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News & Events

News and Events

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News

Title	Date
Financial Stability Course continues to evolve Access Living’s Financial Stability Course continues to evolve. The latest class finishes up on May 8. A new group will begin in June.	May 2, 2013
Going Home Rally Day-- Springfield, Illinois, April 10, 2013On April 10, 2013, about 30 advocates from the Access Living community went to Springfield for the Going Home Rally and Advocacy Day.	Story updated May 2, 2013
Power to the People Coalition opens up accessible spots on Amtrak train to Springfield Disability advocates have been working to increase the number of accessible spots on the Amtrak train between Chicago and Springfield	April 2, 2013
Women’s day event raises awareness on contributions and concerns of women with disabilities On March 8, academics, caregivers and advocates gathered at Access Living to recognize International Women’s Day and address issues that women within the disability community confront. The celebration drew close to 100 women and men, both with and without disabilities.	April 1, 2013
From RTA -- what Ventra system means for people with disabilities Information about how RTA’s new Ventra system will impact riders with disabilities and seniors	March 20, 2013

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
Disability Culture: Fe Fes travel to west coast for awareness eventOn April 13, I traveled with the Empowered Fe Fes to the State of Washington to speak at Eastern Washington University for a Disability Awareness Week conference. I am the Women & Girls Organizer for the Empowered Fe Fes, which is a group of young women with various disabilities who have worked for over 15 years together to explore the issues and struggles unique to young women with disabilities while spreading awareness about disability rights.	June 5, 2010
Disability groups rally against budget that fails to support people with disabilities in the communityThursday morning, February 24, individuals and organizations representing a wide range of disabilities rallied outside the Thompson Center against Governor Quinn’s proposed state budget. The advocates called on Quinn to rescind cuts to services that empower people with disabilities to live independently in the community.	February 24, 2011
Disability in January 10 Chicago media The January 10, 2012 edition of the Chicago Tribune included two disability related stories on the front page.	January 10, 2012
Disability Political News Roundup: New Session Starts TodayEntry from Amber Smock, Access Living’s Director of Advocacy, about recent political events in Springfield, Illinois, the State Capitol. The piece covers legislation that passed, or failed to pass, during the lame duck session, and looks ahead at what will happen with the new legislature.	January 9, 2013
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

Events Calendar

Title	Date
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
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
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.
Men with a Purpose: Men with disabilities support group2nd and 4th Friday of each month Men With a Purpose. A cross&ndash;disability support group for men. The group addresses many issues, including health and wellness, relationships, networking, and empowerment.	2nd and 4th Friday of each month
Deinstitutionalization Support GroupPersonal Assistant Health CareMonthly group for nursing home residents with disabilities who would like to learn about opportunities to live in their own homes and communities. For information,	3rd Thursday of every Month

Press Releases

Title	Date
Proposed legislation threatens progress made to support independence, integration of people with disabilitiesNews release announces Access Living concern over State plans that could potentially derail efforts to integrate people with psychiatric disabilities into community based settings	May 8, 2013
Disabled Americans Want Work Now Applauds Introduction of Fair Wages Legalization Urges Passage of Fair Wages for Workers Disabilities ActDisabled Americans Want Work Now (DAWWN) applauds the introduction of Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act – H.R. 831.	March 4, 2013
Senate fails to ratify international disability rights treatyOn Tuesday, December 4, the U.S. Senate failed by five votes to reach the two thirds majority needed to ratify the United Nations International Treaty on the Rights of People with Disabilities. The final vote count was 61-38. Though the treaty earned bipartisan support, Republican Senators cast all 38 votes against the treaty.	December 5, 2012
Access Living celebrates full closure of Jacksonville Developmental CenterGovernor Quinn of Illinois announces that all residents of the Jacksonville Developmental Center have moved out of the institution and into the community.	November 30, 2012
Senator Reid Brings the CRPD to the Senate Floor Access Living Applauds U.S. Senate for considering ratification of treaty on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities	November 27, 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