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Advocacy and services for persons with all types of disabilities including skills training, peer counseling, information and referral, and technical assistance about the Americans with Disabilities Act.

- Blind Services works with individuals one-on-one to instruct persons who have lost (or are losing) their vision, on how to read Braille and organize their household and travel. Produces and replicates Braille materials. Translates materials such as menus and brochures into Braille and produces multiple copies as a service to the community. (There is a normal cost per Braille page produced, plus $25 per hour for formatting.)

- Captioning at Real Time (CART) provides the translation of spoken words into text using a stenotype machine operated by a stenographer/reporter. Real-time software is used to display the text onto a computer monitor, and a projector or other device is used to display the text on a television or larger screen. CART is especially valuable in large meetings or in communications with a person who is deaf or has hearing loss. CART can be utilized in following settings: community events and workshops, government, legal, educational, medical, theater and auditorium, and captioning of movies and videos.

- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services provides one-on-one services for independent living skills training, information and referral, advocacy, and peer counseling. Serves as a TTY Distribution site for ITAC (Illinois Telecommunications Access Commission), which provides free TTY devices to Illinois residents. Distributes applications for Iowa TTY distributions for Iowa residents who are qualified (speech impaired or hard of hearing). Distributes amplified phones for residents of Illinois of all ages who have a difficult time hearing on the phone.

- Provides information and resources on low-tech independent living devices such as magnifiers, talking watches, etc., when funding is available.

- Housing assistance provides information and problem-solving assistance with locating and securing affordable, accessible housing, including research into public and private-sector housing markets.

- Information and Referral service provides information through Illinois/Iowa Center for Independent Living's system and library. Requests for information can be made by phone, mail, or in person, and can include loans of library materials.

- Outreach services offers presentations, brochures, media releases, public service announcements, media interviews, and video programs to inform the public of programs and services offered.

- Volunteers are utilized in programs, services, and office operations; volunteers receive training and supervision appropriate to their duties.

Referrals for hearing loss issues and programs.

Advocacy for deaf and hard of hearing individuals and assist in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues to secure such services. Promotes awareness and understanding of the rights of persons with a hearing loss.

Equipment loan programs (amplified phones, TTY phone equipment, amplified headsets and two hearing aid banks). Offers telephone equipment demonstrations.

Maintains an inventory of services available to meet the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing and assist them in securing these services.

Conducts a voluntary census of deaf and hard of hearing persons in Nebraska and compile a registry.

Provides reconditioned hearing aids to persons who need these instruments and meet the age and financial guidelines.

Expands programs and services available to deaf and hard of hearing persons throughout the state. Implements new programs through collaboration with consumer groups, the governor, legislature, organizations, institutions, and agencies. Broadens the collection and dissemination of information on hearing loss and deafness.

Provides assistive technology for blind or visually impaired students to use in their homes.

Makes annual award to Nebraska teacher of the blind and visually impaired.

Offers a scholarship to graduating senior high school students.

Sponsors annual Christmas Party for blind and visually impaired children.

Assistive technology services provide alternatives to individuals with physical and/or developmental disabilities, who find independence challenging at work, at home, or in the community.

Provides evaluations and recommendations, assistance in obtaining funding for equipment, training for the individual and their primary caregiver(s), follow-up, and equipment maintenance. Staff will travel to home, facility, etc.

Caregiver services are available to informal or family caregivers of persons over the age of 60 or to grandparents raising grandchildren.

Services can include respite care (services that give caregivers a rest), home modification, assistive devices, transportation, and financial assistance.

Vocational rehabilitation services include vocational guidance and counseling; training, tuition, and equipment; occupational equipment and supplies; assistance for establishing small businesses (NBE); job placement and follow-up services; and medical services.

Orientation and adjustment center.

Consultants for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Training in cane travel and independent living skills.

Home training.

Supportive services and transitional services for youth who are proceeding from high school to college.

May provide for modifications to the home and/or vehicle that directly address a person's medical health or are necessary to provide for the medical needs, welfare and safety of the individual and to increase or maintain independence.

Partners with Miracle Ear to provide hearing aids to individuals who can't afford them.

Offers The Senior Tech Connect Program which is committed to helping improve the mental and emotional well-being of seniors. Provides devices that are video chat capable to help keep seniors connected with friends and family.

Employment program for people who experience a disability. Assists people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job. Program is voluntary and the services provided will be specific to an individual's needs.

Helps businesses recruit, train, and retain employees with disabilities.

Offers to lend medical health equipment to individuals in Whiteside County. Also accepts donated equipment. Types of equipment available include canes, crutches, walkers, hospital beds, wheelchairs, knee walkers, bedside commodes, toilet risers, shower/bath seats, bath transfer benches, bathtub rails, shower grab bars, 30" Reach/grab, icing machines, ankle and wrist weights, bed rails, toilet rails, and gait belts, surgical boots, sock aids and more. 

Used medical equipment available for township residents. Equipment can be on loan for up to 3 months, or more if approved. Common items available:

- Walkers

- Wheel chairs

- Crutches

- Commodes

- Shower Seats

Employment program for people who experience a disability. Assists people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job. Program is voluntary and the services provided will be specific to an individual's needs.

Helps businesses recruit, train, and retain employees with disabilities.

Offers eye exams at no cost and glasses to those in need. Adults can only receive assistance once every two years, children may only receive assistance once every year. 

Free 4-line, 28 cell slate and a round or saddle stylus to any blind or low vision person needing one.  Individuals can request a free slate and stylus once per year.

Provides services for blind individuals ages 55 and older. Services include low-vision and other communication aids, orientation and mobility training, services to help correct blindness, training in activities of daily living, and any other appropriate services to assist them to live independently. 

Employment program for people who experience a disability. Assists people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job. Program is voluntary and the services provided will be specific to an individual's needs.

Helps businesses recruit, train, and retain employees with disabilities.

Offers services which assist persons with disabilities in achieving and/or maintaining independence. Services include, but are not limited to:

- Information and Referral (personal assistant, interpreter, and housing referrals).

- Access and Advocacy (accessibility surveys, assistive devices, Braille printing).

- Skills Development (personal assistant management training, basic computer skills, public transit use, budgeting).

- Counseling (independent living, peer, vocational).

- Free Amplified Phones for Illinois residents with verifiable hearing loss who have a land line.

- Independent Living Needs Assessment.

- Mass Transit District Disability Verification.

- Reintegration into the community from nursing home, etc. (Includes possible financial assistance for moving home or into supportive living).

- PACE Presentations.

- PACE will readily provide sign language interpreters to access PACE events on request.