Olney Resources
Illinois Housing Development Authority
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) connects people with financing programs for their homes.
IHDA provides mortgage loans, grants that enable low-income homeowners to pay for repairs and improvements to their homes and free foreclosure prevention assistance for homeowners struggling with mortgage payments.
IHDA also provides resources to help people across the state find apartments that fit their budgets.
Plain Language COVID-19 Resources
The Arc has made free plain language COVID-19 resources for disability advocates.
You can fill out a short form on The Arc’s website to access these resources, which include plain language videos explaining the coronavirus pandemic and how the pandemic is affecting daily life.
Conquering CHD Transition Checklist
Conquering CHD has put together a Conquering CHD Transition Checklist to help youth with congenital heart disease manage their own care as they reach adulthood and move from their pediatric doctor to an Adult Congenital Heart Disease doctor.
Easy to Read COVID-19 Safety Resources
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted “Easy-to-Read COVID-19 Safety” resources on its website.
COVID-19 Accessible Resources for People with Disabilities Microsite
The Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation’s COVID-19 Accessible Resources microsite provides accessible messages of critical health importance about COVID-19 to people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
The target audiences for translations of COVID-19 guidance are individuals who have limited mobility or are blind, deaf or have limited literacy skills resulting from a variety of factors. The alternative formats include simplified text documents, videos in American Sign Language (ASL) and both digital and embossed braille.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information in Plain Language
The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) provides this handout on the COVID-19 vaccine in plain language.
Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances (24/7)
If you or someone you know is suffering from an opioid use disorder or other substance use disorders, call the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 833-2FINDHELP to speak with a trained professional for support and advice or to be directed to customized resources. You can also visit www.HelplineIL.org.
Virtual Care Package for Caregivers
The Illinois Respite Coalition put together this Virtual Care Package with free virtual resources to help caregivers take time for themselves.
It includes links to podcasts, playlists, exercises and other tips for caregivers.
The Association of Blind Citizens operates the Assistive Technology Fund. The fund will provide funds to cover 50 percent of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. The ABC board of directors believes that this program will allow blind and visually impaired individuals access to technology products that will have a significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increase the level of independence and enhance their overall quality of life.
Assistive Technology Resources
The Illinois State Library provides a list of programs and organizations that can help support assistive technology needs.
Assistive technology is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” This includes devices like wheelchairs, laptop computers and even a grip on a pencil or a special can-opener.