Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources
Think College provides resources, technical assistance and training related to college options for students with intellectual disabilities. It also manages a national listing of college programs for students with intellectual disabilities in the United States.
See the Think College fact sheet in English or Spanish for more details. Think College resources also include:
- Learning modules for families on exploring college options, how to pay for college and more
- The “Student Corner” and Emerging Advocates Student Group
- A searchable list of colleges nationwide and what they offer
- Recursos para Familias (Family resources in Spanish)
Thresholds provides recovery services for persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois. Thresholds’ services include:
- Youth and young adult services
- Deaf program
- Intensive outreach for mental illness
- Training and workforce development
- Integrated primary and behavioral health care
Thresholds offers programs at more than 75 locations throughout Chicago, the adjacent suburbs and four surrounding counties.
Tips for Families: Receiving Early Intervention Services Through the Phone, Tablet, or Computer
The Early Childhood Personnel Center and UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities provide a checklist to help families prepare for virtual Early Intervention services.
This series of videos created by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission provide vital information and preparedness messages in American Sign Language (ASL).
Topics include:
TotalLink2 Community provides individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 18 years or older in the north suburbs of Chicago with a wide range of person-centered services to promote employment, independence and strong social connections in the community.
TotalLink provides career and vocational services including job development and placement using Customized Employment, a proven and innovative approach that utilizes skill-based coaching, family coaching, life planning, and educational and recreational opportunities designed to get young adults with disabilities involved in their community and deepen social connections.
Transition to Employment & Adult Services
The Arc of Illinois Family to Family Health Information and Education Center’s Family Transition Manual provides help for families of young adults with developmental disabilities preparing to transition from school and services for children to the world of work and adult services.
TSA Cares is a helpline through the Transportation Security Administration that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process.
You can call 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. Call (855) 787-2227 or fill out the Request for TSA Cares Assistance.
TSA Cares also provides this video to help individuals on the autism spectrum and those with communication, social interaction and/or sensory sensitivities know what to expect during airport security screening.
UCP – Center for Disability Services
UCP – Center for Disability Services (UCP-CDS) in Joliet serves individuals with severe, multiple disabilities including autism, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairment and other developmental disabilities. UCP-CDS provides its services in a five-county area including Will, Kankakee, Grundy, Kendall and Iroquois.
UCP-CDS also provides in-home respite for families of individuals with developmental disabilities. Participants enrolled in the In-Home Respite Program may receive up to 360 hours per year. The participant cannot be enrolled in a state waiver program. The family must find their own respite provider and be located in Will or Grundy counties. For more information, contact Kassandra Farley at (815) 744-3500, extension 202.
UIC College of Dentistry Inclusive Care Clinic in Chicago
The Inclusive Care Clinic (ICC) from the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Dentistry offers comprehensive, preventative and integrated (multidisciplinary) dental treatment for patients 15 years or older with a wide range of physical and developmental disabilities. The ICC serves individuals with autism, physical disabilities, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral and other conditions.
The clinic includes:
- A sensory room
- A wheelchair lift
- Private treatment rooms
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Personal entertainment tablets
- Weighted blankets
UIC The Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays
UIC The Resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays (RCADD) provides support for those who care for, teach and serve children with an autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays. RCADD serves families currently enrolled in an Early Head Start or Head Start program as well as others throughout the Chicagoland area.
Anyone can also visit RCADD’s website for:
- Free autism trainings/webinars in English and Spanish
- Printable visuals
- Activity ideas