News / Articles

MCRide Connect is a new on-demand, user-side subsidy program using transportation network companies, like Uber and UZURV, to provide an affordable transportation option for eligible residents in McHenry County. MCRide Connect will subsidize trips throughout the six-county Chicagoland region, so long as the origin or destination is in McHenry County.

We are inviting interested parents of youth with disabilities to participate in an online transition planning training. The training will be provided in English and Spanish.

The mission of Special Gifts Theatre is to foster self-confidence, social, speech and language skills in individuals with disabilities, using educational and therapeutic techniques with the stage as the platform, integrating creativity and fun.

Preparing young people with significant disabilities for success in competitive integrated employment.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent that individuals between the ages of 14-22 with intellectual disability are engaging in household tasks. Additionally, this study seeks to understand the relation between engagement in household tasks and parental expectations for employment outcomes.

IBCCES offers a free Accessibility Card to help speed access to theme parks, museums, etc for people with special needs.

Grace, is a young lady with Down syndrome who loves to make art. Together, we recently opened a small art business called GracePlace Art, where we primarily sell greeting cards with Grace’s artwork printed on them!

The Governor of Illinois signed into law allowing our kids to continue attending school or transition programs until the end of the school year they turn 22. Here is a link to the details.

With ample support, specialized instruction, and low class sizes, UW-W's LIFE program provides access to students who have historically been excluded from the many opportunities afforded by higher education.

We help families of children with special needs through two key programs: the Core Program and the Home Care Program.

Only 5% of people with Down syndrome have access to one of the few specialty clinics throughout the US. That means that nearly 200,000 may be missing out on important screenings and evaluations because their healthcare providers are not up to date.

Loving our new site? This is just the beginning of new things coming for FINDS.

FINDS is very proud to announce that Ethel Adrahtas has joined our board.

The Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll drive is around the corner. Please sign up to help us collect funds to continue the mission of FINDS.

My name is Elliana Kim and I am the founder of Always Dancing Project, a nonprofit organization (501(c)3 pending). We provide free Zoom classes for children with disabilities.

(Website:https://sites.google.com/view/alwaysdancingproject/home). New classes have been added!

Drs. Brian Chicoine, Erin Dominiak, and Hannah Graham continue to update our Resource Library with the latest information about COVID-19. In the article linked here, the doctors share their recommendations for booster shots based on what we know about COVID-19 infection and vaccination in individuals with Down syndrome.

Dr. Brian Chicoine describes the benefit and function of self-talk and what a change in self-talk may indicate.

The article below was published in the July/August 1997 edition of Disability Solutions.

We hope you and your family continue to stay safe and healthy. We know that many individuals with Down syndrome and their families are deciding whether to return to in-person school or work this fall. Dr. Chicoine shared some questions to consider

University of Alabama is currently conducting a research study exploring how having a neurodiverse sibling impacts adults’ overall well-being, relationships, and long-term decision-making. Participants will be paid $20 for completing the survey.

DS Connect & NIH are conducting research on people with DS and COVID 19. This survey will take 15-30 minutes to complete.

In this research, we are studying how spatial abilities develop in typically developing children and people with intellectual disabilities. Our ultimate goal is to inform the design of a child-friendly environment and to develop programs to improve people’s spatial abilities.