ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Division of Rehabilitation Services
2435 Broadway, Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 224-2600; Fax: (217) 224-1921
Web Site: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/

Supervisor: Donna Ryan
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Support by: State and federal funds

Mission Or Objective:
To assist Illinois residents to achieve self-sufficiency, independence and health to the maximum extent possible by providing integrative family oriented service, promoting prevention, and establishing measurable outcomes in partnership with communities.

Overview:
To foster and provide equal opportunities for independence and participation in society for persons with disabilities.

Primary Illinois State government agency providing services to persons with disabilities. Agency also advocates on behalf of this segment of the state's population.

DRS cooperates with other state agencies, businesses and organizations to develop rehabilitative services and coordinate programs that bring people with disabilities into the mainstream of society.

Services include medical assistance, physical aids, counseling and guidance and job training and placement.

DRS provides a wide variety of services to children with disabilities and their families. Available are vocational rehabilitation, skills training, school-to work and on-the-job training programs, parental advocacy training programs, parental advocacy training, residential educational facilities and assistive technology information and referral.

All records are confidential and not available to the general public.

Disability Determination Services
Evaluates Social Security disability claims for adults and children. Bureau makes eligibility decisions, and provides special services to families through its Disability Assistance Unit. DAU attempts to resolve any problems that may arise during case processing, arrange transportation to medical examinations needed for disability determination, arrange for sign language or foreign language interpreters, provide referrals to legal, welfare, health or social agencies, and provide program presentations and workshops for interested organizations.

Home Services
This program is available for adults with a disability. It offers in-home support services to allow individuals the opportunity to remain in their homes. The services included are personal assistant care, respite care, home remodeling, home delivered meals, homemaking assistance, electronic home response and physical therapy. Individuals can have home care if the cost of in-home services is less than the cost of institutionalization.

Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education - Roosevelt Road (ICRE-R)
ICRE-R is an accredited educational program for children with severe physical disabilities. The school offers horticultural therapy, extra-curricular activities including sports and Junior Achievement and independent living skills. Students may reside at the center or attend classes as day students. Medical personnel are on staff to attend to students needing medical assistance or therapies.

Students can take elective classes at a Chicago high school and are encouraged to work part-time at local state offices. Tuition, room, board and books are free to Illinois residents. (312) 413-1808 (voice) or (312) 413-1775 (TTY).

Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education - Wood Street
Training center for people ages 16 and above who have become blind. It helps individuals adapt to their blindness and re-learn the skills they need to remain independent and employed. Offers a low vision clinic with evaluations and assistive devices and class topics include cooking, housekeeping, sewing, money management, independent travel and leisure time activities. Choice between residential or day basis. Room, board, classes and equipment are free to Illinois residents. (312) 633-3520 (voice) or (312) 996-1510 (TTY).

Illinois School For the Deaf
Accredited educational curriculum to students ages 5-21. They use a system of "Total Communication" which combines sign language with residential hearing and voice. Also offers extra-curricular activities including cheerleading, intramural sports, drama and pep clubs, and social activities.

The schools Media Center maintains a video lending library that includes sign language classes, signed children's stories and captioned programs. Also holds an annual Parent/Infant Institute.

Illinois School For the Visually Impaired (ISVI)
Offers an accredited educational curriculum for students 5-21 who are blind or visually impaired. Students can be involved in sports, forensics, choir, and other activities. No charge to Illinois students or their families for tuition, room, board and books. ISVI emphasizes Braille instruction enabling children with visual impairments to have the strong reading and writing skills.

ISVI's Independent Living Curriculum enables high school seniors to spend part of their final year in an independent-living setting on campus, helping them gain the knowledge, experience and confidence they need to live on their own after graduation.

Also offers a Parent/Infant Institute designed to offer assistance, guidance and education to parents of children who have visual impairments. Offers extensive outreach services to the families and school districts of children with visual adapted computer assistance.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
For people whose disabilities offer them a significant challenge in obtaining or keeping a job. Highly trained counselors provide evaluation and guidance, job development, placement and follow-up. Assistance with on-the-job training and evaluation, supported employment, assistive technology and other supportive services.