To assist you we have created a Resources area of the site where we hope to keep a current list of the downloads available for you.
If you are looking for information on a specific CJE Group, you can do so in the Support Groups Directory.
All of the videos throughout the site are located in one page - CJE Video Library Archives or on our YouTube channel.
Access Living
Access Living is a cross-disability organization governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities that fosters satisfying lifestyles. Access Living offers peer-oriented independent living services, community organization and outreach, policy analysis, public education, awareness and development and individual and systemic advocacy and enforcement of civil rights on behalf of persons with disabilities.
Phone: (312) 640-2100
Toll Free: (800) 613-8549
TTY: (312) 640-2102
Toll Free TTY: (888) 253-7003
115 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654
Age Options
Serving suburban Cook County, the purpose of this agency is to connect older adults, aged 60 and over, with resources and options for care so that they can have a full range of choices and live their lives to the fullest. AgeOptions funds, coordinates and advocates for older adults and their family caregivers.
Phone: (708) 383-0258
Toll Free: (800) 699-9043
TTY: (708) 524-1653
1048 Lake Street, Suite 300
Oak Park, IL 60301
Center for Disability and Elder Law
CDEL Coordinates the provision of quality legal services, pro bono, to low-income seniors and/or persons with disabilities in Cook County. CDEL focuses its legal services on systemic issues which have a disparate impact on their clientele, specifically, issues related to financial stability, housing, end of life planning, and financial exploitation and abuse.
Note: CIF is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.
Phone: (312) 376-1880
79 West Monroe Street, Suite 919
Chicago, IL 60603
Center for Independent Futures
Center for Independent Futures is a not-for-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities and their families access the skills and opportunities to realize full lives. This website contains information on products and services available to establish sustainable solutions through community living options, personal networks and lifelong planning and education. CIF is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.
Phone: (847) 328-2044
1015 W. Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
Chicago Housing Authority
This website provides information on special housing initiatives, REDI, Adopt-A-Senior program, and the CHA Alumni Association. The agency works toward providing affordable housing for lower-income residents.
Phone: (312) 742-8500
60 East Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60605
City of Evanston Senior Services
Information is available on this website for all city services available in Evanston including services for seniors and people with disabilities such as the Long Term Care Ombudsman, Handyman Program, Subsidized Taxicab Service, Circuit Breaker Program and many others.
Levy Senior Center
300 Dodge Avenue
Evanston IL 60202
Phone: (847) 448-8250
Audrey L. Thompson
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Phone: (847) 448-8173
CJE SeniorLife
CJE offers a comprehensive network of housing, healthcare, community services, education and applied research to older adults and their families throughout Metropolitan Chicago. CJE’s Linkages program is an information and referral service for families of adults with disabilities.
Phone: (773) 508-1000
3003 West Touhy Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645
Clearbrook
Clearbrook provides services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. This organization works with more than 3,400 children and adults clients each year, and their families, in more than 160 communities throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Clearbrook’s unique approach offers a customized goal plan for each client, based on the desires and wishes of both client and family. Programs for adults include specialized day programs, employment services, and residential facilities.
Phone: (847) 870-7711
1835 West Central Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI)`
This organization grew out of the need for a statewide cross-disability rights organization that advocated for the rights of people with disabilities. For over twenty years CCDI has worked to improve the lives of people with disabilities, and teach the skills needed to affect change through our grassroots advocacy efforts. This website provides information on CCDI’s advocacy and education programs.
Phone/TTY: (217) 522-7016
Toll-Free Phone/TTY: (800) 433-8848
3 West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 1
Springfield, IL 62701
Community Resources On-line
This website is designed to assist caregivers in locating resources for clients of all ages. It is easy to use and contains information on approximately 5,000 community programs that provide in-home services, health care, legal advocacy, benefits assistance, vision or hearing evaluations, home delivered meals, counseling, vocational programs, and many other services.
Department of Human Services: Developmental Disability (DHS-DD)
This website provides links to eligibility and application information for state residential, in-home support, and day service programs. The site also includes information about other services, such as Support Services Teams (SSTs), which provide technical assistance and training response to persons with a developmental disability in a medical or behavioral situation that challenges their ability to live and thrive in the community.
Toll-Free: (800) 843-6154
TTY: (312) 793-2354
401 South Clinton Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
DHS Help Line:
Toll-Free Phone: (800) 843-6154
Toll-Free TTY: (800) 447-6404
Equip for Equality
Information on services provided through this nonprofit agency are on this website. The mission of Equip for Equality is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with physical and mental 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.
Phone: (312) 341-0022
Toll-Free Phone: (800) 537-2632
Toll-Free TTY: (800) 610-2779
20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602
Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP)
This not-for-profit agency promotes the availability of assistive technology services and programs for people with disabilities. IATP serves all people with disabilities in the state of Illinois, their families, service providers, state agencies, private industry, educators, and other interested individuals, regardless of age or income. This website can be used to apply for the IATP device loan program, cash loans for assistive technology and employment, home ownership, AT classifieds to sell assistive devices, access to the DRS reutilization program where used assistive devices that are available are catalogued, information on AT assessments (can be done in home) and much more useful information on how to access assistive technology.
Phone: (217) 522-7985
TTY: (217) 522-9966
Toll-Free Phone/TTY: (800) 852-5110
1 West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 100
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Illinois Department of Public Health
IDPH sets the standards for hospital, assisted living and nursing home care, and maintains the state’s vital records. This site has copies of state forms for advance directives (living will, DNR, mental health directives and power of attorney).
IDPH has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.
Downtown Chicago:
Phone: (312) 814-2793
122 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603
Springfield:
Phone: (217) 782-4977
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761
Illinois Housing Development Authority
This program helps people of modest means buy houses and the agency also builds decent, safe apartments that are available at reasonable rents.
Phone: (312) 836-5200
TDD: (312) 836-5222
401 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60611
Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living
The Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living is a statewide association representing the 23 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in Illinois. INCIL is a source of information about Illinois CILs and issues critical to promoting independent living for all persons with disabilities. The purpose of INCIL is to facilitate the collaboration of all CILs in Illinois for promoting equal opportunities and civil rights for all persons with disabilities through the Independent Living Movement.
Phone/TTY: (217) 525-1308
Toll-Free Phone/TTY: (800) 587-1227
One West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 501
Springfield, IL 62701
Jewish Child and Family Services in Chicago (JCFS)
JCFS provides services to children, adults and families who have an array of disabilities. This website provides information on programs including residential care, professional consultation, developmental play groups, assessment, social and education programs, respite, counseling and specialized camp experiences.
Note: CIF is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.
JCFS has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.
Toll-Free Phone: 855-ASK-JCFS (855-275-5237)
Central Office:
216 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606
Jewish Vocational Services (JVS)
This website has information on JVS programs which include training programs to build skills needed to succeed in the workforce, and one-on-one job search assistance is specifically tailored to meet the needs of clients who can be anyone but especially focused on services to youth and adults with disabilities, the transgender community, older workers and the Jewish Community.
Note: JVS is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.
JVS has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.
Phone: (312) 673-3400
Main Office:
216 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 700
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Keshet
Keshet provides of educational, recreational, vocational and social programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities operating according to traditional Jewish values. Our mission is to enhance independence and integration to optimize personal potential. Keshet’s GADOL Program (Giving Adults Daily Opportunities for Living) offers programming, volunteer, and vocational opportunities to enable adults with developmental disabilities to reach their potential.
Note: Keshet is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.
Phone: (847) 205-1234
617 Landwehr Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
Life’s Plan, Inc.
Life's Plan, Inc. assists families in addressing the very difficult and universal question: "Who will care for my family member when I am gone?" Life’s Plan operates as a pooled trust program meeting the supplemental support needs of people with disabilities while not jeopardizing state and federal entitlements.
Phone: (630) 628-7169
901 Warrenville Road, Suite 500
Lisle, IL 60532
LINKAGES
LINKAGES is a unique program that assists seniors who are the primary caregivers of adult children with disabilities to address the issues, needs and concerns of their family. Professional staff explore resource options and offer expertise and advice on service coordination, advocacy, future planning and government benefits. A family support group meets twice monthly and allows families to come together to discuss the similar situations they face.
Phone: (773) 508-1694
3003 West Touhy Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645
Misericordia
Misericordia offers a continuum of care to meet the diverse needs of persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities to allow them to live as independently as possible in the highest level of community integration feasible. Residential settings include CILAs, On-campus apartments, Group homes and a skilled nursing residence.
Phone: (773) 973-6300
6300 North Ridge
Chicago, IL 60660
NAMI of Greater Chicago
This website provides information on services and resources available through the local Chicago branch office of National Alliance on Mental Illness which is a grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families.
Phone: (312) 563-0445
1536 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
PACT, Inc.
PACT, Inc. is committed to assisting individuals with disabilities live engaged and meaningful lives through independent service coordination throughout the life span. PACT offers programs that help link people to the service and supports they choose and assist in their ongoing satisfaction with those services and supports. The Life Management Services program advises and assists families, trust officers, attorneys and other professionals in meeting the current and future needs of individuals with disabilities in Northeastern Illinois. Through this program, PACT offers advocacy, guardian of person and/or estate, and trustee or personal budgeting assistant services, all with the goal of ensuring that appropriate supports are present to ensure maximum independence with freedom from exploitation.
Phone: (630) 960-9700
TDD: (331) 481-4347
750 Warrenville Road, Suite 300
Lisle, IL 60532
Palatine Township Senior Center
Information and an events calendar about services available through Palatine Township Senior Center for anyone over 50 years of age.
Phone: (847) 991-1112
505 South Quentin Road
Palatine, IL 60067
Pathway Senior Living
This website provides information on the network of supportive living and senior apartments available through Pathway Senior Living.
Phone: (847) 768-5100
Toll-Free Phone: (888) 342-1111
701 Lee Street #500
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Progress Center for Independent Living
Progress Center directly assists persons with disabilities to establish lives in the community. Services are provided to people with disabilities of all ages to increase and maintain independence. Families and communities are also assisted. All Centers for Independent Living (CIL) provide four core service areas – information and referral, advocacy, independent living skills and peer counseling. Also administers Proviso Township Home Modification Program which can provide funds for home modifications to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, including seniors.
Phone: (708) 209-1500
TTY: (708) 209-1826
7521 Madison Street
Forest Park, IL 60130
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s Life Center
Located at 345 East Superior Street in Chicago, the Life Center is a library of resources (books, videos, magazines and multimedia learning resources) for persons with disabilities and their families. The Life Center website also offers virtual access to its resource collection and includes information on disability organizations, government agencies, support groups and health information on key areas of life.
Phone: (312) 238-LIFE (5433)
345 East Superior Street, First Floor
Chicago, IL 60611
Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
Administered by the State of Illinois Department of Insurance, SHIP is a state sponsored counseling service provided at no charge. Volunteer counselors provide information on Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance, retiree health plans, claims processing, and appealing claims denials.
Chicago Office:
Phone: (312) 814-2420
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 9-301
Chicago, IL 60601-3395
State Office:
Phone: (217) 782-4515
320 West Washington
Springfield, IL 62767
The Arc of Illinois
The Arc of Illinois is committed to empowering persons with developmental disabilities to achieve full participation in community life through informed choices. This website provides links to important advocacy and referral services, such as Illinois Life Span, Family to Family Health Information and Education Center, and The Family Support Network.
Phone: (815) 464-1832
20901 LaGrange Road, Suite #209
Frankfort, IL 60423
The ARK
The ARK provides a multitude of free social and medical services to help distressed members of the Chicagoland Jewish family return to self-sufficiency. The ARK is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.
Note: The ARK is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.
The ARK:
Phone: (773) 973-1000
6450 North California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645
The ARK Northwest:
Phone: (773) 973-0011
3100 Dundee Road, Suite 204
Northbrook, IL 60062
The Arts of Life
The Arts of Life is an organization which strives to involve people with and without disabilities in the creation of art and art culture. The organization has four core values which guide its collaborative work: promoting self-respect, inspiring artistic expression, building community, and developing independence. Participation is open to adults with a primary diagnosis of developmental disability who have an interest in creating art.
Two studio locations:
North Shore StudioPhone: (847) 486-0808
1963 Johns Drive
Glenview, IL 60025
Chicago Studio
Phone: (312) 829-2787
2010 West Carroll
Chicago, IL 60612
Academy of Special Needs Planners
Members of the Academy of Special Needs Planners are attorneys who devote a significant part of their practices to working with individuals with special needs and their families. The site provides a national registry of attorneys who are members and also provides resources and a general overview of strategies parents and others can use to plan for their own futures and for those of family members with special needs.
Toll-Free Phone: (866) 296-5509
150 Chestnut Street, 4th Floor
Providence, RI 02903
Alzheimer’s Association
Website provides information on services available across the country to people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families including a 24 hour hotline, community resources and support groups, basic information in the form of fact sheets and videos as well as a virtual library.
24/7 Helpline:
Phone: (800) 272-3900
TDD: (866) 403-3073
National office:
Phone: (312) 335-8700
TDD: (312) 335-5886
225 North Michigan Avenue, Fl. 17
Chicago, IL 60601-7633
American Association of People with Disabilities
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change – politically, economically, and socially in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This website contains copies of all AAPS newsletters and information on current activities of this dynamic advocacy organization.
Phone/TTY: (202) 457-0046
Toll-Free Phone/TTY: (800) 840-8844
2013 H Street NW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20006
American Association of Retired Persons/AARP
This website provides lots of information and tools for making difficult decisions about aging related issues including retirement, benefits, health care, insurance, long term care, and care giving.
Toll-Free Phone: (888) OUR-AARP (687-2277)
Toll-Free TTY: (877) 434-7598
Toll-Free Spanish: (877) 342-2277
601 E Street NW
Washington DC 20049
Americans with Disabilities Act/ADA
This website provides important information and technical assistance on implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Toll-Free Phone: (800) 514-0301
Toll-Free TTY: (800) 514-0383
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section - NYA
Washington, D.C. 20530
Benefits Check Up
Find and enroll in federal, state, local and private programs that help pay for health care, prescription drugs, utility bills, meals and other needs.
Phone: (202) 479-1200
National Council on Aging
1901 L Street NW, 4th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU)
ILRU provides research, education and consultation in the areas of independent living, the Americans with Disabilities Act, home and community based services and health issues for people with disabilities. The ILRU website can be used to provide training and information dissemination including web casts and teleconferences, in addition to information on a myriad of projects led by ILRU and breaking news and useful information. The website also contains discussion boards with the latest perspectives on important independent living, home and community based services, health and wellness, and other disability issues.
Phone/TTY: (713) 520-0232
2323 South Shepherd, Suite 1000
Houston, Texas 77019
Medicare Information
This is the official U.S. government site for Medicare beneficiaries that provides access to information about Medicare, including eligibility, health plans, prescription drug plans, long term care, billing, and the appeals process.
Toll-Free Phone: (800) MEDICARE (633-4227)
Toll-Free TTY: (877) 486-2048
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850
Medicare Interactive Counselor
This website is designed to give answers about Medicare benefits. It was created and is maintained by the Medicare Rights Center which works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling, educational programs and public policy initiatives.
Toll-Free Helpline: (800) 333-4114
Phone: (202) 637-0961
Medicare Rights Center
1224 M Street NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20005
National Council for Aging Care
Aging In Place connects seniors, families, and caretakers with the information and professional support they need to make the best decision for their physical, emotional, and financial well being. Our resources and network of experts help ensure your home evolves to best accommodate your changing budget, mobility, and health.
Phone: (877) 664-6140
1530 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. This website offers links to local organizations and groups for families and consumers in your area.
Toll-Free Phone: (800) 346-4572
218 West Lawrence Avenue
Springfield, IL 62704
National Council on Aging
The NCOA is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization which works to improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, especially in the areas of health, economic security, and public policy.
Phone: (202) 479-1200
1901 L Street NW, 4th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
National Organization on Disability
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) researches, develops, and demonstrates creative approaches to disability employment issues. This website includes links and information on employment resources, transportation resources, and emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities, in addition to research and publications about these topics.
Phone: (646) 505-1191 ext. 122
77 Water Street, Suite 204
New York, NY 10005
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities: Lifespan Health and Function/Department of Disability and Human Development/University of Illinois at Chicago/UIC-RRTCADD
This website provides information on the latest research, model programs and policy issues pertaining to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It describes training and technical assistance opportunities, conferences and available resources. These resources are available as written products, videotapes and CDs. Many of the products can be downloaded at no cost. This website is designed for researchers and professionals, as well as families and persons with disabilities.
Note: RRTCADD is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.
Phone: (312) 413-1520
TTY: (312) 413-0453
Toll Free Phone: (800) 996-8845
1640 West Roosevelt Road, M/C 626
Chicago, Illinois 60608-6904
RX Assist Patient Assistance Program Center
Online resource center that provides the most comprehensive and current information for service providers and patients confronted with medication access issues. Staff are available to answer questions via e-mail to assist in identifying specific resource options.
Email: info@rxassist.org
Social Security Administration
This website provides information and applications to all social security programs and benefits, including disability programs, Social Security Disability Insurance/Supplemental Security Income (SSDI/SSI) and the Ticket to Work Program.
The Social Security Administration has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.
Toll-Free Phone (24/7): (800) 772-1213
TTY (7am-7pm): (800) 325-0778
Steve Gold, Disability Advocate
This website is loaded with information and tools on how to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act. Steve is an attorney located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and he believes that Information is power so he wants everyone to have access to this information and to advocate for change.
The Arc of the United States
The Arc is the world’s largest community-based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides services and support for families and individuals and includes over 140,000 members affiliated through more than 730 state and local chapters across the nation. This website provides links to local organization chapters which are essential tools in finding local resources of all sorts.
The Arc has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.
National Office:
Phone: (202) 534-3700
Toll-Free Phone: (800) 433-5255
1825 K Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20006
The International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet/ICDRI
ICDRI’s website includes information on disability resources and best practices.
Phone: (919) 349-6661
4312 Birchlake Court
Alexandria, VA 22309
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
This Federal agency is responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs, that improve and develop the Nation's communities, and enforce fair housing laws. Site contains HUD News, program information, HUD Handbooks and Regulations, and more. This website also provides listings and information on local subsidized housing for seniors and people with disabilities.
HUD has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.
Chicago Regional Office:
Phone: (312) 353-5680
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Fair Housing Resource Center:
Toll-Free Phone: (800) CALL-FHA (225-5342)