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News

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

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
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
Advocates rally to eliminate IQ testing at VR ServicesOn October 6, a group of about 50 advocates from Chicago traveled to Springfield, Illinois to rally against IQ Tests run by Illinois Vocational Rehabilitation Programs. While vocational programs are supposed to help people with disabilities secure employment, people with disabilities believe that the IQ tests serve as an impediment, rather than a pathway, to employment. The goal is to eliminate IQ tests from VR Services.	October 8, 2010
Annual Review of Chicago Public Schools BudgetAccess Living’s Summary Analysis of the CPS FY 2011 BudgetEvery year Access Living’s Education Policy Analyst, Rodney Estvan, reviews and presents an analysis of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Fiscal Year Budget. CPS currently has about 54,000 students with disabilities enrolled in its 680 traditional, charter, and contract schools. The total FY2011 budget for CPS, including for capital and debt payments, is about $6.4 billion.	September 9, 2010
April is Fair Housing Month April is National Fair Housing Month. This is the 24th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Amendments Act, passed in 1988.	April 3, 2012
Arts and Culture Events the Week of November 1, 2010This year, Access Living teamed up with the Chicago Humanities Festival to incorporate disability events into the festival. From film screenings and dance performances to lectures on ‘beauty,’ this week’s Humanities Festival includes a number of disability arts and culture events. For ticket information, and more information, visit the the Chicago Humanities Festival website.	November 2, 2010

Events Calendar

Title	Date
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
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

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