Resource Directory /

Chicago Resources

  • Exercise Tips and Tools for Children

    These tips sheets provide resources for helping children with disabilities of all ages and abilities exercise and stay active.

    Exercise for Children: (English) (Spanish)

  • Illinois Disability Benefits 101

    Illinois Disability Benefits 101 is a free, user-friendly, Illinois-specific website that helps work through the myths and confusion of Social Security benefits, health care, employment and more. It is a one-stop shop for information, resources, and tools to motivate and support employment and community inclusion for individuals with disabilities, their families and professionals.

  • Urban Autism Solutions

    Urban Autism Solutions (UAS) is a Chicago non-profit organization serving young adults with autism and other learning differences. Their person-centered programming focuses on building life skills, community integration, social interaction, an integrated community life, and social and vocational opportunities. UAS programs include:

    • The West Side Transition Academy
    • Growing Solutions Farm
    • Life Lab
    • Network 1212 social meet-ups and outings for young adults

  • Swann Center in Champaign

    Swann Special Care Center is a non-profit organization located in Champaign that offers residential and educational programs for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities.  Its programs serve residents from throughout Illinois and include residential nursing care, adult day training and an accredited year-round school. Swann Special Care Center also offers:

    • Restorative and long-term habilitation
    • Palliative and end-of-life care
    • Evaluation on an individual and ongoing basis
    • Physical, occupational and speech therapies

  • RCADD Back-to-School Resources / Recursos para el regreso a clases

    The Resource Center for Autism & Developmental Delays’ (RCADD) Virtual Resource Room offers back-to-school resources for parents/caregivers and their children with autism and/or neurodiversity. Resources in English and Spanish to help with a new school year include:

    • Tip sheets- Hojas de consejos
    • Schedules and routines materials- Horarios & rutinas
    • Social stories- Historias sociales
    • Visual supports – Apoyos visuales
    • Structured activities- Actividades estructuradas

  • Diaper Bank of Chicago

    The non-profit Diaper Bank of Chicago provides diapers in sizes newborn through large-sized Underjams, ensuring all kids that need protection are covered. It partners with other nonprofits and social service agencies to distribute diapers. The diaper bank only accepts requests for diapers through an agency partner or social service agency.

    The Diaper Bank of Chicago’s doula also offers parenting resources for agency partners on topics that include:

    • Breastfeeding
    • Bonding
    • Infant massage
    • Stress reduction techniques

  • Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW)

    Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW) empowers individuals and families in the Chicagoland area to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. HOW aims to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with housing as quickly as possible along with individualized support services to help them build success and self-sufficiency. Its services and programs include:

    • Permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities
    • Employment and life skills
    • Children and youth after-school enrichment activities and Saturday teen programs
    • Advocacy for individuals/families involved with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
    • Housing and support for Families in Transition (FIT)

  • Illinois Student Records Keeper: For Parents of Students Who Receive Special Education Services

    The Illinois Student Records Keeper booklet from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is for parents to use to keep important information about their child and their special education and related services. It is a companion to A Parent’s Guide – Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois.​​​​​​​

    Records play an important role as you plan your child’s education. Dates, people, meetings and reports are important throughout your child’s educational career. ISBE developed the records keeper to help parents prepare for Individualized Education Program (IEP) and transition meetings; get ready for evaluations and reevaluations; and keep track of paperwork and other materials.

  • Special Education Assessment Tip Sheet and Resource List

    Family members and early care and education providers are adults who notice when the children in their care may have disabilities or developmental delays and would benefit from special education services.

    The Illinois Early Learning Project’s Special Education Assessment tip sheet series is a helpful tool for learning more about the steps in that process. The IEL also provides an Assessment for Special Education resource list.