Recreation and Inclusion Resources
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford offers community-based, comprehensive services and supports to individuals in the city of Chicago, surrounding suburban Cook County, and the Rockford area. Programs focusing on early learning and disability services include autism services and supports, diagnostic services, early intervention and education programs, teen and young parent services, respite care, employment opportunities, and additional support services.
Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford services and programs include:
- Family support and respite services
- Harry’s Buttons and Threads (HB Threads) offering employment opportunities, job training, and life skills development for individuals with disabilities
- Teen and young parent family support, resources and doula services
- The Autism Program (TAP) at Easterseals serving families in JoDaviess, Lake, Stephenson, Boone, Winnebago, McHenry, and Northern Ogle counties.
- The Illinois Autism Partnership at Easterseals offering programming support for organizations.
For more information, visit the Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford’s website contact page.
Election 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.
Envision Unlimited’s Community Living Program
Envision Unlimited’s Community Living Program provides a variety of residential living arrangements and supports to adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Services are individualized and person-centered. The intent is to assist each individual to live in the community in a setting most aligned with his/her preferences and those of his/ her guardian. In-home respite is prioritized for individuals who are not receiving any other funded service and who are on the PUNS wait list.
EP!C (Empowering People. Inspiring Capabilities.)
Empowering people. Inspiring capabilities. ( EP!C ) serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. EP!C helps individuals with disabilities at all levels achieve their goals and live their lives to the fullest by providing a range of programs and services including:
- Educational services
- Community living services
- Employment services
- EP!Casso art program
- Healthcare supports
EP!C provides services to individuals in central and some southern Illinois communities.
The Epilepsy Advocacy Network (EAN) seeks to optimize the quality of life of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders by promoting community education and awareness, self-advocacy and empowerment, and helping all individuals gain proper access to care. EAN services and supports include:
- Case coordination (epilepsy)/assistance with education services
- Clinic visits
- Support groups
- Financial, transportation and medication resources
- Yearly camp for people ages 8 to 24 with epilepsy
- Seizure response training
It is an affiliate agency of the Epilepsy Alliance of America.
For questions, please contact EAN online or call (815) 846-0881.
Epilepsy Alliance America is a national organization providing support, care and service to those with epilepsy, their families, caregivers and communities. The organization’s services and supports include:
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois
The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois aims to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures and save lives. Its programs include epilepsy and seizure support services, home-based services, residential services, epilepsy education programs, support groups, Camp Roehr, a scholarship and more.
Its website also provides resources, including a New to Epilepsy Guide, a seizure calendar, a Professionals and Caregiver Guide, and more.
For questions or more information, please visit the Contact Page for the Southern Illinois Region Office and the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois for coverage information and phone numbers.
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois’ Camp Roehr
The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois (EFGSI) hosts an annual, overnight camp for children and teenagers with epilepsy. Camp Roehr provides campers ages 6 to 17 with seven days of fun, building friendships and learning about living with epilepsy. Camp registration typically begins in mid-April. Participant requirements include:
- Living in Illinois or surrounding states
- Having a primary diagnosis of epilepsy and well-controlled seizures
- Being able to care for their own basic needs and ready for an overnight camp experience
For questions about Camp Roehr, please contact EFGSI at (618) 236-2181 or info@epilepsygsil.org.
Equestrian Connection in Lake Forest
Equestrian Connection provides therapy programs for children and adults with mental, emotional and physical challenges and disabilities. Programs include hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, art therapy, job training and more. Class instructors are clinically licensed occupational and physical therapists, experienced clinicians and instructors, and trained volunteers.
Programs are available in individual and group settings. For more information, call Equestrian Connection at (847) 615 8696.
Etiquette: Interacting with People with Disabilities
People with disabilities are individuals with families, jobs, hobbies, likes and dislikes, and problems and joys. While the disability is an integral part of who they are, it alone does not define them.
RespectAbility offers tips and resources to educate the public about etiquette and interacting with people with disabilities. Featured information includes:
- A disability sensitivity training video from the D. C. Office of Disability Rights
- The United Spinal Association’s Disability Etiquette booklet (Spanish) (Chinese)