Chicago Resources
Hands and Voices Virtual Waiting Room
Hands & Voices virtual waiting room provides resources and connections for families with children who have been referred to or are in the care of an audiologist and who are receiving those services through technology or “telehealth.” Much of the information is also useful for families who are preparing for onsite visits.
Hands and Voices virtual waiting room includes:
- A video about the importance of next steps when your child is referred for more testing after a hearing screening
- A guidebook for parents about audiology and telehealth
- Information about tele-audiology options
- Questions to ask your audiologist, understanding your child’s audiogram, help making decisions with communication and more
- Connections to family-to-family support from trained parent leaders
- Explanations of help offered by a variety of professionals in addition to your child’s audiologist
- Resources to promote health and well-being for you and your child
- A link to email a Hands & Voices trained parent who can answer your questions and direct you to additional resources
RespectAbility’s LGBTQ+ Resources for the Disability Community
The LGBTQ+ community and the disability community intersect in significant ways. RespectAbility works to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so that people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community. RespectAbility offers articles, books, and other resources on disability and LGBTQ+ issues.
Mental Health Resources for LGBTQI Individuals
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersexed (LGBTQI) community represents a wide diversity of thought, perspective, understanding and experience. For individuals identifying as LGBTQI, it’s important to recognize how your experience of sexual orientation and gender identity relates to your mental health.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides a variety of resources as well as important things to consider when seeking an LGBTQI-competent mental health care professional.
Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens
HealthyChildren.org, the parenting website of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provides parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) teens information on understanding, supporting and remembering that each child is unique and will have their own experiences and feelings along the way.
“Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens” provides help for parents and children navigating the many aspects of acceptance.
It Gets Better Project – LGBTQ+ Youth Local and Global Resources
The It Gets Better Project’s mission is to to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe. The It Gets Better Project offers LGBTQ+ youth on- and offline resources that include events, local community service providers that can provide on-the-ground assistance and thousands of stories as told by members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. The It Gets Better Project also provides educational materials and resources for teachers and student leaders.
Find a Helpline is a resource to help individuals find free, confidential emotional support over the phone, text or webchat.
OutCare aims to be a comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ healthcare, offering provider and healthcare resource directories.
OutCare’s provider directory provides a list of providers who understand LGBTQ+ needs.
GLMA is a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and all sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals.
GLMA provides resources for patients, including a provider directory.
PFLAG is dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Its website includes support resources, links to local chapters and more.
Advocating for LGBTQ Students With Disabilities
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students with disabilities face unique challenges as a result of their disability status and potential bias related to their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. Educators, counselors, parents/guardians and other adult allies play an important role in ensuring the safety, inclusion and well-being of these students.
This Human Rights Campaign Foundation guide provides educators and parents/guardians an overview of the rights of LGBTQ students with disabilities as well as actionable recommendations on how to best support them.