Family Support Network of Illinois
We work to uncover the resources, funding, and services needed to help people with developmental disabilities live fulfilling lives in their own homes. Find the support and information needed to make smart choices for your family.
Learn More
Assistive Technology Fund
We aim to bring technology into the hands of persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities for enhanced quality of life. Our program helps improve education and employment opportunities, while increasing independence and community living.
Learn More
Family to Family Health Information Center
We work with families and professionals to assist with questions and concerns related to the health of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) under the age of 22. Stay on top of changing health care coverage options with help from our resources.
Learn More
Ligas Family Advocate Program
We provide broad outreach to adults and families throughout Illinois who are selected from the PUNS or notified in advance of a future PUNS selection. Meet other families going through your same experience and prepare for situations ahead.
Learn More
Illinois Life Span
We are a statewide advocacy organization committed to empowering persons with disabilities to achieve full participation in community life through informed choices. Our advocacy efforts empower families with the support and services for lifelong success.
Learn More
Family Transition Project
The Family Transition Project supports individuals and families who want to explore the possibilities of community life, for those currently living in large institutions.
Learn More
Training Department
The Arc of Illinois offers trainings and events throughout the year. Check out our Calendar of Events for upcoming training opportunities!
Calendar of Events
Advocacy
Self-Advocacy is speaking up and speaking out for yourself and sometimes for others who can't or won't speak up for themselves. This includes what you want and don't want; what you need and don't need; and hopes, dreams and goals for your life. The Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance (The Alliance) was a statewide network of self-advocates, advocacy groups and allies in Illinois. It was funded by the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities from 2008 - 2024. The Alliance created many resources related to self-advocacy over the years.
Find Resources
For over 70 years, The Arc of Illinois has been advocating with people with disabilities, families, and community organizations to make Illinois a place where people with disabilities can live, work, learn, play, and love in communities across the state.
We believe people with disabilities should be full participants in community life, and we offer families and individuals the information, resources, family support, and training needed to reach their goals.
291,840
102
6500+
25k
We offer a wide range of programs and trainings to improve care and inspire better tomorrows.
We fight for disability rights and equality, raising awareness on life-changing legislation and policies.
We connect families, self advocates, and care professionals to build an expansive support network.
Know your options and expand your understanding on important issues within the disability community.
As the largest statewide advocacy organization of people with disabilities, The Arc of Illinois makes finding the information you need easy and straightforward. We can help you with:
We can help you with:
The Arc is on the front lines of disability advocacy, and we invite you to side with our efforts to shift existing systems and offer more benefits for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Join Us and Take Action NowWith help from generous people like you, The Arc continues to grow and improve the lives of persons with disabilities throughout Illinois. Through volunteer work and financial support, your contributions make a real, lasting difference.
“Our family would truly like to thank Arc for this incredibly generous gift and the wonderful opportunity that it has given our daughter. It has broken her repetitive obsession with TV shows, greatly reduced the amount of scripting behavior that she previously engaged in as well as decreased her transition/social anxiety and has helped her start to engage people on her own. We look forward to seeing the benefit that it will continue to provide for her in the future.”
“Thank you, LFA so very much for taking time to share a wealth of information with me. I am just so happy that this process looks so very positive. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to know that there are individuals such as yourself that are very tenacious and have seen this project come to fruition. I am excited and am so looking forward to this opportunity opening up for my son.”
“THANK YOU for all of your work – A. is on Medicaid - AABD with no spenddown. Card arrived on Friday. Coverage is backdated to 1-1-18. Thank you and please thank all of your contacts who helped. It only took 14 months. I owe all of you.!!!”
📣 Introducing Focus on the Future
Focus on the Future is a new initiative from The Arc of Illinois, in partnership with the Disability Partners IDD System Redesign Coalition, centered on making sure your voices lead the way in shaping policy and systems that truly work.
Listening sessions are the foundation of this work. Between now and our statewide summit on May 20, 2026, there are three ways to make your voice heard:
Take the survey: https://qr.link/x2km4a
Join a virtual or in-person listening session: https://qr.link/z5tpFG
Share your story through a video testimonial: https://qr.link/1WZo5s
Whether you’re a self-advocate, family member, provider, or ally, your experience matters. The more voices we hear, the stronger our push for real, lasting change.
This is our moment. Be part of Focus on the Future. 💙
