Each year, Access Living responds to thousands of Information and Referral calls, answering questions that range from finding accessible bus routes to accessible cooking classes.
Following are some of the most frequently asked questions, with answers:
Q: Where can I find accessible, affordable and integrated housing?
A: Go to our Housing section and click on “View Listings” to review the available housing we can assist you in finding.
Q: Where can I hire a sign language interpreter?
A: Chicago Hearing Society: 773 248 912 or 773 248 9174
Chicago Area Interpreter Referral Services: 312 895 4300
Q: Who do I call for transportation services if I don’t ride mainline?
A: RTA ADA Para transit Special Services: 212 913 3200
Q: Who can fix my wheelchair or equipment?
A: National Seating & Mobility: 630 428 9350
Fitzsimmons: 773 881 8700
Metro Rehab Services: 708 361 7060
Rehab Tech: 630 420 8585
Q: Where can I rent or buy a portable ramp?
A: Handi-ramp: 847 816 7525
AM Ramp: 800 649 5215
Q: Where can I get emergency financial help?
A: City of Chicago Helpline: 311
Catholic Charities: 312 655 7502
LIHEAP (Low Income Housing Energy Assistance, grants to help pay utility bills): 312 456 4100
Q: Who can help with my landlord or my residential management company?
A: Metropolitan Tenants Organization: 773 292 4988
Center for Disability and Elder Law: 312 908 4463
Q: How can I get a copy of Access Living’s 990 Report or Audited Financials?
A: Contact Jerry Rauman, CFO: 312 640 2109 or by email: jrauman@accessliving.org
Q: How can I find a Center for Independent Living (CIL) in my area?
A: Visit the online directory of the National Council on Independent Living: http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html
Library
In addition to responding to thousands of questions every year, Access Living’s Information and Referral Library has books, videotapes, audiotapes and DVDs. Access Living visitors are free to use these materials at Access Living.
Intake
General
The Life Center at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
The Life Center at RIC is a clearinghouse for many issues related to people with disabilities. Visit the Life Center Website to for information on everything from transportation to peer support services to recreation. Click on the RIC link on the right
Program Links
Information and Referral is one of Access Living’s core services. Each Access Living program maintains a pool of valuable resources that may be helpful to the Access Living and disability community. Click on the links below for a listing of information and referral resources specific to Access Living programs.
Have a question? Email your question to Access Living’s Disability Resource Coordinator.
Following are some of the most frequently asked questions, with answers:
Q: Where can I find accessible, affordable and integrated housing?
A: Go to our Housing section and click on “View Listings” to review the available housing we can assist you in finding.
Q: Where can I hire a sign language interpreter?
A: Chicago Hearing Society: 773 248 912 or 773 248 9174
Chicago Area Interpreter Referral Services: 312 895 4300
Q: Who do I call for transportation services if I don’t ride mainline?
A: RTA ADA Para transit Special Services: 212 913 3200
Q: Who can fix my wheelchair or equipment?
A: National Seating & Mobility: 630 428 9350
Fitzsimmons: 773 881 8700
Metro Rehab Services: 708 361 7060
Rehab Tech: 630 420 8585
Q: Where can I rent or buy a portable ramp?
A: Handi-ramp: 847 816 7525
AM Ramp: 800 649 5215
Q: Where can I get emergency financial help?
A: City of Chicago Helpline: 311
Catholic Charities: 312 655 7502
LIHEAP (Low Income Housing Energy Assistance, grants to help pay utility bills): 312 456 4100
Q: Who can help with my landlord or my residential management company?
A: Metropolitan Tenants Organization: 773 292 4988
Center for Disability and Elder Law: 312 908 4463
Q: How can I get a copy of Access Living’s 990 Report or Audited Financials?
A: Contact Jerry Rauman, CFO: 312 640 2109 or by email: jrauman@accessliving.org
Q: How can I find a Center for Independent Living (CIL) in my area?
A: Visit the online directory of the National Council on Independent Living: http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html
Library
In addition to responding to thousands of questions every year, Access Living’s Information and Referral Library has books, videotapes, audiotapes and DVDs. Access Living visitors are free to use these materials at Access Living.
Intake
General
The Life Center at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
The Life Center at RIC is a clearinghouse for many issues related to people with disabilities. Visit the Life Center Website to for information on everything from transportation to peer support services to recreation. Click on the RIC link on the right
Program Links
Information and Referral is one of Access Living’s core services. Each Access Living program maintains a pool of valuable resources that may be helpful to the Access Living and disability community. Click on the links below for a listing of information and referral resources specific to Access Living programs.
Have a question? Email your question to Access Living’s Disability Resource Coordinator.
| Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Relief efforts in Haiti The United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD) is compiling information about charitable organizations raising support for Haiti and providing some focused efforts related to people with disabilities.Read More | January 22, 2010 |
| Group empowers young women with disabilitiesBy Karen Meyer, ABC7 News TeamIndependence means being able to make your own decisions about your life, but for young women with disabilities this is not easy. With support from a unique group, many are learning how to stand up and take control of their lives. Read More |
September 18, 2008 |
Hearing raises safety concerns about Pace paratransitBy Marni Pyke | Daily Herald StaffState and Chicago officials joined disabled riders in calling for reforms to Pace's newly minted paratransit service Wednesday.The suburban bus agency instituted major changes to the way paratransit works in Chicago this March, including dividing the city into three zones to be served by different transportation companies. The suburban bus agency instituted major changes to the way paratransit works in Chicago this March, including dividing the city into three zones to be served by different transportation companies.Read More |
September 18, 2008 |
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| Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Community Organizing BrochureCommunity Organizing staff aim to eliminate barriers to economic opportunity faced by people with disabilities. We support activities that lead to community economic self-sufficiency and personal empowerment through strategies that encourage cooperation, interdependence, equalization of resources and asset building for people with disabilities.Read More | Jun 11th, 2008 |
| Civil Rights & Legal Work BrochureAccess Living is unique among Centers for Independent Living in its powerful capacity to implement legal strategies that promote the rights of people with disabilities...Read More | Jun 11th, 2008 |
| Long Term Care BrochureLong-term care staff fight for people with disabilities to live in the community. We have many programs to make sure independent living happens for people who live in institutions now and who want to live on their own terms, in a place called home.Read More | Jun 11th, 2008 |
| Youth Inclusion GuideDocumentThe biggest barriers that people with disabilities face don’t have to do with their disabilities at all. They have to do with other people’s assumptions about them, and an abiding and deeply conditioned paternalism.Read More | Jun 11th, 2008 |
| Fe FesBrochureWho are the Fe Fes? • We are young women ages 13 and up • We have all different kinds of disabilities • We come from different racial and ethnic communities • We live all over Chicago • We give respect and we better get in return!Read More |
Jun 11th, 2008 |
| DUDESDisabilities United by Determination, Education and Support Disabilities United by Determination, Education and Support was formed on July 16, 2005. The concept was created as a way for young men with disabilities to discuss important issues in our lives from our own perspective. We talk about relationships, education, getting a job, being a man, and all that troubles us with no limitations on topics.Read More | Jun 11th, 2008 |
| Emergency Backup PA ProgramBrochureHave you ever had your Personal Assistant quit at the last minute? Have they failed ot show and not even call? Have all your backups backed out? There’s a free program out there that can help!Read More |
Jun 12th, 2008 |
The Right of WayA Brochure For Housing Residents With Disabilities And Their FamiliesAccess Living Housing Staff advocate for increased affordable, accessible and integrated housing options in Chicago communities.Read More
|
Jun 12th, 2008 |
| Community and Economic Development Team DocumentsBrochureCommunity and Economic Development Team Brochure Your employment rights under the lawRead More |
Jun 18th, 2008 |
| (This program is not offered at this time) Home Again ProgramTransitioning Seniors Back to the CommunityThe Home Again Program offers assistance in leaving nursing homes for people over the age of 60. The program helps people to move into a furnished apartment after leaving the nursing home and provides case management as the person adjusts to community living.Read More | Jun 18th, 2008 |
The Empowered Fe Fes - Group for Young Women The Empowered Fe FesThe Empowered Fe Fes is a support and action group of young women with disabilities ages 13 to 24. The Fe Fes represent all different kinds of disabilities and come from different racial and ethnic communities around Chicago. Read More
|
2013 |
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| Title | Date |
|---|---|
2012 Annual Report A PDF version of Access Living’s 2012 Annual Report Read More
|
December 12, 2012 |
| 2011 Annual Report Access Living’s 2011 Annual Report -- Engage. Empower. Transform. Read More | Dec 22nd, 2011 |
| 2010 Annual Report Past is Prologue: 30 years of pride, independent living, and social changeRead More | December 16, 2010 |
| Renaissance 2010 and Students with Disabilities by Rodney Estvan, Education Outreach Coordinator A report that examines the outcomes of students with disabilities at Renaissance 2010 Schools in Chicago. Read More | May 25, 2009 |
| The State of Housing for People with DisabilitiesThe state of housing for people with disabilities provides important historical context for some of the major policy barriers in the area of housing and disability. The past history of people with disabilities, currently the largest minority group in the United States...Read More | October 3, 2008 |
| Chicago Public Schools FY 09 Budget ReviewPresented at the Public participation session of the Chicago Board of EducationProposed FY09 Education Budget makes limited reductions in special education staff while capital budget increases accessibility of schoolsRead More | August 27, 2008 |
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| Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Access Living Resource FinderUse this new tool to find the latest resources and businesses recommended by Access Living. Read More | May 7th, 2012 |
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| Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Colbert v. Quinn Complaint (filed 2007)Legal DocumentPlaintiffs are Medicaid-eligible individuals with disabilities who want to live in their own homes or apartments in the community and could reside in them with appropriate services, but have been unnecessarily and inappropriately institutionalized in skilled nursing facilities (hereafter “nursing facilities”) in Cook County, Illinois. Plaintiffs are eligible for, could be appropriately served by, and desire to obtain appropriate long-term care services provided by Defendants in the community rather than in institutions segregated from their family and friends, and from community life.Read More | Sep 12th, 2011 |
| Trujillo Consent DecreeTo view the entire Trujillo Consent Decree please download the PDF above.Read More | Jun 11th, 2008 |
| Waukegan City HallA case filed by the Lake County Center for Independent Living against the City of Waukegan.Read More | May 30th, 2008 |
| Housing Discrimination Against People with DisabilitiesLegal OutlineThis outline discusses legal issues in detail and is designed for attorneys, advocates and organizations engaged in housing advocacy for people with disabilities. It may not be suitable for laypeople. Read More |
May 1st, 2007 |
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