Illinois Traumatic Brain Injury Resources

According to the latest information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury in the United States each year.  Many of these victims need help – more help than their loved ones can provide.  They count on groups, organizations, medical facilities and the government to provide the assistance that they need.

While Illinois is not currently one of the 30 states that reports traumatic brain injuries to the CDC, our state is not immune to the hardships and tragedies that traumatic brain injuries cause victims and their families.  There are, therefore, many resources for Illinois brain injury victims and their families.  Below are some of the important groups, organizations and government agencies that offer help to brain injury victims and / or support to their families.

Illinois Brain Injury Resources

The Brain Injury Association of Illinois: (BIA of IL) this nonprofit organization is a subsidiary of the national Brain Injury Association and works with brain injury victims, their families, and professionals who treat brain injury victims.  The BIA of IL provides information, advocacy and support for all of these constituencies.   The organization provides support groups, camps, and actively participates in advocacy and brain injury research.

The Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse: The Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse is located in Chicago and helps brain injury victims regain living skills.  Participants in the program work with staff to complete daily work in the following units: business, employment, community integration, and health and wellness.  In addition to brain injury victims, the Clubhouse works with stroke victims.  For some participants, the Clubhouse is the last step before employment or independent living.

The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program: The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program provides free and confidential support for Illinois veterans who are returning home.  The program provides service members and their families with emotional help following a traumatic brain injury (and other conditions).

Illinois Disability Resources that Aid Brain Injury Victims

The following organizations and agencies help victims with many types of disabilities, including traumatic brain injuries.

Equip for Equality: The mission of this organization “is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with physical and mental disabilities in Illinois.  Equip for Equality administers Illinois’s Protection and Advocacy Program.  The organization investigates and monitors allegations of abuse, advocates for the rights of the disabled, and provides educational services.

Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois: nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights of people with all types of disabilities in Illinois.

Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association: many brain injury victims are affected by communication disorders.  The Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association provides educational resources for brain injury victims and their families and advocates for fair laws that allow people to access the care that they need.

Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living: represents 23 centers for independent living around the state of Illinois.  Centers for independent living is a community based nonresidential organization that is directed and managed by people with disabilities.

Illinois Department of Human Services: provides all kinds of services and supports to people with disabilities in Illinois.  Some of the programs offered by DHS include vocational services, independent living programs, education services and determining whether people with disabilities are eligible for social security disability compensation.

The University of Illinois at Chicago Disability Resource Center: provides a directory of on campus and off campus head injury evaluation centers.

Memorial Medical Center: Memorial Medical Center provides comprehensive medical and rehabilitation care for brain injury victims.

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago: The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) has been recognized as the number one rehabilitation hospital in the United States by U.S. News and World Report every year since 1991.  It is also recognized as a model system of care by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research – one of only 16 centers in the United States to receive this distinction.   RIC provides patients with individualized, comprehensive, and collaborative care.

Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital: Schwab provides specialized treatment for brain injury victims.  In addition to traditional medical, rehabilitation and counseling services, Schwab offers a vocation program for brain injury victims called “New Focus.”

Illinois Brain Injury Resources for Children

Illinois children who have suffered brain injuries can benefit from many of the resources described above.  Additionally, children may benefit from:

Children’s Memorial Hospital: provides concussion evaluation services, and education services, with the Institute for Sports Medicine.

Illinois State Board of Education: provides information about special education services that need to be provided by each Illinois school district to children with disabilities, including children with brain injuries, who live in that school district.

Many traumatic brain injuries are caused by accidents or trauma.  In addition to the comprehensive resources described above, many traumatic brain injury victims and their families can benefit from legal representation.  The Illinois traumatic brain injury lawyers of Dolan Law Offices are committed to helping their clients with their legal claims and with getting the help that they need.  Contact us today at 312-676-7600 if you, or a loved one, need legal assistance following a traumatic brain injury.

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