Incorporated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization in December 1974, the Association was originated by parents and concerned community leaders. At that time the future for these children was bleak. Many people with disabilities who were capable of independence were "warehoused" in institutions or lived the major part of their lives in their parents' homes. The concern then and now is to address the problems of housing for persons with disabilities in their own community as well as other communities across the state and nation. As a first goal, the Association dedicated itself to development and provision of independent housing. But as time passed, we also realized that our tenants needed work opportunities and that few were available.

Our first Chicago construction, Belden Apartments, was completed in 1982 and received the Outstanding Housing Award at the Illinois International Year of the Disabled Conference in that same year.

In January 1991, after five years of planning, Hill Arboretum Apartments in Evanston was completed. Our second project required the total rehabilitation of an abandoned hospital building resulting in 33 modern one bedroom units. Hill Arboretum serves as a model for replication by other agencies and has produced many innovative living designs for persons with physical disabilities.

In 1994, Over The Rainbow Association partnered with the City of Evanston and Sears for the construction of an addition to the Hill Arboretum Apartment which would be dedicated to job training and employment. This was called the Arboretum Business Support Center and is equipped with computers and accessible workstations that provide work opportunities to Hill tenants and residents of the Evanston area. The Business Center provides service to the business community and gives our workers a sense of belonging to the general society. The special needs of the workers are taken into consideration and accounted for by the staff of the center.