Illinois Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations
Scroll down for links to government agencies and disability rights organizations in Illinois. They may be able assist you with:
- disability advocacy
- home health services
- home care
- nursing aide services
- Medicaid
- accessing other community resources to help people with disabilities.
Many of these organizations work to address the unique needs associated with different disabilities, including but not limited to physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, and mental illness. Others focus on issues such as access to housing and legal assistance based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
If you live in Illinois and are a person with a disability, learning about state-specific resources to support people with disabilities can help you advocate for yourself. If you are a friend, family member, or caregiver of a person with disabilities in Illinois, these resources can help you in supporting your loved one.
Note: this website attempts to use people first language and thus uses the term "person with a disability" rather than disabled or handicapped.
We hope you will check out the rest of OlmsteadRights.org to learn about critical rights of people with disabilities.
Protection & Advocacy Organization
The Illinois state disability protection and advocacy (P&A) agency is Equip for Equality. Equip for Equality is part of the nation's federally-funded P&A system. It provides help to people with disabilities in Illinois to expand and defend their rights, including supporting self-advocacy groups and legal assistance. Equip for Equality is part of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN).
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC)
ADRCs are the main points of access for long-term supports and services for older adults and people with disabilities, including home health care and assistive technology.
Legal Services Organizations
These organizations provide free legal assistance for low-income individuals, including help with accessing Social Security and Medicaid benefits.
- Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL)
- Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc.
- Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago
- Illinois Legal Aid Online
- Prairie State Legal Services
- Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services
Other Disability Advocacy Organizations
These organizations protect and advocate for the civil and human rights of people with disabilities.
- Equip for Equality
- Health & Disability Advocates
- Disability Rights Bureau - Illinois Attorney General
- Advocates for Access
- Family Resource Center on Disabilities
- Client Assistance Program (CAP) - Illinois Department of Human Services
- The Arc of Illinois
State Medicaid Agency
Learn about and apply for Medicaid services in Illinois.
Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) helps remove barriers to independent living for people with disabilities and works to increase necessary supports and services. It is part of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL).
Other State and Non-Profit Agencies
These agencies provide help for people with disabilities and their families and caregivers. Disability services are often free or low-cost.
- Family Care Illinois
- Disability & Rehabilitation - Illinois Department of Human Services
- Client Assistance Program (CAP) - Illinois Department of Human Services
- Thresholds (Recovery services for persons with mental illness)
Money Follows the Person (MFP)
Free assistance with transitioning from a nursing facility or institutional care to the community.
Crisis Services
Crisis intervention and counseling for people who are in need of immediate help or need someone to talk to. If you or a loved one is experiencing emotional distress, these agencies are ready to offer free and confidential help. Common concerns include but are not limited to mental illness, suicide, intellectual or developmental disability, physical disability, substance abuse, grief, sexual assault, and family violence.
- Community Crisis Providers - Division of Mental Health
- Illinois Suicide Hotlines
- Mental Health Crisis Services for Youth
- Consumer and Family Contacts - Illinois Mental Health Collaborative for Access and Choice
- Crisis Centers - Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA)
- PATH Crisis Center
Services for Senior Citizens
Free or low-cost resources and disability services for senior citizens and their loved ones to promote successful community living.
- Illinois Department on Aging
- Illinois Area Agencies on Aging
- Senior HelpLine
- Long Term Care Ombudsman
- Elderly Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
- Advocating for Older Citizens - Illinois Attorney General
- Aging Well
Regional Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Center
Provides information, training, and guidance on disability access and Illinois disability services. One of 10 regional centers in the ADA National Network.
Developmental Disabilities Services
These agencies address the specific needs of people with developmental disabilities. They advocate for community inclusion and access to Illinois disability services.
- Division of Developmental Disabilities - Illinois Department of Human Services
- Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD)
- Support Waiver for Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities
- Residential Services for Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities
- Adults with Developmental Disabilities - Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
- The Arc of Illinois
- Disability & Rehabilitation - Illinois Department of Human Services
Mental Health Services
These agencies address the specific needs of people with mental illness and promote mental health. Some agencies offer free or low-cost group counseling and education programs.
- Division of Mental Health - Illinois Department of Human Services
- Illinois Mental Health Collaborative for Access and Choice
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Illinois
- Mental Health America of Illinois
- Thresholds (Recovery services for persons with mental illness)
Physical Disabilities Services
Free or low-cost Illinois disability services for people of all ages, including physical therapy, access to employment and education, support for independent living, and assistive technology.
- Persons with HIV or AIDS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
- Persons with Disabilities Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
- Medically Fragile/Technology Dependent Children
- Disability & Rehabilitation - Illinois Department of Human Services
- Illinois Assistive Technology Program
- Vocational Rehabilitation - Illinois Department of Human Services
Traumatic Brain Injury Services
Information and resources for individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their loved ones.
- Brain Injury Association of Illinois
- Persons with Brain Injury - Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
Addiction and Substance Abuse Services
Information and resources for people with substance abuse and their loved ones.
Low-Income Housing Services
Information and tools for locating affordable housing and access to public housing.
- Illinois Housing Development Authority
- Illinois Association of Housing Authorities (IAHA)
- Housing Authority of Cook County
- Illinois Low Income Housing
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Help
- Housing - Illinois Department of Human Services
- ILHousingSearch.org
- Mercy Housing Illinois