Options Center for Independent Living (CIL)

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.

Available in Kankakee County only; We provide free equipment loans to individuals with disabilities. Items are donated and vary at any point in time. Typical items include wheelchairs, walkers and canes. We also accept donations of clean, gently used items that have not had contact with any bodily fluids. Call to schedule pick up or drop off.

Services are based upon individual needs and requests. These may include, but are not limited to: information access, personal resource management, community-based living, self-care and more.

We provide current information about any disability related topic.

Options CIL hosts several peer group meetings for individuals with various disabilities. For individuals 14-24, our Youth/Young adults Peer Group is held monthly in our Bourbonnais office. Our Vision Information Group for adults 55 and older experiencing vision loss/blindness meets quarterly in both Bourbonnais and Watseka. We have a cross-disability peer group meeting for individuals of all ages that meets monthly in Watseka.

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.

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

Assist adults with disabilities move out of long-term care facilities into a community setting with supports and services needed.

These services may include Assistive Technology, Home Modification or any other service needed to prevent nursing facility placement. Funding is limited and subject to eligibility guidelines

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

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.