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March of Dimes, The Arc of Illinois, Variety of Illinois, The Cerebral Palsy Group, and Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center are some of the organizations that operate in Illinois to help birth injury victims. These organizations help children with disabilities and their parents get the guidance and support they need to thrive.
March of Dimes works to enhance the health and treatment outcomes of mothers and babies through:
It works with organizations and individuals across Illinois and the country to fight the infant and maternal health crisis. The organization’s mission is to improve the health of infants through the prevention of premature births, infant mortality, and birth defects. It carries out several programs to help achieve its mission. For instance, March for Babies challenge aims to raise funds in honor of babies born preterm or with birth defects.
March of Dimes offers support communities including a social network that links parents of children diagnosed with brain disorders. By uniting communities, March of Dimes aims to provide a brighter future for all the members involved.
The organization supports research, which helps identify alarming trends and solutions. For example, the 2020 Report Card showed some of the problems that Illinois mothers face. The report found significant racial disparities in Illinois, and birth injury attorneys in Chicago see this issue often.
March of Dimes also works to influence regulatory and legislative activities to address the needs of pregnant women, children, and families. The #BlanketChange movement urges politicians and policymakers to improve and protect maternal health by addressing equity, access, and prevention. In the past, the organization has managed to influence change successfully. In 2018, the organization secured 10 legislative wins in Illinois, including successfully advocating for nursing mothers, upon written request, to be exempted from jury duty.
The Arc is a leading advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides support and services to benefit families affected by disability. The organization has a team that helps these families find the resources needed to provide the highest level of support and care possible.
Through a grant from the state’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, the organization administers financial assistance. It distributes stipend funds that enable families who have a member with a disability to attend conferences on developmental disability issues. Families and professionals can use the Information Center to seek assistance with concerns and questions related to children and youth with disabilities under 22 years.
The Arc leaders testify at hearings and take part in legislative meetings to influence public policy and legislation. Every year, the organization advocates at the state level to transform the services and support systems of people with disabilities and increase investment in their living options. It fights for disability rights, equality and raises awareness on life-changing policies and legislation.
Variety of Illinois provides children and young adults aged 21 and younger who reside in Illinois and have disabilities with the opportunities and equipment they require for activity, socialization, and inclusion. The organization has a variety of programs aimed at improving the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and making their families feel included in the community. Through the Kids on the Go program, families are provided with mobility equipment like:
The equipment allows their children to participate in their local communities. The Adapt My World program offers positioning chairs, standers, light tables, technology hardware and software, and other assistive devices to help kids with disabilities communicate and engage in homes, schools, and the community. Live to Achieve encourages participation in adaptive sports, and Variety at Play offers activities for the entire family.
Variety of Illinois offers direct relief to individuals. It works with other advocacy groups to finance contributions such as wheelchair-accessible motor coaches and playground equipment specially designed for disabled children.
The Cerebral Palsy Group was created to serve families and individuals affected by cerebral palsy. It provides information, resources, and support for anyone diagnosed with cerebral palsy and other birth injuries. This national organization has a team of healthcare professionals who provide medically reviewed data on various birth injury topics.
FMPTIC provides disability-related information and parent training. One of the guiding principles is parents knowing their children’s rights to better advocate for them. The organization helps parents learn about the available early intervention services for their children aged three years and below. FMPTIC also teaches students with disabilities about their rights and responsibilities.
People can use the organization’s toll-free helpline to get assistance with problems or information. It collaborates with parent groups, organizations, schools, and agencies throughout Illinois.
