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News & Events

News and Events

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News

Title	Date
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
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

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
Debrief from Spring 2013 Legislative Session During the Spring 2013 Legislative Session, Access Living Advocates spent a lot of time in Springfield raising awareness around issues critical to independence and inclusion for people with disabilities in Illinois. Here is an update that covers some legislative highlights and set backs from the Spring session.	June 17, 2013
Tribute to Senator Bob DoleAt the Access Living Annual Gala on June 3, Access Living presented Senator Bob Dole with a “Lead On!” Award, which recognizes outstanding efforts on behalf of the independence and empowerment of people with disabilities. This is a video tribute put together in Dole’s honor.	June 5, 2013
Demand that Illinois legislators support institution closure and the rebalancing effort Push your legislators to support community integration and continue with institution closure in Illinois.	May 30, 2013
Action Need to stop expansion of Illinois nursing facilities for people with mental illness Contact the Illinois’ House Human Services Committee. Ask them to not let nursing homes continue to warehouse people with mental illness	May 20, 2013
Employment Victory for People with Disabilities in Illinois On Wednesday, May 16, Employment First Legislation passed the Illinois General Assembly	May 16, 2013

Events Calendar

Title	Date
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
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

Press Releases

Title	Date
Colbert v. Quinn News Release (2007)Illinois Residents Sue State Officials For Violating Americans With Disabilities Act, Failing To Provide Community ServicesA group of Illinois residents with disabilities asked a federal court today to force state officials to comply with the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), adopted seventeen years ago.	August 22, 2007
The Trujillo Case: Wheelchair user gains access to front door Settlement ends building policy discriminatory against people with disabilitiesCHICAGO – The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois today entered a consent decree resolving a discrimination case brought by a disabled nine-year boy, his parents and the United States against the Triumvera Tower Condominium Association of Glenview, Illinois. The decree mandates the elimination of a policy that discriminated against wheelchair users and awards $83,500 in damages, penalties and attorneys’ fees.	Jun 11th, 2008
Access Living headquarters earns Gold LEED CertificationPress ReleaseIn late July, the U.S. Green Building Council awarded Access Living’s building at 115 West Chicago Avenue Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification. Gold LEED is a landmark sustainability award; the second highest rating a green building can receive.	August 4, 2008
6th Annual Building Bridges to Independence Conference:Press ReleaseChicago, IL - On September 27, 2008, the Committee for the Integration of Latinos with Disabilities (CILD), DePaul University College of Law’s Special Education Advocacy Clinic and Town of Cicero President Larry Dominick will present the 6th Annual Building Bridges to Independence Conference: Empowering Communities, Individuals with Disabilities, and Their Families.	Sep 25th, 2008
Renaissance 2010 and students with disabilities New report finds that students with disabilities do no better at Renaissance 2010 Schools	May 27, 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 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