Accessibility Resources
Since 1991, Extended Home Living Services (EHLS) has helped thousands of people successfully remain in their home by creating accessible, barrier-free environments. EHLS has also made innumerable churches and public buildings more accessible. Today, EHLS is the number one source for lifts and accessibility modifications in the Chicago area – serving Northeaster Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, and Northwestern Indiana. Find out more about them by visiting their website at http://www.ehls.com/.
The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) works to meet the diverse needs of the more than 600,000 individuals with disabilities who live and work in Chicago. MOPD’s goal is to make Chicago the most accessible city in the nation. MOPD serves five major groups: people with disabilities, City departments and agencies, other government agencies, disability-related agencies and organizations and the private sector. For more information, please visit http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mopd.html.
Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) HomeMod Program is run by the Mayor’s Office and enables people with disabilities of low to moderate income to have their homes and apartments modified for accessibility purposes. Eligibility mandates that the person with a disability be a Chicago resident, 59 years of age or younger, with certain income specifications. For more information, please call (312) 743-1523or (312) 744-7833 (TTY) or visit www.cityofchicago.org/disabilities
The Illinois Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) administers the Medicaid program, providing health care assistance for qualified adults and children. In some cases, Medicaid will a pay for home medical equipment, including lifts that do not require home modifications. Visit their site at http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/.
Administered by the University of Illinois, this program can provide accessibility modifications for certain individuals under the age of 21 with certain chronic physical disabilities and health impairments. For more information, please call the Chicago office at 312-996-6380 or visit www.uic.edu/hsc/dscc.
Located through the state serving people with disabilities from ages 18-59. Government funding for home modifications through the Department of Rehab Services Department of Human Services Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS) is available for qualifying individuals. Please visit www.state.il.us/agency/dhs.
The Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living, the statewide association representing the 23 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in Illinois. INCIL is an authoritative source of information about the accomplishments and needs of Illinois CILs and about issues most critical to promote independent living for all persons with disabilities. For more information, please visit http://www.incil.org/
