Resource Directory /

Education Resources

  • Ladder Up

    Ladder Up provides free programs to eligible Chicagoland residents to help move up the economic ladder. Individuals can receive guidance in financial education, tax help and preparation, and turning the dream of college into reality. Ladder Up programs and services include:

    • The Tax Assistance Program
    • The Legal Tax Clinic
    • Financial aid for college workshops
    • Financial education workshops
    • Tax tips for self-employed/small business owners

  • LaSalle/Putnam Educational Alliance for Special Education

    The LaSalle/Putnam Educational Alliance for Special Education‘s (LEASE-SPED) website provides quick links, event calendars, information to help with navigating the transition to adulthood, and training and educational resources for parents, students, social workers and educational professionals. The LaSalle/Putnam Educational Alliance for Special Education provides:

  • Learning Disabilities & Differences: What Parents Need To Know

    HealthyChildren.org provides information on the early signs of learning disabilities and difficulties in children and how to help them succeed.

  • Least Restrictive Environment Inclusion Toolkit for Families of Young Children With Disabilities

    Early CHOICES’ Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Inclusion Toolkit aims to help families of children with disabilities navigate the early childhood system to ensure their child is included in the LRE. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking for specific support, this toolkit will empower you to champion inclusion for your child.

    The LRE Inclusion Toolkit includes:

    • Evidence for the benefits of inclusion
    • Federal guidance for inclusion
    • Resources with links and guidance to help you understand and use the tools effectively
    • Bolded keywords throughout the document that you can easily find in the “Glossary” at the end of the toolkit
    • QR codes for each of the embedded links

  • Little Friends

    Little Friends provides programs and supports to empower children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work and thrive in their communities. Little Friends serves individuals and families throughout ten counties and more than 50 school districts across Illinois. Programs include:

    • Schools, educational and vocational training programs
    • Respite family services
    • Community-based residential living
    • The Center for Autism
    • Inklude Studio
    • The Fun Club

  • MPHI Center for Precision Public Health

    The MPHI Center for Precision Public Health provides educational opportunities for clinicians, public health professionals, community organizations and families. The center focuses on improving the health and well-being of all through research, supporting data-driven initiatives, facilitating community-led program development, and providing technical assistance.

    MPHI also provides free CME and CE Modules for families and professionals. Topics include:

    • Improving care for developmental disabilities and dysmorphic features
    • Patient-centered newborn screening communication
    • Decoding genetic test reports for frontline clinicians

  • National Association of the Deaf

    The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) preserves and promotes the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the United States and U.S. territories. Resources include videos in American Sign Language (ASL) on a wide range of topics, a list of universities and education resources by state, webinars and more for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, their families and friends.

  • National Center for Learning Disabilities

    The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides resources for parents and caregivers, educators, young adults and learning disability champions.

  • National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes

    The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) shares information, networks, and strategies to improve continuing education and training for deaf people. It offers online courses, online gaming tools for youth, evidence-based resources, webinars and more.

    NDC resources include:

    • Free online learning modules and webinars for teens, college students and professionals
    • Planning tools, tips and more for high school and college students
    • Disability services providers portal and online training modules
    • Deaf culture and awareness resources
    • Deafverse, a choose-your-own-adventure online game created just for deaf teenagers

  • 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 people 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 the way you want them: in braille or audio, mailed to your door for free or instantly downloadable.

    NLS works to ensure that all may read by providing eligible individuals access to reading material regardless of age, economic circumstances or technical expertise.