Resource Directory /

General Resources

  • Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center

    The Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center, funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation, educates parents and caregivers of children with special needs on the importance of proper child passenger safety. The Special Needs Child Passenger Resource Center’s main location is at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria. A satellite site is located at LaRabida Children’s Hospital, in Chicago. Its services include:

    • A resource center for nurseries and organizations across Illinois that provides over-the-phone and in-person consultation and guidance for proper car seat usage and optimum safety.
    • Education to parents, groups, hospital staff and certified child passenger safety technicians on changes in national guidelines and new seat choices.
    • Proper selection, installation and fitting of special needs restraints for parents and their children.
    • A  short-term loan program to provide seats to parents in need.

    Learn more on the Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Resource Center website.

  • Special Opportunities Available in Recreation (SOAR) in Bloomington-Normal

    SOAR is a community-based therapeutic recreation program. Leisure, social and developmental skills are emphasized to promote the highest level of recreation participation possible.

    Check the website for eligibility, transportation options, and the calendar of events.

    The City of Bloomington and Town of Normal sponsor S.O.A.R through their Parks and Recreation departments.

  • Special Recreation Associations in Illinois

    The Special Recreation Associations Network of Illinois (SRANI) is a network of therapeutic recreation agencies. Special Recreation Associations provide community-based special recreation services to children and adults with disabilities. You can see a list of special recreation cooperatives available in Illinois.

    For more information, visit the SRANI website.

  • Specialized Equine Services and Therapeutic Riding in Southern Illinois

    Specialized Equine Services and Therapeutic Riding (SES) at Giant City Stables provides opportunities for people with physical and/or emotional disabilities to improve their well-being through riding and working with horses. Children age 4 and up and adults are welcome.

    SES at Giant City Stables is a non-profit organization. Scholarships and grants are available for eligible families. For more information, please call (618) 529-4110 or email rachelle@sestherapy.com.

  • Sports for Kids Recreation and Camp Programs

    The Tengelsen Family Foundation Sports for Kids program promotes fitness, independence, friendship and fun for kids ages 7 to 17 with a diagnosed physical impairment. Kids can try a wide range of year-round adaptive sports and arts, social, and cultural recreation and camp programs.

    Opportunities include:

    •  Year-round programs
    • Junior competitive sports
    • Weekend programs

  • Springfield Park District – LEAP Program

    LEAP offers adaptive recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.

  • St. Louis Dental Center

    The St. Louis Dental Center offers comprehensive special care dentistry for patients with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities and other special healthcare needs. It is a partnership of A.T. Still University (ATSU) and Affinia Healthcare.

    The center’s special care suites include a wheelchair lift. The center accepts Medicaid and most dental insurance plans. Discounts are available to uninsured patients.

  • State of Illinois

    Links to state government and state agencies.

  • Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp for Children in Eureka, Missouri

    BJC Hospice hosts Stepping Stones Bereavement Camp each year for children and teens who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend. The weekend-long, overnight camp provides a safe place for campers ages 6 to 15 to explore their grief and emotions.

    The camp usually takes place in August and is free for all children who have lost loved ones, not just families served by BJC Hospice (service areas include Macoupin, Montgomery, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Fayette, Clinton, St. Clair, Monroe, Calhoun, Marion, Greene and portions of Pike and Perry counties).

  • STRIVE for Independence

    STRIVE for Independence offers driver evaluations and training for all ages, disabilities and medical conditions for the Chicagoland area. STRIVE for Independence serves clients with a wide variety of driver rehabilitation needs. Their team of specialists includes occupational therapists,  certified driver rehabilitation specialists and state of Illinois certified driving instructors (CDI) for adults and teenagers.

    Visit the STRIVE for Independence website for more details.