Equip for Equality‘s mission is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with disabilities. It is the federally mandated, governor-appointed protection and advocacy organization for the state of Illinois. It works to remove barriers in education, employment, housing, transportation and government services for Illinois residents and create model programs for other organizations around the country.

Equip for Equality offers assistance in areas including:

• School and education rights
• Employment rights
• Fully participating in the community and discrimination
• Leaving residential facilities
• Legal services and more

For more information or to request help, call (312) 341-0022 or (800) 537-2632. You can also complete Equip for Equality’s Online Intake Form.

Bright Futures is a national child health initiative focused on prevention and health promotion for infants, children, adolescents and their families.

The Bright Futures website provides a number of resources for children, teens and families and information to help families build a strong partnership with their healthcare providers.

The Transition Coalition provides professional development tools and technical assistance to professionals and families supporting students with disabilities in transition to adulthood planning. Resources include webinars, on-line training modules, study guides and free publications.

Illinois’ Early Intervention Service System serves children between the ages of birth to 3 with disabilities or developmental delays to help them learn and grow. The program evaluates infants and toddlers to see if there is a delay in:

• Movement
• Learning
• Dealing with others
• Behavior and/or
• Self-help skills

If a child needs services, the program helps families write an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to set goals and identify needs. Families, with the support of Early Intervention providers, help their infants and toddlers reach their goals.

Use the DHS Office Locator to find an Early Intervention Child and Family Connections office in your local area. You can also call the Illinois Automated Helpline at (800) 323-4769

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Newborn Screening Program consists of screening and follow-up for disorders identified through testing a dried blood spot, as well as hearing screening and pulse oximetry screening. Newborn screening is typically performed within 24 to 48 hours of life to detect conditions or disorders in newborns soon after birth. These tests can help determine if a newborn has a condition or disease that can be improved with early treatment.

IDPH also offers information about genomics and genetic services, including:

• Information on understanding genetic conditions
• Genetic counseling
• Where to find genetic services and more

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s ADA.gov website provides information and assistance to help people with disabilities, state and local governments, and businesses understand their legal rights and responsibilities under the ADA.

The ADA.gov website includes:

• An introduction to the ADA
• Guidance and resource materials on a range of topics, including service animals, parking and more
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• Fact sheets, legal documents and how to report violations

For questions, please call the ADA Information Line at 1 (800) 514-0301 or 1 (833) 610-1264 (TTY).

The All Kids program offers many Illinois children comprehensive healthcare that includes doctors visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care and medical devices like eyeglasses and asthma inhalers. Some families pay monthly premiums for the coverage, but rates for middle-income families are significantly lower than they are on the private market. Low-income working families may qualify for help in paying insurance premiums.

ERIC is an online library of education research and information, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education.

The Illinois.gov website provides information about all the different services that various Illinois state agencies offer.

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) offers support, information and a variety of events for clinicians, researchers, patients and families affected by rare diseases.

NORD’s Resource Center provides patients and caregivers with free webinars, fact sheets, infographics, support and advocacy groups links, and referrals for rare disorders.

NORD’s RareCare Program website provides a list of financial assistance programs that can help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford.

NORD’s State Resource Center contains local, state and national organizations listed by state or by topic offering free or low-cost services for people impacted by rare diseases.

NORD’s free, self-paced online course “From Records to Research: Making Sense of Health Data for Rare Diseases” provides help for understanding health data, research participation and how both contribute to improving treatments and care. The course is available:

• In English
• In Spanish