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News & Events

News and Events

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News

Title	Date
International treaty on the rights of people with disabilities close to Senate Ratification The UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities was moved to the Full Senate for Ratification by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee	August 17, 2012
Report from Medicaid 47th Anniversary Rally On Monday afternoon, July 30, around 100 people representing more than 20 disability, senior and community advocate groups commemorated the 47th Anniversary of Medicaid with a rally at Daley Plaza.	August 17, 2012
Access Living analysis of FY 2013 CPS Budget critical of disability cuts Report calls for restoration of funds and move toward Universal Design Prior to each school year, Access Living publishes a review of CPS funding priorities and initiatives related to special education and students with disabilities. Access Living’s FY 2013 analysis examines the impact of CPS Budget decisions on students with disabilities.	August 15, 2012
Communities commemorate Medicaid 47th AnniversaryGroups rally and march in support community based servicesOn Monday afternoon, July 30, more than 20 disability, senior and community advocate groups commemorated the 47th Anniversary of Medicaid with a rally at Daley Plaza.	July 31, 2012
Access Living applauds efforts to increase safety of people with disabilitiesOn July 31, Access Living testified at a public hearing that examined the failure to investigate the deaths of people with disabilities due to neglect and abuse	July 31, 2012

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
Closure of Jacksonville Developmental Center To follow up on Governor Quinn’s announcement to close the Jacksonville Developmental Center, the community needs to send a loud and clear message that Illinois needs to close institutions and to transition to community-based care for people with disabilities.	March 2, 2012
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
Take Action for community-based servicesThis week, Access Living’s Task Force on Attendant Services (TFAS) will lead an effort to protect and strengthen home and community-based services in the Illinois State Budget.	February 13, 2012
tragedy in South Chicago suburbA few days ago, news broke about a boy with Asperger’s who was shot and killed in his home by police officers. The tragedy has sparked a wave of discussion about community supports, disability awareness and law enforcement.	February 3, 2012
Congratulations to the 2011 Chicagoans of the Year!Access Living Board Member Zully Alvarado and “Lead On!” Award winner Roger Ebert were honored on January 26 as Chicagoans of the Year.	January 27, 2012

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
6th Annual Building Bridges to Independence Conference:Press ReleaseChicago, IL - On September 27, 2008, the Committee for the Integration of Latinos with Disabilities (CILD), DePaul University College of Law’s Special Education Advocacy Clinic and Town of Cicero President Larry Dominick will present the 6th Annual Building Bridges to Independence Conference: Empowering Communities, Individuals with Disabilities, and Their Families.	Sep 25th, 2008
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
Access Living analysis of FY 2013 CPS Budget critical of disability cuts Report calls for restoration of funds and move toward Universal Design Prior to each school year, Access Living publishes a review of CPS funding priorities and initiatives related to special education and students with disabilities. Access Living’s FY 2013 analysis examines the impact of CPS Budget decisions on students with disabilities.	August 15, 2012
Access Living applauds Governor Quinn’s closure announcement Urges shift from institutional to community support for people with disabilitiesAccess Living statement responds to January 19, 2012 announcement from Governor Quinn on closure of Tinley Park Mental Health Center and Jacksonville Developmental Center.	January 20, 2012
Access Living applauds institution closure, commitment to community Urges support for services that promote independence for people with disabilitiesAccess Living responds to Illinois Governor Quinn’s February 22 Budget Address.	February 23, 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