Living the Vision: 

The Campaign to Build a model of Universal and Green Design

Reaching the Goal

On June 12, 2008, Access Living announced the completion of the Capital Campaign.  A final donation allowed Access Living to reach the $18 million goal.  Access Living can not say or do enough to show appreciation to the many individuals and organizations that helped the vision of a permanent, innovative office space become real. 

A Vision Realized: A Permanent Access Living Address

In 2003 Access Living launched Living the Vision.  The vision was one of a permanent office space that would allow Access Living to continue to expand and pioneer new programs and standards of service for people with disabilities, both nationally and internationally.

On March 5, 2007, the dream became a reality when Access Living opened the doors for business at 115 West Chicago Avenue.  

The new, state-of-the-art facility stands as a national model of Universal Design -- which seeks to re-conceive fundamental architectural ideas and build spaces that accommodate the most number of users.   The building also was designed to meet the needs of future users while having a limited impact on the environment, making it one of the first buildings to combine Universal and Green Design.  

Access Living's space is more than a new building.  It is a testament to accessibility, sustainability and potential.  A model of innovation, the glass face edifice facing Chicago Avenue extends an invitation to the widest range of people to pursue empowerment and independence.  

Pride and Community:  The Disability Arts and Culture Initiative

In its new home, Access Living will launch the Disability Arts and Culture Initiative.  The initiative will promote disability culture and awareness through resources like a state-of-the-art library/resource center with cutting edge wireless technologies and a gallery area showcasing the art and culture of the disability community.

Chronicling the Project

To document and evaluate the groundbreaking nature of this project, we are collaborating with researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago to produce an illustrated case study or monograph. It will describe and analyze aspects of the design that qualify as universal, with special discussion of cost as it relates to those decisions.  There will also be a visual display on the premises including a virtual tour of the universal design aspects of the building. 

In addition to the case study, the magazine Architectural Products featured a four part series chronicling the development and construction of Access Living's new office.  To view the articles, click here.  

The Citizens' Committee

A huge thank you to Access Living's Citizens' Committee, which, through the leadership of co-chairs Josephine and Newt Minow and Cathy and Bill Osborn, raised visibility and support around the campaign.  A cross section of civic leaders committed to Access Living’s mission, the Citizens’ Committee is composed of individuals and organizations who are proud that Access Living will soon move into its very own home, and who enthusiastically endorse the important campaign. 

For over 25 years, Access Living has offered hope and empowerment to people with disabilities.  Supporters of the Living the Vision campaign will enhance our visibility and service, and ensure our organizational and fiscal stability for years to come, enabling thousands of persons with disabilities to live independently.  We are grateful to everyone who has joined to assist us in realizing our dream.