Last updated: December 2005

Introduction: How to Use This Guidebook

Video: How to Use the Online Version of This Guidebook
Video: How to Use the Book Version of This Guidebook

Chapter 1: General Considerations

Chapter 1 Overview
Section 1: Who Has a Disability Under the ADA?
Section 2: Are You An "Otherwise Qualified Individual With a Disability" Under 504
of the Rehabilitation Act?"
Section 3: How to Protect or Enforce Your Rights Under 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 4: How to Protect or Enforce Your Rights Under the Illinois Human Rights Act

Chapter 2: Access to Services, Programs, and Activities

Chapter 2 Overview
Section 1: State and Local Government Services
Section 2: Places of Public Accommodation
Section 3: Places of Public Accommodation and Government Services (State Law)
Section 4: Access To Programs And Activities Run By Recipients of Federal Funds Or By Federal Agencies
Section 5: State of Illinois Disabled Person Identification Card
Section 6: Accessibility of Voting Facilities And Other Voting Rights
Section 7: Operating Motor Vehicle
Section 8: Environmental Barriers In Public Facilities and in Multi-Story Housing

Chapter 3: Care of Children with Disabilities

Chapter 3 Overview
Section 1: Family Assistance for Children with Developmental Disabilities
Section 2: Individual Care Grants for Children with Mental Illness
Section 3: Specialized Care and Treatment for Children with Severe Physical Disabilities
Section 4: Financial Assistance to Parents Adopting Children with Disabilities
Section 5: Early Intervention Services

Chapter 4: Right to Confidentiality

Chapter 4 Overview
Section 1: Rights to Confidentiality for People with Mental and Developmental Disabilities
Section 2: Right to Confidentiality for People with HIV or AIDS

Chapter 5: Education

Chapter 5 Overview
Section 1: Special Education and Related Services
Section 2: Section 504: Education In Schools Receiving Federal Funds
Section 3: Educational Records and Privacy
Section 4: Parent Training and Information Programs
Section 5: Relief From Student Loans

Chapter 6: Employment

Chapter 6 Overview
Section 1: Reasonable Accommodations and Freedom From Discrimination
Section 2: Employment Discrimination on the Basis of Disability (State Law)
Section 3: Job Discrimination In Programs And Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance
Section 4: Job Discrimination By Federal Agencies
Section 5: Taking Time Off Work For Illness
Section 6: Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities 

Chapter 7: Government Benefits

Chapter 7 Overview
Section 1: Social Security Disability Benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Section 2: Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled Grant Program
Section 3: General Assistance
Section 4: Low-Income Energy Assistance

Chapter 8: Guardians and Representatives

Chapter 8 Overview
Section 1: Guardianship of Adults with Disabilities
Section 2: Guardianship of Minors
Section 3: Advance Directives: Powers of Attorney and Living Wills
Section 4: Health Care Surrogates
Section 5: Advance Directives for Mental Health Treatment

Chapter 9: Health Care

Chapter 9 Overview
Section 1: The Pharmaceutical Assistance Program
Section 2: Medicaid (for Adults)
Section 3: KidCare and Medicaid for Children
Section 4: The Medicare Program
Section 5: Medicaid Coverage of Medicare Premiums and Deductibles: The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
Section 6: State of Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan

Chapter 10: Housing

Chapter 10 Overview
Section 1: Discrimination In the Sale, Rental and Use of Housing (Federal Law)
Section 2: Discrimination in the Sale and Rental of Housing (State Law)
Section 3: Section 504: Residential Programs Receiving Federal Financial Assistance
Section 4: Supportive Housing Programs for People with Disabilities

Chapter 11: Independent Living and Productivity

Chapter 11 Overview
Section 1: Vocational Rehabilitation
Section 2: The Home Services Program
Section 3: Home-Based Support Services for Adults with Mental Illness or Developmental Disabilities
Section 4: The Developmental Disabilities Programs
Section 5: Independent Living Services
Section 6: Community Living Facilities for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Section 7: Community Integrated Living Arrangements

Chapter 12: Institutional Care

Chapter 12 Overview
Section 1: The Admission, Discharge, and Transfer of Persons With Mental Illness
Section 2: The Admission, Discharge, and Transfer of Persons With A Developmental Disability
Section 3: Rights of Recipients of Mental Health and Developmental Disability Services
Section 4: Liability for the Costs of Care in State Operated Mental Health and Developmental Disability Facilities
Section 5: Nursing Home Care

Chapter 13: Protection from Abuse and Exploitation

Chapter 13 Overview
Section 1: The Domestic Abuse Project
Section 2: Protection From Domestic Violence
Section 3: Criminal Offenses Against People with Disabilities

Chapter 14: Telecommunications

Chapter 14 Overview
Section 1: Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS)

Chapter 15: Transportation

Chapter 15 Overview
Section 1: Access To Transportation Services
Section 2: Paratransit
Section 3: Section 504: Transportation Providers Receiving Federal Financial Assistance
Section 4: Access to Air Travel

Chapter 16: Miscellaneous Rights

Chapter 16 Overview
Section 1: Credit and Financial Services
Section 2: Insurance Discrimination
Section 3: Property Tax Relief
Section 4: Technology-Related Assistance for People with Disabilities
Section 5: Legal Advocacy for People With Disabilities
Section 6: The Sale of Hearing Instruments

To find a lawyer in Illinois, search the "Helpful Organizations" section below.

To see a list of:
Guardianship & Advocacy Commission Offices in Illinois click here
Equip for Equality Offices in Illinois  click here
Centers for Independent Living in Illinois click here

Helpful Organizations
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