Transition: Work Resources
DSCC’s Work Skills Checklist
The Division of Specialized Care for Children’s (DSCC) Work Skills Checklist is designed to help youth identify work-related skills they have and other areas where they may need more focus. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.
DuPage County Transition Planning Committee
The DuPage County Transition Planning Committee (DuPage County TPC)is a group of representatives from area special education co-ops, school districts, the Department of Human Services-Division of Rehabilitation Services office, adult service providers, vocational coordinators, self-advocates, parents/caregivers and the business community. The committee meets to network, educate, learn, share and support services for individuals with disabilities.DuPage TPC’s website offers:- DuPage County TPC’s meeting schedule (meetings are on Zoom)
- Resources for Transition to adulthood planning, work and related topics
- Information on self-advocacy and transition-focused events
For questions, please contact dupagetpc@gmail.com.
Employment Rights Fact Sheets and Information – Equip for Equality
Equip for Equality has a variety of fact sheets and videos on employment rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and employment.
These resources are available in English and Spanish. More information is available on Equip for Equality’s Employment Overview page.
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.
Employment Services – Cornerstone Services
Cornerstone Services’ Employment Services help people with disabilities gain and maintain employment in the community.
Services are available in Will, Kankakee and southern Cook counties. Services include career counseling, job development and job coaching.
For more information, visit Cornerstone Services’ contact page for phone numbers and email addresses.
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:
- Educational services
- Community living services
- Employment services
- Harvest horticulture program
- EP!Casso art program
EP!C provides services to individuals in central and some southern Illinois communities.
The Goodwill Career Center offers free, one-on-one guidance to help you gain employment and reach your career goals. In-person and online resources are available to learn about training programs, how to fill out job applications, prep for interviews or get trained in new skills. Services may vary by location.
Find a Goodwill Career Center near you using their locator tool.
Helping Hand is a nonprofit organization empowering children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Chicagoland through person-centered education, therapy, residential and employment programs.
Helping Hand programs and services, include:
- An outpatient clinic
- School
- Community day services
- Residential living services
- Employment program
For more information, call (708) 352-3580 or email info@helpinghand-il.org.
Hire Autism is a free program from the Organization for Autism Research to help autistic job seekers find meaningful employment opportunities and connect with autism-friendly employers.
The site features include a searchable jobs board and resource library, profile and job board navigation tutorials, personalized job alerts and autism- or disability-related employment events. Job seekers can request free one-on-one virtual assistance with resume and cover letter writing as well as interview preparation through Hire Autism’s volunteer mentoring program.
Holly’s House of Hope helps young adults with disabilities who had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are on the PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Needs) waiting list build job skills, socialize and engage in their community. It offers skill assessment, vocational training, life skills, employment placement in inclusive environments and social interaction.
Holly’s House of Hope partners with local ministries and agencies to help participants gain skills, find joy and serve others in need throughout the community.