinois. To find help near you, contact SVdP or ask your local Catholic church if they have a Society of St. Vincent de Paul chapter.

Several Illinois theaters offer movie showings with the lights up, lower sound and the freedom to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing. Visit the following sites to find more details and a theater near you:

• • AMC and the Autism Society’s Sensory Friendly Films
  • Reel Movies for Real Needs
  • Studio Movie Grill’s Special Needs Screenings