Resource Directory /

Education Resources

  • “All About Me” Page Templates

    It’s important for everyone involved in your child’s care to understand their needs and what makes them unique. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) has created “All About Me” Pages that you can personalize to help anyone on your care team and beyond get to know your child. These free templates highlight what works best for your child, what they like and dislike and who they are as a person.

    There are a variety of designs to choose from to help you capture your child’s personality. You can share them with doctors, nurses, schools, other caregivers and more. Templates are available in both English and Spanish.

  • “What’s New in the 2020 ISBE Parent Guide on Understanding Special Education in Illinois?”

    Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center provides a summary of the key updates in the Illinois State Board of Education’s 2020 Parent Guide on Special Education.

  • A Parent’s Guide to Virtual Learning

    This guide from the National Center for Learning Disabilities discusses how to support students with disabilities during the COVID-19 crisis.

  • A Place for Us

    A Place for Us provides students with disabilities and their allies a space to connect, network and empower one another through peer mentoring that spans from high school through college. This nationwide nonprofit helps students with disabilities succeed in higher education by unifying disability rights activists in colleges across the country. A Place for Us provides:

    • A digital network of students with disabilities and their allies to be mentors for high school students and underclassmen with disabilities
    • Students with disabilities and disability advocates willing to share their stories
    • Nationwide mentors who can help you navigate your higher education journey
    • Mentorship opportunities

  • ABCya

    ABCya provides a variety of games designed to help children in kindergarten through 6th grade learn.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Advice on Returning to School in “New Normal” Times

    The Child Neurology Foundation and the American Academy of Pediatrics have joined forces with medical and educational experts to create a Back-to-School Educational Series.

    The series covers issues including:

    When a child should return to school
    Medications in school
    Holding an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in the “new normal” COVID-19 era
    Additional resources to inform decision-making for families of children with special needs

  • Advocating for LGBTQ Students With Disabilities

    Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students with disabilities face unique challenges as a result of their disability status and potential bias related to their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. Educators, counselors, parents/guardians and other adult allies play an important role in ensuring the safety, inclusion and well-being of these students.

    This Human Rights Campaign Foundation guide provides educators and parents/guardians an overview of the rights of LGBTQ students with disabilities as well as actionable recommendations on how to best support them.