Resource Directory /

Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources

  • American Sign Language Classes from the Oklahoma School for the Deaf

    The Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) offers free, beginner-level conversational American Sign Language (ASL) classes. The self-paced, eight-lesson courses are taught by OSD’s ASL Specialist. Registration is open to anyone who wants to learn ASL. The non-credit courses do not count toward professional development hours or continuing education units.

  • American Sign Language Lessons

    If you are interested in learning or practicing the basics of American Sign Language (ASL), these sites provide free lessons to get you started:

    There are also free YouTube videos available to help you learn, practice and supplement your sign language instruction:

  • American Society for Deaf Children / Sociedad Americana para Niños Sordos

    The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is a national, non-profit organization providing support, encouragement and information to families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

    ASDC offers deaf mentors and online American Sign Language (ASL) classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.  To help support language development, families and providers can also access ASL stories to watch and read together.  Resources are available in English and Spanish.

  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

    The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is committed to ensuring that all people with speech, language and hearing disorders receive services to help them communicate effectively.

    The ASHA website provides resources to help you understand communication and communication disorders.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s ADA.gov website provides information and assistance to help people with disabilities, state and local governments, and businesses understand their legal rights and responsibilities under the ADA.

    The ADA.gov website includes:

    • An introduction to the ADA
    • Guidance and resource materials on a range of topics, including service animals, parking and more
    • Answers to frequently asked questions
    • Fact sheets, legal documents and how to report violations

    For questions, please call the ADA Information Line at 1 (800) 514-0301 or 1 (833) 610-1264 (TTY).

  • Apraxia Kids

    Apraxia Kids is a nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia of speech. The Apraxia Kids website provides resource guides and information about conferences, webinars, support groups and more.

  • ASL Nook (American Sign Language Nook)

    ASL Nook (American Sign Language Nook) is an online hub featuring fun and casual videos to help deaf children, hearing family members and students learn ASL. Founded by two Deaf people from hearing families, ASL Nook aims to fill a gap for new parents and to teach ASL using authentic, real-life situations.

    ASL Nook is free and provides short ASL videos focusing on topics such as:

    • Eating at a restaurant
    • Zoo and sea animals
    • Favorite stories
    • The weather
    • Health and more

  • Aspire

    Aspire partners with people with disabilities to explore new possibilities in living, learning and working. Programs focus on furthering diversity, inclusion, and life and career skills for adults with developmental disabilities throughout Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs, southeast Wisconsin and virtually. Aspire services and programs include:

    • Community homes
    • Independent living support
    • Life enrichment
    • Virtual life coaching
    • Job training and support

  • Assistive Technology Fund

    The Association of Blind Citizens operates the Assistive Technology Fund. The fund will provide funds to cover 50 percent of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. The ABC board of directors believes that this program will allow blind and visually impaired individuals access to technology products that will have a significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increase the level of independence and enhance their overall quality of life.

  • Association for Individual Development (AID)

    The Association for Individual Development (AID) serves individuals with developmental, intellectual, physical and/or mental health challenges, those who have suffered a trauma and those at risk. Operating in the greater Fox Valley area and other western suburban counties, AID provides services to address the unique needs of individuals throughout every stage of their lives.

    Programs include:

    • Autism programs
    • Permanent supportive housing and in-home support
    • Developmental and vocational training
    • Job placement and on-the-job coaching service
    • Crisis intervention and victim services
    • Mental health treatment

    AID is also a sponsor of the Ride in Kane paratransit program in partnership with RTA, Pace, Kane County, and local municipalities and social service agencies.