Transition Resources
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 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 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.
For questions, please see AIM-CIL’s Contact Us page, call (630) 469-2300, or video relay (630) 984-4251.
The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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:
- The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) for information and access to essential services
- An easy-to-use A to Z list of programs, networks, and ACL focus areas
- The latest COVID-19 updates, vaccine and testing locations
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.
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:
- Resources for people with Down syndrome, families/caregivers and healthcare professionals
- A video gallery
- Information on events, classes and programs
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.
CaringInfo provides free advance directives and instructions for each state that you can download and save.