The Autism Resource Directory is an online resource guide to help families find service and support referrals in the following counties: Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will, Grundy and Kankakee.

For more information or if you have any questions about navigating the directory or finding a referral, please call (312) 563-2272.

The Illinois Department of Human Rights provides a first-of-its-kind Guidebook on Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications.

In accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, this book provides guidance and clarification on the accommodations and modifications that must be made in housing for persons with disabilities and their family members.

Prairie State Legal Services is an organization that offers free legal services for low-income persons and those age 60 and over who have serious civil legal problems and need legal help to solve them.

There are 11 office locations serving 36 counties in northern Illinois. The resources page also provides references to self-help information.

Options & Advocacy is a service coordination agency that provides information and referrals, screening, evaluation and assessment, service plans, community education and more for children and families in McHenry County. Its programs include:

• Child and Family Connections Program, an Early Intervention program
• Autism Resource Center
• Helping Us Grow (HUG), a home visiting program
• All Our Kids (AOK) network
• Sibshops
• Playgroups

For more information, visit www.optionsandadvocacy.org/.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created a new webpage for coping with stress in the difficult times resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.

The website includes:

• A search tool for finding local resources and organizations that support people living with paralysis
• A paralysis resource guide
• Comprehensive resources and support for people living with paralysis and their caregivers
• Information on the inclusive “Outdoors for Everyone” initiative

National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) provides resources, strategies and support materials for K-12 special education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Education provides these guidance and policy resources related to elementary and secondary education, special education, higher education and other essential components of lifelong learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Education has issued resources specific to the education of students with disabilities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving prevention strategies as schools assess their policies to remain open for in-person learning for everyone.

You can access these documents at:

• Disability Rights | U.S. Department of Education (English and Spanish)

Additional information is available through the Agency’s Office of Special Education Programs at:

• https://sites.ed.gov/idea/topic-areas/#COVID-19

The Illinois Mental Health Collaborative for Access and Choice is a partnership devoted to the recovery and resilience of children and adults with mental illness. The collaborative is committed to making it easier for people in need of mental health services to get the right care, at the right time and in the right amount.