Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources
American Cleft Palate – Craniofacial Association
The American Cleft Palate – Craniofacial Association (ACPA) is a non-profit association of individuals and healthcare professionals interested in clinical care and research advancements for those affected by cleft and craniofacial conditions.
ACPA provides:
- Important information for families, patients and professionals on topics associated with cleft or craniofacial care
- Educational materials in English and Spanish
- Four $5,000 college scholarships annually to outstanding students born with cleft or craniofacial conditions
- Community stories and more
American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) offers information and resources for children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. AFB resources include:
- Research and initiatives
- Publications
- Digital inclusion and talent lab internships and apprenticeships
- Braille and technology resources
American Sign Language Classes from the Oklahoma School for the Deaf
The Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) offers free, beginner-level conversational American Sign Language (ASL) classes. The self-paced, eight-lesson courses are taught by OSD’s ASL Specialist. Registration is open to anyone who wants to learn ASL. The non-credit courses do not count toward professional development hours or continuing education units.
American Sign Language: Basic Lessons
The Chicago Park District’s Sarah Faber, Program and Event Coordinator for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and Timothy Owens, Special Recreation Coordinator, provide weekly American Sign Language lessons on the park district’s YouTube channel.
American Society for Deaf Children / Sociedad Americana para Niños Sordos
The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is a national, non-profit organization providing support, encouragement and information to families raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
ASDC offers deaf mentors and online American Sign Language (ASL) classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. To help support language development, families and providers can also access ASL stories to watch and read together. Resources are available in English and Spanish.
Apraxia Kids is a nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia of speech. Its website provides resource guides and information about conferences, webinars, support groups and more.
The Ariana Rye Foundation helps children up to age 18 with developmental disabilities and complex medical medical needs get equipment to foster their social, mental and physical development. Families in need, from anywhere in the United States, can apply for help. Requests for equipment can include feeding or bath chairs, car seats, adaptive strollers, mats, wedges, specialty swings, sensory equipment and more.
The application, requirements for applying, and the annual application deadline are posted on its website.
Families can apply once per year. The one-time equipment grant provides up to $1000 per child.
Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations (A.B.L.E.)
Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations (A.B.L.E.) creates theatre and film projects for, with and by individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicago. A.B.L.E. offers in-person and online ensembles, specialized workshops and outreach programming for individuals ages 13 and up.
A.B.L.E. is a non-profit organization focusing on building participant confidence and skills, changing society’s beliefs about disability, and creating more inclusive communities. Their programs are financially accessible. No one will be turned away because of their ability to pay.
Arts of Life is a non-profit organization offering an artistic community and work environment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicagoland pursuing a career in art. Art of Life has three professional art studios. Artists have their own studio space and work independently from individualized project plans or receive one-to-one visual arts help to increase their artistic skill set. Artists earn a monthly stipend for participating in the program and bonuses based on personal annual art sales.
Arts of Life offers opportunities for artists to work in one of its professional studios, in classes at partner art centers or in their homes. It brings together artists from 40-plus zip codes to work in community in West Town, Woodlawn, Glenview, Evanston, and Highland Park.
ASL Nook (American Sign Language Nook)
ASL Nook (American Sign Language Nook) is an online hub featuring fun and casual videos to help deaf children, hearing family members and students learn ASL. Founded by two Deaf people from hearing families, ASL Nook aims to fill a gap for new parents and to teach ASL using authentic, real-life situations.
ASL Nook is free and provides short ASL videos focusing on topics such as:
- Eating at a restaurant
- Zoo and sea animals
- Favorite stories
- The weather
- Health and more