Transition: Education Resources
Illinois Community College Initiative
The Illinois Community College Initiative provides academic and vocational training programs for eligible students with disabilities at in-state public community colleges and approved community colleges bordering the state. People with disabilities who are determined eligible for the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) vocational rehabilitation program may complete community college coursework leading to an associate’s degree or to a degree, certificate, or other industry-recognized credential or certificate.
DRS will help students with:
- The cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies
- Transportation costs
- Other eligible costs
See the Illinois Community College Initiative flyer for more details. To get started, contact your local DRS office using the locator tool or call (877) 581-3690. TTY and relay callers can dial 711.
Illinois Special Education Information for Parents/Guardians
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has developed guides and resources specifically for parents of students with disabilities to help them navigate the educational system and know how to best work with district and school personnel. Visit ISBE’s Special Education – Parents/Guardians page for more information.
Illinois State Board of Education LGBTQ Student and Family Resources
The Illinois State Board of Education provides resources for LGBTQ students and their families including information on the gender spectrum and Illinois High School Association policy.
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)‘s mission is to provide Illinois students with information and assistance to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable.
ISAC provides comprehensive, objective, and timely information on education and financial aid for students and their families—giving them access to the tools they need to make the educational choices that are right for them. Then, through the state scholarship and grant programs ISAC administers, ISAC can help students make those choices a reality.
The ISAC Student Portal offers free online tools and resources for students, as well as short videos about college planning and financial aid. It also offers ISAC College Q&A, a free texting service that allows any student to submit their financial aid and college planning questions and receive a response from ISAC staff.
ISAC also offers assistance through the agency’s call center at (800) 899-4722 (ISAC).
Illinois Student Records Keeper: For Parents of Students Who Receive Special Education Services
The Illinois Student Records Keeper booklet from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is for parents to use to keep important information about their child and their special education and related services. It is a companion to A Parent’s Guide – Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois.
Records play an important role as you plan your child’s education. Dates, people, meetings and reports are important throughout your child’s educational career. ISBE developed the records keeper to help parents prepare for Individualized Education Program (IEP) and transition meetings; get ready for evaluations and reevaluations; and keep track of paperwork and other materials.Know Your Rights: Students & LGBTQ Rights at School
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) provides information on rights as an LGBTQ student in public school and may be able to offer assistance if your rights are being violated by teachers, principals, or other students.
Lake County Center for Independent Living
Lake County Center for Independent Living (LCCIL) is a non-residential, cross-disability organization governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities. The center advocates for a fully accessible society that is inclusive of everyone. LCCIL serves Lake and McHenry counties.
LCCIL offers transition services to adults who want to live independently in their homes in the community and youth who seek a fully productive, independent life as they transition into adulthood. Programs include community transition services, pre-employment transition services and youth transition services.
Northwest Special Recreation Association’s Online Activity Center
The Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) launched the NWSRA Activity Center to ensure that families have access to free activities, games and other online resources that will enable participants to lead healthy, active lives. The center includes activities, resources, videos and games as well as a program guide for weekly Zoom programs.
PACER Center is a parent training and information center for families of children and youth with all disabilities from birth to young adults. It serves families across the nation.
Parents can find publications, workshops and other resources to help make decisions about education, vocational training, employment and other services for their children with disabilities.
PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment
Information and resources for families of youth with disabilities on transition planning, civil rights, work-based learning, higher education and more.