Education Resources
Cued Speech Program for Families of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children
Cue College’s Cue Family Program provides a free, online Cued Speech class to families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
Cued Speech combines a small number of simple hand cues with the natural mouth movements of speech to make the sounds or “phonemes” of spoken language clear through vision alone.
The Cue Family Program includes free access for one year to the online Cue College course, “CS100 – Introduction to Cued American English – Self Study”, for parents, guardians, additional family members and caregivers of a child with hearing loss or other communication challenges.
DayOne PACT (CFC #5) is a not-for-profit agency that provides service case management, trust and guardianship services for people with disabilities in Illinois through its Life Management Services program. The agency also functions as the Child and Family Connections agency for DuPage, Kane and Kendall Counties. This service works with families with children who are eligible for services through the Illinois Early Intervention system.
DayOne PACT aims to help individuals with disabilities of all ages live supported, productive and meaningful lives.
- The St. Charles location serves Kendall and Kane counties. Call (630) 879-2277 (telephone and “Crisis After Hours” with 24-hour accessibility) or (888) 356-0491 (toll-free)
- The Lisle location serves DuPage County. Call (630) 960-9700 (telephone and “Crisis After Hours” with 24-hour accessibility) or (888) 356-0491 (toll-free)
DEAF, Inc. is a deaf-centric, community-based nonprofit organization located in St. Louis, Mo. It promotes inclusion and communication access for people of all ages who are deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind and hearing. Resources, programs and services include American Sign Language (ASL) classes, ASL storytelling, interpreting services, community events, deaf visual arts, deaf teen club and more.
Need help or have questions? Contact DEAF, Inc. at (314) 714-6400 or fill out the Contact Us online form on the website.
Dean Ritter Foundation Scholarship for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Dean Ritter Foundation Scholarship for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 annually to graduating high school seniors throughout Illinois who have severe to profound hearing impairments. Individuals with financial needs will receive special consideration, but the program does not make scholarship decisions solely on a financial basis. Application deadlines and the number and amount of scholarships vary each year.
Students must be continuing their education at an accredited university or technical school to receive tuition scholarships. They must also:
- Be an Illinois resident
- Be a senior in high school in good standing
- Have significant (severe to profound) hearing loss in one or both ears
For any questions regarding scholarships, please email deanrittertrust@gmail.com.
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 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
DSCC’s Education Skills Checklist
The Division of Specialized Care for Children’s (DSCC) education skills checklist can help youth and their families identify the skills and abilities they have met as well as those areas where they may need more focus. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.
DSCC’s Paying for College Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs and their families learn more about available resources to help pay for college. The tip sheet includes details about possible funding sources and scholarship opportunities:
DSCC’s Planning and Going to College Tip Sheet
Knowing your strengths, setting goals, and understanding the options and supports available for attending college is important. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs start planning for college. It includes important things to consider when planning and helpful higher education resources.
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