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News and Events

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News

Title	Date
Disability Advocates host “Institution Free Illinois Rally” at Springfield State Capitol	October 24, 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
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’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
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

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
It all comes to this -- final day of Budget work We have one more chance to impact a budget that supports people with disabilities living in their own homes. Please contact your state legislator and urge him or her to support HB 2189 and vote YES on Senate Amendment 1.	May 31, 2011
Access Living heads to Springfield to protect community reintegration program On May 25, about 30 Access Living staff, volunteers and consumers are visiting the Capitol in Springfield to meet with legislators regarding the budget.	May 25, 2011
Budget work update -- May 17Illinois Disability community continues to mobilize against cuts to community-based services	May 17, 2011
National ADAPT in DC protesting against Medicaid Cuts ADAPT has spent the last two days occupying parts of the Capitol Building, protesting against proposed cuts to Medicaid services. If these cuts go through, thousands of people with disabilities could lose vital services that enable them to live in their own homes. Without the supports, people may be forced into nursing homes and institutions.	May 3, 2011
Springfield Work -- Week of April 25Access Living continues efforts in Springfield to protects services that support people with disabilities living in their own homes.	April 28, 2011

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&ndash;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

Press Releases

Title	Date
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
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
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
Olmstead Settlement may transition thousands of people with disabilities into community-based settings A landmark agreement between the State of Illinois and thousands of persons with mental illnesses will result in significant reforms of Illinois’ outmoded, overcrowded and scandalized nursing home system.	March 15, 2010
President Obama to sign UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities By signing this treaty the US is reaffirming its commitment to basic human rights of all people with disabilities, said Marca Bristo, the President of Access Living and USICD, who played a significant role in bringing the US toward signing the treaty	July 24, 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