Chicago Resources
Friends of Man is a non-profit that uses 100% of donations for charitable assistance. The charity receives applications requesting mobility equipment, prosthetics, home modifications, medical equipment, hearing aids, basic needs and much more from referring professionals. Referring professionals include caseworkers, case managers, healthcare workers, social workers, school counselors, teachers and clergy who apply on behalf of their patients and clients.
In addition to the assistance listed above, Friends of Man can provide assistance nationwide for adaptive equipment, assistive technology, lift chairs, mobility equipment, orthopedic braces and shoes, stairlifts, vehicle adaptations and wheelchair ramps.
More details are on the Friends of Man Eligibility page.
Parents of Extraordinary Children
Parents of Extraordinary Children (PEXC) is a nonprofit that aims to inform, empower, support and help advocate for families of children and young adults with disabilities within the southeast side of Chicago.
With the help of volunteers and representatives from city-wide organizations, PEXC provides opportunities for Individualized Education Program (IEP) training, learning to navigate the special education process, understanding terminology, initiating the process of evaluation, the transition to adulthood and more.
PEXC has a Sensory Space and Resource Center and offers an “All Inclusive Support Group” on a monthly basis for families.
For more information, call (312) 600-5479 or email admin@pexc10thward.com.
Accessible Live Theater Productions Calendar
The League of Chicago Theatres works with Chicago-area theaters to make live theater performances accessible to everyone. The league provides a calendar of upcoming performances based on specific access requirements and disabilities.
The calendar includes touch tours, American Sign Language (ASL)-interpreted, audio-described, open-captioned, sensory-friendly and Spanish subtitled performances. Sensory-friendly performances are relaxed and sensory-friendly theatre experiences aimed to be more accessible for individuals on the autism spectrum or others with cognitive/developmental disabilities.
For more information, contact the League of Chicago Theatres at (312) 554-9800 or info@chicagoplays.com.
West40 Community Resources in West Cook County
West40 serves 38 school districts and three co-ops in West Cook County. West40 provides a wide range of in-school advocacy, student-centered programs and links to community resources to help students and the people surrounding them succeed.
West40 offers:
- A community resource page with links to help with food, mental health needs, special education and more
- The Heart 2 Heart Program for students in grades K-12 in the Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP)
- Family engagement, immigration and other networking and support resources
Call (708) 449-4284 or use the West40 Contact Us form for more information.
North West Housing Partnership (NWHP)
North West Housing Partnership (NWHP) programs cover a broad area of the suburban northwest, west and Chicagoland area. It offers a variety of housing and handyman programs for seniors 60 years and older and people with disabilities, 18 or over, in need of simple repairs in the communities of:
- Arlington Heights
- Buffalo Grove
- Mount Prospect
- Palatine
- Rolling Meadows
- Des Plaines
- All of Palatine and Wheeling Townships
- Oak Park Township (including Oak Park and River Forest).
NWHP also offers:
- Housing workshops and seminars
- Handyman and CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place Advancing Better Living for Elders) programs for people with disabilities ages 18 and up
- The Home Repair Accessibility Program (HRAP) in Cook, Kane and DuPage counties, funded by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), to help homeowners address home accessibility issues that affect the health or safety of their families
“Independent Living, Here We Come” Toolkit
The “Independent Living, Here We Come Toolkit” is for young people and adults with disabilities who want to learn to live on their own or take care of themselves with less help. It serves as a guide for family members, caregivers, teachers and others helping anyone with disabilities navigate and build greater independence.
The toolkit is divided into 13 skill areas. You can complete one section at a time or download the entire “Independent Living, Here We Come Toolkit.”
Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans and the Louisiana Parent Training and Information Center created this toolkit.
The Autism Hero Project champions inclusion and fosters an environment where everyone, regardless of neurodiversity, is valued and empowered to thrive. The organization helps support, equip and foster acceptance of people with autism.
The Autism Hero Project provides:
- Autism information and resources
- Annual medical insurance grants
- Family-friendly, inclusive events and more
The Autism Hero Project Medical Insurance Grant Application program application period usually runs from September through October. If you have any application questions, please email applications@autismheroproject.org.
The HAP Foundation provides patient-centered hospice and palliative care education, research, workforce development and support. The foundation helps any family of a child or adult living with a serious illness understand palliative and hospice care options, and connect to and strengthen care throughout their journey. The HAP Foundation resources also include:
- Palliative and hospice care information for families and medical professionals
- Help for finding and accessing care
- Missing Pieces support group for anyone grieving the loss of a child
- The Pediatric Resource Guide for patients, families and practitioners
- Chicagoland resources and events
WeGo Together for Kids brings together 70 community partners from across the Chicagoland region to support West Chicago families with children from birth through high school (12th grade). Using a collaborative, coordinated and comprehensive approach, WeGo Together for Kids offers family events, tip sheets in multiple languages, food and nutrition resources, playgroups and more.
WeGo Together for Kids also provides:
- Behavior and parenting tip sheets for all ages
- Back-to-school social stories and other school readiness tools
- Help with potty training
Association House of Chicago provides services promoting health and wellness, education and economic opportunity. Programs are provided in English and Spanish using a collaborative model that meets participants’ immediate needs while working toward long-term goals.
The Association House of Chicago focuses provides services in five key areas:
- Behavioral Health
- Child Welfare
- Community Health
- High School
- Workforce Development