General Resources
Envision Illinois Domestic Violence Resources for People with Disabilities
Envision Illinois is a statewide collaborative project addressing domestic violence against people with disabilities and Deaf people. Envision Illinois provides various resources designed for all people, families, agencies and organizations working to ensure that survivors with disabilities have equal access to healing, safety and justice.
Envision Illinois’ website resources include:
Case studies and scenarios
Fact sheets and social story-type graphics
A Mandatory Reporting Toolkit
Sample forms and templates
Self-advocacy resourcesEP!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 programEP!C provides services to individuals in central and some southern Illinois communities.
The Epilepsy Advocacy Network (EAN) seeks to optimize the quality of life of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders by promoting community education and awareness, self-advocacy and empowerment, and helping all individuals gain proper access to care. EAN services and supports include:
Case coordination (epilepsy)/assistance with education services
Clinic visits
Support groups
Financial, transportation and medication resources
Yearly camp for people ages 8 to 24 with epilepsy
Seizure response trainingIt is an affiliate agency of the Epilepsy Alliance of America.
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago
The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago is a not-for-profit organization serving 44 counties in Illinois. It offers education, advocacy and case management to people living with epilepsy, their families and the communities in which they live.
The foundation’s client services include case management, programs for children and adults, epilepsy centers, support groups, employment, medications, and driving and transportation.
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois
The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois aims to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures and save lives. Its programs include epilepsy and seizure support services, home-based services, residential services, epilepsy education programs, support groups, a scholarship and more.
Its website also provides resources including a New to Epilepsy Guide, Seizure Calendar and more.
Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois’ Camp Roehr
The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois (EFGSI) hosts an annual, overnight camp for children and teenagers with epilepsy. Camp Roehr provides campers ages 6 to 17 with seven days of fun, building friendships and learning about living with epilepsy. Camp registration typically begins in mid-April. Participant requirements include:
Living in Illinois or surrounding states
Having a primary diagnosis of epilepsy and well-controlled seizures
Being able to care for their own basic needs and ready for an overnight camp experienceEquestrian Connection in Lake Forest
Equestrian Connection provides therapy programs for children and adults with mental, emotional and physical challenges and disabilities. Programs include hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, art therapy, job training and more. Class instructors are clinically licensed occupational and physical therapists, experienced clinicians and instructors, and trained volunteers.
Programs are available in individual and group settings. For more information, call Equestrian Connection at (847) 615 8696.
Etiquette: Interacting with People with Disabilities
People with disabilities are individuals with families, jobs, hobbies, likes and dislikes, and problems and joys. While the disability is an integral part of who they are, it alone does not define them.
RespectAbility offers tips and resources to educate the public about etiquette and interacting with people with disabilities. Featured information includes:
A disability sensitivity training video from the D. C. Office of Disability Rights
The United Spinal Association’s Disability Etiquette booklet (Spanish) (Chinese)Eviction Help for Illinois Residents
Eviction Help Illinois is a non-profit organization providing free legal aid, mediation services, and connections to other resources including rental assistance to increase housing stability.
Eviction Help Illinois flyer in English
Eviction Help Illinois flyer in Spanish
Exceptional Children’s Charities
Exceptional Children’s Charities provides resources to benefit exceptional children with special needs in Chicago’s Southland.
The charity can provide financial support to supply wheelchairs, stand-up chairs, medical supplies, special learning tools and adaptive technology devices to foster learning and improve day-to-day life. Assistance can also be provided for medical and dental bills that are not covered by insurance or public aid.