Resource Directory /

Transition Resources

  • Access Living

    Access Living is the Center for Independent Living (CIL) that serves the city of Chicago.  All of its programs and services revolve around one central belief: that people with disabilities have the right to live the lives they choose for themselves in an accessible, integrated world.

    Its five core services include:

    • Advocacy
    • Independent living skills
    • Transition support
    • Peer support
    • Information and referral

  • Accessible Chef

    Accessible Chef is a collection of free visual recipes and other resources to help teach cooking skills to individuals with disabilities at home or in a special education classroom.

  • Accessible Festivals

    Accessible Festivals is dedicated to making live music and recreational events fully accessible for people of all abilities. Partnering with festivals and friends in the industry, Accessible Festivals provides free tickets, a calendar of events and a variety of programs that encourage accessibility and inclusion.

    It also offers the Dan Grover Memorial Ticket Grant Program for individuals impacted by newly acquired, temporary or lifelong disabilities to apply for free access to their favorite events like concerts, festivals, and conventions.

  • Achieving Independence and Mobility Center for Independent Living (AIM-CIL)

    Achieving Independence and Mobility Center for Independent Living (AIM-CIL) provides training, peer support, information and referrals, community development and advocacy services to help individuals with disabilities participate in all aspects of family, social and community life. AIM-CIL serves residents with disabilities and their families in DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties. 

    Other AIM-CIL programs include:

    • Assistive Technology Program – Individuals/families can apply to receive up to $500 for an authorized device(s). Only one device per person/per household.
    • Educational Scholarship Program – Students can get up to $1,000 for college or trade school registration/application/lab fees, books and/or class tuition. Only one scholarship per student/household. Please refer AIM-CIL’s website for specific requirements and deadline dates.

  • ADA National Network

    The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

  • Adaptive Adventures Recreation Opportunities

    Adaptive Adventures focuses on providing children, adults and veterans with physical disabilities the opportunity to achieve greater independence in outdoor sports while experiencing camaraderie and the benefits of recreation and adventure. Their ongoing programs, camps and clinics include cycling, climbing, kayaking, paddle boarding, dragon boat racing, skiing, snowboarding, waterskiing, wakeboarding and rafting.

    Adaptive Adventures travels the country to provide direct program services. Programming is offered to participants and their families free of charge or significantly subsidized. Adaptive Adventures believes cost should never be a barrier to someone’s participation in quality outdoor adaptive sports opportunities.

    Visit the Adaptive Adventures website for information about programs and events in Illinois.

  • Administration for Community Living (ACL)

    The Administration for Community Living helps people of all ages with disabilities and older adults live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. ACL provides information, online tools, and resources to help you access disability networks and services such as transportation, housing, and more.

    Administration for Community Living resources include:

  • Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Clinic Directory

    The Adult Congenital Heart Association’s ACHD Clinic Directory provides information on ACHD Board Certified providers certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and ACHA ACHD Accredited Centers.

    You can search for clinics by zip code and state. You can find more details and health information on the Adult Congenital Heart Association’s website.

  • Adult Down Syndrome Center

    Located in Park Ridge, the Adult Down Syndrome Center offers comprehensive medical and support services to Illinois residents aged 12 and older with Down syndrome. The Adult Down Syndrome Center’s website includes:

    For questions, see the Adult Down Syndrome Center’s FAQ page or call (847) 318-2303.

    To schedule an appointment, call (847) 318-2303 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

    The Adult Down Syndrome Center is a part of Advocate Health.

  • Adult Protective Services Program

    The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) manages the statewide Adult Protective Services Program, which serves adults 60 years of age and older and adults aged 18-59 with disabilities. The program handles reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

    For more information on the signs and types of abuse and how to make a report, visit www2.illinois.gov/aging/Engage/Pages/default.aspx. You can also call the statewide 24-hour Abuse Hotline at (866) 800-1409.