Resource Directory /

Transition: Independence Resources

  • Chicagoland Funding Sources for Stairlifts, Ramps and Other Home Accessibility Solutions

    Lifeway Mobility offers a comprehensive list of various accessibility funding sources in Chicagoland, northwest Indiana and southeast Wisconsin. The guide provides information on organizations and other resources that may be able to help you pay for a stair lift, ramp or other accessibility solution.

    You must contact the individual organizations directly for specific details. Please use the information provided to contact the organization/option listed.

  • Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

    The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. The website includes:

    You can contact the Reeve Foundation at (800) 225-0292

  • Client Assistance Program

    The Illinois Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a federally funded program that helps persons with disabilities understand and use rehabilitation services. The program:

    • Informs and advises individuals of the services and benefits available to them through programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act and Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Advocates and provides assistance for people seeking programs and services provided for within the Rehabilitation Act
    • Helps to identify and resolve problems that may arise during the rehabilitation process
    • Identifies problem areas in providing rehabilitation services and makes suggestions for improving services

    Those eligible for CAP are:

    • Anyone seeking information, applying for services or already receiving services from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), the Vocational Rehabilitation and the Centers for Independent Living
    • Persons who are dissatisfied with the services they are receiving, or who have been denied services for which they may be eligible
    • Persons needing intervention or assistance in their relationships with programs providing rehabilitation service

    For more information about CAP, call (855) 452-2725 (1-855-ILCAP-25). TTY and Relay callers can dial 711. You can also email cap@equipforequality.org or visit equipforequality.org/cap for more details.

  • Communication Wallet Card

    The Secretary of State’s Office offers an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Communication Wallet Card to help notify law enforcement that a person may have difficulty communicating. Applicants may request the wallet card at any Illinois Secretary of State Driver’s License Facility.

    The wallet card is available to notify law enforcement in advance that a person may require alternative methods of communication in order to respond to and communicate with an officer.

    For more details, contact the Secretary of State’s Office at (800) 252-8980.

  • Create Your Own Communication Card for People With Hearing Losssun-icon

    The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC) provides a template to create a personalized Communication Card for people with hearing loss. The card helps others understand your communication needs and lists your preferred communication provider’s name and contact information. To create a personalized Communication Card, visit the “Create my own Communication Card” page on IDHHC’s website.

    For more information, contact the IDHHC:

  • DayOne PACT

    DayOne PACT (CFC #5) is a not-for-profit agency that provides service case management, trust and guardianship services for people with disabilities in Illinois through its Life Management Services program.  The agency also functions as the Child and Family Connections agency for DuPage, Kane and Kendall Counties. This service works with families with children who are eligible for services through the Illinois Early Intervention system.

    DayOne PACT aims to help individuals with disabilities of all ages live supported, productive and meaningful lives.

    • The St. Charles location serves Kendall and Kane counties. Call (630) 879-2277 (telephone and “Crisis After Hours” with 24-hour accessibility) or (888) 356-0491 (toll-free)
    • The Lisle location serves DuPage County.  Call  (630) 960-9700 (telephone and “Crisis After Hours” with 24-hour accessibility) or (888) 356-0491 (toll-free)

  • Decision-Making Planning Tool

    Everyone’s ability to make decisions changes across a lifetime, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

    The Arc’s Center for Future Planning created this Future Decisions handout to help individuals with IDD and their families learn how to make, review and adjust a decision-making plan throughout a person’s life to maximize their ability to make their own decisions.

  • Decision-Making Supports

    People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the same right to make decisions about their lives as people without disabilities. It is important to recognize and respect that right.

    This Decision-Making Supports handout from The Arc’s Center for Future Planning provides information about available supports to help people with IDD make decisions.

  • Developmental Disabilities Employment

    The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) seeks to maximize opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to work in competitive integrated employment.

    The division’s Developmental Disabilities Employment Resources list provides the latest information on the division’s efforts toward employment for people with developmental disabilities. It includes a list of DDD-supported employment providers that also provide employment services funded by the Division of Rehabilitation Services. The list aims to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities understand the options available to them when searching for an employment supports provider.

  • Developmental Disabilities Transition Resources for Southern Illinois

    Southern Illinois Case Coordination Services (SICCS) provides this Developmental Disability Transition Resources guide to provide an overview of the person-first services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

    SICCS serves Alexander, Bond, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White and Williamson counties.

    Available services include PUNS (Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services). 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.