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News and Events

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News

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
Story on Illinois budget from Medill ReportsEarlier this week, journalism students with Medill Reports interviewed a few Access Living Staff about the impact of the Illinois budget on the independence of people with disabilities. The story ran on Wednesday evening on the Northwestern News Report, an Evanston cable access station. July 24, 2010
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
Beto and Jim at the White House ADA 20th Anniversary Celebration at the White HouseMore than ten Access Living staff and board members, as well as hundreds of others from the disability community around the country, attended the event. Access Living’s President and CEO, Marca Bristo, delivered remarks prior to the President’s address. July 29, 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
Richard Jesnowski at Rally 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
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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.
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
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
Personal Assistant Informational SeminarJoin our pool of highly sought PA’s March 14, 2012
People with Disabilities Speak Out on Health Care DisparitiesAccess Living’s Health Policy Team and the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Department of Occupational Therapy invite you to a Town Hall meeting to discuss the state of health care for Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities
June 27, 2013
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Press Releases

Title Date
STATEMENT REGARDING ALDEN VILLAGE NORTH Access Living applauds closure of dangerous institutionAccess Living of Metropolitan Chicago applauds Illinois for taking the initial step to close Alden Village North on Chicago’s north side. On March 3, 2011, State officials told Alden Village North that Illinois will revoke the nursing home’s license. March 4, 2011
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
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
CHA Lowers Age Limit for Select Senior Buildings‘Reduced Age’ Senior Buildings Welcome Applicants Age 55 or Older October 15, 2010
Disability Community Rallies to protect independence Facing budget cuts that could force people into costly institutions, disability advocates and organizations representing thousands of people with developmental, psychiatric and physical disabilities rallied outside the State of Illinois Building today. July 19, 2010
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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 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
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