The organizations below focus on specific disabilities and disability rights.
ADVOCACY
The ARC of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Road., #209 Contact: Anthony Paulauski Frankfort, IL 60423 Tele: (815) 464-1832 Fax: (815) 464-5292 Contact: Anthony Paulauski EMAIL: tony@thearcofil.org The Arc is a strong grassroots organization with a significant membership of self-advocates, parents and professionals working together to achieve common goals.The Arc of Illinois and its chapters take strong advocacy positions for people with disabilities and their families.
Family Matters
1901 S. 4th Street, Suite 209, Effingham, IL 62401 Tele: (217) 347-5428 Tollfree: (866) 436-7842 Contact: Debbie Einhorn E-MAIL: info@fmptic.org WEBSITE: http://www.fmptic.org
Parent Training and Information Center provides information, referral, and linkages to empower families, parents and professionals to improve the quality of life for children and young adults students with disabilities.
Amputee Support Groups
Illinois/Iowa Amputee Support Group
1522 16th Avenue Moline, IL 61265 Tele: (309) 762-0944 EMAIL: cowboy547@aol.com Contact: Larry Ohrberg
Attention Deficit Disorders
National Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
PO Box 7557 Wilmington, DE 19803-9997 Phone/Fax: (800) 939-1019 EMAIL:: info@add.org WEBSITE: www.add.org
ADDA provides information, resources and networking opportunities to help adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder lead better lives, and professionals who serve them.
AUTISM
Autism Society of Illinois
2200 S. Main Street, Suite 205 Lombard, IL 60148 Tele: (630) 691-1270 Contact: Mary Kay Betz E-MAIL: info@autismillinois.org WEBSITE: http://www.autismillinois.org
Autism Society of Illinois provides education, training, individual assistance and practical support for parents and increases public awareness of autism, and offers a referral network of professionals.
1803 West 95th Street, #268 Chicago, IL 60643 Contact: Paul Eric Butler Tele: (773) 329-0375 EMAIL: info@chicagoautism.org WEBSITE: http://www.chicagoautism.org
CAC holds monthly parent meetings, and numerous activities to increase awareness for children and adults with autism.
1911 W. Belmont
Chicago, IL 60657
773-231-8001
info@spectrumtoystore.com
http://spectrumtoystore.com/
Spectrum Toy Store is a toy store in Illinois specifically for children with developmental disabilities. It offers a variety of toys, sensory items, adaptive equipment, children’s books as well as resources for caregivers and educators. Spectrum’s toys focus on the mental, physical and social development of your child. Spectrum believes in learning through play and offers daily play groups as well as individual play sessions using an ABA approach.
Spectrum Toy Store is a toy store in Illinois specifically for children with developmental disabilities. It offers a variety of toys, sensory items, adaptive equipment, children’s books as well as resources for caregivers and educators. Spectrum’s toys focus on the mental, physical and social development of your child. Spectrum believes in learning through play and offers daily play groups as well as individual play sessions using an ABA approach.
BLIND/VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Illinois Parents of Children with Visual Impairments The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
1850 W. Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60608 Tele: (312) 666-1331 Contact: Mary Zabelski EMAIL: Mary.Zabelski@chicagolighthouse.org WEBSITE: http://chicagolighthouse.org
Helping people with visual impairments find jobs, provide low vision services, improve services of Low Vision Clinic through a new research program, including services for wounded veterans with eye-related injuries.
Literacy Website
For learners with deaf-blindness, multiple disabilities, complex challenges http://literacy.nationaldb.org. You will find information based on current literacy research and practice, step by step ideas for moving each child along the literacy continuum, practical examples from families and classrooms.
National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind is the largest organization of blind and low-vision people in the United States. Founded in 1940, the Federation has grown to over fifty-thousand members. The organization consists of affiliates and local chapters in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. https://nfb.org/
CEREBRAL PALSY
13506 SUMMERPORT VILLAGE PKWY
WINDERMERE, FL 34786
https://cerebralpalsygroup.com/
Cerebral Palsy Group is a national organization that was created so that it may serve the individuals and families who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. We are here to provide information and support so that we may help provide resources and education to those affected by CP.
DEAF/HEARING IMPAIRED
Illinois Hands & Voices
P. O. Box 9366 Naperville, IL 60567 Tele: (877) 350-4556 Contact: Andrea Marwah E-MAIL: ilhandsandvoices@gmail.com WEBSITES: http://ilhandsandvoices.org; http://www.handsandvoices.org
Support families with children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing with resources, networking, and information to improve communication access and educational options.
DOWN SYNDROME
FINDS – Family Ideas Network for Down Syndrome
P.O. Box 1441 Crystal Lake, IL 60039 Tele: (815) 444-8672 Contact: Mary or Michael Fisher EMAIL: mike@findsdownsyndrome.com WEBSITE: http://www.findsdownsyndrome.com
FINDS is a network of families who work together to maximize the potential of each individual person with Down Syndrome and improve the quality of their lives through Bi-Monthly Newsletters, Social Events, Educational Services, and Family Support.
National Association for Down Syndrome
P.O. Box 206 Wilmette, IL 60091 Tele: (630) 325-9112 Contact: Randi Gillespie EMAIL: info@nads.org WEBSITE: www.nads.org
NADS is the oldest organization in the country serving individuals with Down syndrome and their families (new parents, grandparents, Teens & Adults, etc.) through information, support, and advocacy and direct support through their Parent Support Program, the Mentoring Program, the Work Experience Program, Outreach to Spanish-Speaking Families and other individualized services. Other services available are conferences, products and publications, online Discussion Forum, Public Awareness and much more.
National Down Syndrome Society:
The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations and become valued members of welcoming communities.: http://www.ndss.org
West Suburban Parent Support Group for Down Syndrome Gigi’s Playhouse
4024 Fox Valley Center Drive Aurora, IL 60504 Contact: Anne Sloka Tele: (630) 778-7529 EMAIL: foxvalley@gigisplayhouse.org WEBSITE: http://www.gigisplayhouse.com
Gigi’s Playhouse is to increase positive awareness of Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. Some of the Programs & Activities include: Pre-Natal Diagnosis; 2 & Under Group, Open Play, Playhouse Pals (6-8); Kid’s Club (9-12); Teen-Tastic (13-17), Friday Friend, Families, Polish, Hispanic Group (Nuestros Angeles), Music, Math, just to name a few.
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES/DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY
Envision Unlimited
8 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1700 Chicago, IL 60603 Tele: (312) 346-6230 Fax: (312) 346-2218 Contact: Kristin MacRAE EMAIL: kmacrae@envisionchicago.org WEBSITE: http://envisionchicago.org/
South Chicago Parents & Friends
10241 S. Commercial Avenue Chicago, IL 60617 Tele: (773) 734-222 Fax (773) 734-2850 Contact: Angelica Sandoval EMAIL: asandoval@scpfrc.org WEBSITE: www.scpfrc.org
Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois State Office
10101 S. Roberts Road, #205 Palos Hills, IL 60465-1556 Tele: (708) 430-7LDA, (708) 430-7532 Contact: Kathy Beno EMAIL: LDAofIL@ameritech.net WEBSITE: www.LDAIL.org
The Illinois Branch of International Dyslexia Association
751 Roosevelt Road, Suite 116 Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 Tele: (630) 469-6900 Contact: Maria Logan EMAIL: info@readibida.org WEBSITE: http://www.readibida.org
Kane-Kendall LDA
2920 Harvey Road Oswego, IL 60543 Tele: (630) 554-9409 (Voice/Fax) Contact: Penny Richards EMAIL: pmr39@aol.com
LDA – Southwest Suburban Chapter 50
1510 Plainfield, Suite1 Darien, IL 60561 Tele: (630) 541-8162 Contact: Robert Marciante EMAIL: fcsecretary@francenter.com WEBSITE: www.francenter.com
Illinois Life Span
Illinois Life Span Project is a free information and referral service for people with developmental disabilities. http://www.illinoislifespan.org/
MENTAL HEALTH/EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS/BEHAVIOR DISORDERS
A Beautiful Mind Chicago
A Beautiful Mind offers mental therapy, psychotherapy, family and individual crisis intervention, and developmental assessments to patients in Chicago, IL area. https://www.abeautifulmindchicago.com/
Family Support Group Community Mental Health Council
8704 South Constance Avenue Chicago, IL 60617 Tele: (773) 734-4033 Contact: Mary Harrison WEBSITE: www.thecouncil-online.org (Adult Programs) (773) 734-4033 (Ask for Intake) (Parent Groups) (773) 734-4033 (Arlina Worril) Fax: (773) 734-3220 (Grand-Parents Raising Grandchildren) (Child/Adolescent) (Children’s Services)
The Council helps individuals/families with mental illness and the council and researches the effects of race, culture and ethnicity on behavioral healthcare issues. The Council provides services to the community, professionals, public entities and other not-for-profit organizations.
DBSA – Depression & Bipolar Alliance
730 N. Franklin St., Ste. 501 Chicago, IL 60654 Tele: (312) 642-0049 Fax: (312) 642-7243 Contact: Allen Doederlein EMAIL: dbsalliance.org WEBSITE: www.dbsalliance.org
DBSA is the leading patient-directed national organization focussing on advocacy, educational programs, training, media, research and clinical trials and other services. DBSA answers calls providing referral and educational information on mood disorders and has a grassroots network of nearly 1,000 support groups.
Healthline/biopolar-disorder
Bipolar disorder can feel like a confusing condition, but the best way to start to take control is to inform yourself on the condition. Healthline has compiled numerous resources to help you better understand the condition, how it will affect your life, and what you can do to help yourself.
http://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder
Footsteps of Change, Inc.
P.O. Box 7401 Romeoville, IL 60446 Tele: (256) 648-9194 Contact: Liz Tunell, M.S., BCBA EMAIL: inquiries@footstepsofchange.com WEBSITE: http://footstepsofchange.com
Footsteps of Change, Inc., provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to school districts, families, and community groups including in-home therapy, parent training, and school consultation services for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Chicago (NAMI)
1536 W. Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60642 Tele: (312) 563-0445 EMAIL: namigc@aol.com WEBSITE: www.namigc.org
NAMI provides hope and improves the quality of life for those affected by serious mental illness by providing information and referrals, education, support, advocacy, and active community outreach.
NAMI DuPage County
2100 Manchester Rd., Bldg. B, Suite 925 Wheaton, IL 60187 Tele: (630) 752-0066 EMAIL: il@namidupage.org WEBSITE: www.namidupage.org
NAMI provides support, advocacy, and education in order to improve the quality of life of individuals with mental illness and their families.
Illinois Spina Bifida Association
2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL ,60707, EMAIL: info@i-sba.org, PHONE: (773) 444-0305
Illinois Spina Bifida works to improve the quality of life of people with Spina Bifida through direct services, information, referrals, research, and public awareness. https://www.i-sba.org/