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News

Title	Date
Access Living leader elected president of International Disability GroupOn March 6, Access Living’s Marca Bristo was elected President of the United States International Council on Disability (USICD). Committed to international disability rights, USICD is a federation comprised of the leading disability organizations with international agendas and national memberships, government agencies with a deep interest in international disability affairs, and individuals committed to international disability rights.	April 28, 2007
Disability Rights Leader honored as Chicagoan of the YearRecognizing her local, national, and international leadership, Chicago Magazine recently honored Marca Bristo as a “Chicagoan of the Year” for 2007.	January 25, 2008
DePaul University study of costs and benefits of employing people with disabilities finds few risks to employersA study released on January 28, 2008 conducted by a team of researchers at DePaul University found that employees with disabilities from the healthcare, retail and hospitality sectors in the region were just as dependable and productive as employees without disabilities.	February 5, 2008
New Report Identifies Gaps And Inefficient Utilization Of Resources For Illinois’ Developmentally Disabled InitiativesOn Thursday, February 14, the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities hosted a news conference to announce the release of two reports that analyze gaps in services to people with developmental disabilities and that propose recommendations for addressing the gaps.	February 18, 2008
Access Living milestone a dream come true for Anton Taylor“It’s like a breath of fresh air,” said Anton Taylor, letting out a small sigh, thinking about his new apartment. Back in early 2004, Taylor moved into a southside nursing home for what he believed to be a short stay. Years later, Taylor was still in the nursing home.	March 18, 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
Peace Corps connecting with local disability community	January 26, 2011
Public News Service story about Illinois Budget CutsOn Saturday, at the 7th Annual Disbility Pride Parade, Public News Service reporter Mary Anne Meyers interviewed Gary Arnold and Rahnee Patrick of Access Living about impact of recent budget cuts on the independence of people with disabilities in Illinois.	July 27, 2010
Rally to oppose managed care pilot in IllinoisDisability advocates unite to oppose Medicaid Managed Care program and preserve consumer controlRichard Jesonowski speaking at the managed care rally “I was shocked to learn that I would be forced into managed care,” said Richard Jesonowski, an advocate with Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living who is one of thousands of people with disabilities who will soon be placed into a new Illinois Medicaid Managed Care Pilot Program. “I am angry and concerned about what this will mean for myself and others who need specialists or specialized treatments.”	August 13, 2010
Remarks from Marca Bristo at the White House Celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the ADAWhite House 20th AnniversaryMore than 20 years ago the then little known National Council on Disability — led by Sandra Parrino, Justin Dart, and Lex Frieden — launched the most comprehensive civil rights law since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. At first it was met with hesitancy but then a rag-tag army of people who couldn’t hear, couldn’t walk, couldn’t talk, couldn’t see and couldn’t speak did what everybody said couldn’t be done.	August 2, 2010
Report on the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities Today, following a Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, USICD held a news conference. Here is the release.	July 12, 2012

Events Calendar

Title	Date
2013 Bodies of Work Festival In May of this year, Chicago will host the 11-day Bodies of Work Festival. Featuring visual and performing arts that highlight the work of artists with disabilities, the festival celebrates national and international artists with disabilities who are creating cutting-edge theater, dance, literature, poetry, spoken word, film, and visual/performance art.	May -- 2013
Counter Balance IVAn evening of physically integrated dance, poetry and spoken word that explores the intersection of disability, diversity and art.	Friday May 17 and Saturday May 18
Creative Movement Workshop A Creative Movement Workshop	May 14, 2013
Cross Disability Support Group3rd Tuesday of each month from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.For people of all ages, genders and disabilities. This support group is a chance for people with all types of disabilities to share concerns and ask questions, and engage with others.	3rd Tuesday of each month
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support GroupPeer Support A monthly peer group for people who are Deaf and hard or hearing.	3rd Wednesday of each month

Press Releases

Title	Date
Access Living praises healthcare reform that gives people with disabilities option to stay in smaller communities Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago today praised Senator Baucus of Montana for including the Community First Choice Option in Healthcare Reform legislation.	September 24, 2009
Disability community fights cuts to vital servicesProposed cuts to home services threaten independence of people with disabilities	August 28, 2009
Access Living salutes Governor Quinn for decision to close Howe Developmental Center Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago salutes Governor Patrick Quinn for his decision to close the Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park, Illinois. The decision to close the institution was announced today by the Office of the Governor.	August 28, 2009
Statement from Access Living after the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy	August 27, 2009
US signs UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities	July 31, 2009

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