Resource Directory /

Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources

  • Illinois Dyslexia Guide: A Handbook for Parents, Educators, and Students and Dyslexia Toolkit

    The Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) Dyslexia Guide: A Handbook for Parents, Educators, and Students provides information and guidance about dyslexia and related disorders for educational professionals, school leaders, families, guardians, and students. The handbook seeks to empower stakeholder groups to better understand dyslexia and strengthen programs to meet the educational and social-emotional needs of children and adolescents who struggle to learn to read.

    You can use the handbook alone or with the Dyslexia Toolkit. The toolkit’s ever-evolving collection of additional resources includes laws, websites, videos,  and podcasts for families and educators.

    Visit the Specific Learning Disability Support Project (SLD Supports) website for these resources and more.

  • Illinois Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Programsun-icon

    The Illinois Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (IL EHDI) Program works to ensure families of babies and children who are deaf or hard of hearing receive appropriate and timely services. These services include hearing screening, diagnosis, early intervention and parent-to-parent support, provided through coordinated systems of care.

    Families and providers can learn more about the EHDI program and find resources on the Illinois Sound Beginnings website.

  • Illinois Early Learning Project

    The Illinois Early Learning Project provides evidence-based, early care and education information for parents, caregivers and teachers of young children in the state of Illinois.

    The site provides a wide range of information on important topics involving early care and education, including:

  • Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources

    Streator Unlimited Inc.’s Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources provides services to anyone of any age with epilepsy or a seizure disorder who resides in its service area of central and northwest Illinois. Its services include:

    • Peer support and support groups
    • Caregiver support
    • Help to navigate insurance and benefits
    • Medical service support
    • Access to counseling
    • Vocational support
    • Help to coordinate transportation

    For more details, email epilepsy@streatorunlimited.org or call (815) 673-5574.

  • Illinois Guide By Your Side

    Illinois Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side (GBYS) is a free program providing unbiased information, one-on-one support and resources and trained Parent Guides to talk and/or meet with you if you have a child with hearing loss or a suspected hearing loss.

    Parent Guides are adults who have children with a hearing loss. They provide unbiased information and resources regarding communication, educational and technological choices. They help families identify their options and not tell them which options  to choose. They support families and can help them navigate through the many systems and services available in Illinois. They work as a team with professionals offering a well rounded care system for families.

  • Illinois Hands & Voicessun-icon

    Illinois Hands & Voices is a parent-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. It offers a wide range of resources, including educational options and how to access them, parent guides, family networking and learning opportunities, and more.

    For questions, please contact Illinois Hands & Voices at executivedirector@ilhandsandvoices.com, or (630) 697-3544.

  • Illinois Respite Services and Providers List

    Respite is a service providing a temporary break between the family caregiver and the care recipient. Illinois offers a variety of respite services for eligible families and individuals.

    Illinois Life Span (ILS), a program of The Arc of Illinois, provides fact sheets, information and a listing of respite services/providers currently funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. The current listing may be found on their website.

  • Illinois Spina Bifida Association

    The Illinois Spina Bifida Association (ISBA) works to improve the quality of life of children, adults and families with spina bifida. ISBA works to accomplish its mission by:

    • Promoting skills development and independence
    • Supporting individuals and families through outreach, education and advocacy
    • Investing in people by funding scholarships, mobility equipment, research and emergency help

    For more information or to participate in these programs, visit ISBA’s website or call (773) 444-0305.

  • Illinois Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    The Illinois Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ITDHH) focuses on promoting the professional growth of teachers and the quality of education for people who are deaf and hard of hearing throughout Illinois. The organization hosts an annual conference and provides annual scholarship opportunities for teachers and students.

    ITDHH annual scholarship and grant opportunities for Illinois students and teachers include:

    • The “Hazel Bothwell Memorial Scholarships and Grants For Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing” provides funding to teachers to help strengthen learning and educational services for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. You must be a current ITDHH member to apply.
    • The “Jacki Marcus Memorial Scholarship for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students” is for high school seniors planning to pursue a two- or four-year college degree. 
    • The “Pierce-Scherer Student Scholarship for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students” is for high school seniors planning to attend a vocational or trade school.

  • Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation

    The Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) is a not-for-profit that issues equipment to provide telephone access to Illinois residents who are hard of hearing, late deafened, deaf-blind or speech-disabled.

    ITAC provides both the Illinois Relay phone service and an equipment program, which are both required by state law. Its equipment is designed specifically for people who are having difficulty hearing on the standard phone system. Information is also available in Spanish.