Transition: Social Resources
DSCC’s Relationships and Sexuality Development Tip Sheet
Teens with disabilities have the same feelings, needs and desires as people without disabilities. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs understand these feelings and learn about things to consider if they decide to date or have a personal relationship.
Relationships and Sexuality Development tip sheet in English
Relationships and Sexuality Development tip sheet in Spanish
DSCC’s Skills Checklist – Social
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this checklist to help youth gain important social skills and abilities needed to reach their highest level of independence. Youth can use this checklist to identify and build skills in areas such as communication, pet care, safety, socialization and recreation. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.
DSCC’s Travel Safety Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet for youth with special healthcare needs and their families to encourage travel safety. The tip sheet also provides information about adaptive driver programs and possible resources for vehicle adaptations.
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 disabilitiesElmhurst 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.eduEpilepsy 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
From PUNS Enrollment to DD Waiver Services Flowchart
The Arc of Illinois’ Ligas Family Advocate Program (LFAP) provides information and outreach to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families who are selected from the PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) or notified in advance of a future PUNS selection.
LFAP’s resources include a “Finding Your Way” flowchart roadmap that outlines the steps from PUNS enrollment to developmental disability waiver services.
Fun4theDisabled is a community created by, for and about people with disabilities to help everyone live their best lives. Fun4theDisabled creates video and content highlighting opportunities for people with disabilities in the community, connecting them with organizations, programs and events that provide accessibility in inclusive and fun ways.
Fun4theDisabled resources include:
- Tools and information on planning for emergencies and disaster
- Video tours of Chicago-area sites, including the National Museum of Mexican Art, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo and more
- Videos featuring disability leaders, health topics and more on their Fun4theDisabled YouTube channel
Generation Patient is a nonprofit organization created by and for young adult patients with chronic, complex, rare or undiagnosed medical conditions. The organization’s focus includes providing peer-support groups, roundtable discussions and helping to drive systems-level change through policy work, leadership programming and advocacy initiatives across healthcare and research spaces.
Generation Patient also offers:
- “Creating Spaces for Young Adults with Chronic Conditions,” a step-by-step toolkit with resources and strategies for finding and creating peer support
- Virtual community-led peer-support groups for young adults (ages 18 and up), including:
- A general group for young adults with chronic and rare medical conditions,
- A higher education group for patients in college or graduate school,
- A group for young adults with irritable bowel disease (IBD)
Healing Horse Stables in Sidney, Ill., is a non-profit organization offering therapeutic riding and equine-facilitated learning for individuals of all ages and abilities. Healing Horse Stables promotes learning and physical, social and emotional well-being through programs that include:
- Therapeutic riding
- Riding for relaxation
- Horsemanship programs
- Field trips