General Resources
The Great Lakes ADA Center‘s mission is to increase awareness and knowledge with the ultimate goal of achieving voluntary compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The center provides information, resources, technical assistance and training on the ADA. Topics include the non-discrimination requirements in employment and the obligations of state and local governments and businesses to ensure that programs, services and activities are readily accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.
Promotes voluntary compliance of the Americans with Disabilities Act utilizing local resources to provide trainings, technical assistance, and engage in capacity building around the state.
Grupo SALTO (Sociedad de Autismo Latina Trabajando con Optimismo) aims to provide support in Spanish for Latino families who have children who are differently abled, with a focus on autism.
Grupo SALTO provides culturally and linguistically appropriate training, education and services.
Guaranteed Rate Foundation provides financial support to those working to overcome extraordinary hardships.
Knowing that it can be difficult to ask for help in times of need, the foundation strives to make the request for assistance process as simple as possible and encourages applicants to contact them with any questions.
Guidance for Responding to Incidents Involving Missing Children with Autism
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) provides law enforcement and caregivers with guidance on preparing for and responding to incidents involving missing children with autism. Information includes:
Guidebook on Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications
The Illinois Department of Human Rights provides a first-of-its-kind Guidebook on Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications.
In accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, this book provides guidance and clarification on the accommodations and modifications that must be made in housing for persons with disabilities and their family members.
Habitat for Humanity – Illinois
Some Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Illinois also offer programs to help with home repairs, weatherization and access ramps for eligible homeowners. Please contact the Habitat for Humanity affiliate serving your area for specific details and application information.
Habitat affiliates offering the additional programs include:
- Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity
- Habitat for Humanity of McClean County
- Jackson, Union County Habitat for Humanity
- Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County
- Quincy Area Habitat for Humanity
- Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity
- Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County
Habitat for Humanity International affiliates in the Chicagoland area:
Hands & Voices Guides and Resources for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Plus
Hands & Voices provides a variety of resources specific to children who are deaf/hard of hearing plus – the combination of being deaf or hard of hearing and having additional medical complexities or other needs.
Information includes the “Connecting Families of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Plus (DHH Plus) with Resources and Support” guide, an Educational Plan Checklist for D/HH-Plus Students and presentations, articles and other guides for families of children who are D/HH plus.
Healing Horse Stables in Sidney, Ill., is a non-profit organization offering therapeutic riding and equine-facilitated learning for individuals of all ages and abilities. Healing Horse Stables promotes learning and physical, social and emotional well-being through programs that include:
- Therapeutic riding
- Riding for relaxation
- Horsemanship programs
- Field trips
Healing Hurt People Chicago (HHPC) is a hospital-based, youth advocacy program for violence recovery. HHPC services begin in the hospital and include crisis intervention, mental health care, medical advocacy, team support support and patient advocacy. The program also connects participants to supports and a community where they can continue to grow, thrive and break the cycle of violence once they leave the hospital.
HHPC programs and resources for individuals, families and loved ones recovering from trauma also include:
- Information about trauma and the SELF (Safety, Emotion, Loss, and Future) model
- Stories of healing
- Strategies for coping
- Resources for families
- Resources for providers