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News and Events

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News

Title	Date
Action Alert! - Push for Closure of Jacksonville and Mabley Developmental CentersOn October 27 in the morning, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) will vote on whether to close the Mabley and Jacksonville Centers for People with Developmental Disabilities.	October 26, 2011
Action Alert!- Contact Illinois legislators and Governor Stop cuts to services that support people with disabilities Many legislators are still working to understand why we are fight so hard against budget cuts to services for people with disabilities. This week, your legislators are working from their home offices. Please give them a call and ask them to stop budget cuts to services that support people with disabilities.	March 23, 2011
Advocates begin work around legislative session During the legislative session, Access Living will advocate for issues and pieces of legislation that support the independence of people with disabilities.	February 25, 2013
Advocates celebrate the announced closure of the Howe Developmental CenterFor years, a coalition of disability advocates have fought for the closure of Howe Developmental Center, an institution in Tinley Park where more than 20 residents have died since 2005. On September 5, the Illinois Department of Human Services will host a news conference to announce the closure of the institution.	October 10, 2008
Advocates Give Governor an F, call for closure of Howe Developmental CenterOn May 30, a coalition called “Community for All” held a news conference in Tinley Park to raise awareness around conditions at Howe Development Center, which after years of pressure, investigations and initiatives, continue to be deplorable.	May 30, 2008

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
Documentary on October 27 chronicles the History of America’s Disability Rights MovementNew documentary (features Access Living President) looks into a world inhabited by people determined to live their lives like everyone else, and chronicles a past when, because of physical, program, and social inaccessibility, millions of Americans lived without access to schools, employment, apartment buildings, and public transportation.	updated on October 24, 2011
Young and Old Unite to Fight Potentially Drastic Cuts Seniors, people with disabilities, and their allies rallied in support of services that enable people to live healthy and independent lives. Performing civil disobedience, they demanded that Illinois politicians protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.	November 7, 2011
Support Accessible Transportation for People with DisabilitiesOn Thursday, November 17 the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) is holding a full committee hearing on The Americans with Disabilities Act and Accessible Transportation: Challenges and Opportunities. Access Living’s President & CEO, Marca Bristo, testified before the committee this morning.	November 17, 2011
Help Stop Illinois Senate Bill 2533On Tuesday, November 28, Illinois Senator John O. Jones introduced SB 2533. This legislation creates another road block to community integration for people with disabilities in Illinois. Organize now to stop SB 2533.	December 1, 2011
In memory of board member Carlos DrazenThis past weekend, Access Living and the disability community learned the deeply sad news that Access Living Board Member Carlos Drazen had passed away on December 3.	December 8, 2011

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.
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
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

Press Releases

Title	Date
Disability and senior advocates rally to preserve independent living servicesDisability and senior advocates rallied in downtown Chicago on March 28 to protest against inequities in the state budget.	March 28, 2012
Access Living applauds institution closure, commitment to community Urges support for services that promote independence for people with disabilitiesAccess Living responds to Illinois Governor Quinn’s February 22 Budget Address.	February 23, 2012
Advocates with disabilities travel to Springfield for budget addressUrge the protection of home and community services	February 22, 2012
Disability advocates deliver Valentines to Governor Quinn Disability advocates deliver Valentine to Governor Quinn	February 14, 2012
Access Living applauds Governor Quinn’s closure announcement Urges shift from institutional to community support for people with disabilitiesAccess Living statement responds to January 19, 2012 announcement from Governor Quinn on closure of Tinley Park Mental Health Center and Jacksonville Developmental Center.	January 20, 2012

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