Illinois Spina Bifida Association

The Illinois Spina Bifida Association (ISBA) works to improve the quality of life of children, adults and families with spina bifida. ISBA works to accomplish its mission by:

  • Promoting skills development and independence
  • Supporting individuals and families through outreach, education and advocacy
  • Investing in people by funding scholarships, mobility equipment, research and emergency help

For more information or to participate in these programs, visit ISBA’s website or call (773) 444-0305.

Chicago Children’s Theatre’s Family Activities

Chicago Children’s Theatre shares a variety of instructional videos and activity ideas, including tapestry weaving, coloring books, making a shadow puppet theatre and more.

National Diaper Bank Network

The National Diaper Bank Network connects and supports the country’s more than 200 community-based diaper banks that collect, store and distribute free diapers to struggling families. The website includes a list of member diaper banks in Illinois.

Share Our Spare

Share Our Spare collects new and gently-used items for children ages 0-5 and donates them to low-income families living in Metropolitan Chicago. Items are not available directly: instead, Share our Spare reaches families in need by partnering with local social services organizations that provide their clients with needed social services such as parenting classes, early childhood education, housing referrals, job readiness training, and behavioral health services.

Cradles to Crayons Chicago

Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive — at home, at school and at play. The organization provides these items, including children’s clothing, baby clothes, shoes, diapers, car seats, toys and books, free of charge.

American Sign Language: Basic Lessons

The Chicago Park District’s  Sarah Faber, Program and Event Coordinator for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and Timothy Owens, Special Recreation Coordinator, provide weekly American Sign Language lessons on the park district’s YouTube channel.

Chinese Mutual Aid Association

Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA) is a community-based social services agency targeting the low-income immigrant and refugee community. CMAA provides in-home services, adult education classes, citizenship and immigration resources for people from around the world, employment readiness help, community events and more. Staff members speak a variety of languages including Cantonese, Burmese, Mandarin and Vietnamese.

Ten Ways Children With Language Disorders Can Maintain Both Physical Distance and Social Connection During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides tips to help children with language disorders make social connections while sheltering in place.

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COVID-19 and School Closures: Tips for Parents of Bilingual Children and English Language Learners Receiving Speech-Language Therapy Services

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides guidance to parents and caregivers of students who are bilingual and/or English language learners to help continue their development.

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Spanish 

Do You Know Your Rights With COVID-19?

The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities provides this tip sheet for individuals with disabilities to help them advocate for their rights when they are sick.