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News & Events

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
New class of YIELDD graduates	June 4, 2010
Access Living Frees Thirty-Six People!On Friday, May 7, 2010, Access Living hosted the Chicago Housing Authority to begin the initial process to provide Housing Choice Vouchers to our People -- and thirty-six of them received their vouchers!	May 10th, 2010
Disability coalition testifies in Springfield on behalf of community-based services On April 22, Access Living, as part of the Community for All Coalition, testified in Springfield in support of community based services in the Illinois Budget.	April 22, 2010
Organizational restructure leads to exciting changes at Access Living Access Living is excited to announce an organizational restructure that will help us function effectively, better serve the growing needs of our consumers and better focus on important issues affecting the disabled community.	April 6, 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
Access Living marches in Bud Billiken ParadeOn August 11, for the first time ever, Access Living participated in Chicago’s Annual Bud Billiken Parade. Around 30 Access Living staff and supports marched or rode the float.	August 15, 2012
Youth advocates ready to roll in 2012 Bud Billiken ParadeAccess Living Youth are thrilled to participate in this year’s iconic Bud Billiken Parade	August 2, 2012
Communities around the country commemorate Medicaid Anniversary Monday, July 30 was the 47th Anniversary of Medicaid. Communities around the country marked the occasion by highlighting the importance of Medicaid services for seniors and people with disabilities	July 31, 2012
Happy Disability Pride WeekendThis weekend people with disabilities and their friends, families and supporters around the country will celebrate disability pride with parades, celebrations and commemorations.	July 20, 2012
Report on the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities Today, following a Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, USICD held a news conference. Here is the release.	July 12, 2012

Events Calendar

Title	Date
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
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
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

Press Releases

Title	Date
Access Living praises healthcare reform that gives people with disabilities option to stay in smaller communities Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago today praised Senator Baucus of Montana for including the Community First Choice Option in Healthcare Reform legislation.	September 24, 2009
Disability community fights cuts to vital servicesProposed cuts to home services threaten independence of people with disabilities	August 28, 2009
Access Living salutes Governor Quinn for decision to close Howe Developmental Center Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago salutes Governor Patrick Quinn for his decision to close the Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park, Illinois. The decision to close the institution was announced today by the Office of the Governor.	August 28, 2009
Statement from Access Living after the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy	August 27, 2009
US signs UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities	July 31, 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