Your voice is essential in advocating for the rights and needs of people with disabilities. Together, we can connect with lawmakers, the media, and community leaders to drive meaningful change.
Advocate

Our Advocacy Initiatives
Founded in 1961 by parents of eight children with special needs, Association for Individual Development (AID) has grown to serve more than 5,000 individuals. Committed to shaping public policy, AID strives to enhance the lives of people with developmental, intellectual, physical, and mental health challenges, those who have experienced trauma, individuals in immediate or chronic crises, the chronically unhoused, and those at risk.
Government funding plays a crucial role in supporting the health, education, and daily needs of individuals with disabilities. In Illinois alone, over 15,000 people with disabilities are waiting for the opportunities they deserve—opportunities to experience fulfilling, joyful, and purposeful lives. With your advocacy, AID is making a difference, one person at a time.
Your civic engagement is vital to ensuring the well-being and dignity of those we serve at AID.
Join our Advocacy Committee
and Become an AID Ambassador
Would you like to help AID make a difference? We’re seeking supporters to join our Advocacy Committee and be the voice of AID, increasing awareness about our programs and services. As an AID Ambassador, you’ll receive the resources needed to educate local churches, service clubs, and businesses through speaking engagements, community outreach, and special events. If you’re interested in joining the AID Advocacy Committee or have questions about our advocacy efforts, please contact Angela Cudmore, Development & Community Engagement Manager, at 847-931-2294 or acudmore@aidcares.org.
Advocacy Resources
- They Deserve More: A statewide coalition of families and friends of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, nonprofit community providers, advocacy organizations and more.
- Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE): A national self-advocacy organization working for the full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community.
- Equip for Equality (EFE): An organization promoting human and civil rights of people with disabilities in Illinois.
- Americans Disabled Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT): A national grass-roots community advocating for disability rights.
- Achieving Change Together (ACT): A project with supportive services for single adults.
- Families USA: A national non-profit organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
- People First: An international organization promoting self-advocacy for people with learning difficulties.
- Department of Health & Human Services (HHS): The U.S. government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.
Civic Resources
Unite with AID
AID is proactive in advocating for client rights, as well as federal and state funding. To this end, it is families, staff, and friends who make the difference by writing letters to our law-makers when the need arises.
State Officials
- JB Pritzker – Governor of Illinois
State Senators
State Representatives
Federal Officials
- Sean Casten – Representative, 6th District
- Brad Schnieder – Representative, 10th District
- Bill Foster – Representative, 11th District
- Darin LaHood – Representative, 16th District
- Raja Krishnamoorthi – Representative, 8th District
- Lauren Underwood – Representative, 14th District
- Tammy Duckworth – U.S. Senator
- Dick Durbin – U.S. Senator