Transition: Independence Resources
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 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.
Special Recreation of Joliet & Channahon
Special Recreation of Joliet & Channahon (SRJC) is a cooperative extension of the Joliet and Channahon Park Districts. SRJC provides year-round social and recreation activities for people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities. Programs offer opportunities to build new skills, create friendships and have fun.
Transportation is available to residents of Joliet and Channahon for some SRJC programs for an additional fee. For non-resident transportation, please contact the SRJC office at (815) 741-7275, ext. 176.
For more information about SRJC or to request a registration form, call the Kathy Green Multi-Purpose Center at (815) 741-7275, ext. 160.
STRIVE for Independence offers driver evaluations and training for all ages, disabilities and medical conditions for the Chicagoland area. STRIVE for Independence serves clients with a wide variety of driver rehabilitation needs. Their team of specialists includes occupational therapists, certified driver rehabilitation specialists, and state of Illinois-certified driving instructors (CDI) for adults and teenagers.
Visit the STRIVE for Independence website for more details.
Suburban Access, Inc. is an independent service coordination and advocacy agency that links children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to life-enhancing services, programs, experiences and personal supports to empower them to live life without limits. Suburban Access offers a variety of programs to help people with intellectual disabilities overcome barriers and advance their independence, learning and community connections.
Suburban Access has locations in Homewood and Hillside. It serves south and west suburban Cook County. For more information, call (708) 799-9190.
Supported Decision-Making Act in Illinois
Illinois’ Supported Decision-Making Act ensures people with disabilities can get the help they need to make decisions for their own lives. The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission has many resources to explain the Supported Decision-Making Act. These include:
The ADA National Network Disability Law Handbook
This handbook is meant to provide basic information about disability rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as resources for finding out more.
The Arc’s Disability Voter Guide
The Arc has developed voting resources in plain language and Spanish, including a disability voter guide and sample questions for candidates.
PUNS is the name for the list of the people in Illinois with developmental disabilities who want or need services but do not yet have funding. Individuals who need help from the government to pay for needed Division of Developmental Disabilities Waiver services now, or in the future, should register for PUNS.
The Arc of Illinois’ Life Span Program provides an overview of how to get on the PUNS list and how to check the approximate date when you may be selected.