Don’t Miss Access Living’s Panel and Paper Launch on Supporting Chicago’s Disabled Survivors of Gun Violence
Across the country, communities struggle to address the root causes of gun violence and how to support the families of those killed. However, far less attention has been paid to those who survive gun violence and become disabled.
While not every shooting survivor may become disabled, many do. Of the survivors who become disabled, far too many deal with their experience without the supports they need. Many people may go for years without finding people who have had a similar experience. Chicago’s disabled gun violence survivors are often among our most marginalized neighbors.
With the generous support of the Ford Foundation, the Access Living team spent eighteen months listening to Chicago’s disabled survivors of gun violence. Nearly all were from Black and brown communities. But we didn’t stop there. In addition to collecting the major themes of need in a white paper, we designed a new program for Access Living specifically to support these survivors.
At this event, Facilitated by WTTW’s Joanna Hernandez, moderator of the news series A Safer City, you will hear from Access Living staff, disabled survivors, and community experts on the experience of becoming disabled through gun violence. Join us to help shine a light on this disability justice issue through learning and conversation.
Event Details
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
May 2
Access Living, 115 W Chicago Ave.
Panelists include:
- Eric Wilkins, Broken Wingz/Communities United
- Leslie Helmcamp, Lurie Children’s Hospital
- Vanessa Quintanilla, advocate with lived experience
- Michael Walthall, Access Living Program Coordinator
Opening Remarks: Karen Tamley, Access Living President and CEO
Featured Speakers:
- Rebecca Cokley, Ford Foundation Program Officer, U.S. Disability Rights
- Candace Coleman, Access Living Community Strategy Specialist
Please come be a part of this important discussion. RSVP below.
- Information about Access Living’s accessibility and requests for reasonable accommodations can be made here.
- Getting to Access Living
Questions about the event? Please contact Jerome Palliser, jpalliser@accessliving.org.