Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources
The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission has a list of Service Animal Resources. Information includes Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, programs that provide animals and more.
For questions, please contact the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission.
Sign Language Interpreter Directory
The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission maintains a directory of sign language interpreters. You can search the directory by an interpreter’s name or by region/county.
Signed By Stories aims to raise mental health awareness, advocacy, education and support for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, late-deafened and deaf-disabled through storytelling.
Signed By Stories is working to create a community where deaf and hard-of-hearing people can:
- Join together and share their mental health stories
- Receive validation for their experiences
- Learn how to better support their own and the larger community’s mental health needs
- Have a platform where both deaf and hearing people have the knowledge, tools and feel empowered to take action to improve the current state of mental health care for deaf people
Sleep Help for Individuals With ASD
Autism Speaks offers parents helpful tips for establishing good sleep hygiene and tool kits targeting sleep strategies for children, teens and adults on the spectrum.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers toolkits for people with sickle cell disease and professionals navigating the disability application and evaluation process. The toolkits provide detailed information, examples of the types of medical evidence required for individuals with sickle cell disease, and tips to help with the disability application and evaluation process:
Southern Illinois University Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Carbondale
The Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) at Southern Illinois University is an interprofessional training and research center providing information and services to area residents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. CASD offers ASD screenings, clinical services for children, adolescents and adults, webinars and support.
CASD faculty and students provide a variety of training and services, many at no cost to families and their children. Help is available in the following areas:
- Speech/language
- Social skills
- Emotional-behavioral concerns
- Toileting
- Sleep
- Picky eating and more
For more information, call (618) 453-7130 or email autism@siu.edu.
Spanish Language Resources for Families & Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Hands & Voices (Manos y Voces): Unbiased parent-to-parent support and Spanish-language resources for families and children who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (La Asociación del Habla, Lenguaje y Audición): The organization provides Spanish-language information for the public and families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Spectrum Sailing Summer Camps for Youth With Autism
Spectrum Sailing is a nonprofit organization that provides sailing camps for children aged 10 to 17 with autism. Camp sessions in Chicago typically take place in June. The three-day experience includes learning about the boat’s parts, how to tie knots, and how to sail.
Check Spectrum Sailing’s website for the application and camp deadlines. For any questions about the Spectrum Sailing program or sessions, please call (847) 863-3059 or email info@spectrumsailing.org.
Telecommunications Relay Services Information in American Sign Language
Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) allow people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or have speech disabilities to communicate by telephone.
The Federal Communications Commission’s American Sign Language video walks you through the various TRS systems available.
The Answer, Inc. provides resources, education, recreation and advocacy services to families with loved ones with autism and developmental disabilities in the greater Chicago area.
Visit The Answer, Inc., website for more information.