Recreation for Adults with Autism

Leisure and Activity Programs

AMITA Health Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders Resource Center
1786 Moon Lake Blvd. Suite 202, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
AHBHHHEResourceCenter@amitahealth.org 
847-755-8536  

Twice monthly social group for teens and young adults that is free (currently virtual). Call email for more information.


Arts of Life

Chicago Studio: 2010 W Carroll Ave. Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 829-2787
North Shore Studio: 1963 Johns Drive Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 486-0808

Provides creative art opportunities – see remote programming schedule here and become a studio artist application here.


BDI Playhouse Children's Therapy

Aurora: 600 N. Commons Drive, Suite 102 Aurora, IL  60504 
Orland Park: 11411 W. 183rd Street. Suite B Orland Park 60467
708.478.1820 

We provide Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy along with Aquatic Therapy, Gait Clinic, Feeding Clinic, Casting and Bike Riding Lessons for kids and young adults (birth - 25).


Camp Millhouse

25600 Kelly Rd. South Bend, IN 46614
574-233-2202
campmillhouse@gmail.com

Inspiring self-discovery in individuals with special needs through a safe, traditional camp experience in both day program and overnight camp programs.


Camp Red Kite

100 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607

Designed for youth on the autism spectrum, Camp Red Kite is a dynamic theatre day camp that is welcoming, engaging, and a whole lot of fun! Throughout three fun-filled weeks, students ages 8-22 rotate between classes with their age-appropriate small group, exploring drama, music, movement, and visual arts. Camp culminates in a final showcase and potluck lunch to share the Camp Red Kite experience with family and friends. Join us this summer for an exciting arts experience that encourages self-expression, social engagement, and creative exploration!


Center for Enriched Living (CEL)

280 Saunders Road, Riverwoods, Illinois 60015 (Deerfield area)
847.948.7001
Outreach@CenterForEnrichedLiving.org

Serve people with all intellectual and developmental disabilities (13+); Teen programs include afternoon and summer camp.
Adult programs include Social and Recreation Programs, Lake Geneva vacation program & employment opportunities (through DRS and private pay). 


Center for Independent Futures - Activity Calender

1015 Davis Street Evanston, IL 60201
847.328.2044
center@independentfutures.com

Independent Futures hosts frequent events for adults; activities registration opens each quarter with a new calendar. Before signing up for activities, new participants are required to meet with staff and complete an introduction process. This is necessary to guarantee that the best supports are available for each individual. To becomplete the introduction process and to be added to the notification list, please email.


The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Has launched Sensory Friendly Nature Museum, a new app designed for guests with Autism and sensory processing disorders. Created in partnership with InfiniTeach, the app helps to make the Nature Museum more accessible to all guests. The mobile app can be used before, during, and after a visit. Sensory Friendly Nature Museum includes social guides for each exhibit, a customizable visual schedule, communication tools, a sensory friendly map, and tips for your visit. Detailed sensory stories are currently available on the Nature Museum website, and a quiet room and sensory backpacks are available for check-out. Available on Android and Apple devices.


Chicago Park District - Special Needs Programming

Locations across Chicago
special.recreation@chicagoparkdistrict.com
(312) 742-5798

Year long program, activities include: field trips, arts and crafts, games, sports and swimming


The Coalition for Autistic and ND Students (CANS)

1640 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608
hrotti2@uic.edu

The Coalition for Autistic and ND Students (CANS) is a student-led community for autistic and neurodivergent college students in the Chicago-area. Students meet regularly to meet friends, share resources and participate in workshops, activities, and advocacy. All students who identify as autistic or neurodivergent, including those with Asperger's, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, psychiatric disabilities, or other ND conditions, and are current junior college, community college, undergraduate, graduate, or professional students are welcome. CANS meets on the fourth Friday of the month, 4-6 PM at DHSP (1640 W. Roosevelt Rd.).


The Community House

415 W. Eighth Street, Hinsdale, IL, 60521
630-323-7500 
info@thecommunityhouse.org

We feature all the best in programming you expect for your kids; sports camps and leagues, day camps, after school programming, theatrical opportunities, and educational and social opportunities.  We also offer unique and innovative programming to help kids grow and learn like fencing, sign language, dance/yoga classes, song writing, improv and so much more. Explore our Program Guide, use the search filers below or visit our online registration site to get started today!


Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana

Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana is dedicated to helping people with disabilities become as independent as possible, while also providing support and resources for family members. 
Youth services include: Social groups for ages 6-22 (divided by age) for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities are eligible to participate. We also offer a Dream Teens program for students ages 14 to 22 and Sibshops. 
Adult services include: behavior support, day programming, CILA/Residential support, employment services (training and job placement), recreation and respite care.


Easterseals Central Illinois

507 East Armstrong Avenue, Peoria, IL 61603-3201 
(309) 686-1177

Provides autism services include ABA, DIR/Floortime, assistive technology clinics, adaptive swim lessons, care management, diagnostic evaluations, social skills groups, residential day camp and parent training. 


Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin  

6737 W Washington St, Suite 4205, West Allis, WI 53214
414-449-4444

Youth services include: Summer respite camp for children, teens and young adults ages 7-21. Adult services include: Adult summer camp (ages 18+), recreation programs, day programming, and employment services (training and job placement).


Easter Seals Wisconsin: Camp Wawbeek

101 Nob Hill Road, Suite 301 Madison, WI 53713
(608) 277-8288 or (800) 422-2324

Campers will experience a schedule that is structured, while offering choice and empowerment. A choice of age-appropriate, fun and challenging activities encourage a healthy lifestyle, independent living skills, socialization and transition to adulthood. Ages: 15-25 years. Register here.


The Field Museum - Field for All

1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 922-9410

Sensory Friendly “Field For All” & Sensory Saturdays: we want everyone to have a great time at the museum, so we strive to make our programs, exhibitions, and facilities accessible for everyone by removing barriers, delivering a welcoming and relevant experience, and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement. The Field Museum also hosts Sensory Saturdays where families enjoy a sensory-friendly morning in the Crown Family PlayLab once a month.


Have Dreams

Andrea Johnsen, Program Director: ajohnsen@havedreams.org
515 Busse Highway, Suite 150, Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 905-0702

After-school programs, day programs, and workplace training services are offered to those ages 16 months and older affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as diagnostic and family support services. Scholarships available for families in need.


Keshet

3210 Dundee Road Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 205-0274

Jen Phillips, Chief Program Officer
Marni Sommerfield, Asst. Director of Recreation & Camp

With 18 day and overnight camp locations, Keshet has a camp program that fits nearly any interest, special need and background. We are proud to partner with JCC Chicago day and overnight camps, JCYS, Junior Gan Israel, Camp Nageela Midwest and Ramah Day Camp. Assistance is available for some families demonstrating financial need. For overnight camp, assistance is available for up to four weeks. 


Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association

1403 Sycamore Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115
(779) 777-7285

Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association enriches the lives of people with disabilities through goal-driven, diverse recreational opportunities. Programs and services are built and delivered to include people of all abilities and ages. View current brochure here: Brochure - Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association (kishsra.org). Also partnered with Special Olympics. Special Olympics - Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association.


Konick & Associates

600 S. Washington Suite 105 Naperville, IL 60540
64 Orland Square Drive, Ste. 112, Orland Park, IL 60462
630-206-4060
info@konickandassociates.com

Provides compassionate child, adolescent, adult, family, and couples counseling with a focus on neurodiversity (autism, ADHD, and more). Other services include parent coaching, neuropsychological assessments for all ages, and a virtual game night for neurodiverse young adults 18+.


Little City - Adult Programs

1760 W. Algonquin Rd. Palatine, IL 60067
847-358-5510

700 N Sacramento, Ste 201 Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 265-1539

We provide adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities with supports, programs and services that help increase their potential for lifelong productivity and success. Services include residential and employment, home-based supports, recreation and leisure programs.


Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA)

815-320-3500
1900 Heather Glen Drive, New Lenox, IL 60451
Locations Served: Mokena, New Lenox, Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Manhattan Peotone and Wilmington Island Park Districts

Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) provides adaptive and special recreation services for individuals with disabilities through a cooperative agreement with Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Manhattan, Mokena, New Lenox, Peotone and Wilmington Island Park Districts. Social programs, programs for children, trips, special events, athletic programs, and an adult day program, are some of the many choices provided. 


Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation (M-NSAR)

Mailing address: 6820 W. Dempster St., Morton Grove, IL 60053
Phone: (847) 966-5522

Special recreation cooperative. To download the Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation brochures and newsletters of programs and events CLICK HERE.


Mann Park District Summer Day Camp 

Therapeutic Recreation Activities for Daily Living
13000 S. Carondolet Chicago, IL 60633
(773) 646-0301
mannsuperstars@yahoo.com

Activities include: golfing, bowling ($6 extra per week), fishing at Wolf Lake, picnics, sports day, Special Olympics, field trips (e.g., Lincoln Park Zoo, camp activities, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, The Survive Alive House, Museum of Science and Industry, Nature Day, beach). Must bring your own lunch daily. Ages: 8 years and up.


Meetup: Social Group Adults on the Autism Spectrum DuPage County, IL

Social group for all adults 18+ on the autism spectrum (clinical diagnosis not necessary) and/or learning difficulties, social phobia and shyness. The goal is to get together and socialize with each other in a comfortable setting; the group plans dinners out, going to festivals and movies and just hanging out and meeting new people in and around the DuPage county area.


Network 1212 (currently virtual)

info@jmtf.org for more information

Many of the Network 1212 events are hosted or begin in the community space of Project 1212. We provide a number of social outings and educational meetings within Chicago such as cooking classes, restaurant meetups, parties and in-house movie nights. Run by Urban Autism Solutions.


New Star Recreation 

NSRS North: Working in cooperation with Maywood Park District & Broadview Park District.
708-344-4793
NSRS South: Working in cooperation with South Holland Recreational Services,  Calumet Memorial Park District, & Riverdale Park District:
708-801-9966
specialrecservices@gmail.com

New Star Recreation Services (NSRS) is a special recreation cooperative of Broadview, Calumet Memorial, Maywood, and Riverdale Park Districts, as well as the Village of South Holland Recreational Services Department and New Star. New Star is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit community organization dedicated to challenging the limits and changing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  NSRS was organized to provide recreation and leisure programs for children through adults with physical, intellectual and/or age-related disabilities, their families and their communities in South Cook County.


Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association

1770 W. Centennial Place Addison, IL 60101
Phone: (630) 620-4500

Special recreation cooperative.


Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA)

285 Memorial Drive, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815-459-0737

NISRA provides year round recreation activities for people with disabilities in 13 communities in northern Illinois. Since 1976, children and adults of all ability levels have enjoyed socializing, building skills and having fun in hundreds of weekly programs, special events, camps and trips each year.


Northern Will County Special Recreation Association

815-407-1819
10 Montrose Dr. Romeoville, IL 60446

NWCSRA provides year round recreation programs and services for children, teens and adults with special needs and abilities. Together with our member communities of Bolingbrook Park District, Lockport Township Park District, Plainfield Park District, the Village of Romeoville, Brookeridge Park District, and Justice Park District, offers an array of programs and special events to meet everyone’s interests. Programs are led by full time staff with degrees in Therapeutic Recreation or related fields, along with trained part-time staff and volunteers. The close staff-to-participant ratios allow participants to develop skills, grow and have fun!


Northwest Special Recreation Association

3000 W. Central Road, Suite 205 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
(847) 392-2848

Special recreation cooperative.


Oak Lawn Park District/Special Recreation Cooperative

4625 W. 110th St Oak Lawn, IL 60453
(708) 857-7614

Special recreation cooperative.


Opportunity House

357 N. California Street Sycamore, IL 
(815) 895-9840
info@ohinc.org

Not-for-profit, provides job placement, supported employment, work services, developmental training, Special Olympics, recreation, residential living, and respite.


Options for College Success - Social Programs

Calendar of social events each month based on suggestions provided and agreed upon by the group. Everyone is allowed an opportunity to plan a social event to ensure broad variety (i.e. it's a movie, a concert, the beach, or a trip downtown, etc.). Each event is safely chaperoned by our on-staff Resident Advisers and we welcome people outside of our program to apply to join! Open to non-students; Cost: $30/month + cost of activities


Project Onward

Bridgeport Art Center
1200 W. 35th St., 4th Floor. Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 940-2992

Provides creative art opportunities including the Project Onward studio program. See requirements and application here.


Piotrowski Park District Spring Camp

Therapeutic Recreation Activities for Daily Living
4247 West 31st St Chicago, IL 60623
(312) 745-4804

Activities include: swimming, sports, exercise, etc.


Ray Graham Association

901 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532
630-620-2222
info@raygraham.org

Works with people with disabilities to provide residential, life skills, life coaching, day program, employment, recreational and family support services.


River Valley Special Recreation Association

1335 E. Broadway Bradley, IL 60915
(815) 933-7336
rvsra@sbcglobal.net

Special recreation cooperative.


Rockford Park District

Therapeutic Recreation
401 S. Main St. Rockford, IL, 61101
(815) 987-1607

Programs based on sports and fitness, arts and leisure, and social activities are offered to promote the development, maintenance, and expression of a meaningful leisure lifestyle to people with disabilities.


SEASPAR Day Camp

4500 Belmont Road Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 960-7600
info@seaspar.org

Offers multiple day camps each summer to provide a structured environment in which to enjoy productive leisure activities.


The Shedd Aquarium

1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605
contactus@sheddaquarium.org 
 312-939-2438

The Shedd Aquarium has created a quiet room providing a dedicated space that can be used as a calming room, prayer room, or place to privately recharge mobility devices, which is available any day you wish to visit the museum. The aquatic show has special seating with modifications including limited capacity and streamlined entry with advance registration. On select dates, the Shedd offers extended hours for guests with disabilities. See the accessibility page for more information, including information on requesting a sign language interpreter, as well as a sensory-friendly app designed to make the visiting experience more enjoyable.


South Suburban Special Recreation Association

19910 80th Ave Tinley Park, IL 60487
(815) 806-0384

SSRA is a therapeutic recreation program organized to provide individuals with disabilities or special needs the opportunity to be involved in year-round recreation.


South West Special Recreation Association (SWSRA)

12521 S. Kostner Ave. • Alsip, IL 60803
708-389-9423  

SWSRA is a special recreation co-operative comprised of the following communities: Alsip, Blue Island, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Palos Heights, Posen and Worth. SWSRA was formed in 1981 to provide year-round quality recreation programs and services for individuals with disabilities or special needs. SWSRA programs are designed to increase independence and enhance the quality of life for each individual.


Special Camps

Corporate Mailing Address
26 W 684 Lindsey Ave. Winfield, Illinois 60190
630-690-0944
colleen.scamps@icloud.com

Special Camps provides opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to experience new activities, form friendships, increase independence and self-esteem in 2-week long, loving, all volunteer run summer camps. With proper supervision by trained staff and 24-hour nursing, Special Camps is a safe overnight camp for intellectually disabled kids and adults who could otherwise not attend similar camp programs due to physical, medical or intellectual limitations.


Special Gifts Theatre

(847) 564-7704
info@specialgiftstheatre.org
NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60065

Through the performing arts, they work collaboratively to create inclusive and transformative experiences for individuals with disabilities ages 7 through adulthood to fully engage in the world. Schedule and registration here


Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County (SRACLC)

290 Oakwood Road Vernon Hills, IL 60061
(847) 816-4866

Special recreation cooperative that serves seven communities: Vernon Hills, Lake Zurich, Mundelein, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Grayslake, and Hawthorn Woods. Provides programming for individuals, families, and SibShops for siblings of individuals with disabilities.  


Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County (SRSNLC)

2200 E. Grass Lake Road Lindenhurst, IL 60046
(847) 356-6011

Special recreation cooperative.


Special Recreation Services (SRS)

1624 E. 154th St. Dolton, IL 60419
(708) 841-1071 ext. 233

Special recreation cooperative.


Stepping Up & Out (SUO - Aspiritech)

Highland Park, IL, and Chicago, IL
SUO@aspiritech.org or 312-945-8378.

SUO is a social program that meets on Sundays from Noon-5:00 PM in Highland Park and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM in Chicago, in addition to some weekday clubs from 3:30 - 5:30 PM. Programs are free, but RSVPs are required. Facebook page.


Village of Orland Park Special Recreation program

14700 Ravinia Avenue Orland Park, IL 60462
708-403-6100

Provides year round therapeutic recreation services to individuals with special needs serving individuals three years of age and above, with a variety of programs including: health and fitness, social clubs, special events, owl athletics, arts and crafts, trips and much more.


Warren Special Recreation Association

100 S. Greenleaf Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 244-6619

Special recreation cooperative.


Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA)

116 N. Schmale Road Carol Stream, IL 60188
(630) 681-0962

Special recreation cooperative.


West Pullman Park Special Rec

Contact: Rosie St. George
rosie.st.george@chicagoparkdistrict.com
401 W. 123rd St., Chicago, IL 60628
(312) 747-7090

For individuals with a primary intellectual or developmental disability. Learn to play a variety of Special Olympic sports and brush up on skills. Instructors teach and reinforce skills development through drills and game play, with a concentration on sportsmanship and friendly competition. Sports vary by season. Participants in this activity may be eligible for Special Olympics competition.


West Suburban Special Recreation Association

2915 Maple St. Franklin Park, IL 60131
(847) 455-2100

Special recreation cooperative.


YMCA

inclusion@ymcachicago.org
Membership centers & resident camps include:
Buehler YMCA (Palatine), Camp Duncan (Ingleside), Camp MacLean (Burlington, WI), Camp Nawakwa (Lac du Flambeau, WI), Elmhurst YMCA,
Foglia YMCA (Lake Zurich), Fry Family YMCA (Naperville), Greater LaGrange YMCA, Hastings Lake YMCA (Lindenhurst), Indian Boundary YMCA (Downers Grove), Irving Park YMCA, Kelly Hall (Garfield Park Chicago), Lake View YMCA (Chicago), McCormick YMCA (Logan Square, Chicago), Rauner YMCA (Lower West side, Chicago), Sage YMCA (Crystal Lake), South Side YMCA (Chicago)

Access to membership center services (i.e. facilities with pools, fitness centers, sports programming) and camp services. Contact for inclusion services and to find programs for you!

Special Recreation (Sports & Play)

Brooklyn Boulders - Adaptive Climbing Group

Adaptive Climbing Group
100 South Morgan Street Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 268-0002
chicago@adaptiveclimbinggroup.org

Adaptive recreational activities good for individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities.


Center for Enriched Living (CEL)

280 Saunders Road, Riverwoods, Illinois 60015 (Deerfield area)
847.948.7001
Outreach@CenterForEnrichedLiving.org

Serve people with all intellectual and developmental disabilities (13+); Teen programs include afternoon and summer camp.
Adult programs include Social and Recreation Programs, Lake Geneva vacation program & employment opportunities (through DRS and private pay). 


Chicago Dance Therapy

Erica Hornthal
1516 Greenwood Ave Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 848-0697
info@northshoredancetherapy.com

Dance therapy and counseling services provided by board-certified dance therapists and licensed clinical counselors.


Center For Enriched Living: CEL

280 Saunders Road, Riverwoods, Illinois 60015
847.948.7001
Outreach@CenterForEnrichedLiving.org

Choose from a wide variety of social, recreational and educational enrichment programs available seven days a week for people of all abilities – in-person and online virtually.


Chicago Park District - Special Needs Programming

Locations across Chicago
special.recreation@chicagoparkdistrict.com
(312) 742-5798

Year long program, activities include: field trips, arts and crafts, games, sports and swimming


Chicago TOP Soccer

13 N. Lombard Rd. Addison, Illinois, 60101
630-935-7263

Chicago TOPSoccer brings players (kids age 5 and up) with intellectual and physical disabilities together with able bodied volunteers to learn and play soccer.
Contact Coach Shawn (email at sdanhouser@yahoo.com).


ExerciseBuddy

amber@exercisebuddy.com
(773) 575-5100

Application that can be purchased through the Apple or Google Play stores.  A user-friendly exercise app designed for individuals with autism. EB takes exercise, a source of frustration and failure, and turns it into an opportunity for success and confidence building. EB has four supporting research studies and is used by parents, professionals, therapists, and universities around the world.


Exercise Connection

amber@exerciseconnection.com
(773) 575-5100

Services target neurodiverse people ages Kindergarten-Adulthood in the Chicagoland Area. Use exercise to successfully empower the autism and special needs community to build an active lifestyle and develop an up-and-coming workforce, resulting in many untold opportunities. Reach out for class and location information. 


Family Yoga at Campanelli YMCA

300 W. Wise Road Schaumburg, IL 60193
(847) 891-9622

A class designed to help participants build rapport and a basic understanding of yoga for the whole family; all participants do not have to be affected by autism.


Gateway Special Recreation Association 

15W431 E 59th Street, Burr Ridge 60527 
630.325.3857

Formed through an intergovernmental agreement,  Gateway Special Recreation Association (SRA) is an extension of the Park Districts of Burr Ridge, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Pleasant Dale, Westchester and York Center, the City of Countryside, and the Villages of Hinsdale and Willowbrook. Gateway SRA contracts the services of the Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities, a non-profit agency, to provide recreation programs. The Ray Graham Association has been serving the needs of people with disabilities and their families for more than fifty years.


Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association

1403 Sycamore Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115
(779) 777-7285

Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association enriches the lives of people with disabilities through goal-driven, diverse recreational opportunities. Programs and services are built and delivered to include people of all abilities and ages. View current brochure here: Brochure - Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association (kishsra.org). Also partnered with Special Olympics. Special Olympics - Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association.


Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA)

815-320-3500
1900 Heather Glen Drive, New Lenox, IL 60451
Locations Served: Mokena, New Lenox, Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Manhattan Peotone and Wilmington Island Park Districts

Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) provides adaptive and special recreation services for individuals with disabilities through a cooperative agreement with Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Manhattan, Mokena, New Lenox, Peotone and Wilmington Island Park Districts. Social programs, programs for children, trips, special events, athletic programs, and an adult day program, are some of the many choices provided. 


Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation 

6820 W. Dempster St. Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 966-5522

Special recreation cooperative.


New Star Recreation 

NSRS North: Working in cooperation with Maywood Park District & Broadview Park District.
708-344-4793
NSRS South: Working in cooperation with South Holland Recreational Services,  Calumet Memorial Park District, & Riverdale Park District:
708-801-9966
specialrecservices@gmail.com

New Star Recreation Services (NSRS) is a special recreation cooperative of Broadview, Calumet Memorial, Maywood, and Riverdale Park Districts, as well as the Village of South Holland Recreational Services Department and New Star. New Star is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit community organization dedicated to challenging the limits and changing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  NSRS was organized to provide recreation and leisure programs for children through adults with physical, intellectual and/or age-related disabilities, their families and their communities in South Cook County.


Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association

1770 W. Centennial Place Addison, IL 60101
Phone: (630) 620-4500

Special recreation cooperative.


Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA)

285 Memorial Drive, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815-459-0737

NISRA provides year round recreation activities for people with disabilities in 13 communities in northern Illinois. Since 1976, children and adults of all ability levels have enjoyed socializing, building skills and having fun in hundreds of weekly programs, special events, camps and trips each year.


Northern Will County Special Recreation Association

815-407-1819
10 Montrose Dr. Romeoville, IL 60446

NWCSRA provides year round recreation programs and services for children, teens and adults with special needs and abilities. Together with our member communities of Bolingbrook Park District, Lockport Township Park District, Plainfield Park District, the Village of Romeoville, Brookeridge Park District, and Justice Park District, offers an array of programs and special events to meet everyone’s interests. Programs are led by full time staff with degrees in Therapeutic Recreation or related fields, along with trained part-time staff and volunteers. The close staff-to-participant ratios allow participants to develop skills, grow and have fun!


Northwest Special Recreation Association

3000 W. Central Road, Suite 205 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
(847) 392-2848

Special recreation cooperative.


Oak Lawn Park District/Special Recreation Cooperative

4625 W. 110th St Oak Lawn, IL 60453
(708) 857-7614

Special recreation cooperative.


South West Special Recreation Association (SWSRA)

12521 S. Kostner Ave. • Alsip, IL 60803
708-389-9423  

SWSRA is a special recreation co-operative comprised of the following communities: Alsip, Blue Island, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Palos Heights, Posen and Worth. SWSRA was formed in 1981 to provide year-round quality recreation programs and services for individuals with disabilities or special needs. SWSRA programs are designed to increase independence and enhance the quality of life for each individual.


Special Olympics Illinois

Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to children and adults. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. 


Village of Orland Park Special Recreation program

14700 Ravinia Avenue Orland Park, IL 60462
708-403-6100

Provides year round therapeutic recreation services to individuals with special needs serving individuals three years of age and above, with a variety of programs including: health and fitness, social clubs, special events, owl athletics, arts and crafts, trips and much more.


YMCA

inclusion@ymcachicago.org
Membership centers & resident camps include: Buehler YMCA (Palatine), Camp Duncan (Ingleside), Camp MacLean (Burlington, WI), Camp Nawakwa (Lac du Flambeau, WI), Elmhurst YMCA, Foglia YMCA (Lake Zurich), Fry Family YMCA (Naperville), Greater LaGrange YMCA, Hastings Lake YMCA (Lindenhurst), Indian Boundary YMCA (Downers Grove), Irving Park YMCA, Kelly Hall (Garfield Park Chicago), Lake View YMCA (Chicago), McCormick YMCA (Logan Square, Chicago), Rauner YMCA (Lower West side, Chicago), Sage YMCA (Crystal Lake), South Side YMCA (Chicago)

Access to membership center services (i.e. facilities with pools, fitness centers, sports programming) and camp services. Contact for inclusion services and to find programs for you!