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News and Events

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News

Title	Date
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
Breast Cancer Screening: The Right to KnowEarly detection is absolutely the key!	June 23, 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
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
20th Anniversary ADA CelebrationsAround the country this summer, the community has celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.	August 10, 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
Support is needed to pass an amendment to the Cook Country Human Rights OrdinanceTomorrow, the Cook County Board will vote on an amendment to the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance. This amendment will extend protections to people who hold housing vouchers. Your support is needed to ensure the amendment passes.	May 7, 2013
Oppose HR 273. Close Murray Developmental Center Advocates are rallying to oppose HR 273, a House Resolution drafted to stop the closure of a state institution. Everyone is urged to oppose 273 and support the independence and empowerment of people with disabilities	April 26, 2013
The Springfield Connection-- Take Action On April 17, Access Living returned to Springfield. This time, 22 advocates traveled to the State Capitol to meet with legislators to advocate for legislation and programs that support people with disabilities and seniors living in their own homes in the community.	April 17, 2013
Access Living mourns loss of Roger EbertThe Access Living community mourns the loss of film critic and Chicago Icon Roger Ebert, who passed away on Thursday, April 4.	April 4, 2013
Fight for State Funded Disability Programs!Throughout the Spring Legislative Session, Access Living will call on advocates to contact state politicians and urge their support for programs that empower the independence and self determination of people with disabilities. This blog piece calls for support of the Home Services Program, the Community Care Program, Centers for Independent Living, and the Community Reintegration Program	March 26, 2013

Events Calendar

Title	Date
Abilities Expo Chicago Abilities Expo Chicago is new, it’s exciting, it’s fun and it’s back on June 28-30, 2013 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center!	June 28-30, 2013
Are You Prepared? Town Hall Meeting on Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities Town Hall Meeting on Emergency Preparedness for people with disabilities	June 26, 2013
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
Access Living Open House Access Living invites you to the organization’s annual Open House. Thursday, June 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.	June 27, 2013
Meeting on home safety, modification and adaptive designPanel on home safety and adaptive design	June 18, 2013

Press Releases

Title	Date
Disability and senior advocates rally to preserve independent living servicesDisability and senior advocates rallied in downtown Chicago on March 28 to protest against inequities in the state budget.	March 28, 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
Advocates with disabilities travel to Springfield for budget addressUrge the protection of home and community services	February 22, 2012
Disability advocates deliver Valentines to Governor Quinn Disability advocates deliver Valentine to Governor Quinn	February 14, 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

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 73The Newsletter of Access Living Volume 73 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, published in January 2012	January 2012
The Bullhorn Volume 74Volume 74 of The Bullhorn, The Newsletter of Access Living	March 2012
The Bullhorn Volume 75Volume 75 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, published in April 2012	April 2012
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 78Volume 78 of the Bullhorn, the Newsletter of Access Living, from October 2012.	January 10, 2013