This list of resources was compiled by Jennifer Smid and Jenny Lutes, patient advocates at the Adult Down Syndrome Center. Many of the resources are specific to the greater Chicagoland area and/or state of Illinois. The * symbol denotes resources with opportunities in multiple states.
If you are looking for resources in another region, we recommend reaching out to a Down syndrome organization in your area. Several national Down syndrome organizations have lists of local organizations by state:
GLOBAL Down Syndrome Foundation Organization List .png "opens in new window")
National Down Syndrome Congress Organization List
National Down Syndrome Society Organization List
Special Recreation Associations Network of Illinois (SRANI)
The SRANI is a network of therapeutic recreation agencies. Special Recreation Associations provide community-based special recreation services to children and adults with disabilities.
There are 31 Special Recreation Cooperatives in Illinois serving 207 Communities. You can use the Find My Services link on the webpage to see which SRA you are in. SRAs offer many opportunities, and many have scholarships available.
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Special Olympics
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Team and individual sports
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Outings, groups, dances, trips, classes, etc.
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Summer camp options
Chicago Park District - Special Recreation Cooperative
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21 locations in parks throughout the city
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Special Olympics
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Team and individual sports
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Outings, groups, dances, trips, classes, etc.
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Inclusion aide available
A.B.L.E. - Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations
Chicago-area nonprofit that creates theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.
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Performance ensembles
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Skills-based workshops
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Outreach programs
Arts of Life
Offers artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities an alternative career path designed to help enrich their lives as working artists. Their mission is to advance the creative arts community by providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership.
Beethoven's Buddies Special Needs Music Program (Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College)
Beethoven's Buddies (BB) is an innovative music program which facilitates cognitive and emotional growth for students with developmental delays. BB uses integrated materials and assistive technology in private lessons. Need-specific resources may include Boardmaker, appropriate music apps, and video models for weekly home practice.
The program is part of Wheaton College's Community School of the Arts in Wheaton, Illinois.
* Best Buddies Citizens
Best Buddies Citizens is the Best Buddies Friendship program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It supports the development of friendships between adults with and without IDD in corporate and civic communities. There are several Best Buddies Chapters throughout the state of Illinois .
*See United States Programs for a list of states with Best Buddies Chapters.
* Buddy Up for Life
Provides adaptive programming for individuals with Down syndrome. There are 2 chapters in Illinois - Evanston (tennis program) and Naperville (tennis and fitness programs).
*See Chapters for a list of states with Buddy Up for Life programs.
Center for Enriched Living
Provides individuals with developmental disabilities with opportunities for personal success, fun & friendship, employment, and community involvement. Serves the Chicagoland area out of their accessible Universal Design building in Riverwoods, Illinois.
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Bowling, art, games, etc.
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Ladies Night and Guys Night
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Excursions
Center for Independent Futures
Offers a calendar of social, cultural, and educational opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Some programs are in-person in Evanston and others are virtual.
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Clubs (walking, books, art, etc.)
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Social hours
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Bingo
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Special events such as dances and barbecues
Center Stage Dance & Tumbling
Dance studio in Bloomingdale, Illinois. Offers Special Needs Classes for children and adults with disabilities or unique needs.
Chicago TOPSoccer
Soccer program in Addison, Illinois. Brings together players with and without disabilities (intellectual and/or physical) to learn and play soccer.
* Diveheart
A non-profit organization that builds confidence, independence, and self-esteem in the lives of children, adults, and veterans with disabilities through scuba diving, scuba therapy, and related activities. Classes are led by a highly trained adaptive dive team. There is a program in Oak Lawn . There are also programs at Marquette University and in Georgia and Florida.
El Valor
A multicultural, community-based, non-profit organization that supports children, people with disabilities, and their families in the Chicagoland area. El Valor has four Children & Family Centers, an Inclusion Center, a Developmental Training Center, and six Community Residence Homes for adults with disabilities. Adult Programs are CARF Accredited. El Valor also hosts a Parent Support group in English and Spanish.
* Gigi's Playhouse
Offers free programs for people with Down syndrome of a variety of ages at 8 locations in Illinois, over 40 locations across the United States, and a virtual platform. Programs vary by location but can include physical activity, cooking, music, dancing, social gatherings, career preparation, and more.
Helping Hand
Helping Hand's Afterhours Program provides a variety of activities for adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities. Activities are offered weekly. Based in Countryside, Illinois.
National Association for Down Syndrome
Organization in Park Ridge, IL, that offers a Self-Advocates in Action (SAIA) program for adults with Down syndrome. Self-advocates participate in a variety of activities related to service, leadership, outreach, and advocacy.
Opportunity House, Inc.
A non-profit organization in Sycamore, Illinois, serving adults with developmental disabilities in DeKalb County. The Recreation Program offers about 15 activities or events each month such as dances, dinners, movies, shopping trips, crafts, and more.
Options & Advocacy for McHenry County
Organization based in Crystal Lake, Illinois, that serves individuals throughout McHenry County. Offers the Stephanie Sullivan Joyful Arts Program for teens and young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Project Onward
Organization in Chicago that "serves 50 artists, each with unique creative styles and facing diverse challenges from autism to mental illness." Provides artists a safe, supportive studio environment with access to workspace, materials, and professional guidance. There is a competitive selection process.
Special Gifts Theatre
Offers several theatre programs including Creativity in Motion, Creating Outside the Lines, and Musical Theatre. Based in Northbrook, Illinois, but offers programs in multiple suburbs (Winnetka, Barrington, Glenview, Libertyville, and Palatine, among others.
* Special Olympics
Provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Illinois is organized into 11 geographic regions.
TotalLink to Community
Offers programs that "foster relationship-building, community involvement, meaningful learning experiences, and independence. In-person and virtual programs are offered in four-month sessions throughout the year. Programs include art, board games, dinner with friends, book club, karaoke, and fitness, among others. Located in Northbrook, Illinois.
UPS for DownS
Down syndrome organization based in Schaumburg, Illinois, that offers social clubs for individuals of all ages, walking club, book club, and theatre club. Also hosts events throughout the year.
Other places to look for programming include YMCAs, public libraries, community colleges, religious organizations, and community centers.