Are you looking for things to do in Chicago with kids or adults who have developmental or physical disabilities? There are many fun activities and events in Chicago for families that include a child with disabilities. There's even the annual Disability Pride Parade.
Several organizations and businesses offer events or special accommodations for kids and/or adults with disabilities on a regular, ongoing basis. We have also included parks, trails and other public places accessible to people with disabilities.
*While Macaroni KID Chicago Northside does our best to keep up, please double-check with the business or organization to make sure event details haven't changed.
Do you know of an upcoming event in Chicago for families with functional needs? Email us details at debraf@macaronikid.com and we will add it to our events calendar!
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Local organizations that offer events and activities for people with disabilities
Chicago Park District
Our very own Chicago Park District is a national leader in serving individuals with disabilities. Starting in 1965, park employees began training to serve Chicago citizens with disabilities better. In 1968, Chicago became the birthplace of the Special Olympics, with the park playing a vital part. Today, they strive to provide a variety of recreation and leisure activities for Chicagoans with disabilities. https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/special-recreation-program
Easter Seals
Easter Seals support children, individuals with disabilities, and their families by working to broaden access to intensively individualized early learning, development, autism, and behavioral services to children of all abilities and their families. They provide multiple programs and services for children of all ages.
Gigi’s Playhouse
Established in 2008, Gigi’s Playhouse is committed to partnering with local businesses and organizations to further their overall mission: awareness, education, and celebration of individuals with Down syndrome within the Chicago community. They offer programs for children of all ages.
Goodman Theatre
Found in the downtown theatre district, Goodman Theatre is Chicago’s oldest and largest non-profit theatre. They offer sensory-friendly/relaxed performances designed to create a performing arts experience for patrons with autism or other social, cognitive, and physical challenges. Additionally, sensory bags are available during all performances at Goodman Theatre. https://www.goodmantheatre.org/tickets/accessibility/sensory-friendly-performances/
Keshet
Keshet strives to be a welcoming place in the community for children with various disabilities. At Keshet, inclusion is a mindset, not a program, that shapes values, culture, and decisions. They offer various classes, camps, and events for families and kids.
Special Olympics Chicago
Special Olympics is the world’s most extensive program for sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disparities. Its mission is to offer year-round athletic competition and sports training in various Olympic-modeled sports to encourage and provide opportunities to develop physical fitness and build friendships with fellow athletes and the community. They have partnered with the Chicago Park District since the first international Special Olympics Games in 1968 and now serve more than 5,000 athletes and provide more than 54 Special Olympics annually in addition to the numerous training camps.
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Local businesses and museums with events and activities for people with disabilities
Filament Theatre
With the mission to create a more equitable society by celebrating and amplifying the perspectives and experiences of young people through the performing arts, produces plays and summer camps for children. They have sensory-friendly performances and activities for children.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo offers sensory-friendly morning hours for guests with disabilities to experience the zoo grounds and animal buildings in a comfortable and inclusive environment. Modifications include limited capacity and muted attractions.
Momenta Dance Company
With the vision of enriching lives through the art of dance, MOMENTA cultivates and presents repertory and contemporary dance works that strive to educate, innovate and amplify the artistry of students and professionals, including artists with disabilities. EveryBody Can Dance is an inclusive movement workshop for people with a disability and people without a disability.
Museum of Science and Industry
Dedicated to removing barriers between individuals and science learning, the Museum of Science and Industry offers a series of events dedicated to providing sensory-friendly time with museum exhibits. Low-Sensory Mornings allow guests to explore the museum in a less crowded and sensory-friendly environment. Tickets include general admission, exclusive early access to the museum from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., and special access to temporary exhibits and programs.
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Local sports opportunities for a person with disabilities
Baseball
Keshet Baseball
email: admin@keshet.org / 847-205-1234
Lil Sluggers
email: info@lilsluggerschicago.com / (312) 945-1585
Basketball
Chicago Skyhawks
email: tthenhaus@ric.org / (312) 238-5011
Synergy Jr Bulls
email: info@wdsra.com / (630) 681-0962
North American Wheelchair Basketball League
email: asknawbl@gmail.com / (773) 220-4522
Dance
Joffrey Ballet
email: reception@joffrey.org / (312) 784.4600
Dance To EvOLvE
email: chicago@dancetoevolve.com / 773-770-5327
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
email: info@hubbardstreetdance.com / (312) 850-9744
Horseback Riding
Freedom Woods
email: freedomwoodsinc@freedomwoods.net/ (847) 967-9800
Ready Set Ride Therapeutic Facility
email: admin@readysetride.org / (815) 439-3659
Sojourn Therapeutic Riding Center
email: info@sojourntrc.org / (708) 539-3078
Ice Skating
Chicago Youth Foundation
email: info@chicagoyouthfoundation.org / (773) 999-9690
Learn To Skate USA
email: info@learntoskateusa.com / (877) 587.1400
Soccer
Chicago SuperStars
email: info@chicagosuperstarssoccer.com / (312) 469-0082
American Youth Soccer Organization
email: info@northsidechicagoayso.com / (847) 920-6337
Swimming
Chicago Blue Dolphins
email: info@chicagobluedolphins.com / (773) 342-7250
JCC Chicago
email: support@jccchicago.org / (844) 452.2244
Sunsational Swim School
email: office@sunsationalswimschool.com / (888) 788-2140
Chicago Area YMCAs
(Hastings Lake YMCA: 847-356-4006 / Elmhurst YMCA: 630-834-9200 / Indian Boundary YMCA: 630-968-8400)
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Favorite accessible parks and trails in Chicago
Lakefront Trail
Trail Starts At The South End Of The South Shore Cultural Center And Has Multiple Segments
Chicago’s Lakefront Trials welcome Chicagoans from around the City to enjoy a nice walk along this 18.5-mile Pedestrian Trail.
Access Map: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/lakefront-trail
Montrose Harbor (Located within Lincoln Park)
601 W. Montrose Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
Montrose Harbor is located on the northern edge of Lincoln Park. It is easily accessible and has miles of walkways up and down the lake. It provides beautiful northern views of our skyline.
Map: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/montrose-harbor
Ping Tom Memorial Park
1700 S. Wentworth Ave. Chicago, IL 60616
Ping Tom Memorial Park was transformed from an old railyard into a beautiful rolling green space with impressive river views. It holds a children’s playground, community gathering areas, and Chinese landscape design elements. Along with accessible walking paths by the river, be sure to keep an eye out for the many special events hosted by the park.
Map: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/Ping-Tom-Memorial-Park/
Palmisano (Henry) Park
2700 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60608
Enjoy the summer breeze in Palmisano (Henry) Park. It is an active and educationally focused environmental park offering a serene walk to appreciate the city and prairie/wetland habitats.
Map: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/palmisano-henry-park
DeKalb Nature Trail
DeKalb, IL 60115
A beautiful tree-lined route in northern DeKalb that crosses the Kishwaukee River and passes through the Nehring Forest Preserve. Unlike many other nature trials, the trail surface is completely asphalt making it easy to access through wheelchairs.
Map: https://www.traillink.com/trail/dekalb-nature-trail/
