Special Needs - Resources & Information

Individuals with Visual Impairments & Other Disabilities

Chicago Lighthouse: In addition to being the home of CRIS radio, the Chicago Lighthouse is a not-for-profit agency committed to providing the highest quality educational, clinical, vocational and rehabilitation services for children, youth and adults who are blind or visually impaired, including deaf-blind and multi-disabled.
Spectrios Institute for Low Vision: Spectrios provides a comprehensive visual rehabilitation program that includes a low vision evaluation, counseling, and teaching the skills of daily living and the use of technology.
Voices of Vision Talking Book Center: Voices of Vision Talking Book Center is one of four subregional libraries working with the Illinois State Library in Springfield to serve readers throughout Illinois.
DuPage Center for Independent Living: The DuPage Center for Independent Living is a non-residential, community-based, not-for-profit agency which provides advocacy and services to persons with disabilities in DuPage County.
Second Sense: Second Sense offers alternative perspectives for living with vision loss. Working together, we tailor our training and support to help every person realize their potential.

Websites for Caregivers of Children with Special Needs

Illinois State Board of Education, Special Education Services: This website offers information on all facets of special education within the State of Illinois. Illinois State Board of Education publications and forms are also available here.
Autism Society of Illinois: This organization is headquartered in Lombard, IL and is part of the Autism Society of America. Their website provides information on a local level to support parents of autistic children, and promote autism education, awareness, advocacy, and research.
Easter Seals Dupage: This site outlines the services offered by Easter Seals and provides links to information on resources, legislative action, locations, etc.
On this site you can also subscribe to a monthly e-mail newsletter from Easter Seals.
Ray Graham Association for people with disabilities: Here you will find information on the services provided by this organization, including family support, recreational activities, employment, community learning centers, and their supported living program.
NEDSRA: Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association: Each year Nedsra offers quality recreation programs and services for children with disabilities. This site offers a complete listing and calendar of their programs and services.
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities: Provides information on disabilities in children and youth, programs and services and special education laws.
Disabilities in the Yahoo! Directory: This site offers a directory to hundreds of sites that deal with different types of disabilities, and lists resources, government agencies, and organizations that serve the disabled.

Resources for Seniors

DuPage Co. Senior Citizen Services
Information and referral for eldercare, housing, legal, financial, public aid, transportation, healthcare and more.

Metropolitan Family Services
Counseling for seniors 60 and older; caregiver support; support groups.

Prairie State Legal Services
Free legal services for older adults. Call toll-free (888) 965-7757

Elmhurst College Senior Friends – (630) 617-6146
Program allows 55+ adults library borrowing privileges, discounts on theater, art, athletic events, reduced-fee course audits and more.

Senior Resources Phone List

Numbers for Meals on Wheels, home repair, recreation, etc.