Transition: Social Resources
iCan Shine Recreation Programs for Individuals With Disabilities
iCan Shine collaborates with local charities, parks and recreation departments, schools, and motivated parents to provide recreational programs for people with disabilities who want to learn to ride a bike, swim or dance.
iCan Shine programs include:
- iCan Bike and iCan Dance programs for individuals ages 8 and older that are week-long camps or after-school sessions.
- iCan Swim programs for ages 3 and up that are five-day camps.
iCan Shine’s after-school programs aim to raise awareness and promote inclusion among students. Typically-developing students serve as volunteers and participate in diversity training sessions focused on learning about different disabilities and the accompanying educational and social challenges their peer students with special needs face.
Visit their website to find programs near you.
Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association
Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association (IRVSRA) provides recreation and social opportunities for individuals ages 7 and up with a wide range of disabilities. Programs include year-round Special Olympics, sports, camps, social clubs, trips and more. IRVSRA is part of the Pekin and Fon du Lac park districts serving residents and non-residents in Tazewell County and the surrounding area.
Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation
The Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) is a not-for-profit that issues equipment to provide telephone access to Illinois residents who are hard of hearing, late deafened, deaf-blind or speech-disabled.
ITAC provides both the Illinois Relay phone service and an equipment program, which are both required by state law. Its equipment is designed specifically for people who are having difficulty hearing on the standard phone system. Information is also available in Spanish.
It Gets Better Project – LGBTQ+ Youth Local and Global Resources
The It Gets Better Project’s mission is to to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe. The It Gets Better Project offers LGBTQ+ youth on- and offline resources that include events, local community service providers that can provide on-the-ground assistance and thousands of stories as told by members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. The It Gets Better Project also provides educational materials and resources for teachers and student leaders.
Kruger’s ATA Martial Arts Programs in Danville
Kruger’s ATA Black Belt Academy of Danville offers classes that help students of all ages and abilities learn to set goals and challenge themselves mentally and physically. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their children to encourage bonding and hobby sharing.
Lake County Center for Independent Living
Lake County Center for Independent Living (LCCIL) is a non-residential, cross-disability organization governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities. The center advocates for a fully accessible society that is inclusive of everyone. LCCIL serves Lake and McHenry counties.
LCCIL offers transition services to adults who want to live independently in their homes in the community and youth who seek a fully productive, independent life as they transition into adulthood. Programs include community transition services, pre-employment transition services and youth transition services.
Northern Will County Special Recreation Association
Northern Will County Special Recreation Association (NWCSRA) provides year-round, community-based recreational programs and inclusion services for children, teens and adults with special needs.
NWCSRA collaborates with the Bolingbrook Park District, Lockport Township Park District, Plainfield Park District, the Village of Romeoville, Brookeridge Park District and Justice Park District to provide recreation opportunities and special events for area families.
For more information, contact NWCSRA at (815) 407-1819.
PFLAG is dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Its website includes support resources, links to local chapters and more.
QCA Adaptive Sports Association in Moline
QCA Adaptive Sports Association is a non-profit, volunteer-led organization in the Quad City area offering a safe, accessible and accepting environment for people with physical disabilities to enjoy adaptive sports and recreational opportunities. Sports programs include:
- Wheelchair basketball
- Tennis
- Rowing
- Softball and more
Rising Lights Project is dedicated to creating environments for individuals affected by disability to learn, laugh, thrive and engage with the Fox Valley Community.
Rising Lights Project provides opportunities that engage, encourage, educate and empower people from all areas of the community to change the way disability is viewed and create new opportunities to keep those with disability engaged and connected. The project hosts inclusive events that are accessible and sensory-friendly for all ages.