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News and Events

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Title Date
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
New legislation calls for free rides for low income persons with disabilitiesRepresentatives from Access Living and other disability rights organizations worked with Illinois legislators and transit providers on new legislation to benefit fixed route transit rides. The legislation has been approved by both the Illinois Senate and House, and is now awaiting Governor Blagojevich’s signature. He is favorable to the bill. August 4, 2008
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
Landmark victory for people with disabilitiesOn November 13, the disability community scored a huge victory when a class of people with developmental disabilities entered into a settlement agreement with the State of Illinois that will open up community services for thousands of individuals who have been trapped in institutions. November 13, 2008
Citizens With Disabilities Vote Candidates forum on disability issuesMeet The Candidates On: Monday, February 16;
Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Avenue 		February 2, 2009
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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
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
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
2011-LivesWorthLiving-Marca and Judy 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
Disability Advocates attend State Hearing to urge closure of institution for people with developmental disabilities.
Access Living, a Chicago disability advocacy and services organization, will be sending a contingent of advocates to today’s State of Illinois legislative hearing on the closure of Mabley Developmental Center in Dixon, Illinois. The hearing will begin at 5 pm at the Dixon Theatre, 114 S. Galena Avenue in Dixon. 		October 17, 2011
2011-Colbert-Libowsky Daily Law Bulletin highlights Olmstead legal coalition work In late August, a coalition that includes Access Living, Equip for Equality, the ACLU of Illinois, SNR Denton, and the Law Offices of Steve Gold, announced a class-action settlement that will end the forced, long-standing and unnecessary segregation of people with physical disabilities or mental illness in nursing homes. This piece highlights the legal coalition work in this case and two others. October 14, 2011
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Events Calendar

Title Date
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
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–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
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Press Releases

Title Date
Committee for the Integration of Latinos with Disabilities - Embedded 6th Annual Building Bridges to Independence Conference:Press ReleaseChicago, IL - On September 27, 2008, the Committee for the Integration of Latinos with Disabilities (CILD), DePaul University College of Law’s Special Education Advocacy Clinic and Town of Cicero President Larry Dominick will present the 6th Annual Building Bridges to Independence Conference: Empowering Communities, Individuals with Disabilities, and Their Families. Sep 25th, 2008
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
Access Living analysis of FY 2013 CPS Budget critical of disability cuts Report calls for restoration of funds and move toward Universal Design Prior to each school year, Access Living publishes a review of CPS funding priorities and initiatives related to special education and students with disabilities. Access Living’s FY 2013 analysis examines the impact of CPS Budget decisions on students with disabilities. August 15, 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
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
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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 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
The Bullhorn Volume 73The Newsletter of Access Living Volume 73 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, published in January 2012 January 2012
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