The UIS Performing Arts Center is a certified Sensory Inclusive Venue through KultureCity. Most sensory friendly shows are in the UIS Studio Theatre with limited lighting and sound changes. Audience members can also move, speak, sing along, and come and go as needed. Trained staff can also help guests with sensory needs. The UIS Performing Arts Center’s sensory-friendly initiatives also include sensory bags, weighted lap pads, quiet areas, social stories and more.

Junior Achievement USA (JA) helps young people own their economic success, plan for their future and make smart academic and economic choices. The organization offers educational materials for schools and other organizations and hands-on learning experiences for students focusing on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. JA Connect also provides online self-guided activities to help students learn, apply and practice new skills. JA outreach in Illinois also includes:

• Junior Achievement of Central Illinois Inc.
• Junior Achievement of Chicago
• Junior Achievement of the Heartland

John Wood Community College (JWCC) offers various support services to help students in Adams and Brown County succeed in the classroom. Students with disabilities can get help exploring career options, finding resources to pay for college, tutoring and more. Other programs include:

• College for Life (CFL) program
• JWCC Disability Services
• Perkins Student Support
• TRiO Student Support Services (TRiO SSS), a federal grant that provides free help to 175 qualifying JWCC students who are first-generation college students, meet income guidelines, or who have a disability.

Do It for the Love inspires hope and healing through music. The non-profit organization grants live concert wishes for people with life-threatening illnesses, children with severe challenges and wounded veterans. You can apply for yourself or your child or nominate someone for a live music wish.

Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) offers free American Sign Language (ASL) classes for families who have children ages birth through high school who are deaf or hard of hearing. Deaf instructors teach the classes in sign language and written English. MVCC serves residents in Moraine Valley and Cook County.

To register for the classes and get more details, email ASL@morainevalley.edu.

Cherished Creations grants two types of “wishes” to help children who are seriously ill or have disabilities (up to 21 years old). “Dreams Wishes” provide help with trips, attending special events or buying gifts to better a child’s life within the lower 48 states. “Support Wishes” fulfill practical needs such as ramps, medical equipment not covered by insurance and other needs, especially for children who might not be able to live at home otherwise.

You can find Cherished Creations eligibility rules and applications on its website.

Chive Charities is a non-profit providing grants to support underserved veterans, military families, first responders and people with rare medical diagnoses. Chive Charities shares grant recipients’ stories to educate, advocate and inspire others to help provide a weekly grant to individuals with life-altering or life-threatening needs.

Chive Charities grant items must either improve quality of life or be medically-related and not fully covered by insurance. Past grants have included:

• Therapy equipment, such as adaptive tricycles and robotic walkers
• Service dogs
• Wheelchair-accessible vans
• Mobility items

Immigrant Services of Champaign-Urbana (ISCU) provides a welcoming hand and a variety of resources to help immigrant families build success. ISCU partners with over 45 faith-based, university and community groups and hundreds of individuals from across the greater Champaign-Urbana area. Help includes food, family liaisons and community guides, English-as-a-second-language classes, legal assistance and more depending on the families’ needs. 

ISCU programs and services include:

• Case management
• Transportation to medical and legal appointments
• The New Beginnings Assistance Program offering gently used furniture and household items
• Community Health Program providing referrals, outreach events and health awareness 

Dual diagnosis refers to experiencing an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) along with a mental health condition. The Illinois Training Initiative to Support People with Dual-Diagnosis or Illinois Dual Diagnosis Training Initiative is a project to identify state priorities in existing services for people with dual diagnosis, develop training to promote collaboration between the IDD and mental health systems, and examine needed changes to policies and practices to promote access to services.

Illinois Dual Diagnosis Training Initiative’s website offers:

• Information on what dual diagnosis is and assessment tools
• Services available in Illinois
• Information covering the different models of care
• Personal stories of dual diagnosis
• A variety of webinars covering topics for self-advocates, professionals and caregivers

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Family Support Network (FSN) connects immigrant communities throughout Illinois to a full range of support in collaboration with member organizations (Información en español). ICIRR resources include a legal services directory, workshops, trainings, tips sheets and more.

ICIRR Family Support Network provides a Family Support Hotline at (855) 435-7693. Its website also includes:

• A list of Illinois non-profit organizations offering free or low-cost help
• “Know Your Rights” tip sheets
• A directory of non-profit organizations offering immigration help to Illinois residents