Resource Directory /

Health Condition and Disability-Specific Resources

  • “All About Me” Page Templates

    It’s important for everyone involved in your child’s care to understand their needs and what makes them unique. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) has created “All About Me” Pages that you can personalize to help anyone on your care team and beyond get to know your child. These free templates highlight what works best for your child, what they like and dislike and who they are as a person.

    There are a variety of designs to choose from to help you capture your child’s personality. You can share them with doctors, nurses, schools, other caregivers and more. Templates are available in both English and Spanish.

  • “Consider the Alternatives: Decision-Making Options for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities”

    As youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are making plans to attend college, it is more important than ever that families become fully informed about guardianship as well as less-limiting alternatives. This brief, written by Think College partners at PACER Center, defines some of the options and possible ramifications. It also suggests ways to promote self-determination no matter which option is chosen.

  • “RSV, Flu and COVID: How Are These Respiratory Illnesses Different?”

    Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, so it can be hard to tell them apart. HealthyChildren.org put together information on these infections and ways to protect your family.

  • 211

    United Way supports 211 a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    A toll-free call to 211 connects you to a community resource specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations that provide critical services that can improve and lives. You can find information about supplemental food and nutrition programs, shelter and housing options, utility assistance, disaster relief, employment and education opportunities, and more.

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

    988 is the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

    The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

    This fact sheet explains the basics about 988. (You can also see the fact sheet in Spanish.)

  • Aaron’s Tracheostomy Page

    Tracheostomy.com (Aaron’s Tracheostomy Page) is an independent, family-run website that provides information about home care for children with tracheostomies (trachs) as well as parent-to-parent networking and support.

  • Able Flight Aviation Scholarships for People with Disabilities

    Able Flight is a nonprofit organization offering scholarship opportunities for flight and aviation career training for people ages 18 and up with physical disabilities. Past recipients have included wheelchair users, wounded veterans, and people with a variety of congenital birth defects or who have lost limbs. You can learn more about eligibility requirements, application deadlines, what scholarships will cover and more by reading Able Flight’s frequently asked questions.

    Able Flight also offers three different scholarships programs:

    • The Full Flight Training Scholarship for people who wish to earn a Sport Pilot certificate.
    • The Return to Flight Scholarship for someone who becomes disabled after already having earned a pilot’s license.
    • The Career Training Scholarship allows an individual to earn an FAA-issued Repairman Certificate (Light Sport Aircraft) with Maintenance Rating, an FAA Dispatcher License, or for training to qualify for a career in the use of drones for commercial purposes. This scholarship can pay for academic expenses for an aviation career with committee approval.

  • 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.

  • Adaptive Adventures Recreation Opportunities

    Adaptive Adventures focuses on providing children, adults and veterans with physical disabilities the opportunity to achieve greater independence in outdoor sports while experiencing camaraderie and the benefits of recreation and adventure. Their ongoing programs, camps and clinics include cycling, climbing, kayaking, paddle boarding, dragon boat racing, skiing, snowboarding, waterskiing, wakeboarding and rafting.

    Adaptive Adventures travels the country to provide direct program services. Programming is offered to participants and their families free of charge or significantly subsidized. Adaptive Adventures believes cost should never be a barrier to someone’s participation in quality outdoor adaptive sports opportunities.

    Visit the Adaptive Adventures website for information about programs and events in Illinois.

  • Administration for Community Living (ACL)

    The Administration for Community Living helps people of all ages with disabilities and older adults live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. ACL provides information, online tools, and resources to help you access disability networks and services such as transportation, housing, and more.

    Administration for Community Living resources include: