Education Resources
Know Your Rights: Students & LGBTQ Rights at School
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) provides information on rights as an LGBTQ student in public school and may be able to offer assistance if your rights are being violated by teachers, principals, or other students.
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:
- Parent resources
- The Illinois Valley Transition Planning Committee (IVTPC)
- Upcoming events
- Quick links to MyInfinitec and more
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.
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
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’ COVID-19 Information Page
Tips and resources from the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes
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.
National PTA Special Education Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers
National PTA promotes family-school partnerships and building community at the local, state and national levels. Its website offers a variety of family-focused resources, including a Special Education toolkit, Parents’ Guide to Student Success, College and Career Readiness resources and more.
PACER Center is a parent training and information center for families of children and youth with all disabilities from birth to young adults. It serves families across the nation.
Parents can find publications, workshops and other resources to help make decisions about education, vocational training, employment and other services for their children with disabilities.