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News

Title	Date
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
Access Living honors Roger Ebert with “Lead On!” Award On Thursday, June 9, Access Living honored Roger Ebert at the 2011 Access Living Gala.	July 12, 2011
Ligas v. Hamos: Court Approves Landmark Agreement Expanding Community Living Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities in IllinoisA groundbreaking Consent Decree in Ligas v. Hamos, finalized on June 15, 2011 in the federal district court in Chicago, will dramatically expand community living options for people with developmental disabilities, while assuring that those who choose to live in larger facilities may continue to do so.	June 16, 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
Efforts to support people with disabilities in Japan impacted by earthquake Access Living is working with other disability groups to solicit donations for the United States International Council on Disability, which is raising funds for people with disabilities in Japan impacted by the earthquake.	April 14, 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
Story on Illinois budget from Medill ReportsEarlier this week, journalism students with Medill Reports interviewed a few Access Living Staff about the impact of the Illinois budget on the independence of people with disabilities. The story ran on Wednesday evening on the Northwestern News Report, an Evanston cable access station.	July 24, 2010
Public News Service story about Illinois Budget CutsOn Saturday, at the 7th Annual Disbility Pride Parade, Public News Service reporter Mary Anne Meyers interviewed Gary Arnold and Rahnee Patrick of Access Living about impact of recent budget cuts on the independence of people with disabilities in Illinois.	July 27, 2010
ADA 20th Anniversary Celebration at the White HouseMore than ten Access Living staff and board members, as well as hundreds of others from the disability community around the country, attended the event. Access Living’s President and CEO, Marca Bristo, delivered remarks prior to the President’s address.	July 29, 2010
Remarks from Marca Bristo at the White House Celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the ADAWhite House 20th AnniversaryMore than 20 years ago the then little known National Council on Disability — led by Sandra Parrino, Justin Dart, and Lex Frieden — launched the most comprehensive civil rights law since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. At first it was met with hesitancy but then a rag-tag army of people who couldn’t hear, couldn’t walk, couldn’t talk, couldn’t see and couldn’t speak did what everybody said couldn’t be done.	August 2, 2010
Rally to oppose managed care pilot in IllinoisDisability advocates unite to oppose Medicaid Managed Care program and preserve consumer controlRichard Jesonowski speaking at the managed care rally “I was shocked to learn that I would be forced into managed care,” said Richard Jesonowski, an advocate with Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living who is one of thousands of people with disabilities who will soon be placed into a new Illinois Medicaid Managed Care Pilot Program. “I am angry and concerned about what this will mean for myself and others who need specialists or specialized treatments.”	August 13, 2010

Events Calendar

Title	Date
2013 Bodies of Work Festival In May of this year, Chicago will host the 11-day Bodies of Work Festival. Featuring visual and performing arts that highlight the work of artists with disabilities, the festival celebrates national and international artists with disabilities who are creating cutting-edge theater, dance, literature, poetry, spoken word, film, and visual/performance art.	May -- 2013
Counter Balance IVAn evening of physically integrated dance, poetry and spoken word that explores the intersection of disability, diversity and art.	Friday May 17 and Saturday May 18
Creative Movement Workshop A Creative Movement Workshop	May 14, 2013
Cross Disability Support Group3rd Tuesday of each month from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.For people of all ages, genders and disabilities. This support group is a chance for people with all types of disabilities to share concerns and ask questions, and engage with others.	3rd Tuesday of each month
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

Press Releases

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
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
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
Access Living Statement in Response to March 10 Budget Address Access Living statement in response to Governor Quinn’s Budget address	March 11, 2010
The Bullhorn - The Newsletter of Access Living Access Living’s bimonthly newsletter The Bullhorn, the newsletter of Access Living, is published bimonthly.	Jan 19th, 2010

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