Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources
It’s important for everyone involved in your child’s care to understand their needs and what makes them unique. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) has created “All About Me” Pages that you can personalize to help anyone on your care team and beyond get to know your child. These free templates highlight what works best for your child, what they like and dislike and who they are as a person.
There are a variety of designs to choose from to help you capture your child’s personality. You can share them with doctors, nurses, schools, other caregivers and more. Templates are available in both English and Spanish.
Accessible Live Theater Productions Calendar
The League of Chicago Theatres works with Chicago-area theaters to make live theater performances accessible to everyone. The league provides a calendar of upcoming performances based on specific access requirements and disabilities.
The calendar includes touch tours, American Sign Language (ASL)-interpreted, audio-described, open-captioned, sensory-friendly and Spanish subtitled performances. Sensory-friendly performances are relaxed and sensory-friendly theatre experiences aimed to be more accessible for individuals on the autism spectrum or others with cognitive/developmental disabilities.
For more information, contact the League of Chicago Theatres at (312) 554-9800 or info@chicagoplays.com.
Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Clinic Directory
The Adult Congenital Heart Association’s ACHD Clinic Directory provides information on ACHD Board Certified providers certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and ACHA ACHD Accredited Centers.
You can search for clinics by zip code and state. You can find more details and health information on the Adult Congenital Heart Association’s website.
Located in Park Ridge, the Adult Down Syndrome Center offers comprehensive medical and support services to Illinois residents aged 12 and older with Down syndrome. The Adult Down Syndrome Center’s website includes:
- Resources for people with Down syndrome, families/caregivers and healthcare professionals
- A video gallery
- Information on events, classes and programs
For questions, see the Adult Down Syndrome Center’s FAQ page or call (847) 318-2303.
To schedule an appointment, call (847) 318-2303 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Adult Down Syndrome Center is a part of Advocate Health.
Adventures Unlimited in the Chicagoland Area
Adventures Unlimited is a free, state-funded respite program in Illinois that provides programming and events for participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities and respite to caregivers.
Adventures Unlimited offers two-hour recreation opportunities and events focusing on fitness, art, media training and food preparation for adults and children as young as 4 years old.
To be eligible for Adventures Unlimited, individuals must have a documented developmental disability. They must also not be enrolled in any other Medicaid waiver program.
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AGBADHH) is a non-profit organization providing resources to support hearing-impaired individuals and their families, information to help increase understanding of hearing loss, and research relating to auditory or verbal communication.
AGBADHH also offers in-service training for teachers, scholarships and conferences, and collaborates with physicians, speech/language specialists and other professionals to promote educational, vocational and social opportunities for affected individuals. Visit the AGBADHH website for more details.
Almost Home Kids provides a bridge from hospital to home through an innovative community-based care system for children with medical complexities. It responds to the needs of families, trains caregivers, offers respite care, advocates for accessibility and inclusion and educates healthcare professionals.
Almost Home Kids offers transitional, respite and respite transportation care. It has locations in Chicago, Naperville and Peoria.
American Cleft Palate – Craniofacial Association
The American Cleft Palate – Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is a non-profit association of individuals and healthcare professionals interested in clinical care and research advancements for those affected by cleft and craniofacial conditions.
ACPA provides:
- Important information for families, patients and professionals on topics associated with cleft or craniofacial care
- Educational materials in English and Spanish
- Four $5,000 college scholarships annually to outstanding students born with cleft or craniofacial conditions
- Community stories and more
American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) offers information and resources for children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. AFB resources include:
- Research and initiatives
- Publications
- Digital inclusion and talent lab internships and apprenticeships
- Braille and technology resources
American Heart Association Support Network
A free online social community of survivors and family caregivers who share information and inspiration. Support Network members trade tips, compare notes and shore each other up when the going gets rough. Members also have access to healthcare professionals who can answer their questions. Plus, specialized resources from the American Heart Association.