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News and Events

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Title Date
Action Alert! - Push for Closure of Jacksonville and Mabley Developmental CentersOn October 27 in the morning, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) will vote on whether to close the Mabley and Jacksonville Centers for People with Developmental Disabilities.
October 26, 2011
Action Alert!- Contact Illinois legislators and Governor Stop cuts to services that support people with disabilities Many legislators are still working to understand why we are fight so hard against budget cuts to services for people with disabilities. This week, your legislators are working from their home offices. Please give them a call and ask them to stop budget cuts to services that support people with disabilities. March 23, 2011
Advocates begin work around legislative session
During the legislative session, Access Living will advocate for issues and pieces of legislation that support the independence of people with disabilities. 		February 25, 2013
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
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
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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
Housing advocate testifies in Washington, D.C. in support of the Inclusive Home Design ActThe Inclusive Home Design Act aims to increase the number of homes accessible to people with disabilities by applying visitability standards. The principle of visitability seeks to create homes that are affordable and sustainable, and utilize a design approach that integrates accessibility features into newly-built homes. Last week, Beto Barrera, Access Living’s Manager of Community Development, testified in support of the Act in Washington, D.C. in front of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. Below is his testimony.
 		October 7, 2010
Advocates rally to eliminate IQ testing at VR ServicesOn October 6, a group of about 50 advocates from Chicago traveled to Springfield, Illinois to rally against IQ Tests run by Illinois Vocational Rehabilitation Programs. While vocational programs are supposed to help people with disabilities secure employment, people with disabilities believe that the IQ tests serve as an impediment, rather than a pathway, to employment. The goal is to eliminate IQ tests from VR Services. October 8, 2010
Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing Change in Senior Designation Plan opens up affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilitiesIn 2009, the Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing (DRACH), a group of people with disabilities working to open up more housing opportunities in Chicago, launched a campaign to lower the age of senior housing at the Chicago Housing Authority from 62 years old to 55 years old. The campaign was designed to open up available housing units to people with disabilities. October 16, 2010
Election Day Disability Helpline!On November 2, our state’s Protection and Advocacy Agency, Equip for Equality, is standing by to make sure YOU have access to voting! November 2, 2010
disThis! Film Series Arts and Culture Events the Week of November 1, 2010This year, Access Living teamed up with the Chicago Humanities Festival to incorporate disability events into the festival. From film screenings and dance performances to lectures on ‘beauty,’ this week’s Humanities Festival includes a number of disability arts and culture events. For ticket information, and more information, visit the the Chicago Humanities Festival website. November 2, 2010
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Events Calendar

Title Date
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support GroupPeer Support A monthly peer group for people who are Deaf and hard or hearing. 3rd Wednesday of each month
Personal Assistant Informational SeminarJoin our pool of highly sought PA’s March 14, 2012
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
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
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
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Press Releases

Title Date
2011-IFF-CheckPresentation IFF and Access Living Launch $19 Million Public-Private Partnership with the State of Illinois and Chase
Under Home First Illinois, IFF will develop, own and manage accessible homes—integrated within the community—that will remain permanently affordable to very low-income, disabled persons who require accessible housing and who rely on Social Security SSI payments as their primary source of income. 		December 16, 2011
2011-HomeServices-LocalRally Access Living rallies for jobs and Medicaid funding for people with disabilitiesAdvocates join National Day of Action to support independence for disabled On Thursday, November 17 at 3:30 p.m., people with disabilities from Access Living will join thousands of other advocates at the Jobs Not Cuts rally at the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago as part of the National Day of Action. Access Living will call for investment in resources that employ people with disabilities, support people with disabilities while on the job, and eliminate physical, programmatic and social barriers that prevent people with disabilities from entering the workforce. November 17, 2011
2011-ColbertAnnouncement-Lenil 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
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
Disability advocates organize to restore budget cuts Cuts threaten independence of disabled and would cost State more money Throughout April and May, Access Living staff and consumers will meet with state legislators and senators, both at their home offices in Chicago and in Springfield. Disability advocates hope to get their support for services that help people with disabilities live in the community. April 22, 2011
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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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