Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources
KidsWork Children’s Museum of New Lenox
KidsWork Children’s Museum of New Lenox encourages children of all abilities to be curious explorers, engaged learners, creative and critical thinkers, and thoughtful and kind individuals. Kids can have playful learning experiences that encourage gross-motor play, imaginative storytelling, creative projects, and investigative discovery across a range of developmental levels and interests. Sensory-friendly playtime is on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
KidsWork Children’s Museum of New Lenox also offers a social story and other tools to help prepare for museum visits. For questions, contact the museum at (815) 469-1199 or info@kidswork.org.
Lantern (Formerly Bright by Text)
Lantern (formerly Bright by Text) is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing families with essential information for raising kids, from pregnancy through the preteen years. Lantern offers a free text messaging service that delivers high-quality information to families to help them foster a child’s healthy growth, based on their exact age and developmental stage.
The age-based messages have been created in collaboration with experts in the child development field and include speech and language skills, social-emotional development, tips, conversation starters, learning games and activities, and much more.
Families can sign up using the form on the Lantern website. Text messages are customized by the child’s due date or age and zip code.
Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois
The Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Illinois offers resources and supports to empower individuals with learning disabilities throughout their lifespan. It provides people with learning disabilities, their families, teachers and other professionals information on state legislation, learning disabilities, awards and scholarships, and more.
Learn more about LDA of Illinois scholarship opportunities for students, special education teachers, parents and other awards.
Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society
Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society (LLDSS) provides a support network for families residing in and around Sangamon County. LLDSS programs and events promote awareness, inclusion and education of people with Down syndrome.
LLDSS activities include monthly meetings, social gatherings and recreational opportunities.
For questions, please use the online form to contact LLDSS.
The Lions of Illinois Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that serves people throughout Illinois with vision and hearing needs. Programs and services include Camp Lions, children’s vision screenings, and help with accessing vision and hearing services and equipment.
See the Lions Club Programs and Services brochure for more details.
Visit the Lions of Illinois Foundation Social Services page to learn more about how Lions Clubs statewide can help provide vision and hearing services or to fill out an application.
For questions, please contact the Lions Club of Illinois Foundation at (815) 756-5633 or (815) 756-5633 V/TTY RELAY.
Little Friends, Inc. provides programs and supports to empower children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities, and their families, to live, learn, work and thrive in their communities. Little Friends serves individuals and families throughout ten counties and more than 50 school districts across Illinois. Programs include:
- Schools, educational and vocational training programs
- Respite family services
- Community-based residential living
- The Center for Autism
- Inklude Studio
- The Fun Club
- Family Support Network
For questions, visit Little Friend’s Contact Us page or call (630) 355.6533.
Living Independently Now Center Incorporated of Southern Illinois (LINC Inc.)
The Living Independently Now Center of Southern Illinois Incorporated (LINC Inc.) provides support and resources for individuals with disabilities and their families in St. Clair, Monroe and Randolph counties. LINC Inc. has offices in Swansea and Red Bud. Its resources and programs include:
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing services
- Assistive technology equipment loan program
- Community reintegration
- Computer literacy
- Mental health resources
- Peer-to-peer counseling and support groups
- Respite care program for active duty Air Force and Navy families
For questions, please contact LINC Inc. at (618) 282-2123 or support@lincinc.org.
Magical Moments Foundation is a wish-granting organization for children with facial differences. Working with the children and their families, the foundation creates experiences and adventures to comfort, inspire, and encourage children who face the world with a difference. Family members, medical professionals, teachers and others may nominate a child for a magical moment. To be eligible, a child must:
- Have a congenital or acquired facial difference
- Be between the ages of 3 and 18
- Not yet received a wish from another wish-granting organization
Visit the Magical Moments Foundation website for more details.
Margaret Hackett Family Program
Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system (CNS) are congenital disabilities of the physical structure of the brain or spinal cord that occur during fetal intrauterine growth, such as spina bifida, hydrocephalus and other conditions. The Margaret Hackett Family Program (MHFP) at the University of Chicago provides individuals and families with help in diagnosing, understanding, caring for, and addressing the challenges of living with CNS congenital anomalies. MHFP also provides research and research grants.
The Margaret Hacker Family Program also offers:
- A monthly, virtual “Connect Group” for individuals and families affected by CNS anomalies
- In-person quarterly socials
- In-person events twice a year featuring food, giveaways, fun activities and resources
- Help with finding resources and medical care
For questions, please call (773) 795-0622 or email mhfcp@bsd.uchicago.edu.
McLean County Functional Needs Registry
The McLean County Functional Needs Registry helps individuals with special needs during emergencies. The registration form documents the needs of people with physical, mental or medical limitations due to impaired vision, hearing or mobility, and language barriers. The program seeks to ensure that residents with functional needs get the assistance they need during a weather disaster or some other local emergency.
Registration for the program is free, voluntary and confidential. You can fill out an online form or print out a hard copy registration form in English or Spanish on the registry website.