Transition Resources
Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation
The Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation provides financial assistance to people of all ages with spinal cord injury and neurological disorders. It also offers funding for medical research. Financial assistance includes post-high school education scholarships and charitable grants to help pay for items such as van modifications, wheelchairs and ramps.
The foundation awards scholarships annually. It reviews charitable grants quarterly in January, March, June, and September. Wisconsin residents receive priority. Individuals anywhere in the United States may receive financial assistance depending on available funds. For program applications and more information, visit:
RAMP Center for Independent Living (RAMP CIL) helps people with disabilities learn how to use public transportation in Rockford and Belvidere through a cooperative effort with the Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD). RAMP CIL can help individuals learn how to navigate fixed-route buses, read schedules and transition from paratransit to regular service.
For more information, contact RAMP CIL at (815) 968-7467. Phone hours are:
- Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
- Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation (C.E.F.S.) is a non-profit that serves residents in the Illinois counties of Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.
C.E.F.S. aims to help economically and socially disadvantaged people become more self-sufficient. Its support and services include:
- Summer youth program and college scholarships
- Housing programs
- Employment and training services
- Education services
- Food and utility assistance
For more information, visit the C.E.F.S. website.
You can also call (217) 342-2193 or email cefs@cefseoc.org. Translation services are available.
Career Access Network at Trinity Services
The Career Access Network at Trinity Services assists people with disabilities and mental illness in finding community-based employment with competitive earnings and benefits.
For more information, contact Trinity Serves at (815) 485-6197 or info@trinityservices.org.
Caritas Family Solutions is a non-profit social services agency that works to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of people in southern Illinois.
Services include adoption support, foster care, community integrated living arrangements, counseling, parenting classes, pregnancy care and more.
For questions, please contact Caritas Family Solutions.
Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby
The Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity (CAN) at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby provides a wide range of supports and services to empower diverse learners. CAN services include:
- Accommodations
- Resources and study skills support
- Success coaching
CAN is on the Oglesby Campus in room C-211. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also make an appointment by contacting Tina Hardy at (815) 224-0284 or tina_hardy@ivcc.edu.
Center for Disability and Elder Law
The Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities throughout Cook County. CDEL offers programs and appointments at community sites on matters including:
- Adult guardianship
- Financial and housing stability
- Estate and end-of-life planning
- Divorce
For questions, please call (312) 376-1880 or email info@cdelaw.org.
Center for Parent Information and Resources (formerly NICHCY)
The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) is a central “hub” for the network of Parent Centers serving families of children with disabilities nationwide. Materials on CPIR’s website are user-centered and created for and by Parent Centers across the country to support and provide services to the families they serve. Resources include parent guides, training materials, information on special education and transition planning, webinars and more. CPIR also provides information in Spanish to help parents understand specific disabilities, the special education process, and where to find help.
CPIR also offers:
- A family-friendly resource library
- A monthly e-newsletter featuring new resources, upcoming events, and materials to share
- Native American resources
- The Office of Special Education Program (OSEP)’s Glossary of Common Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Terms in Spanish and in Korean
- An events calendar
- A Parent Center locator tool
For questions, please visit CPIR’s contact page.
Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities
The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities offers a wide range of tools to empower youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) ages 12 to 26 to direct their transition from pediatric to adult care. This national site is a one-stop shop where young people and their families, clinicians, and direct care providers can find videos and other resources to understand and navigate the transition to adult health care.
Site resources include:
- An “Introduction to Health Care Transition (HCT)” for youth and young adults
- A “Moving to Adult Health Care: Six-Part Toolkit Series for Health Care Transition”
- Videos and interactive quizzes
- Changes in insurance and legal rights
- Quick guides and infographics
Central Illinois Public Transit
Central Illinois Public Transit (CIPT) provides reliable and timely transportation that is wheelchair-accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The program serves Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby counties.
For rides or more information, call (855) 755-CIPT (2478) or TTY 7-1-1.