COVID-19 Resources
As schools close doors in response to COVID-19, parents and caregivers should be aware of key laws that protect your child’s rights to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and existing frameworks that can support accessibility. The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides this overview of relevant laws and best practices related to accessibility and technology.
Remote Learning and College Students With Learning Disabilities
The Learning Disabilities Association of America provides information on how remote learning may affect college students with learning disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and what they can do to find the right support.
Remote Learning for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recognizes the difficulties at-home instruction and remote learning pose for teachers as well as the parents/guardians of students who are blind or visually impaired. For some, this situation is complicated by the lack of reliable internet access and/or the unavailability of technology in the home.
ISBE provides the Remote Learning for Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired guide to provide suggestions and ideas related to remote learning opportunities for students who are blind or visually impaired, including ideas that do not depend on technology. It also includes resources for additional information related to services, programming and information intended to enhance learning opportunities and the functional development of students who are blind or visually impaired.
Remote Learning for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind
This document from the Illinois State Board of Education provides suggestions and ideas related to remote learning opportunities for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) or deafblind (DB), including ideas that do not depend on technology. It also provides resources for additional information related to services, programming and information intended to enhance learning opportunities and the functional development of students who are DHH or DB.
The document is available at www.isbe.net/Documents/DHH-Ideas-During-Pandemic.pdf.
Remote Learning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Autism Training and Technical Assistance Project at Illinois State University has compiled autism-specific resources for individuals with ASD and their families as they navigate remote learning. The Remote Learning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder guide provides ideas and support for families as they develop new routines within their homes.
Remote Learning for Students with Significant Intellectual or Multiple Disabilities
The Illinois State Board of Education provides this resource guide to give some suggestions and ideas related to remote learning opportunities for students who have intellectual or multiple disabilities, including ideas that do not depend on technology. The guide also provides resources for additional information related to services, programming and information intended to enhance learning opportunities and the functional development of students who have intellectual or multiple disabilities.
Remote Learning Resources for Children with Disabilities
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities compiled helpful remote learning resources for a variety of disabilities and special healthcare needs.
Rental Assistance & Eviction Resources in Illinois
Illinois Access to Justice provides information on available rental assistance programs in Illinois, where to find legal help if you’re facing eviction and an overview of your rights as a tenant living in Illinois.
Visit its Rental Assistance and Eviction Resources page for more details. Information is available in English and Spanish.
RentAssistance provides a directory of rental assistance agencies and organizations that will help you pay your rent. Some listings are government organizations other are non-profits and charities that offer rental assistance programs.
Each organization has its own eligibility rules and conditions and you are encouraged to call directly to find out what you need to do.
Renter and Homeowner Resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPD) offers a variety of resources for homeowners and renters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Available resources include information about relief programs, tenant rights, assistance for landlords, mortgage assistance, rent assistance, utility assistance and more.