Accessibility Resources
Curb Mobility – Chicago Wheelchair Accessible Taxicabs
Curb Mobility, LLC (CURB) manages Chicago’s Centralized Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Taxicab Dispatch Service. Passengers can call CURB or use a smartphone app to request and connect with an available WAV taxicab. Passengers can also request wheelchair accessible taxis in advance for Chicago events that may include high turnout from accessible vehicle users.
Passengers can request a CURB WAV taxicab ride by:
- Calling (888) WAV-CABS (1-888-928-2227)
- Downloading the CURB app
- Emailing a request to the City of Chicago Centralized Wheelchair Accessible Taxicab Dispatch Service, CURB, at least three business days in advance to chicagowav@gocurb.com
Dare2tri is a nonprofit specializing in adaptive sports. It encourages recreation, racing and competition while cultivating a sense of community among all athletes, not defined by physical ability but by their determination and will to succeed.
Dare2tri offers free training opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments throughout the year for children and adults. Its programs include:
- Play for All at Chicago Children’s Museum
- Kids Tri Camp for youth ages 6 and up
- Learn 2 Tri beginner-level training camp
- Multisport clinics and more
For questions, contact Dare2tri at (312) 967-9874 or info@dare2tri.org.
Digital Literacy Training for People with Disabilities and Their Families
The Arc and AT&T offer digital skills training nationwide to people with disabilities and their families. The safe and accessible digital skills trainings aim to help people with different learning styles gain the skills they need to apply for jobs, be socially connected and more.
You can access online courses anytime on AT&T’s website.
The Arc of Illinois also offers in-person workshops. For more information, visit The Arc of Illinois website or email becca@thearcofil.org.
Disability Belongs is a diverse, disability-led nonprofit focusing on accessibility, inclusion, belonging and empowering people with disabilities. They provide a wide range of resources, including training, webinars, networking and fully accessible leadership and internship opportunities for people with disabilities.
Disability Belongs also provides:
- A variety of resources, including a toolkit with steps for making virtual and in-person events accessible.
- A paid, fully accessible National Leadership Program for people with disabilities in the fall and spring.
- A five-month, Disability Belongs™ Virtual Entertainment Lab for creatives with disabilities in development and production, and careers as writers, cinematographers, animators and other roles.
Disability Information and Access Locator
The Disability Information and Access Locator (DIAL) helps people with disabilities connect to local community resources that support independent living. DIAL provides information on essential services such as housing support, disability rights and more.
The DIAL database includes:
- Centers for Independent Living
- Protection and Advocacy Systems
- Assistive Technology Programs
- University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
- State Developmental Disabilities Councils
Disability Resource Center in Joliet
The Disability Resource Center provides advocacy, peer support groups, S.K.I.L.L.S. independent living classes, visual impairment services, seminars, workshops and more for people with disabilities in Will and Grundy counties.
Programs also include:
- Deaf and hard of hearing services
- Information and referral (I&R) for accessible housing, where to buy assistive devices, how to secure a sign language interpreter and more
- Assistive technology for children up to age 23
- Personal assistance program and information
Division of Developmental Disabilities
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) provides leadership for the effective management of the design and delivery of quality outcome-based, person-centered services and supports for individuals who have developmental disabilities. These services and supports will be appropriate to their needs, gifts, talents and strengths; accessible; life-spanning; based on informed choice; and monitored to ensure individual progress, quality of life, and safety.
The DDD website provides information on how to connect with its services, including home-based and in-home supports, day services, residential living arrangements, employment services and more. You can also visit the Developmental Disabilities Services page for how to get started.
For more information, email dhs.dddcomments@illinois.gov or call (888) 337-5267 (1-888-DDPLANS) or (866) 376-8446 (TTY).
DSCC’s Adult Living Arrangements/Self-Reliant Skills Checklist
There are many activities that youth with specialized healthcare needs can practice doing to become more self-reliant and ready for their desired adult living arrangements. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this Adult Living Arrangements/Self-Reliant Skills Checklist to help youth and their families learn about and build important skills and abilities in the areas of independence, nutrition, personal care and hygiene, and mobility/exercise. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.
DSCC’s Adult Living Arrangements/Self-Reliant Skills Checklist in English
DSCC’s Adult Living Arrangements/Self-Reliant Skills Checklist in Spanish
DSCC’s Planning for Accommodations at College Tip Sheet
Youth with disabilities preparing for college can use this Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) tip sheet to learn about the types of accommodations available and how to receive them.
DSCC’s Planning for Accommodations at College tip sheet in English
DSCC’s Planning for Accommodations at College tip sheet in Spanish
DSCC’s Preparing for Adult Living Tip Sheet
It’s important for you make the most of your abilities and acknowledge your limitations. This understanding will help you know where you can improve and where you need accommodations.
This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) offers steps to help youth with disabilities become self-determined and improve their quality of life.