Chicago Survivors (CS) provides crime victim services and support to family members of Chicago homicide victims. Services are free, voluntary and open to all. Services include a crisis helpline and response services, protecting victims’ rights and compensation assistance, funeral planning, counseling, wellness kits, support groups and more. Help is available in Spanish and English. Real-time translation services for other languages is also available.

The Chicago Survivors Crisis Helpline is open 24/7 at (877) 863-6338.

Chicago Survivors resources and services also include:

• Counseling for youth and adults
• Comprehensive referral services (e.g., grief counseling, legal aid, housing, utilities)
• Protecting victims’ rights and compensation assistance
• Court advocacy and unsolved case assistance
• Community of Survivors adult and youth workshops, events and groups

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois provides resources, education and support for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) and their caregivers. Its website includes information about:

• Current SCD treatment options
• Virtual monthly support groups on Zoom
• GroupMe app support groups (the app is for use on cell phones or computers)
• SCD testing and newborn screening
• Scholarships and camp opportunities
• Events

For questions, please contact the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois at (773) 526-5016 or sicklecelldisease-illinois@scdai.org.

In Chicago, Lyft can provide a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) that will fit a fixed-frame wheelchair. Through the Lyft app, riders can choose the ride type called “Wheelchair.” This option will pair riders with available drivers who can accommodate a non-folding or motorized wheelchair or scooter. Pickup and drop-off locations must be within Chicago city limits.

Wheelchair rides aren’t available in every market yet. Please visit Lyft’s website to learn more about using their app and wheelchair service areas.

Uber WAV provides affordable rides in wheelchair accessible vehicles to individuals using motorized wheelchairs or scooters in Chicago. Uber WAV driver-partners complete training courses covering driver safety and how to help riders with assistive devices as they enter and exit the vehicle. Drivers must also provide service to riders with service animals.

Uber WAV is not available everywhere. Riders with folding wheelchairs can request a ride using other options available through the Uber app. Learn more about Uber’s accessibility programs on its website.

303 Taxi provides school transportation services for special education students and paratransit services. Wheelchair-accessible vans (WAV) with lifts and ramps are available for travel between Chicago and Suburban Cook, Lake, DuPage, and parts of McHenry and Kane counties.

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.

For questions, please visit Pace’s Contact Us page. You can also call:

• (847) 364-7223 for help in English
• (847) 228-3575 asistencia en español

Little Friends, Inc. 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
• Family Support Network

For questions, visit Little Friend’s Contact Us page or call (630) 355.6533.

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
• Free American Sign Language (ASL) family classes in English and Spanish
• ASL in-person and online youth classes
• ASL Adult in-person and virtual classes
• Community outreach and youth programs
• Interpreter services and captioning

For more information, call CHS:

• Main Number: (773) 248-9121
• Videophone: (773) 904-0154

The Kids Equipment Network (TKEN) is a non-profit organization that connects children with disabilities to 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

For questions, please contact TKEN at (630) 766-0505, Ext. 6 or info@tken.org.