Options Center for Independent Living (CIL)

Provides information about American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) Titles II and III compliance, Illinois Accessibility Code, and home adaptation. Options serves as a resource for information to area businesses and organizations about issues related to accessibility and the ADA.

This free service is available to businesses and community partners interested in learning more about ADA requirements or improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Individual Advocacy services include providing coaching and support needed to appropriately and successfully communicate and negotiate with various agencies, service providers, employers and others to obtain benefits, accommodations and/or other basic rights under the ADA.

Options CIL is designated by the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) as a demonstration site for amplified phones and teletypewriter (TTY).To qualify for this free program a person must be deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired or deaf/blind. Call for more information or stop by for an application.

Assists individuals with disabilities transition out of long-term care facilities into a home and community based setting.

Dependent on funding at any given time, but may include emergency shelter payment services, utility assistance, rental assistance, purchase of assistive technology or durable medical equipment, transportation vouchers.

This program is available in our Bourbonnais location only. We accept donations of clean, gently used wheelchairs, rollators, quad canes and more. We then loan these items out for free to people in need of them. Availability fluctuates, so please call first. ((Please also note, we do not accept donations of any kind that may have been in contact with bodily fluids. This includes shower chairs and toilet seat riders.))

Pre-Employment transition service provided to eligible students with disabilities, including Job-Exploration Counseling. Work based learning experiences. Counseling on opportunities for post-secondary education. Workplace readiness. Introduction in Self-Advocacy.

Services may include personal resource management, financial literacy, benefits assistance and more.

We provide current information about any disability related topic.

Services that may prevent nursing facility placement and may include assistive technology, independent living aids, emergency services. Funding is limited.

Options CIL hosts several peer group meetings for individuals with various disabilities. We currently have a Vision Information Group for adults 55 and older experiencing vision loss/blindness. We have a cross-disability peer group meeting for individuals of all ages and we have a Youth Peer Group for individuals 14-24.

Individuals with disabilities receiving Home Services through Illinois Department of Human Services can call our Personal Assistant Advocate to receive assistance with hiring, managing or firing a Personal Assistant. An updated registry of active Personal Assistants can also be provided upon request. Referrals for qualified individuals in need of services can also be made upon request.

This free training is offered to people interested in working for individuals with disabilities receiving Home Services through Illinois Department of Human Services. Upon completion of the training, your name and information will be added to a registry that is mailed out upon request to people looking to hire a Personal Assistant.

Available to 55 and over adults with vision loss or blindness. We carry a wide variety of items designed to promote and maintain personal independence, including adaptive kitchen aids, large print check registers, lighted magnifiers, talking scales/glucometers/thermostats and more. Our Vision Service Advocate will meet with you one-on-one to discuss your needs and collaborate with you to meet those needs.

Empowers youth with disabilities to successfully navigate the transition into all aspects of adult life, including pursuing post-secondary education, employment and independent living.