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News & Events

News and Events

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News

Title	Date
2010 Annual Report Past is Prologue: 30 years of pride, independent living, and social change	December 16, 2010
20th Anniversary ADA CelebrationsAround the country this summer, the community has celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.	August 10, 2010
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
A message for personal assistants regarding W-2 FormsW-2 information for Personal Assistants	January 15, 2010
Access Living 30th AnniversaryOn July 13, 2010, Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) entered into the Congressional Record a tribute to Access Living in honor of the organization's 30th Anniversary	July 22, 2010

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
Statement to the Chicago Public Schools Board of EducationOn August 22, Access Living’s Curtis Harris testified at a School Board Meeting on the importance of services and supports for students with Autism.	August 24, 2012
New Safe Lifting legislation protects nursing home residents On July 30, Governor Quinn signed Public Act 097-0866 into law. The law sets forth policy to protect nursing home staff and residents from injury.	August 17, 2012
Access Living marches in Bud Billiken ParadeOn August 11, for the first time ever, Access Living participated in Chicago’s Annual Bud Billiken Parade. Around 30 Access Living staff and supports marched or rode the float.	August 15, 2012
Youth advocates ready to roll in 2012 Bud Billiken ParadeAccess Living Youth are thrilled to participate in this year’s iconic Bud Billiken Parade	August 2, 2012
Communities around the country commemorate Medicaid Anniversary Monday, July 30 was the 47th Anniversary of Medicaid. Communities around the country marked the occasion by highlighting the importance of Medicaid services for seniors and people with disabilities	July 31, 2012

Events Calendar

Title	Date
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
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

Press Releases

Title	Date
Mayoral questionnaire indicates broad support for people with disabilities in ChicagoAccess Living recently released the results of a questionnaire issued to candidates running for mayor in Chicago. All of the candidates participated and each candidate indicated broad support for the disability community.	February 1, 2011
New legislation protects people with disabilities in hospitalsThe new legislation, which goes into effect January 1, 2012, represents the first effort in Illinois to assure that people with disabilities who need to be physically moved by hospital staff are protected with respect to their physical safety, dignity, and choice.	August 9, 2011
NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES CELEBRATE PROPOSED AGREEMENT WITH STATE IN LANDMARK LAWSUIT Proposed Agreement brings residents one step closer to expanded opportunities for community living and meaningful individual choice	August 30, 2011
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
President Obama to sign UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities By signing this treaty the US is reaffirming its commitment to basic human rights of all people with disabilities, said Marca Bristo, the President of Access Living and USICD, who played a significant role in bringing the US toward signing the treaty	July 24, 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 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