Resource Directory /

General Resources

  • Digital Safety Resources from the Illinois Attorney General

    Digital safety encompasses a wide variety of issues related to the use of computers, tablets, cell phones, games, apps and social media.  The Illinois Attorney General’s “Stay Connected, Stay Informed website” provides resources for children, teenagers, parents and educators seeking information about digital safety.

    Kids, teens, parents and teachers coping with cyberbullying and internet safety issues may also contact an Internet Safety Specialist at:

  • Disability EmpowerHer Network

    Disability EmpowHer Network is a non-profit run by and for girls and women with disabilities that connects, motivates, and guides girls and women to learn and develop to their highest potential and have the confidence to lead. The group, based in Rochester, NY, focuses on building skills and community by connecting girls with disabilities with successful women with disabilities to serve as mentors and role models.

    Resources and programs include:

    •  A stories blog
    • EmpowHer Camp (a year-long program)
    • Letter from a role model
    • Get a Mentor
    • EmpowHer Expressions, a public speaking and career coaching program

  • Disability Information and Access Line

    The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) helps people with disabilities access COVID-19 vaccinations and tests. DIAL also provides information about essential services such as transportation, housing support, disability rights, and more.

    The hotline’s trained staff are available to:

    • Help find local vaccination locations
    • Set up a vaccination appointment
    • Connect with local COVID testing options
    • Connect callers to local services, such as accessible transportation, housing support, disability rights and other independent living resources

    Call, text or videophone DIAL Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at (888) 677-1199.

    You can also email the hotline at DIAL@n4a.org or start an online chat with an information specialist.

    You can also connect to an agent in American Sign Language.

  • 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

  • Disability Vote IL

    Disability Vote IL provides voting resources and information for the disability community. The site offers updated nonpartisan videos, webinars and information on elections, how to register to vote, and promoting accessibility of voting technology and polling places. The website also includes information about:

    • The Be My Eyes app that helps people who are blind or have vision impairments with voting
    • Transportation to the polls
    • In-person, nursing home and hospital voting
    • Important dates

  • Disaster Preparedness for Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides information on how families of children with special healthcare needs can prepare for potential emergencies and disasters in their area and identify what each child would need to safely prepare for and cope with the disaster.

  • Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities

    The American Red Cross provides information and inclusive tools for creating an emergency plan tailored to your family’s specific needs regarding mobility, hearing, learning or seeing disabilities.

    The step-by-step tools are designed to help individuals be informed, prepare for and respond to disasters or other urgent situations.

  • Diverse Learners Recovery Fund

    The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund is a lottery-style grant program for Chicago families with children with disabilities offered through the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. The fund will provide one-time grants of $500 to up to 8,000 eligible K-12 students through a lottery. Families must submit an application and complete the verification process to participate. The deadline to apply is Oct. 30, 2024.

    The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund program will select recipients through three lottery drawings on the following dates:

    • July 1, 2024
    • Sept. 16, 2024
    • On or after Nov. 30, 2024

    The program will notify selected applicants by email. Verified applications that are not chosen will be included in the next drawing.

    Submitting an eligible application does not guarantee you will receive the funds.

  • Dove, Inc.

    Dove, Inc. provides a variety of outreach programs, financial assistance and resources to residents in Macon, Shelby, Moultrie, Piatt and DeWitt counties.

    Dove Financial Assistance (DFA) may be able to provide emergency help with water, power, eye prescriptions, dental needs and some prescription medications.

    DFA also works with the Energy Assistance Fund to help people with their heating and cooling bills through the “Warm Neighbors, Cool Friends Program” in Macon, DeWitt and Piatt Counties.

  • Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (DGAGSL) and Metro-East/Southern Illinois Chapters

    The Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (DGAGSL) serves, supports and celebrates the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. DGAGSL and its chapters provide educational programs, resources and events to help increase awareness and connect families with the help they need for every stage of their child’s life.

    These DGAGSL community groups provide support and coordinate events in southern Illinois and the greater St. Louis area: