Transition: Independence Resources
DSCC’s Home Fire Safety Skills Tip Sheet
A fire can happen at any time. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs and their families learn about practicing fire safety in the home.
DSCC’s Know Your Rights: Minors’ Consent and Access to Healthcare Services
This guide from the Division of Specialized Care for Children aims to help youth understand their rights as a minor related to privacy and obtaining healthcare services. It covers:
- Which services they can receive without parental consent.
- When a parent can access their health information.
- When a provider needs their consent before sharing their health information.
Know Your Rights: Minors’ Consent and Access to Healthcare Services in English
Know Your Rights: Minors’ Consent and Access to Healthcare Services in Spanish.
DSCC’s Preparing for Adult Living Tip Sheet
It’s important for you make the most of your abilities and acknowledge your limitations. This understanding will help you know where you can improve and where you need accommodations.
This tip sheet from the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) offers steps to help youth with disabilities become self-determined and improve their quality of life.
DSCC’s Solving Problems and Making Your Own Decisions Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare and their families/caregivers build important problem-solving and decision-making skills. This tip sheet includes suggestions, steps and resources for developing the skills you need to be more independent and responsible as an adult.
Solving Problems and Making Your Own Decisions tip sheet in English
Solving Problems and Making Your Own Decisions tip sheet in Spanish
DSCC’s Staying Healthy Tip Sheet for Teens
Teens of all ages and abilities can improve their quality of life through regular, moderate physical activity. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help teens learn about the importance of exercising and finding activities that they enjoy doing.
DSCC’s Exploring Home-Based Supports Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs and their families explore programs, supports and housing options that best suit their needs.
This tip sheet provides information on:
- Planning
- Financial help and paying for needed supports
- In-home support and residential living options
- Other resources
Home-Based Supports, Day Programs and Housing Options tip sheet in English
Home-Based Supports, Day Programs and Housing Options tip sheet in Spanish
DuPage County Transition Planning Committee
The DuPage County Transition Planning Committee is a group composed of representatives from the local special education co-ops, school districts, Department of Human Services-Division of Rehabilitation Services office, adult service providers, vocational coordinators, representatives of the business community, parents and clients. The committee meets to network, educate, learn, share and support services for individuals with disabilitiesElection Engagement Hub for Individuals with Disabilities
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has an Election Engagement Hub that provides information and tools for disabled voters to engage as meaningfully as possible in their state, local and federal elections.
You can find state-by-state voting guides, plain language definitions of voting words and more.
AAPD also has the REV UP Voting Campaign, which aims to build the power of the disability vote through a national network of coalitions and organizations.
Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA)
This four-year program offers a full-time, post-secondary educational experience to young adults with developmental disabilities. Ages 18-28 high school graduates with disabilities can earn certificates in academics, independent living skills and social/recreational skills.
190 Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126-3296
(630) 617-3752
elsa@elmhurst.eduEmergency Preparedness Tips for Those with Access and Functional Needs
A guidebook from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency that provides preparedness tips for people with visual, cognitive or mobility impairments; people who are deaf or hard of hearing; those who utilize service animals or life support systems; and senior citizens.

