Resource Directory /

Rockford Resources

  • “Born for Business” Disability Entrepreneurship Toolkit

    Entrepreneurship and self-employment can be valuable and viable options for people with disabilities looking to enter the job market on their own terms. RespectAbility’s Born for Business toolkit provides an inventory of existing materials, advice and guides for job seekers with disabilities who are ready to become self-employed, launch a new enterprise or develop their entrepreneurial skills.

    This toolkit was developed along with the Born For Business docuseries that focuses on the talents, innovations and impact of entrepreneurs with varying disabilities.

  • Illinois Respite Services and Providers List

    Respite is a service providing a temporary break between the family caregiver and the care recipient. Illinois offers a variety of respite services for eligible families and individuals.

    Illinois Life Span (ILS), a program of The Arc of Illinois, provides fact sheets, information and a listing of respite services/providers currently funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. The current listing may be found on their website.

  • Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

    The Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) is a statewide organization that partners with the state’s 16 local Child Care Resources and Referral (CCR&R) agencies. It is a recognized leader, catalyst and resource for making high-quality, affordable early care and education and school-age care options available for children and families in Illinois.

    CCR&R’s connect and coordinate programs and services for young children and their families. CCR&R’s manage the application and information for families to receive child care assistance, allowing them to work and/or go to school while their children have access to quality early care and education.

    Visit www.inccrra.org/about/sdasearch to find your local CCR&R.

  • Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation

    The Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) is a not-for-profit that issues equipment to provide telephone access to Illinois residents who are hard of hearing, late deafened, deaf-blind or speech-disabled.

    ITAC provides both the Illinois Relay phone service and an equipment program, which are both required by state law. Its equipment is designed specifically for people who are having difficulty hearing on the standard phone system. Information is also available in Spanish.

  • The Arc@School Special Education Initiative

    Through The Arc@School initiative, The Arc provides training and resources to help families and others navigate the special education system.

    Arc@School offers information on the supports, services and rights for students with disabilities. It also includes information on advocating for students with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a nationwide directory of special education advocacy resources.

    Arc@School materials are also available in Spanish.

  • The September 26th Project

    The September 26th Project focuses on helping families and caregivers of children or adults with cognitive, behavioral and/or physical impairments prepare for wandering and elopement and disasters such as fires floods, or earthquakes.

    The September 26th Projects assists and encourages families to do a checkup at least annually and not put emergency preparedness on the back burner. They provide checklists and information on:

  • CDC COVID-19 Materials for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Care Providers

    COVID-19 is challenging to explain, live through and communicate about. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides videos, posters, social stories, and interactive activities to help communicate with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities about COVID-19.

    Five topics are featured in the toolkit:

    • Getting a COVID-19 vaccine
    • Wearing a mask
    • Social distancing
    • Hand washing
    • Getting a COVID-19 test

    The CDC also has a one-page, easy-to-understand tip sheet for caregivers.

    The materials are also available in Spanish.

  • Emergency Preparedness Planning for Families and People with Disabilities

    Ready.gov provides emergency preparedness tools and information to help families before, during and after disasters. This site includes:

    Resources are also available in American Sign Language (ASL)  and other languages including Spanish, simplified and traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

  • Ameren Illinois Economic Hardship Recovery Program

    Ameren Illinois’ Economic Hardship Recovery Program provides information on various energy assistance programs, payment options and tips on lowering your utility bill.

    This step-by-step resource includes information on:

    • Assistance paying your energy bills, applying for financial assistance and eligibility guidelines
    • Exploring payment options
    • Tips for lowering future energy bills and energy efficiency programs

    Click here for a list of assistance programs statewide, including Warm Neighbors Cool Friends (WNCF), a program designed to help moderate-income seniors and families who have temporarily experienced a hardship but may not meet the guidelines of government programs.

    For more information, contact Ameren Illinois at (800) 755-5000 (residential customers) or (800) 232-2477 (business customers).