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News & Events

Title Date
2011-Gala-EbertMarcachazthea 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
Access Living leader elected president of International Disability GroupOn March 6, Access Living’s Marca Bristo was elected President of the United States International Council on Disability (USICD). Committed to international disability rights, USICD is a federation comprised of the leading disability organizations with international agendas and national memberships, government agencies with a deep interest in international disability affairs, and individuals committed to international disability rights. April 28, 2007
Access Living milestone a dream come true for Anton Taylor“It’s like a breath of fresh air,” said Anton Taylor, letting out a small sigh, thinking about his new apartment. Back in early 2004, Taylor moved into a southside nursing home for what he believed to be a short stay. Years later, Taylor was still in the nursing home. March 18, 2008
Access Living opposes Illinois Senate Bill 3564New legislation makes institution closure more difficult, putting a barrier in the way of community living for people with disabilities. March 8, 2012
Access Living opposes recommendation of commission to keep institution openAccess Living urges closure of Mabley and creation of more community supportsIn early September, Governor Quinn announced the closure of two state run institutions for people with developmental disabilities, including the Mabley Developmental Center. Access Living supports the closure of both institutions. October 27, 2011
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Housing advocate testifies in Washington, D.C. in support of the Inclusive Home Design ActThe Inclusive Home Design Act aims to increase the number of homes accessible to people with disabilities by applying visitability standards. The principle of visitability seeks to create homes that are affordable and sustainable, and utilize a design approach that integrates accessibility features into newly-built homes. Last week, Beto Barrera, Access Living’s Manager of Community Development, testified in support of the Act in Washington, D.C. in front of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. Below is his testimony.
October 7, 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
Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing Change in Senior Designation Plan opens up affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilitiesIn 2009, the Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing (DRACH), a group of people with disabilities working to open up more housing opportunities in Chicago, launched a campaign to lower the age of senior housing at the Chicago Housing Authority from 62 years old to 55 years old. The campaign was designed to open up available housing units to people with disabilities. October 16, 2010
Election Day Disability Helpline!On November 2, our state’s Protection and Advocacy Agency, Equip for Equality, is standing by to make sure YOU have access to voting! November 2, 2010
disThis! Film Series 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
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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
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
2011-ColbertAnnouncement-Lenil NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES CELEBRATE PROPOSED AGREEMENT WITH STATE IN LANDMARK LAWSUIT Proposed Agreement brings residents one step closer to expanded opportunities for community living and meaningful individual choice August 30, 2011
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
President Obama to sign UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities By signing this treaty the US is reaffirming its commitment to basic human rights of all people with disabilities, said Marca Bristo, the President of Access Living and USICD, who played a significant role in bringing the US toward signing the treaty July 24, 2009
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