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News and Events

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Title Date
Town Hall Meetings: Fund Illinois Home Services SEIU Healthcare Illinois/Indiana has organized three Town Hall meetings this week on the issue of Illinois Home Services.
 		February 11, 2013
2013-DRS-Meet-Greet-3 DRS Director hosts “Meet and Greet” at Access LivingOn January 16, David Hansen, the new Director of the Division of Rehab Services, hosted a “Meet and Greet” at Access Living February 6, 2013
2013-DJMC Disability mentorship program creates lasting bondsThe next round of Access Living’s Disability Justice Mentoring Collective begins in February January 31, 2013
2012-UNTreaty Senate fails to ratify international disability rights treaty
On December 4, the U.S. Senate failed by five votes to reach the two thirds majority needed to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities 		December 18, 2012
Advocates push legislation during Lame Duck Session
Several Access Living staff made trips to the capitol in Springfield during the 2012 Lame Duck Session to promote specific legislation. 		December 18, 2012
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Lead On: The Access Living Blog

Disability Rights & Empowerment

Access Living is committed to the advancement and empowerment of people with disabilities in Chicago and nationwide. Our programs and services represent a multifaceted approach in attaining this goal.
Title Date
Housing advocate testifies in Washington, D.C. in support of the Inclusive Home Design ActThe Inclusive Home Design Act aims to increase the number of homes accessible to people with disabilities by applying visitability standards. The principle of visitability seeks to create homes that are affordable and sustainable, and utilize a design approach that integrates accessibility features into newly-built homes. Last week, Beto Barrera, Access Living’s Manager of Community Development, testified in support of the Act in Washington, D.C. in front of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. Below is his testimony.
 		October 7, 2010
Advocates rally to eliminate IQ testing at VR ServicesOn October 6, a group of about 50 advocates from Chicago traveled to Springfield, Illinois to rally against IQ Tests run by Illinois Vocational Rehabilitation Programs. While vocational programs are supposed to help people with disabilities secure employment, people with disabilities believe that the IQ tests serve as an impediment, rather than a pathway, to employment. The goal is to eliminate IQ tests from VR Services. October 8, 2010
Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing Change in Senior Designation Plan opens up affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilitiesIn 2009, the Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing (DRACH), a group of people with disabilities working to open up more housing opportunities in Chicago, launched a campaign to lower the age of senior housing at the Chicago Housing Authority from 62 years old to 55 years old. The campaign was designed to open up available housing units to people with disabilities. October 16, 2010
Election Day Disability Helpline!On November 2, our state’s Protection and Advocacy Agency, Equip for Equality, is standing by to make sure YOU have access to voting! November 2, 2010
disThis! Film Series Arts and Culture Events the Week of November 1, 2010This year, Access Living teamed up with the Chicago Humanities Festival to incorporate disability events into the festival. From film screenings and dance performances to lectures on ‘beauty,’ this week’s Humanities Festival includes a number of disability arts and culture events. For ticket information, and more information, visit the the Chicago Humanities Festival website. November 2, 2010
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Events Calendar

Title Date
The Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing, (DRACH)HousingA twice monthly meeting of housing advocates who work to enforce and
implement the housing rights of people with disabilities. The group meets the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month. 		4th Thursday of every Month and 2nd Tuesday of every month.
2013-gala-invite-3 The Access Living “Lead On!” Award Gala Join Access Living as we honor Lifetime Champion for the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities Senator Bob Dole
and Disability Activist Susan Nussbaum with the “Lead On!” Award. 		June 3, 2013
Task Force on Attendant ServicesThe Task Force on Attendant Services organizes consumers to expand and defend home and community services for people with disabilities of all ages. Group meets the first Wednesday of each month
2012-billboard-dimove-2 Stepping Stones A peer support group for people with disabilities who have just moved out of institutions and into their own homes through the Access Living Community Reintegration program. Tuesdays in the Spring 2013
Personal Assistant Informational SeminarJoin our pool of highly sought PA’s March 14, 2012
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Press Releases

Title Date
A Huge Step Forward for People with Mental IllnessHistoric agreement reached to transition Illinois residents unnecessarily housed in large, impersonal nursing homesLast week was a good week for people with mental illness in Illinois. On Thursday, a federal judge granted preliminary approval for an historic agreement between the State of Illinois and thousands of people with psychiatric disabilities represented by a number of advocacy groups, including Access Living, and a private law firm - led, in this case, by the ACLU of Illinois - that will give thousands of people with mental illness an opportunity, if they choose, to move out of large, private nursing homes and into community-based settings. This agreement marks a sea change in Illinois state policy - which for far too long has relied on troubled, sometimes dangerous nursing homes to serve people with mental illness. June 14, 2010
Disability coalition testifies in Springfield on behalf of community-based services On April 22, Access Living, as part of the Community for All Coalition, testified in Springfield in support of community based services in the Illinois Budget. April 22, 2010
Olmstead Settlement may transition thousands of people with disabilities into community-based settings A landmark agreement between the State of Illinois and thousands of persons with mental illnesses will result in significant reforms of Illinois’ outmoded, overcrowded and scandalized nursing home system. March 15, 2010
Access Living Statement in Response to March 10 Budget Address Access Living statement in response to
Governor Quinn’s Budget address 		March 11, 2010
The Bullhorn - The Newsletter of Access Living Access Living’s bimonthly newsletter The Bullhorn, the newsletter of Access Living, is published bimonthly. Jan 19th, 2010
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The Bullhorn - The Newsletter of Access Living

Access Living’s bimonthly newsletter

The Bullhorn, the newsletter of Access Living, is published bimonthly.
Title Date
The Bullhorn Volume 78Volume 78 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, from October 2012. January 10, 2013
The Bullhorn Volume 77The Bullhorn Volume 77 August 2012 January 10, 2013
The Bullhorn - Volume 76The Newsletter of Access Living Volume 76 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, published in June of 2012. January 9, 2013
The Bullhorn Volume 75Volume 75 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, published in April 2012 April 2012
The Bullhorn Volume 74Volume 74 of The Bullhorn, The Newsletter of Access Living March 2012
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