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News

Title	Date
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
more news on troubled long-term care system Over the past week, more stories have broken about abuse, neglect, and death, and ignoring of such at systems of care around Illinois.	March 29, 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

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
Though the Illinois Senate voted down Senate Bill 3564, there are still legislative threats that would keep institutions open	May 9, 2012
Young and Old Unite to Fight Potentially Drastic Cuts Seniors, people with disabilities, and their allies rallied in support of services that enable people to live healthy and independent lives. Performing civil disobedience, they demanded that Illinois politicians protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.	November 7, 2011
“Believe Your Beauty”The Empowered Fe Fes and Blushing Poppy present “Believe Your Beauty.” Friday, November 16 at Access Living	November 8, 2012
“Lead On”The name of this blog is an acknowledgement of and salute to Justin Dart, Jr. A key architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Justin Dart was a pioneer of the Disability Rights Movement.	April 22, 2010
2012 AAPD Paul Hearne Honoree -- Amber SmockCongratulations to Access Living’s Director of Programs Amber Smock, a 2012 Paul Hearne Leadership Award Honoree.	February 14, 2012

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
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
Meeting on home safety, modification and adaptive designPanel on home safety and adaptive design	June 18, 2013
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
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

Press Releases

Title	Date
Proposed legislation threatens progress made to support independence, integration of people with disabilitiesNews release announces Access Living concern over State plans that could potentially derail efforts to integrate people with psychiatric disabilities into community based settings	May 8, 2013
Disabled Americans Want Work Now Applauds Introduction of Fair Wages Legalization Urges Passage of Fair Wages for Workers Disabilities ActDisabled Americans Want Work Now (DAWWN) applauds the introduction of Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act – H.R. 831.	March 4, 2013
Senate fails to ratify international disability rights treatyOn Tuesday, December 4, the U.S. Senate failed by five votes to reach the two thirds majority needed to ratify the United Nations International Treaty on the Rights of People with Disabilities. The final vote count was 61-38. Though the treaty earned bipartisan support, Republican Senators cast all 38 votes against the treaty.	December 5, 2012
Access Living celebrates full closure of Jacksonville Developmental CenterGovernor Quinn of Illinois announces that all residents of the Jacksonville Developmental Center have moved out of the institution and into the community.	November 30, 2012
Senator Reid Brings the CRPD to the Senate Floor Access Living Applauds U.S. Senate for considering ratification of treaty on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities	November 27, 2012

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