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Access Living programs offer these core services: Information & Referral, Advocacy, Independent Living Skills, Transition, and Peer Counseling.
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Employment & community support services programs provide preparation training and employment opportunities, as well as community living options throughout Chicago for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The behavioral health & Clinical Services treat problems caused by mental illness, substance abuse, violence, or by the personal trauma of physical, sexual or emotional abuse.
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America Work’s Ticket to Work Program is a free employment program that assists people who receive SSI and SSDI who are between the ages of 18-64 in finding employment.
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Anixter Center provides several services including: housing and residential, employment and vocational, community and day rehabilitation, behavioral health, literacy, education, and professional training.
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The Answer Inc. is dedicated to providing support, resources, education, recreation, and advocacy for families in the greater Chicago area that are challenged with supporting family members with Autism & Developmental Disorders.
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The Arc of Illinois connects individuals with disabilities and family members with several programs in the area.
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Asian Human Services works to ensure that every immigrant and refugee across Chicagoland has access to specialized support and services including: community and behavioral health counseling, skilled learning programs, and comprehensive job-related services.
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Aspire works with job seekers in our contemporary and fully equipped 10,000-square-foot facility in a wide variety of fields and professions.
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The Bradley Cameron Association (BCA) provides meaningful and enjoyable activities for young adults, ages 16-26 with sensory and physical disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
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Supporting Illinois Brothers & Sisters
S.I.B.S.’ mission is to provide support to siblings of people with disabilities in Illinois by connecting them with information, networking opportunities, and resources in order to enhance the quality of life for the entire family.
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Bridges From School to Work help more than a thousand young people–most of whom are transitioning out of high school special education–prepare for the workplace and find a job with an employer in need of qualified, entry-level applicants.
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Center for Disability and Elder Law
The Center for Disability and Elder law provides legal services to low income residents of Cook County, Illinois who are either elderly or who have permanent disabilities.
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Center for Independent Futures
Assists individuals with disabilities with alternative community options, personal education, lifelong planning.
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Central States SER (SER) is a workforce development and education organization that believes in the potential of every individual. Services offered include Low-Income Adult Training and Employment Program, Reimaging Retail Program, Healthcare Careers Pathway, Department of Human Services Programming, Transforming Impossible into Possible (TIP), WIOA, Youth Working for Success, PODER: After school Program and Financial Coaching Service.
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The Cerebral Palsy Guide provides information, resources, assistance in finding available treatment methods, as well as assistance in finding financial help to cover the extra costs that come with raising a child with cerebral palsy.
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Chicago Park District Special Recreation
Chicago Park District promotes, fosters and encourages physical and mental health through athletic skills development, recreation, and social interactions for youth and adults with disabilities.
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The Chicagoland Autism Connection (CAC) is an organization whose mission is to increase autism awareness and improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism.
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Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA)
Chinese Mutual Aid Association’s Adult Education Program provides free education to adult immigrants and refugees in both our Chicago and Elgin locations. They offer free English as a Second Language (ESL), civics, citizenship, healthcare bridge, and computer literacy classes as well as individual ESL tutoring.
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Christian Community Health Center
Christian Community Health Services offers a full array of special services for individuals and families, including bilingual families. Services include: HIV/AIDS testing and care, behavioral health/mental health, substance abuse treatment, domestic violence intervention, housing and shelter services, case management, and holistic care.
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Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU)
Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU) provides services for people who are coping with long and short term disabling conditions. They serve as the Pre-Admission Screener (PAS) /Intermediate Service Coordination (ISC) Agency for students who qualify for the PUNS program. CAU works with students who live north of Roosevelt Road.
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Community Assistance Programs (CAPs)
The Community Assistance Programs works with employers and employees to create strong community workforces.
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Community & Residential Services Authority (CRSA)
Community & Residential Services Authority (CRSA) are responsible for addressing barriers facing parents, professionals and providers when trying to get needed services for youth with a behavior or severe emotional disturbance. CRSA mission is to promote a network of resources for Illinois youth with social and emotional health conditions to receive timely and appropriate access to the services they deserve.
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Community Service Options (CSO)
Community Service Options (CSO) provides services for people who are coping with long and short term disabling conditions. Serves as the Pre-Admission Screener (PAS)/ Intermediate Service Coordination (ISC) Agency for students who qualify for the PUNS program. CSO works with students who live south of Roosevelt Road.
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Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning assists adults and youth to obtain a college degree based on skills and job experience.
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IL Department of Human Services: Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)
The Illinois Department of Human Services - Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs. DRS can provide services for adults with disabilities up until an adult is 65 years of age.
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El Valor is committed to assisting and supporting people with disabilities through programs that emphasize personal choice, employment, inclusion, enrichment, and leadership. Services include: accessible technology, employment, developmental training, residential community housing, home-based care, respite, and case management.
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Envision Unlimited provides individualized services in the areas of: day programming, employment, and community living.
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Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago
The Epilepsy Foundation helps people with epilepsy through counseling, advocacy, and educational services.
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Equip for Equality aims to protect the civil and human rights of people with disabilities, through five strategies including: self-advocacy assistance, legal services, public policy, training and monitoring.
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Every Step of the Way (ESW) Resource Center
Every Step of the Way Resource Center provides comprehensive resources and/or referrals to recreation, education, health, social & daily living skills, and behavioral intervention to adults with mild to profound, intellectual disabilities ages 20 & up.
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Family Guidance Centers, Inc. provides adult and adolescent programming to treat those patients having a dual diagnosis (substance use and mental health) as well as other substance use-related needs. Patients receive comprehensive mental health assessments and if warranted, a psychiatric assessment to determine if psychotropic medication is needed.
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Family Resource Center on Disability (Shirley Ryan Abilitylab)
The Family Resource Center on Disability (Shirley Ryan AbilityLab) was created by parents, professionals, and volunteers to provide the following services: information & referrals, transition, special education rights training, and lists of evaluation centers that can perform educational/vocational evaluations.
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Goodwill industries supports people with disabilities in preparing them for careers and getting the supportive services they need in order to be successful.
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Grupo Salto is a support group for Latino families with children with disabilities.
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IL ABLE Achieving a Better Life Experience
IL ABLE Accounts make it possible for people with disabilities and their families to save and invest their money for expenses related to living with a disability while preserving benefits.
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Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP)
Illinois Assistive Technology Program’s (IATP) mission is to increase access to and the acquisition of Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services for individuals of all ages with disabilities. IATP provides AT information and services in the areas of education, employment, community living, and IT/telecommunications.
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The ICRE-Roosevelt STEPS to Successful Living is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary transition program for individuals with severe physical challenges, which leads to successful living in the community of their choice.
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Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission safeguards the rights of persons with disabilities by providing public guardianship services, legal representation, and a process to investigate alleged disability rights violations. IGAC ensures access to necessary guardianship and advocacy services for Illinois’ citizens with disabilities.
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Illinois Life Span (ILS) is a program of The Arc of Illinois – a statewide advocacy organization committed to empowering persons with disabilities to achieve full participation in community life through informed choices.
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Independent Client Assistance Program
Self-advocacy support, information, and legal help for people with disabilities so they can understand their rights and get help from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) or a Center for Independent Living (CIL). CAP is a free program for vocational rehabilitation service only, not for DRS home services.
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CFS Chicago offers a full calendar of events, training, lectures and presentations, support groups, volunteer opportunities, and other programs each month. JCFS also provides employment support for young adults with disabilities.
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JVS Chicago works with individuals with disabilities to create individualized career plans, enhance job searching skills, match job seekers to job opportunities, and offer job coaching where needed.
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Latinos Progresando provides professional, affordable immigration legal services to thousands of families every year, from more than 40 countries around the world.
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Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
MOPD promotes total access, full participation and equal opportunity for people with disabilities of all ages in all aspects of life. Services include: employment, benefits specialists, transportation/parking, emergency preparedness, and youth services.
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Mental Health America of Illinois
Mental Health America of Illinois (MHAI), promotes mental health, prevents mental disease and improves the care and treatment of those suffering from mental and emotional disorders through public policy and advocacy, the Mental Health Summit, and community educational workshops.
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Metropolitan Family Services supports economic stability, education, emotional wellness, and empowerment for people with disabilities.
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Misericordia (Catholic Charities)
Misericordia provides services including: health & wellness programs, employment services, and residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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Employment Options is a national Social Security Administration (SSA) Employment Network in the Ticket To Work program.
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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers support groups that are peer-led support groups for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals who have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Support groups are offered in both English and Spanish.
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National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
National Immigrant Justice Center protects human rights and provides access to justice for all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
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Parent United for Responsible Education (PURE)
Parent United for Responsible Education (PURE) is a parent advocacy group based in Chicago. PURE’s support group and website provides news, analysis, information and resources for parents, local school councils, and anyone else who is interested in improving public schools for all children.
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Regional Transit Association Chicago (RTA)
The Regional Transit Association (RTA) offers programs for travel training, the RTA free rider fare card, and the RTA reduced fare card.
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UCP Seguin provides supports and services for persons with disabilities including: residential, in-home respite, weekend respite, community employment, and life skills training & enrichment.
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The Sertoma Center provides opportunities that empower individuals with disabilities to achieve personal success. Services include: day programs, home-based, residential, community mental health & counseling, employment, business, and permanent supportive housing.
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Shore Community Services offers services to individuals with intellectual an other developmental disabilities in Skokie, Morton Grove, Evanston, and the north side of Chicago. Services include: community day programs, supported employment, early intervention, and residential services.
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Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration (SSA) can pay disability benefits to people who cannot work because of a medical condition. Applications for SSI/SSDI can be done with the support of the local SSA office (appointment usually required).
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Teamwork Englewood works to improve the quality of life of residents in Englewood, by facilitating economic, educational, and social opportunities. Teamwork Englewood offers seasonal programs, as well as, permanent programming. Permanent programs include: Quality of Life, Reentry Resource Center, African American Male Initiative, Englewood Codes.
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Thresholds provides healthcare, housing, and hope for thousands of persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in Illinois each year. Through care, employment, advocacy, and housing, Thresholds assists and inspires people with mental illnesses to reclaim their lives.
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Trilogy Inc. serves persons with serious mental illness in the City of Chicago. Services include: employment, residential , psychiatric, intensive crisis, substance abuse, integrated healthcare, HOPE first, recovery, and outpatient.
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UCAN’s serves youth in care of the state child welfare system and youth who have been removed from their homes for reasons of abuse or neglect. Services include: positive youth development, advocacy, and diversity & inclusion.
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Urban Autism Solutions utilizes integrated community living to advance social and vocational opportunities.
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YMCA offers camp opportunities, group retreats, fitness/wellness programs, community services and arts programs.
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Community Resources
Additional supports and services are available for children with disabilities and their parents/guardians. Below is a compilation of nonprofit, civic, and private organizations that can help you to champion and advance the learning and development of your student with a disability. *This list is not exhaustive.