Curb Mobility, LLC (CURB) manages Chicago’s Centralized Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxicab Dispatch Service. Passengers can call CURB or use a smartphone app to request and connect with an available WAV taxicab. Passengers can also request wheelchair accessible taxis in advance for Chicago events that may include high turnout from accessible vehicle users.

Passengers can request a CURB WAV taxicab ride by:

• Calling (888) WAV-CABS (1-888-928-2227)
• Downloading the CURB app
• Emailing a request to the City of Chicago Centralized Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab Dispatch Service, CURB, at least three business days in advance to chicagowav@gocurb.com

Pace provides a range of inclusive transportation services throughout Chicago and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) region (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry and Will counties). Pace services include free fixed route bus rides for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-certified riders, the Rideshare Access Program (RAP), ADA paratransit options and the Dial-a-Ride program throughout the suburbs.

You must reserve ADA paratransit options in advance. These options are for riders whose health condition or disability prevents them from using fixed route services.

Visit the Pace website for more information about its transportation services and training programs for people with disabilities in Chicago and the suburbs.

Little Friends provides programs and supports to empower children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work and thrive in their communities. Little Friends serves individuals and families throughout ten counties and more than 50 school districts across Illinois. Programs include:

• Schools, educational and vocational training programs
• Respite family services
• Community-based residential living
• The Center for Autism
• Inklude Studio
• The Fun Club

The Chicago Hearing Society (CHS) provides a wide range of programs to support families and connect people who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. Its services include:

• Hearing evaluations and assistive technologies
• American Sign Language classes in English and Spanish
• Community outreach and youth programs
• Interpreter services and captioning

The Kids Equipment Network (TKEN) is a non-profit organization connecting children with disabilities with new and gently-used durable, adaptive equipment at no cost. Illinois families with children from birth to 21 can fill out an application to request equipment. TKEN then seeks equipment matching the child’s needs. The family is invited to a fitting clinic when the equipment becomes available.

Volunteers provide free monthly clinics for custom-fitting equipment in Chicago and the suburbs. Families can request items including:

• Strollers
• Wheelchairs
• Bath and toilet systems
• Crutches
• Canes and more

The Ariana Rye Foundation helps children up to age 18 with developmental disabilities and complex medical medical needs get equipment to foster their social, mental and physical development. Families in need, from anywhere in the United States, can apply for help. Requests for equipment can include feeding or bath chairs, car seats, adaptive strollers, mats, wedges, specialty swings, sensory equipment and more.

The application, requirements for applying, and the annual application deadline are posted on its website.

Families can apply once per year. The one-time equipment grant provides up to $1000 per child.

Wabash Area Development, Inc. (WADI) is a Community Action Agency serving Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Wabash, Wayne, White and Saline counties. WADI provides emergency help for homeless and low-income families and individuals. It also offers education, housing, homeless prevention and job training programs to empower people to become more self-sufficient. WADI services and programs include:

• Energy assistance
• Emergency transitional housing
• Head Start/Early Head Start
• Rental housing support
• Work experience,  on-the-job training and employment assistance
• Education scholarship opportunities

Brave Health provides online mental health services and accepts more than 200 insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. Physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists and counselors with specialized training in mental health care provide care virtually in English and Spanish. Services include one-on-one and group therapy sessions, medication management, specialized programs and help managing complex medical and behavioral health challenges for adults and youth ages 13 and up.

Brave Health has a closed-loop referral process and also accepts patients who do not have insurance. Patients, referrers and providers can visit Brave Health’s website for information on how to get started and other resources.

The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) at Southern Illinois University is an interprofessional training and research center providing information and services to area residents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. CASD offers ASD screenings, clinical services for children, adolescents and adults, webinars and support.

CASD faculty and students provide a variety of training and services, many at no cost to families and their children. Help is available in the following areas:

• Speech/language
• Social skills
• Emotional-behavioral concerns
• Toileting
• Sleep
• Picky eating and more

For more information, call (618) 453-7130 or email autism@siu.edu.

National PTA promotes family-school partnerships and building community at the local, state and national levels. Its website offers a variety of family-focused resources, including a Special Education toolkit, Parents’ Guide to Student Success, College and Career Readiness resources and more.