Education Resources
Early CHOICES is an inclusion initiative of the Illinois State Board of Education. It promotes increasing high-quality inclusive early care and education for each and every child from birth to age 5. Its goal is to increase the number of children with disabilities receiving specialized services in regular early care and education settings.
Early CHOICES provides planning tools for families to help them consider inclusive options and prepare for the transition from Early Intervention into early childhood services.
Early Intervention Clearinghouse Technology Loan Program
The Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse (EIC) technology loan program helps families in early intervention participate in live video visits or telehealth. Available technology includes:
- iPad with a data plan (you are requesting a device for live video visits that also has an internet plan)
- iPad without a data plan (you are requesting a device for live video visits and already have internet access)
- Hotspot (you have a device for live video visits but require internet access)
Quantities are limited. To apply to receive the technology, please complete a device loan request form. (The device loan request form is also available in Spanish.)
The EIC also provides tips on preparing for a live video visit.
Easterseals Central Illinois offers programs and support for individuals with developmental delays, disabilities and autism from birth through age 21. Resources include physical and occupational therapy, speech services, feeding therapy, autism evaluations and supports, education services, camp and recreation programs, and more.
Easterseals Central Illinois provides services in McLean, Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. It also manages Child and Family Connections for Peoria and Champaign counties. For more information and help navigating their services, see the Parent Handbook.
You can contact Easterseals Central Illinois through its website or by calling (309) 686-1177.
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford offers community-based, comprehensive services and supports to individuals in the city of Chicago, surrounding suburban Cook County, and the Rockford area. Programs focusing on early learning and disability services include autism services and supports, diagnostic services, early intervention and education programs, teen and young parent services, respite care, employment opportunities, and additional support services.
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford services and programs include:
- Family support and respite services
- Harry’s Buttons and Threads (HB Threads) offering employment opportunities, job training, and life skills development for individuals with disabilities
- Teen and young parent family support, resources and doula services
- The Autism Program (TAP) at Easterseals serving families in JoDaviess, Lake, Stephenson, Boone, Winnebago, McHenry, and Northern Ogle counties.
- The Illinois Autism Partnership at Easterseals offering programming support for organizations.
For more information, visit the Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford’s website contact page.
El Valor is a non-profit, community-based organization serving children, people with disabilities and their families in the Chicagoland area. El Valor offers education programs focusing on early education, inclusion, employment and self-sufficiency for individuals of all ages with different abilities.
It also provides families a variety of enrichment opportunities including certification classes, first aid, parenting seminars and family support groups. Services are available in English and Spanish.
For questions, please contact El Valor at (312) 666-4511, TTY at (312) 666-3361 or info@elvalor.net.
Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA)
Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA) is a four-year, post-secondary certificate program for young adults aged 18-28 with disabilities. Elsa students can live on campus or commute and participate in on-campus activities alongside their degree-seeking peers.
If you have any questions, please call (630) 617-3752 or email elsa@elmhurst.edu.
EngineerGirl focuses on diversity of thought and the many opportunities engineering represents for girls and women. The EngineerGirl website includes inspiration, information about women engineers and their achievements, “Try This” design challenges, a writing contest, summer study programs for high school students and more.
Visit its website for information about engineering scholarships and the EngineeringGirl annual writing contest.
For questions, please email EngineerGirl@nae.edu.
Equip for Equality‘s mission is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with disabilities. It is the federally mandated, governor-appointed protection and advocacy organization for the state of Illinois. It works to remove barriers in education, employment, housing, transportation and government services for Illinois residents and create model programs for other organizations around the country.
Equip for Equality offers assistance in areas including:
- School and education rights
- Employment rights
- Fully participating in the community and discrimination
- Leaving residential facilities
- Legal services and more
For more information or to request help, call (312) 341-0022 or (800) 537-2632. You can also complete Equip for Equality’s Online Intake Form.
Equip for Equality’s IEP Guide and Special Education Rights Parents Helpline
Equip for Equality provides information and resources to help parents and caregivers understand special education rights in Illinois and requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Printable guides in a frequently asked questions format are available on a wide range of topics.
Equip for Equality’s online Individual Education Program (IEP) guide can help caregivers understand what an IEP is, why it’s helpful, and how and when to get one for your child.
Have more questions? Call Equip for Equality’s free Special Education Rights Parent Helpline at (866) KIDS-046 (1-866-543-7046) or fill out the Online Intake Form.
Equip for Equality’s attorneys can:
- Explain special education and answer questions about your child’s rights
- Give you sample letters and help you write letters to your school
- Go to IEP meetings, mediations and due process hearings in some cases
- Help with school discipline, expulsion hearings and more
ERIC: Education Resources Information Center
ERIC is an online library of education research and information, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education.