Resource Directory /

Transition: Independence Resources

  • Ray Graham Association

    The Ray Graham Association provides individuals with disabilities and their families in DuPage County and the surrounding area with recreational, residential, family support, employment and life skills services.

    The Ray Graham Association website also includes links to advocacy and legislative resources. The association’s goal is to empower people to:

    • Reach their potential by providing access to therapeutic programs, recreation and family support resources.
    • Grow their future through neighborhood living, life-skills training and employment opportunities.
    • Achieve their goals by pursuing personalized plans with measurable actions and results.

  • Regional Transportation Authority’s Accessible Transit Information

    The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) coordinates the Chicago region’s transportation system. The RTA website’s Accessible Transit page includes information about how the transit system is accessible, how to apply for certification for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit services, and how to learn to use the system and achieve travel independence.

    You can also visit the RTA’s Travel Assistance Digital Library to access documents about these programs in English and Spanish.

    RTA’s Mobility Outreach Program also works with organizations that serve and offer programs to people with disabilities and older adults to ensure they are aware of their transit options.

  • Resources for Voters With Disabilities

    The U.S. Election Assistance Commission created this comprehensive list of resources for voters with disabilities, which includes links to voting accessibility laws and regulations and the latest best practices and research pertaining to voters with disabilities.

  • Rides Mass Transit District in Southern Illinois

    Rides Mass Transit District (RMTD) offers clean, comfortable, and cost-effective public transportation in Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Lawrence, Pope, Richland, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson counties. RMTD offers door-to-door and fixed-route services to anyone requiring transportation. RMTD also provides ADA paratransit services for people with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route bus services where available.

    RMTD’s ADA paratransit service is by reservation only. For more details or to make a reservation:

    For any questions, please call the RMTD Operation Center at (844) 220-1243.

  • Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC)

    The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) provides a wide variety of information, videos, fellowship opportunities and events to support and strengthen self-advocacy.

    SARTAC resources for individuals and self-advocacy groups include:

    • Help for navigating social, economic and personal issues
    • Self-advocacy Zoom meetings and webinars
    • Tip sheets for self-advocacy groups
    • A history of self-advocacy

  • Self-Advocacy Online

    The Self-Advocacy Online (SAO) website, from the Research and Training Center on Community Living at The University of Minnesota,  provides self-advocacy tools for people with disabilities. The SOA website can help you research, learn and connect around self-advocacy. It includes:

    • Stories from self-advocates
    • A search feature to help you find self-advocacy groups
    • Research and information on a variety of important topics

  • Sensory-Friendly Travel at Chicago’s Airports

    Chicago O’Hare and Midway International airports offer videos, social stories, sensory maps, accessibility guides and other resources to help travelers with sensory sensitivities or who are neurodivergent feel more comfortable and confident throughout their journey.

    Visit the sensory section of FlyChicago.com to find:

    • Short videos that show what to expect at different stages of the airport journey
    • Step-by-step guides with visuals to prepare travelers for the airport experience
    • Visual guides of O’Hare and Midway that highlight high- and low-sensory areas
    • Details about sensory bags available at information desks

  • 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.

  • Special Needs Alliance

    The Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is a national, nonprofit organization made up of law firms that provide financial planning and legal help for families with loved ones who have special needs. SNA offers resources, a “Helpful Resources for Families and Individuals with Special Needs” page,  and expertise to help families navigate financial planning, disability law and connecting with nearby attorneys who focus their practices on disability law.

    For more details, visit the SNA Contact Us page.

  • Special Needs Chicago Transportation Services

    Special Needs Chicago (Tootle Transport) provides individuals with physical and/or cognitive challenges throughout Chicago and the suburbs with wheelchair-accessible transportation.