Springfield Resources
DSCC’s Guardianship and Alternatives Tip Sheet
This transition tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children can help you explore guardianship or another form of support to protect adults who cannot make decisions on their own. It includes information about guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, estate planning (wills and special needs trusts) and more.
IL ABLE (Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts make it possible for people with disabilities and their families to save and invest for expenses related to living with a disability without losing, or losing access to, federal means-tested benefits such as SSI, SSDI and Medicaid. Earnings and withdrawals are tax-free if they are spent on a broad range of qualified disability expenses including housing, health and wellness, education and training, therapy, basic living expenses and more.
For more information:
- Call (888) 609-8683, Monday – Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Support is provided for non-English speakers as well as deaf and hard-of-hearing callers.
- Email il.clientservice@savewithable.com.
“What You Need to Know About Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) When You Turn 18”
This publication helps youth prepare for the transition from school to adult life. It provides information about SSI work incentives that primarily affect youth, as well as information about common programs and services that parents, guardians and youth may find helpful. Specific programs covered include the Student Earned Income Exclusion, SSI Continued Payments (Section 301), vocational rehabilitation and the Department of Education’s Parent Centers. Information on Medicaid, the importance of keeping health insurance and having a primary care provider are also included.
Internet Essentials from Comcast provides affordable home internet for qualifying households, low-cost computers, free WiFi hotspots and free internet training. Families may qualify if they live in an area where Xfinity Internet service is available and are eligible for public assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and other programs.
The Parent Advocacy App for Families of Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Children
The Parent Advocacy app is a free application for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing attending Individualized Education Program meetings, 504 Plan meetings and more.
The app aims to help you understand your child’s rights and prepare to work with the school in the best interest of your child.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) is a free braille and talking book library service for individuals with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical or perceptual disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS offers books in braille or audio, which can be mailed to your door for free or downloaded instantly.
NLS works to ensure that all may read by providing eligible individuals with access to reading materials, regardless of age, economic circumstances, or technical expertise.
For questions, please contact (888) 657-7323 and follow the prompts or email nls@loc.gov.
Resources for Inclusion in Physical Activity for Youth with Disabilities
The National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD), at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Health Professions, provides individuals with disabilities, families and caregivers, professionals and communities with information, research and the tools needed to promote health and create inclusive environments for all.
NCHPAD offers videos and resources for children and adults with disabilities and mobility limitations on topics including:
- Fun and leisure
- Physical activity
- Healthy eating and nutrition
- Mindfulness and more
For questions, please email nchpad@uab.edu or call (866) 866-8896.
PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center
PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center provides resources and information regarding the bullying and harassment of students with disabilities.
PACER Center Transition and Employment Resources
PACER Center provides information and resources for families of youth with disabilities on transition planning, civil rights, work-based learning, higher education and more.
PACER Center’s Transition Health Plan for Youth with Disabilities and their Families
PACER Center’s Transition Health Plan for Youth with Disabilities and Their Families is designed to help transition-age youth with disabilities and their families assess and plan together the next steps for the youth to take on more responsibility for their own health care.