Access Living Program, Entering Its Second Year of Support for Disabled Survivors, Cohosted Event with SEIU Healthcare
Contact: Lena Parsons, 773-425-0725
CHICAGO, June 9, 2026 – Access Living and SEIU Healthcare cohosted an information and resource fair for people impacted by gun violence June 6 at SEIU Healthcare headquarters. The fair featured short presentations on services for survivors of gun violence and people with disabilities including housing and home modifications, adaptive sports, assistive technology and SEIU Healthcare services that benefit everyone.
In addition to the presentations, the event included an information and resource fair featuring services regarding mental health, violence prevention, economic and employment opportunities. Participants included Illinois Assistive Technology Program, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Great Lakes ADA, Illinois ABLE, Strides for Peace, Chicago CRED, and National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Entering its second year, Access Living runs this multifaceted program for survivors of gun violence and is always looking to connect with those impacted by gun violence. The resource fair was the first of its kind held by Access Living and timed to recognize Gun Violence Prevention Month, which is June.
“Disabled survivors of gun violence often struggle with unmet needs including accessing benefits they are eligible for, housing modifications, employment accommodations and peer support,” said Tim Pagini, program coordinator. “This forum and information fair was an opportunity for the community to come together and share resources and information.”
The Access Living Survivors of Gun Violence program consists of four key components: peer support groups, information and referral services, advanced 1-to-1 support, and topic-of-the-month informational sessions. The programming and resources are for anyone disabled by gun violence, whether newly impacted or injured many years ago.
Access Living’s Survivors of Gun Violence Peer Support Group offers a safe space for survivors to connect in a group setting. The peer support groups occur monthly, have a virtual and in-person option, are led by a survivor of gun violence, and are free to attend. The meetings are for sharing experiences, receiving mentorship, and learning about services and resources available to disabled survivors of gun violence.
The program was developed following a research and survey initiative in 2022.
“The goal of the work was to inform the needs of the community and create spaces for people to feel empowered through peer support,” says Candace Coleman, community engagement specialist at Access Living. “At the core of independent living principles is people first so we started with listening sessions with disabled survivors of gun violence. We learned survivors require a holistic reintegrated approach such as mental health resources AND employment support to feel empowered as survivors of trauma who are disabled.”
Currently, the program is primarily for people who have survived a gunshot wound and are now physically, mentally or cognitively disabled as a result. The topic of the month sessions and information and referral support are open to anyone, but peer support groups and advanced on-on-one sessions are only for those disabled by gun violence.
“We understand family members, friends, and caretakers may also need other resources as well to be able to support their newly disabled friend or family member,” said Stephanie Santana, program coordinator.
“Nothing about us without us” is the mantra of the independent living movement and that includes all aspects of the disabled experience. Access Living has hired staff with lived experience of gun violence to facilitate peer support groups.
“Experienced mentorship is key to informing the needs of the community and creating spaces for people to feel empowered through peer support,” said Santana.
All of the services offered by Access Living’s Survivors of Gun Violence Program are free to Chicago residents with commitment to attend one’s assigned group regularly. Meetings are held monthly and the program is continuously enrolling. For information about the program, visit the website or call Tim Pagani at 312-640-2110 or Stephanie Santana at 224-526-5592.
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Established in 1980, Access Living is a center of service, advocacy, and social change for people with disabilities led and run by people with disabilities. We envision a world free from barriers and discrimination – where disability is a respected and natural part of the human experience and people with disabilities are included and valued. For more information, visit www.accessliving.org