Today, we have two important opportunities for Chicago area disability advocates!
Building Our Power Together/Construyendo Poder Juntos Training Orientation:
Are you interested in learning how to do community organizing? Come learn from Access Living’s organizers! In late August, we will begin our next five-week class designed by and for advocates with disabilities. The full class is from August 25-September 29.
To help interested people find out more and apply, join us Wednesday, July 30, for a virtual Training Orientation. During this orientation you will learn about the key sessions of the training, training details and how to apply. This event will be from 4-6pm at on Zoom. A Zoom link will be shared upon registration.
Virtual Orientation Attendance Registration Link Here! When you register, you will get an email with details about how to join the orientation.
If you cannot make this orientation, but you have questions and would like to apply, please contact Michelle García at 312-640-2194 or mgarcia@accessliving.org. (se habla español)
The deadline to apply for Building Our Power Together is Monday, August 18. The application is at this link. The class is in both English and Spanish.
Saving the RAP/TAP Program:
For Chicago/Cook County paratransit riders, there may be some potential changes to the popular RAP/TAP program run by Pace. RAP is the Rideshare Access Program which helps with vouchers for using ride share. TAP is the Taxi Access Program, which helps with vouchers for using taxis. Both RAP and TAP are important for on-demand service rides for people with disabilities. With the proposed changes, we could see limits to the number of RAP/TAP rides per month, and/or a fare increase.
On Wednesday, July 30, Pace will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes to the RAP and TAP programs. This will be from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. The location is the Mayors Office for People with Disabilities, Central West Community Center, 2102 West Ogden Ave., Chicago, IL 60612. People attending in person will hear from Pace on the proposed changes, and then attendees can provide public comment on these changes. If you can’t make it, you can also submit public comment through these options:
- by submitting a completed Public Hearing Comments Form on Pace’s website at www.PaceBus.com/public-hearing-comments
- by email to public.hearings@PaceBus.com;
- by mail to Pace, 550 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Attention: Community Relations Department; or
- by phone at (847) 354-7943
Public comment on the RAP/TAP changes are due by 5 pm on Friday, August 1.
Please share these opportunities with fellow Chicago area disability advocates! Thank you for your advocacy