Accessibility Resources
“Accessibility and Employment: What People With Disabilities Need to Know”
The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology provides these action steps for people with disabilities to get the tools they need to be successful in the workplace.
303 Taxi and Paratransit Services Between Chicago and Area Suburbs
303 Taxi provides school transportation services for special education students and paratransit services. Wheelchair-accessible vans (WAV) with lifts and ramps are available for travel between Chicago and Suburban Cook, Lake, DuPage, and parts of McHenry and Kane counties.
311 provides assistance with non-emergency city services and information on events, programs and agencies within the city of Chicago. Individuals may call or access the 311 website and mobile app to:
- Create and track service requests
- Find rent or housing assistance
- Learn about the HomeMod Program that provides accessibility modifications for Chicago residents
- Search and get information on other requests in your neighborhood
Access Living is the Center for Independent Living (CIL) that serves the city of Chicago. All of its programs and services revolve around one central belief: that people with disabilities have the right to live the lives they choose for themselves in an accessible, integrated world.
Its five core services include:
- Advocacy
- Independent living skills
- Transition support
- Peer support
- Information and referral
Accessible Chef is a collection of free visual recipes and other resources to help teach cooking skills to individuals with disabilities at home or in a special education classroom.
Accessible Festivals is dedicated to making live music and recreational events fully accessible for people of all abilities. Partnering with festivals and friends in the industry, Accessible Festivals provides free tickets, a calendar of events and a variety of programs that encourage accessibility and inclusion.
It also offers the Dan Grover Memorial Ticket Grant Program for individuals impacted by newly acquired, temporary or lifelong disabilities to apply for free access to their favorite events like concerts, festivals, and conventions.
Accessible Live Theater Productions Calendar
The League of Chicago Theatres works with Chicago-area theaters to make live theater performances accessible to everyone. The league provides a calendar of upcoming performances based on specific access requirements and disabilities.
The calendar includes touch tours, American Sign Language (ASL)-interpreted, audio-described, open-captioned, sensory-friendly and Spanish subtitled performances. Sensory-friendly performances are relaxed and sensory-friendly theatre experiences aimed to be more accessible for individuals on the autism spectrum or others with cognitive/developmental disabilities.
For more information, contact the League of Chicago Theatres at (312) 554-9800 or info@chicagoplays.com.
Accessible Travel Information from Enjoy Illinois
Enjoy Illinois offers inspiration and accessibility information for travelers with disabilities, including independent and assisted wheelchair users and people with hidden disabilities. The website features information on attractions throughout Illinois, transportation options and video tours of Chicago museums, landmarks and the #AccessibleChicago docuseries from Fun4theDisabled.
Achieving Independence and Mobility Center for Independent Living (AIM-CIL)
Achieving Independence and Mobility Center for Independent Living (AIM-CIL) provides training, peer support, information and referrals, community development and advocacy services to help individuals with disabilities participate in all aspects of family, social and community life. AIM-CIL serves residents with disabilities and their families in DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties.
Other AIM-CIL programs include:
- Assistive Technology Program – Individuals/families can apply to receive up to $500 for an authorized device(s). Only one device per person/per household.
- Educational Scholarship Program – Students can get up to $1,000 for college or trade school registration/application/lab fees, books and/or class tuition. Only one scholarship per student/household. Please refer AIM-CIL’s website for specific requirements and deadline dates.
Almost Home Kids provides a bridge from hospital to home through an innovative community-based care system for children with medical complexities. It responds to the needs of families, trains caregivers, offers respite care, advocates for accessibility and inclusion and educates healthcare professionals.
Almost Home Kids offers transitional, respite and respite transportation care. It has locations in Chicago, Naperville and Peoria.