Resources for teens with spina bifida

Financial

• Division of Specialized Care for Children, University of Illinois at Chicago: 800.322.3722
• Social Security: 800.772.1213 or http://www.ssa.gov/disability/
• Department of Human Services (Public Aid): 312.793.4131
• Health and Disability Advocates (assistance with SSI appeals): 312.223.9600

Medical resources

• Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health: 312.427.4460
• Health Resource Center for Women with Disabilities at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago: 312.238.1051 or 312.238.8003

Educational resources

• Family Resource Center for People with Disabilities (academic/IEP assistance): 312.939.3513
• Chicago Communities in Schools: 312.829.2475

Transportation resources

• First Transit (Public Aid Transportation (must have a medical card)): 877.725.0569
• Chicago Transit Authority: 1.888.YOUR CTA or http://www.transitchicago.com/
• CTA ParaTransit: 312.432.7025

Vocational/work programs

• Anixter Center: 773.973.7900
• Bridges from School to Work: 312.432.6240
• Illinois Department of Employment Security: 312.793.5700
• Seguin Services: 708.863.3803

Nutrition clinics

• Linda Somers, RD, Outpatient Dietician, Children's Memorial Hospital Outpatient Nutrition: 1.800.KIDS DOC
• La Rabida Children's Hospital (sees people ages 12-18): 773.363.6700
• Nutrition and Wellness Center at University of Illinois at Chicago (run by Christiane Stahl, MD): 312.740.6574

Fitness

• Wirtz Adaptive Sports Center at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago: 312.238.7767 or http://www.richealthfit.org/
• National Center on Physical Activity and Disability: http://www.ncpad.org/
• Chicago Park District: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/
• Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association: 847.283.0908 or http://www.glasa.org/

Support services

• United Way Referral Line (call for general info): 800.772.1213
• E-buddies (for over 12 years of age): http://www.ebuddies.org/
• Illinois Spina Bifida Association: 800.969.ISBA

Web sites

• http://www.disabilityresources.org/KIDS.html (provides a link to many helpful teen-friendlyWeb sites)
• Spina Bifida Association of America: http://www.sbaa.org/
• Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago LIFE center: http://www.ric.org/ (click on OnlineHealth Resources
• Healthy and Ready to Work: http://www.hrtw.org/