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Title Date
Urban Weatherization Initiative Helping Illinois Become GreenerGov. Quinn allocates $1.6 milliion for WeatherizationUrban Weatherization Initiative Helping Illinois Become Greener October 26, 2011
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
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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
Immediate action needed to fight for hearing aid insurance!House Bill 1231 will be heard in the Illinois House Insurance Committee at 3 pm in Springfield on Wednesday, February 20 in Capitol Room 114. February 19, 2013
Enforcing the housing rights of people with disabilitiesAccess Living is one of the few Centers for Independent Living in the country with a legal department. Here is a brief description that covers some of Access Living’s Fair Housing legal work. January 31, 2013
2013-EdRoberts Happy Ed Roberts Day January 23, 2013 has been proclaimed Ed Roberts Day. Access Living’s Director of Advocacy authors a post sharing Roberts’ legacy and applying his principles of self-determination, independence, and choice to the barriers people with disabilities face today. January 23, 2013
Keep Warm and Safe during the Bitter ColdBitter cold temperatures are more than an inconvenience; they pose a serious threat to health and safety. The City of Chicago has many services available to help residents weather the winter months. January 22, 2013
2012-Springfieldphoto Disability Political News Roundup: New Session Starts TodayEntry from Amber Smock, Access Living’s Director of Advocacy, about recent political events in Springfield, Illinois, the State Capitol. The piece covers legislation that passed, or failed to pass, during the lame duck session, and looks ahead at what will happen with the new legislature. January 9, 2013
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Events Calendar

Title Date
2012-billboard-dimove-2 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
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
The Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing, (DRACH)HousingA twice monthly meeting of housing advocates who work to enforce and
implement the housing rights of people with disabilities. The group meets the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month. 		4th Thursday of every Month and 2nd Tuesday of every month.
Men with a Purpose: Men with disabilities support group2nd and 4th Friday of each month Men With a Purpose. A cross–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
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
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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 Community Rallies to protect independence Facing budget cuts that could force people into costly institutions, disability advocates and organizations representing thousands of people with developmental, psychiatric and physical disabilities rallied outside the State of Illinois Building today. July 19, 2010
CHA Lowers Age Limit for Select Senior Buildings‘Reduced Age’ Senior Buildings Welcome Applicants Age 55 or Older October 15, 2010
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
Disability groups rally against budget that fails to support people with disabilities in the communityThursday morning, February 24, individuals and organizations representing a wide range of disabilities rallied outside the Thompson Center against Governor Quinn’s proposed state budget. The advocates called on Quinn to rescind cuts to services that empower people with disabilities to live independently in the community. February 24, 2011
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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
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