Envision Illinois 

People with disabilities and Deaf people experience physical, emotional and sexual violence at much higher rates than the general population and this violence is usually perpetrated by someone they know. Envision Illinois is a statewide collaboration aimed at improving the service delivery system in Illinois for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities and/or hearing loss. The work focuses on fostering collaboration between community agencies and with self-advocates to improve outreach across systems to survivors with additional needs and to help organizations respond effectively to meet those needs when survivors with disabilities and/or hearing loss present for services. In 2013, the Illinois Department of Human Services received a pilot grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women and created the Envision Illinois project. The Mission of Envision Illinois is to transform services in Illinois into a survivor-centered, seamless, responsive and sustainable system that fully meets the needs of Deaf people and people with disabilities who are survivors of domestic violence.  

Click here to learn more about Envision Illinois and access free resources designed to benefit all people, agencies and organizations working towards this same vision.

Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance, Inc. 

The Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance, Inc. (The Alliance) is a statewide network of self-advocates and self-advocacy groups funded by the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD).  We work together to make life better in our communities and work to make services better for people with disabilities in our state.  The focus of The Alliance is to empower people to speak up and speak out about what they want/need, don’t want/don’t need, action plan their goals and participate in advocacy at the personal, community and statewide levels.  We do this through education, training and individualized mentoring.  The Alliance wants advocates and allies from around the state to speak together with one loud voice. We can do more when we all work together! 

Connect with The Alliance here.

Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources

Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources, funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Developmental Disabilities, is a program open to anyone of any age with epilepsy or seizure disorder who resides in Central and Northwest Illinois.  The Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources program is managed by Streator Unlimited, Inc.  The program includes peer support, caregiver support, accessing benefits, navigating insurance, medical service support, access to counseling, vocational support and help coordinating transportation.  Blue Tower Solutions' role in the Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources program is providing education about epilepsy.  Education includes interactive classes for people with epilepsy and/or other disabilities and their supporters, students of all ages, teachers, para-professionals, medical personnel and the public.  Classes are 45 minutes - hour and can be customized for time and support needs.  All materials and prizes are supplied!  

Click here to learn more about Illinois Epilepsy Support and Resources.