Resource Directory /

Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources

  • National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes

    The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) shares information, networks, and strategies to improve continuing education and training for deaf people. It offers online courses, online gaming tools for youth, evidence-based resources, webinars and more.

    NDC resources include:

    • Free online learning modules and webinars for teens, college students and professionals
    • Planning tools, tips and more for high school and college students
    • Disability services providers portal and online training modules
    • Deaf culture and awareness resources
    • Deafverse, a choose-your-own-adventure online game created just for deaf teenagers

  • National Down Syndrome Society

    The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) aims to empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families by driving policy change, providing resources, engaging with local communities and shifting public perceptions.

    Its resources include information on Down syndrome across the lifespan on topics including:

    Many of NDSS’s resources and publications are available in multiple languages.

    For more information, call the NDSS Helpline at (800) 221-4602.

  • National Federation of the Blind

    The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people in the United States. NFB helps create a wide range of opportunities for children and adults who are blind in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Programs and services cover a wide range of areas, including advocacy, education, Braille certification, parent support and resources, training, employment, technology and more.

    A small sampling of NFB resources includes:

    For more information, contact NFB at (410) 659-9314 or nfb@nfb.org

    There is also an Illinois chapter. Visit the National Federation of the Blind in Illinois website, call (312) 343-8396, or email  president@nfbofillinois.org.

  • National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

    The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois (NFBI) is a nonprofit organization serving blind individuals and their sighted friends and family of all ages. NFBI provides information, programs and well-trained leaders to help newly blind people adjust to vision loss, promote the full participation and integration of blind people in our communities, and effect change at the state and national levels. Programs include:

    • A free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, or otherwise print-disabled
    • Scholarship and education programs
    • Voter resources
    • Statewide and local chapters

    Visit NFBI’s website to view the complete list of Illinois chapters and contact information.

    Please contact the chapter nearest you for more information.

  • National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorderssun-icon

    The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) conducts and supports research in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. The website offers health information and resources that address these areas.

  • National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)

    The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) is a free braille and talking book library service for individuals with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical or perceptual disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS offers books in braille or audio, which can be mailed to your door for free or downloaded instantly.

    NLS works to ensure that all may read by providing eligible individuals with access to reading materials, regardless of age, economic circumstances, or technical expertise.

    For questions, please contact (888) 657-7323 and follow the prompts or email nls@loc.gov.

  • New Kingdom Trailriders

    New Kingdom Trailriders (NKT) in Sherrard offers therapeutic horseback riding lessons for children ages 4 and up and adults with autism, mental illness, disabilities and other challenges. The lessons help promote mental focus, fine and gross motor skills, coordination, social skills and self-confidence. NKT serves residents in the greater Quad City area and surrounding communities. A limited number of scholarships are offered per riding session to individuals with proven financial need.

    For questions, please contact NKT at (309) 764-4220 or info@nktriders.org.

  • New to Seizures and Epilepsy Toolkit

    Hearing about epilepsy and seizures for the first time can be frightening and confusing. The Epilepsy Foundation’s “New to Seizures and Epilepsy Toolkit” provides a starting point for individuals, parents and caregivers to learn about:

    • What epilepsy is
    • Available resources
    • How to make the most of doctors’ visits
    • How to take control of seizures

    Individual fact sheets on topics including seizure first aid and developing your own seizure response plan are also available. All materials are available in English and Spanish.

  • NORD: National Organization for Rare Disorders

    The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) offers support, information and a variety of events for clinicians, researchers, patients and families affected by rare diseases.

    NORD’s Resource Center provides patients and caregivers with free webinars, fact sheets, infographics, links to support and advocacy groups, and referrals for rare disorders.

    NORD’s RareCare Program website provides a list of financial assistance programs that can help patients obtain life-saving or life-sustaining medication they could not otherwise afford.

    NORD’s State Resource Center lists local, state, and national organizations by state or topic, offering free or low-cost services for people impacted by rare diseases.

    La Organización Nacional de Enfermedades Raras (NORD) en español – Si desea hablar con alguien de NORD en español, por favor llame al (844) 259-7178 para asistencia en los siguientes horarios:
    Lunes-Jueves 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., o viernes 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    NORD’s free, self-paced online course “From Records to Research: Making Sense of Health Data for Rare Diseases” provides help with understanding health data and research participation, and how both contribute to improving treatments and care. The course is available:

  • Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation – Ollie’s Branch

    The Ollie Hinkle Heart Foundation (OHHF) offers a variety of information, resources and mental health support for families caring for children with pediatric heart conditions and heart disease. OHHF resources include:

    • Free mental health services through Ollie’s Branch. All sessions are completely free regardless of insurance status.
    • Financial support for families whose heart warrior is currently inpatient or has been admitted within three months of the request. OHHF Community Outreach requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and can help with housing, utilities, transportation, medical bills, and more.

    OHHF’s mental health access program is open to heart-warrior families anywhere in Illinois. Financial support requests may come from anywhere in the United States.

    For questions, visit the OHHF website or email info@theohhf.org.