Disabilities

Serving people with disabilities, behavioral health needs, and people who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing through a variety of programs. Provides services to people with disabilities throughout the Chicago area. Employment services, day programs, residential support, audiology service, and other social services.

Caption First serves individuals and organizations by providing high-quality communication access, converting the spoken word into the written word, any time and anywhere. Focusing on the dignity of individuals and the success of their clients.

The Center on Deafness is dedicated to serving children and adults who are deaf or hearing impaired with accompanying developmental delay and/or mental illness to reach their highest potential by providing educational, vocational, mental health, and residential services in therapeutic, community-based environments.

The Chicago Lighthouse is well regarded nationally as a model agency for the wide range of programs provided to make a comprehensive, wrap-around menu of services that address an individual's changing needs across a lifetime. Through world-class programs in rehabilitation, education, employment and independent living, we improve the quality of life for individuals of all ages every single day.

Eligibility Requirements: Persons who are blind or visually impaired.

The City of Evanston is committed to the principle that persons with disabilities enjoy full access to all public meetings, city building, program or service the City of Evanston offers. No-one can be denied access to a city activity based on their disability. Anyone needing mobility or communication access assistance should contact the Disabled Services Specialist or the Office of Facilities Management 48 hours in advance of the meeting or event; the numbers to call are 311 (from within Evanston) or 847-448-4311 (outside Evanston or cell phone).

File an ADA service request to request services such as a sign language interpreter for a program or event. The Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department has an Inclusion Specialist who will call you within 2 business days of your request for a call back.

Compuplay is the name of a Lekotek program that provides computer based play with assistive technology, iPads, Wii and Xbox Kinect. This program is specifically designed for children with disabilities by the National Lekotek Center. Please note that not all Lekoteks have Compuplay programs and equipment varies by site with those that do. For children with disabilities, the computer provides endless opportunities for expression, skill development and independence.

In addition to motivating software programs, Lekotek uses adapted equipment such as enlarged keypads and track balls, toys and other props.

Many Lekotek centers offer software lending libraries, which allow families to borrow pieces of interactive software for use on their home computers.

Equip for Equality is an independent, private, not-for-profit organization designated by the Governor in 1985 to implement the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System in Illinois. The mission of Equip for Equality is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with disabilities in Illinois. It is the only statewide, cross-disability, comprehensive advocacy organization providing self-advocacy assistance, legal services, and disability rights education while also engaging in public policy and legislative advocacy and conducting abuse investigations and other oversight activities. Equip for Equality provides free legal services and self-advocacy assistance to people with disabilities in the areas of discrimination, assistive technology, special education, guardianship defense, abuse and neglect, and community integration. Equip for Equality provides self-advocacy training to people with disabilities and family members on topics including the Americans with Disabilities Act, employment, transportation, voting, Ticket to Work, special education and guardianship.

For legal help, click here.

To report abuse, neglect or exploitation to authorities, click here.

124-bed, sub-acute rehabilitation and skilled care facility; offers speech, physical and occupational therapies. Short term care following hospital stay.

Helps people with disabilities locate products and services to help with daily living activities; tuition assistance for qualified applicants to attend community college to obtain an an associate’s degree or a technical certificate. Home ownership support for eligible homebuyers.

DHS's Division of Rehabilitation Services is the state's lead agency serving individuals with disabilities. DRS works in partnership with people with disabilities and their families to assist them in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living opportunities.

Find a list of all Chicago-area rehabilitation offices here.

The Adult Protective Services Program is locally coordinated through 45 provider agencies, which are designated by the regional Area Agency on Aging and the Department on Aging. Case workers from these agencies conduct investigations and work with adults with disabilities and seniors in resolving abusive situations. All abuse caseworkers are trained and certified by the Department.

The Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living is the statewide association representing the 22 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in Illinois. INCIL is an authoritative source of information about the accomplishments and needs of Illinois CILs and about issues, services and legislation most critical to promote independent living for all persons with disabilities.

The Illinois Spina Bifida Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life of children, adults, and families living with spina bifida.

Public information on the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. For fee schedule information, go to the "Frequently Asked Medical Questions" web page at http://www.iwcc.il.gov/faqmed.htm.

JCFS Chicago, a non-profit social service agency, offers expert, individualized help to support people of all ages and abilities as they strive to live successfully in their community. Our services enhance social-emotional well-being for adults, children, teen and families.

At Legal Council, our programs serve individuals and families facing barriers due to chronic, disabling, and stigmatizing health and social conditions. All of our work combines direct representation, education, and advocacy across the city, state, and nation.

Individual Legal Representation:  We provide free, expert legal assistance to low income individuals. We help clients with the following issues:

Child health | Confidentiality & testing | Debt collection | Discrimination | Education plans | Employment | Future planning | Health screenings | Immigration | Insurance | Lead poisoning | Public benefits and much more. Get help now.

EDUCATION AND TRAININGS
In addition to legal counsel and representation to clients in need, our multilingual staff offers free training, technical assistance, and educational programs to service providers, case managers, social workers, agency administrators, physicians, attorneys, educators, student groups, and members of the general public.

If you would like to request a training or technical assistance for your group (in English or Spanish), contact our main office at 312-427-8990 or submit a request. Our staff will be happy to work with you to develop tools that best meet the needs and interests of your group.

Provides: community care program, hot meal program, senior opportunities and services, citizenship and immigration help, computer training, outreach and interpretation, light and heat energy assistance, English as a second language, youth program, and a summer youth program.

Trade association for homecare, hospice and home health agencies. Home Care/Hospice Agency Locator is a comprehensive database of more than 20,000 home care and hospice agencies, searchable by zip code.

Not-for-profit organization providing recovery programs , supportive housing , supported employment and a holistic health and wellness program for people disabled by chronic mental illnesse in north and northwest metropolitan Chicago. Persons served are "members" who participate fully in their recovery.

The Office of the Cook County Public Guardian represents those persons routinely ignored by society. We have three divisions devoted to championing for the rights of children and adults.  In our Juvenile Division, we act as lawyers for abused and neglected children. In our Adult Guardianship Division, we act as guardian for adults with disabilities and their estates. Our third division, the Domestic Relations Division, focuses on representing children in highly contested custody cases.

In Evanston maintains the Hill Arboretum Apartments for individuals with physical disabilities. In the Chicago area, maintains seven affordable barrier free apartment communities for the physically disabled. The Business Resource Center is open to residents who wish to become employable and paid positions are offered through the Workforce Development Program.

Provides specialized classes, support groups, substance abuse, and mental health treatment programs. Provides specialized outpatient care for a wide range of behavioral problems, including:
- Mood disorders such as depression
- Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
- Serious and longer-term mental illness (SMI)
- Anxiety disorders, including panic attacks and post-traumatic stress
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Anger management
- Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia and overeating
- Addictive behaviors, including substance abuse and gambling
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Other comprehensive services include:
1. Outpatient mental health counseling and psychiatric treatment for adults, teens and children – including individual, couple, family and group therapy
2. Intensive outpatient program for teens to address emotional or behavioral challenges by improving their social skills, self-esteem, coping skills, communication and insight
3. Substance abuse treatment for adults and adolescents, including intensive outpatient treatment, DUI services, medication assisted treatment and HIV testing
4. Parenting classes and support groups
5. Mental health residential program for adults, including short-term, long-term and transitional housing
6. Crisis services with 24-hour crisis intervention and psychiatric pre-screening
7. Anger management programs for adults and adolescents
8. Domestic violence group for males and females

Most major insurance plans are accepted as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Discounted rates are available for those who qualify.

The Rice Child + Family Center provides residential care and treatment for children, ages 8-15, diagnosed with severe emotional, behavioral and mental health problems. The center's goal is to return these children to a loving family. Therapy is conducted in individual and group settings, and includes social skills training, counseling, and psychiatric intervention.
All of the services provided by the Rice Child + Family Center are administered in-house to about 50 children. The facility includes a medical clinic, group therapy classrooms, special education facilities and an art therapy area.

Rimland is the oldest agency in the State of Illinois serving the functional, vocational, and residential needs of individuals, 18 and over, with autism. Since its beginnings in 1970, Rimland has continued to pioneer Residential Living Programs , Health and Wellness Programs and a Developmental Training Center. that support adults with autism as they achieve their full potential, and actively participate in the communities of their choice. Rimland currently operates 18 group residences in the Chicago area, including one in Evanston.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a community service and work-based job training program for older Americans. Authorized by the Older Americans Act, the program provides training for low-income, unemployed seniors. Participants also have access to employment assistance through American Job Centers.

Participants work an average of 20 hours a week, and are paid the highest of federal, state or local minimum wage. This training serves as a bridge to unsubsidized employment opportunities for participants.

Participants must be at least 55, unemployed, and have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level. Enrollment priority is given to veterans and qualified spouses, then to individuals who are over 65, have a disability, have low literacy skills or limited English proficiency, reside in a rural area, are homeless or at risk of homelessness, have low employment prospects, or have failed to find employment after using services through the American Job Center system.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people who have little or no income; and it provides cash to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter.

Eligibility Criteria: Take the online Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool linked at www.ssa.gov to see if you are eligible for SSI. Low income adults over 65 are eligible even if not disabled. Disabled adults with substantial work experience are eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD).

TPAN provides healthcare and empowers people affected by HIV and health disparities. Our programs and services include peer-led programming, youth services, mental health and group therapy and counseling, education, patient/client advocacy, and services for older adults. We provide care to a broad community of people affected by HIV and health challenges, including LGBTQ individuals, people of color, and vulnerable individuals from across the Chicago metropolitan area.

Hours of operation:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm