Transition: Independence Resources
Resources for Voters With Disabilities
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission created this comprehensive list of resources for voters with disabilities, which includes links to voting accessibility laws and regulations and the latest best practices and research pertaining to voters with disabilities.
The commission also created a tip sheet to help voters with disabilities vote privately and independently.
Rides Mass Transit District in Southern Illinois
Rides Mass Transit District (RMTD) offers clean, comfortable and cost-effective public transportation in Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Lawrence, Pope, Richland, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson counties. RMTD provides door-to-door and fixed-route service to anyone needing transportation. RMTD also provides ADA paratransit services for people with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route bus services where available.
RMTD’s ADA paratransit service is by reservation only. For more details or to make a reservation:
- See the RMTD flyer
- Call the RMTD Operation Center at (844) 220-1243
Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC)
The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) provides a wide variety of information, videos, fellowship opportunities and events to support and strengthen self-advocacy.
SARTAC resources for individuals and self-advocacy groups include:
- Help for navigating social, economic and personal issues
- Self-advocacy Zoom meetings
- Tip sheets for self-advocacy groups
- A history of self-advocacy
The Self-Advocacy Online (SAO) website, from the Research and Training Center on Community Living at The University of Minnesota, provides self-advocacy tools for people with disabilities. The SOA website can help you research, learn and connect around self-advocacy. It includes:
- Stories from self-advocates
- A search feature to help you find self-advocacy groups
- Research and information on a variety of important topics
Offers three-year post-secondary educational programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Programs include general education for independence, culinary arts, and horticulture.
1805 15th Avenue
Union Grove, WI 53182-1597
(262) 878-5620
info@shepherdscollege.eduSign Language Interpreter Directory
The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission maintains a directory of sign language interpreters. You can search the directory by an interpreter’s name or by region/county.
Special Needs Chicago Transportation Services
Special Needs Chicago provides individuals with physical and/or cognitive challenges throughout Chicago and the suburbs with wheelchair-accessible transportation.
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.
Supported Decision-Making Act in Illinois
Illinois’ Supported Decision-Making Act ensures people with disabilities can get the help they need to make decisions for their own lives. The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission has many resources to explain the Supported Decision-Making Act. These include:
Telecommunications Relay Services Information in American Sign Language
Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) allow people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or have speech disabilities to communicate by telephone.
The Federal Communications Commission’s American Sign Language video walks you through the various TRS systems available.