Disability Services - Township of SchaumburgTownship of Schaumburg Disability Services - Township of Schaumburg

Our Mission

The mission of Disability Services to promote awareness of the needs and concerns of citizens with disabilities, and to generate services, information and programs to address those needs and concerns.

Staff are able to assist residents of Schaumburg Township with disabilities with a variety of services. The Department acts as a referral and information resource center for many programs offered to the community members with disabilities.

 

Disability Department Contact Information

Please call 847-285-4541 and ask to speak with the Disability Services Department if you are interested in any of the following services provided to Schaumburg Township residents. Deaf or Hard of Hearing may call VP 224-520-9763. Appointments are necessary for all services.

 

Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC)

Schaumburg Township Disability Services is a selection center for ITAC (Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation) free amplified phone program. The amplified phone program provides a free phone to qualified Illinois residents with a certified hearing loss. Qualified residents may come to the Disability Services Department to do a live test call on each of the five phones and select the phone with the optimal hearing results for them. Each phone has varying levels of amplification and adjustments for tone and clarity. The amplified phones range from 40 to 55 decibels. There are no age or income requirements. Residents need standard telephone service, a picture ID and a doctor or licensed audiologist’s signature on the application. ITAC coordinates the distribution of TTYs, Amplified and CapTel phones.

Download an application and return to the address provided on the form. More information can be found on the ITAC website or by calling Disability Services at 847-285-4541. Disability Services staff are available to schedule an appointment to test the free ITAC equipment.

To request a demonstration at a senior living center, church, school or other venue, please contact Becky Cordes, Director of Senior and Disability Services at 847-285-4541 or bcordes@schaumburgtownship.org.

Benefits Counseling

Staff are available to meet with clients and screen for available public benefits. Disability Services staff can help with information and referrals, as well as provide assistance with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP and more!

Benefit Access Program (Formerly Circuit Breaker)

Through the Illinois Department on Aging, individuals with disabilities may qualify for a license plate fee discount and free rides on all fixed-route regularly scheduled busses, trains and public transit systems.

CEDA Programs

Disability Services staff are available to assist residents with several of CEDA’s programs.

  • Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers a one-time benefit towards resident gas and electric bills.
  • Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) requalification assistance within LIHEAP  helps manage energy bills year-round by going on a budget billing plan. If on-time and in-full payment is received, you may also receive a monthly arrearage credit, if applicable.
  • Furnace Repair and Replacement Program is available to LIHEAP-eligible households with heating systems that aren’t working or are unsafe.
  • Home Weatherization provides updates to qualified households. Updates can improve energy efficiency, and make homes safer and more comfortable by sealing drafty areas, improving insulation, and enhancing indoor air quality and ventilation.

Medicare Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI)

Do you have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, as well as Medicaid with no spend down? If so and you are aged 21 or older, you are eligible for the Medicare Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) that allows you to access all of your benefits in one plan.

MMAI covers prescription drugs, nursing home services, and certain services to help people stay in their homes through the Community Care Program, Home Services Program, or Supportive Living Facilities. It also includes services such as dental, vision, and transportation services and may include benefits for OTC medications, gym memberships, and incentives for receiving preventative healthcare services. All MMAI plans also include care coordination, which can help with managing chronic health conditions and scheduling appointments.

MMAI plans will not cost more than your regular Medicare and Medicaid coverage and most plans will cover all services at no cost to you.

The Township’s Senior Services and Disability Services staff are certified Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Counselors and are able to help walk you through your options with MMAI. Call us at 847-884-0030 to schedule an appointment today. All appointments can be done over the phone.

Flyer here.

Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CFPD)

The CFPD is a nine-member volunteer group that acts in an advisory capacity to Disability Services and the Township Board of Trustees. For more information, please click here.

Special Events

Disability Services hosts special holiday events for children and young adults with disabilities. Past events have included Breakfast with the Bunny, Summer Drive-In Movie, Halloween Bowling, and a Holiday Party. Disability Services also hosts an annual Resource–Festival featuring disability service providers in the immediate area. Agencies interested in participating should contact Director of Senior and Disability Services, Beck Cordes at 847-285-4541 or bcordes@schaumburgtownship.org.

Newsletters

Disability Services offers two great ways to stay up to date on the latest information:

  • The Disability eNewsletter is sent out the 1st and 15th of every month. Sign up at the bottom of this page.
  • The Access Point newsletter is published and mailed every two months and contains information about programs, resources, and upcoming events. Individuals can contact Director of Senior and Disability Services Becky Cordes at bcordes@schaumburgtownship.org or 847-285-4541.
  • Access Point

Support Groups

Schaumburg Township hosts a variety of support groups for Schaumburg Township residents. Please call prior to attending the scheduled meeting to check on space availability. For more details and up-to-date information on the groups, please click here.

Transportation Services

The Disability Services Department works alongside the Transportation Department in assisting Schaumburg Township residents with disabilities with various transportation needs. More information here.

Temporary Parking Placards for Persons with Disabilities

Persons with Disabilities Temporary Parking Placards are issued by Disability Services. A temporary placard is valid for three months. If you require a six-month temporary placard, you can obtain up to two three-month placards in our office. You will need to get a new application signed at the end of six months. You must provide an application signed by a doctor. If a permanent placard is needed, an application signed by a doctor will need to be submitted to the Secretary of State, Persons with Disabilities License Plates/Placard Unit, 501 S. Second St., Rm. 541, Springfield, IL 62756. Permanent placards or plates will take about two weeks to receive.

***The passage of House Bill (PA 97-0845), creates a new two-tiered parking program for persons with disabilities, allowing for only persons with certain types of disabilities, to qualify for meter-exempt parking in cities and municipalities.

In addition to the current blue (permanent) and red (temporary) persons with disabilities parking placards currently used in Illinois, a third placard, distinctive from the blue and red placards, will be introduced for those persons qualifying for meter-exempt parking.

Persons with Disabilities Certification for Plates or Parking Placard Application

Replacement Application for Parking Placard

Note: Please be sure to print both pages of the Parking Placard Application.