Resource Directory /

Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources

  • Illinois Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Protection

    The Illinois Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Protection responds to consumer complaints in areas including health care services and providers, home repair, identity theft and more. It also enforces related Illinois consumer fraud laws. The division also provides consumer alerts and recalls, and publications and information to help consumers understand their rights and how to protect themselves.

    Consumer Protection resources also include:

    • Identity theft prevention tips
    • Auto buying, financing and repair tips
    • Advocating for consumers around health care, medications and public health concerns
    • Information on home repair and construction services
    • Help for businesses and more

  • Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition

    The Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition provides resources for consumers, providers, clinicians, employers and educators on issues related to medical insurance coverage for behavioral health services for autism, developmental disabilities and mental health conditions in Illinois.

    Coalition resources include:

    For more information, contact the Illinois Autism Insurance Coalition at (614) 565-5765 or help@ilasd.com.

  • Illinois Center for Autism

    The Illinois Center for Autism (ICA) is a nonprofit, community-based mental health treatment and educational agency serving people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ICA offers a variety of programs designed to support families and help individuals from age 3 through adulthood achieve their highest level of independence at home, school and in the community.

    ICA provides education, advocacy, social skills, life skills, vocational training, and resources to children ages 3 to 22 in its Special Education Program, individuals 22 and older in its Adult Services Program, and their families in its Client Family Support Services Programs.

    ICA provides services primarily in Madison, St. Clair, Bond, Clinton, Washington, Monroe, Fayette, Marion, and Macoupin. Other counties may also be included in the service area, depending on where students and families live.

    For questions, please call ICA at (618) 398-7500 or email info@illinoiscenterforautism.org.

  • Illinois Community College Initiative

    The Illinois Community College Initiative provides academic and vocational training programs for eligible students with disabilities at in-state public community colleges and approved community colleges bordering the state. People with disabilities who are determined eligible for the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) vocational rehabilitation program may complete community college coursework leading to an associate’s degree or to a degree, certificate, or other industry-recognized credential or certificate.

    DRS will help students with:

    • The cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies
    • Transportation costs
    • Other eligible costs

    To get started, contact your local DRS office using the locator tool or call (877) 581-3690. TTY and relay callers can dial 711.

  • Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities

    The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) helps lead change in Illinois so all people with developmental disabilities exercise their right to equal opportunity and freedom.

    ICDD provides information, investments and initiatives to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families have a part in the design of and access to culturally competent services, supports and other assistance and opportunities that promote independence, productivity and integration and inclusion into the community.

    For more information, see CDD’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

  • Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission

    The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC) is an executive state agency that promotes education and awareness of the legal requirements for effective communication on behalf of people with hearing loss in Illinois.

    The commission also provides information about:

    • Assistive technology
    • Hearing aid assistance
    • Service animal resources
    • Interpreters and CART providers
    • American Sign Language (ASL) videos and publications

  • Illinois Department of Human Services

    The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) provides services and programs to help Illinois residents become economically independent and self-sufficient, including food, financial assistance, mental health, child care, shelter/housing and more. Its divisions include:

    • Developmental Disabilities
    • Early Childhood
    • Family and Community Services
    • Mental Health
    • Rehabilitation Services
    • Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR)

  • Illinois Division of Developmental Disability (DDD) Services

    Illinois’ Division of Developmental Disability (DDD) Services system offers services including day services, home-based services, Early Intervention services, disability determination services and other supports.

    Visit the Developmental Disability Services page for more information. You can also contact:

  • Illinois Dyscalculia and Dyslexia Handbooks for Parents, Educators and Students

    The Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) and the Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Support Project’s Dyscalculia and Dyslexia Handbooks provide information and guidance on dyscalculia, dyslexia and related disorders for educational professionals, school leaders, families, guardians, and students. The handbooks aim to provide a better understanding of dyslexia and strengthen programs to meet the educational and social-emotional needs of children and adolescents who struggle to learn to read.

    The Dyscalculia Handbook helps educators, families and students better understand dyscalculia, a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers, calculations and mathematical reasoning.

    The Illinois Dyslexia Handbook outlines how to identify signs of dyslexia, describes evidence-based instructional practices that improve academic outcomes and highlights available resources and services to support students and those who work with them.

    You can use the handbook alone or with the Dyslexia Toolkit. The toolkit’s ever-evolving collection of 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.