Resource Directory /

Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources

  • Pediatric Tracheostomy Tube Emergency Management Video

    In this video, nurses from Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago describe and demonstrate emergency management for pediatric patients with tracheostomy (trach) tubes. The video covers:

    • Prevention and assessment of emergency situations
    • How to manage a mucous plug
    • How to replace a trach tube that has become dislodged
    • What to do if the trach tube is difficult to replace
    • When to provide manual ventilation using bag to trach tube, bag and mask to mouth, and mouth to mouth

  • Perkins School for the Blind College Readiness Resource Center

    Perkins School for the Blind College Readiness Resource Center helps students and the many people involved in assisting them prepare for success. Students, families and education professionals can access helpful planning and assessment tools, checklists and resources for going to college, pre-college training programs or heading straight to work.

    The College Readiness Resource Center includes:

    • Resources for families to start planning early
    • Information on the laws that affect the transition from high school to college
    • How to get students ready for life after high school
    • The College Readiness Checklist and Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) Toolkit

  • Preparing For College When You Have Congenital Heart Disease

    Going to college is an exciting time filled with new friends and experiences. When you have congenital heart disease (CHD), it can be overwhelming or tempting to put your care on the back burner. It’s very important that you stay in care and are as prepared as possible.

    The Adult Congenital Heart Association provides this resource with tips to help you maintain good health while you further your education.

  • Progress Center for Independent Living Serving Suburban Cook County

    The Progress Center for Independent Living serves over 133 municipalities throughout suburban Cook County. It is a community-based, non-profit, non-residential service and advocacy organization operated for people with disabilities, by people with disabilities. Progress Center provides a variety of training and education services, housing assistance, and tools and resources for people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes. These include:

    • Youth transition to adulthood program
    • Independent living skills training
    • Peer counseling
    • Housing assistance
    • Deaf services
    • Braille classes
    • Radio Independent Living 24/7

    For questions, please call (708) 209-1500 or email info@progresscil.org.

  • Project LEAP – Launching Equity in Access to Preschool

    Equip for Equality’s Project LEAP (Launching Equity in Access to Preschool) helps children with disabilities from birth to 6 get Early Intervention and early childhood special education services so that they’re ready to succeed in school. Project LEAP can help your child:

    • Move from Early Intervention to early childhood education
    • Receive the tests needed for special education services
    • Access behavior supports and assistive technology

    Project LEAP can also go to your child’s Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings, mediation and due process hearings in select cases.

    For more information or to schedule a time to talk, please contact Equip for Equality at EFEProjectLEAP@equipforequality.org or call the Equip for Equality Special Education hotline at 1-866-KIDS-046 or (866) 543-7046.  You can also complete an online intake form at www.equipforequality.org/get-legal-help-from-efe/.

  • Rare Sisters Batten Foundation

    The Rare Sisters Batten Foundation (RSBF) supports the development of medical research to develop treatments and cures for CLN3 Batten Disease. It also provides financial assistance to families with children diagnosed with Batten Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder.

    Families with children diagnosed with Batten Disease may apply with RSBF for financial help to cover a wide variety of needs. Funds are awarded on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on availability.

  • RCADD Back-to-School Resources / Recursos para el regreso a clases

    The Resource Center for Autism & Developmental Delays’ (RCADD) Virtual Resource Room offers back-to-school resources for parents/caregivers and their children with autism and/or neurodiversity. Resources in English and Spanish to help with a new school year include:

    • Tip sheets- Hojas de consejos
    • Schedules and routines materials- Horarios & rutinas
    • Social stories- Historias sociales
    • Visual supports – Apoyos visuales
    • Structured activities- Actividades estructuradas

  • Reeve Foundation Virtual Support Group for Individuals Living With Paralysis

    The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation offers virtual support groups to help individuals who are living with paralysis or caring for a family member who is living with paralysis. The support groups provide an opportunity for members to connect with others who understand what they are going through and to gain support, insight and guidance.

    Group meetings are led by a mental health professional and a peer with lived experience and are conducted in an open forum/conversational format. Separate groups are held for individuals living with quadriplegia, those living with paraplegia and family members/caregivers.

  • Reliance Children’s Health Center

    Reliance Children’s Health Center in Plainfield, Ill., provides specialized care in a home-like setting for children who are medically fragile and technology-dependent and under the age of 22. The center has a maximum capacity of 12 children and offers skilled nursing care, respite care, transitional care, therapies, medical daycare and more. Reliance Children’s Health Center services include:

    • Respiratory care
    • Medical day care
    • Respite and transitional care
    • Weekend camps
    • Diagnostic studies

    For more information, contact Reliance Children’s Health Center at:

  • Rush Autism Resource Directory

    The Autism Resource Directory is an online resource guide to help families find service and support referrals in the following counties: Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will, Grundy and Kankakee.

    For more information or if you have any questions about navigating the directory or finding a referral, please call (312) 563-2272.