Resource Directory /

Transition Resources

  • Employment Rights Helpline – Equip for Equality

    Equip for Equality’s Employment Rights Helpline provides free legal advice and self-advocacy assistance to people with disabilities who have questions or need legal help related to their disability. It aims to help applicants and employees with disabilities in Illinois understand their legal rights and responsibilities with the goal of increasing meaningful employment opportunities.

    The Helpline is toll-free at 1-844-RIGHTS-9, (844) 744-4879, or  (800) 610-2779 (TTY). You can also email the Helpline at employment@equipforequality.org.

  • EngineerGirl

    EngineerGirl focuses on diversity of thought and the many opportunities engineering represents for girls and women. The EngineerGirl website includes inspiration, information about women engineers and their achievements, “Try This” design challenges, a writing contest, summer study programs for high school students and more.

    Visit its website for information about engineering scholarships and the EngineeringGirl annual writing contest.

    For questions, please email EngineerGirl@nae.edu.

  • 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:

    EP!C provides services to individuals in central and some southern Illinois communities.

  • 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.

  • Equip for Equality

    Equip for Equality‘s mission is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with disabilities. It is the federally mandated, governor-appointed protection and advocacy organization for the state of Illinois. It works to remove barriers in education, employment, housing, transportation and government services for Illinois residents and create model programs for other organizations around the country.

    Equip for Equality offers assistance in areas including:

    • School and education rights
    • Employment rights
    • Fully participating in the community and discrimination
    • Leaving residential facilities
    • Legal services and more

  • Every Step of the Way Resource Center for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

    Every Step of the Way (ESW) takes a hands-on, person-centered approach to providing support, networking opportunities and resources for individuals with mild to profound intellectual disabilities ages 20 and up and their parents/caregivers. ESW seeks to create a community where parents/caregivers in Chicago can:

    • Find resources for recreation, education, health (mental and physical), social and daily living skills, and behavioral intervention services
    • Network with each other
    • Brainstorm and collaborate to create programming and develop opportunities for their adult children
    • Advocate and network to accommodate the needs of their adult child and the adult children in the ESW community

    For questions or more information, contact ESW at (773) 231-6376 or info@esw2022.org.

  • Exceptional Learners Collaborative

    The Exceptional Learners’ Collaborative (ELC) is a special education cooperative and joint agreement between four school districts in Vernon Hills (Lake County), Ill. The ELC provides services to students with special needs, ages 3 through 22. Its website offers information and resources on transition, employment, housing, mental health, parent advocacy and empowerment, the One Community parent-to-parent support group and more.

    ELC provides services and support in communities including Buffalo Grove, Kildeer, Long Grove, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Prairie View, Hawthorn Woods, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Lake Zurich, Mettawa, Fox Lake, and Spring Grove.

    If you have any questions, please call (224) 513-6444.

  • Family Caregiver Alliance

    The Family Caregiver Alliance’s mission is to improve the quality of life for family caregivers and the people who receive their care. The Family Caregiver Alliance website provides in-depth information and tips on a variety of caregiving topics, including legal and financial planning, advanced illness and end of life, self-care and more.

    Resources are available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and more.

  • Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center

    Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center (Family Matters PTIC) empowers parents and professionals to achieve the strongest possible outcomes and enhance the quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities. Family Matters PTIC offers coaching, referral, parent-to-parent support, Educational Surrogate Parent training and more.

    Family Matters PTIC services and programs include: