Resource Directory /

Education Resources

  • 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.

  • ERIC: Education Resources Information Center

    ERIC is an online library of education research and information, sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education.

  • Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD)

    The Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) is the Chicago metropolitan area’s Parent Training and Information Center. The FRCD can help you learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), make informed decisions about your child’s individualized education program (IEP), obtain appropriate services for your child, communicate more effectively with school professionals and more.

    The FRCD serves the following eight Illinois counties: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.

    You can contact the FRCD at (312) 939-3513 or info@frcd.org.

  • FAQ on New Special Education Laws for Students Who Turn 22

    In July 2021, House Bill 40 and House Bill 2748 became law, allowing Illinois special education students to continue attending school through the end of the school year in which they turn 22. The package also allows special needs students who recently turned 22 and were impacted by COVID-19 to remain eligible for educational services up to the end of the regular 2021-22 school year.

    The Illinois State Board of Education has put together a frequently-asked-questions document on the new laws (Public Act 102-0172 and Public Act 102-0173).

    A press release summarizing the legislation is also available on Illinois.gov.

  • Fathering a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Child: An Onboarding Checklist for Dads

    The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Parent to Parent Committee developed a checklist written by fathers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing(D/HH) for dads or any person who feels that they fulfill this role in a child’s life.

    “Fathering a Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Child: An Onboarding Checklist for Dads” provides information and action steps to support and encourage fathers to take an active role in every aspect of their child’s life from the start. The guide shares information from a dad’s perspective on topics including:

    The ” new dad” learning curve
    Language and communication
    School and legal rights
    Well-being

  • Finding Help for Young Children With Disabilities and Developmental Delays

    Every child is unique, and some children face extra physical or learning challenges. Parents often have questions about sources of information and support. This Finding Help for Young Children With Disabilities and Developmental Delays resource list from the Illinois Early Learning Project shares information for parents on how to get your child evaluated, how to get special education services for your child and where to find more information to support children with autism, Down syndrome, hearing loss and vision loss.

  • Free Virtual IEP Check-up

    The Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) is offering free virtual support to help parents navigate their child’s individualized education program (IEP).

    During the Virtual IEP Check-up, a certified FRCD Parent Trainer will go through a child’s IEP to ensure they have the appropriate supports to start the school year off on the right foot.

    Complete the center’s registration form to sign up.

    The FRCD serves the following eight Illinois counties: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.

  • Frequently Asked Questions About Adapted Physical Education

    SHAPE America provides guidance to Frequently Asked Questions About Adapted Physical Education for students with disabilities. The document was developed as a resource for physical educators, adapted physical educators, school district administrators and parents as they work to provide consistent adapted physical education (APE) services for students with disabilities.

  • Frequently Asked Questions for Special Education During Remote Learning

    The Illinois State Board of Education has posted a frequently-asked-questions document focused on special education during remote learning for the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • GiGi’s Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers

    GiGi’s Playhouse: Down Syndrome Achievement Centers provide free, nationwide on-site and virtual educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. Programs are available for individuals of all ages focusing on speech and language, social skills, cooking and fitness.

    GiGi’s Playhouse Illinois locations include:

    Chicago
    Deerfield
    Fox Valley
    Hoffman Estates
    McHenry County
    Quad Cities
    Rockford
    Tinley Park