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News and Events

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News

Title	Date
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
Access Living’s response to news of institution closures in Illinois Revenue must be set aside for community infrastructure Governor Quinn’s September 8th announcement to close large institutions for people with disabilities indicates an opportunity to rebalance Illinois’ system of long-term care. But closing institutions can not be done strictly as a budget cutting move. More than anyone else, the decision to close institutions impacts people with disabilities.	September 9, 2011
Colbert v. Quinn, Notice of Fairness Hearing Colbert v. Quinn is a class action case filed on behalf of people with disabilities who receive Medicaid and live in nursing homes in Cook County, Illinois. The case was originally filed in August of 2007. A settlement agreement was announced on August 30, 2011. If approved by the court, the settlement will offer people with disabilities in Cook County nursing homes the choice to transition from the nursing home, and live in apartments or homes of their choice in the community. A Fairness Hearing is scheduled for December 20, 2011.	December 20, 2011
Access Living White Paper urges Illinois to modify Performance Evaluation Reform Act On October 19, Access Living released an education White Paper that projects the impact that The Performance Evaluation Reform Act of 2010 (PERA) may have on Special Education students in public schools throughout Illinois. The paper, “Holding Educators Accountable For the Academic Growth of Students with Disabilities” examines the relationship within PERA between the achievement of students with disabilities and the performance of teachers.	October 19, 2011
Disability Advocates host “Institution Free Illinois Rally” at Springfield State Capitol	October 24, 2011

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
How did the Access Living Blog Get It’s Name?Lead On Honors Justin Dart, Jr.	Mar 7th, 2010
Welcome to the blog chronicling the work of Access Living of Metropolitan ChicagoAccess 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.	March 9, 2010
Seeking IndependenceThousands of people with disabilities are currently living in nursing homes despite the fact that almost all, if not all, of them could live independently in their communities. An overwhelming majority of people with disabilities who live in nursing homes would rather receive assistance and support in their own homes but, by default, many of these people are not given a choice and are forced to live in large institutions.	April 9, 2010
“Lead On”The name of this blog is an acknowledgement of and salute to Justin Dart, Jr. A key architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Justin Dart was a pioneer of the Disability Rights Movement.	April 22, 2010
Why I Oppose Managed CareAs an organizer supporting home and community services and high quality affordable health care with equal access for all at Access Living for many years, I have seen advances and setbacks for people with disabilities in Illinois based on state policy decisions related to Medicaid.	May 12, 2010

Events Calendar

Title	Date
The Access Living “Lead On!” Award Gala Join Access Living as we honor Lifetime Champion for the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities Senator Bob Dole and Disability Activist Susan Nussbaum with the “Lead On!” Award.	June 3, 2013
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.

Press Releases

Title	Date
City’s Reimbursement Program to put more wheelchair accessible cabs on the streetsRTA, CITY OF CHICAGO ANNOUNCE $2.2 MILLION TAXI ACCESSIBILITY COST REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM	November 15, 2012
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
United States Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities At 9 a.m. Eastern on Thursday, July 12, the U.S. Committee on Foreign Relations will host a hearing on the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.	July 12, 2012
Access Living applauds Supreme Court decision in support of Affordable Care ActAccess Living of Metropolitan Chicago applauds the Supreme Court ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act.	June 28, 2012
Prior to Supreme Court announcement, people with disabilities applaud benefits of Affordable Care Act Statement from Access Living in support of Affordable Care Act	June 22, 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