Accessibility Resources
Regional Transportation Authority’s Accessible Transit Information
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) coordinates the Chicago region’s transportation system. The RTA website’s Accessible Transit page includes information about how the transit system is accessible, how to apply for certification for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit services, and how to learn to use the system and achieve travel independence.
You can also visit the RTA’s Travel Assistance Digital Library to access documents about these programs in English and Spanish.
RTA’s Mobility Outreach Program also works with organizations that serve and offer programs to people with disabilities and older adults to ensure they are aware of their transit options.
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.
Resources for Voters With Disabilities
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission created this comprehensive list of resources for voters with disabilities, which includes links to voting accessibility laws and regulations and the latest best practices and research pertaining to voters with disabilities.
The Arc’s Talk About Sexual Violence project provides materials and practical tools to help health care professionals, people with disabilities, and their families and supporters learn about the depth of the problem, support victims and work to prevent it.
Talk About Sexual Violence seeks to empower survivors with disabilities in the reporting process and give health care professionals the tools to more effectively identify victims, connect them to appropriate services, help build their self-advocacy skills and better prevent sexual violence.
In addition to the “Starting the Conversation Toolkit for Self-Advocates,” put together by Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC), resources include short training videos for healthcare professionals, tools to help guide conversations and more.
Rising Lights Project is dedicated to creating environments for individuals affected by disability to learn, laugh, thrive and engage with the Fox Valley Community.
Rising Lights Project provides opportunities that engage, encourage, educate and empower people from all areas of the community to change the way disability is viewed and create new opportunities to keep those with disability engaged and connected. The project hosts inclusive events that are accessible and sensory-friendly for all ages.
For questions about events or programs, visit the Rising Lights Project contact us page.
Rockford Symphony Orchestra Share-A-Seat Program
The Rockford Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming experience that strengthens community connections and invites broader participation. Its “Share-A-Seat” program fosters a sense of community and improves quality of life by allowing individuals to attend live symphony performances at no cost. The program provides tickets to non-profit human service organizations that serve families and individuals who would not be able to attend a performance without this help.
If you are part of an organization interested in participating, please:
- Visit the RSO’s Share-A-Seat webpage for more details
- Fill out the Share-A-Seat online application form.
Organizations may request tickets for individuals or larger groups during the concert season.
Sensory-Friendly Travel at Chicago’s Airports
Chicago O’Hare and Midway International airports offer videos, social stories, sensory maps, accessibility guides and other resources to help travelers with sensory sensitivities or who are neurodivergent feel more comfortable and confident throughout their journey.
Visit the sensory section of FlyChicago.com to find:
- Short videos that show what to expect at different stages of the airport journey
- Step-by-step guides with visuals to prepare travelers for the airport experience
- Visual guides of O’Hare and Midway that highlight high- and low-sensory areas
- Details about sensory bags available at information desks
The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission has a list of Service Animal Resources. Information includes Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, programs that provide animals and more.
For questions, please contact the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission.
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is a nonprofit hospital providing patient care, a research community focused on physical medicine and rehabilitation, clinical trials and a wide range of resources to help with caregiving, adapting and accessibility. Based in Chicago, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab provides help with pediatric and adolescent rehabilitation, spinal cord injuries, brain injury recovery, limb loss and impairment, stroke and more.
Shirley Ryan Abilitylab’s Henry B. Betts, MD, Learning, Innovation, Family and Empowerment (LIFE) Center also offers resources to help empower people living with chronic, cognitive and physical impairments and diseases affecting function. Resource topics include:
- Caregiving and equipment
- Housing and transportation
- Inspiration and hope
- Support and wellness
- Recreation and leisure
- Medical information and care
- Education and employment
For questions, visit the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Contact Us page for contact information.
SignUp Media – Sign Language Accessibility for the Deaf Community
SignUp Media is a free Google Chrome Extension that provides American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for content on streaming platforms, including Disney+ and Netflix. The service is available for the Hard-of-Hearing community, hearing parents of Deaf kids, students of sign language and teachers of the Deaf.
If you would like to learn more about how SignUp Media works, you can visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
If you have questions or don’t see a show or movie that you want ASL interpretation for, you can request interpretation or submit other feedback on the SignUp Media Contact Us page.