#WeAreAccessLiving
From Our President and CEO
Welcome to our 45th year celebration! And what a year it was.
What a milestone year it’s been. In a time of great challenges for our community – threats to our funding, the programs people with disabilities rely on, and even the rights we have fought for over these four decades, Access Living has stayed true to our mission and continued to protect and advance the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. We couldn’t do this without your steadfast support.
Earlier this year, we celebrated the Governor’s signing of the Dignity in Pay Act at Access Living. This landmark legislation will phase out subminimum wage for disabled workers by 2029 and moves us closer to our goal of true economic empowerment and equality for people with disabilities.
We also helped advance the Eddie Thomas Act, ensuring the Illinois Department of Corrections will now track and report on hospice and palliative care for incarcerated people. This marks an important step toward humane, disability-informed care within our state’s correctional system.
Access Living worked for months to push for a legislative package that would protect our region’s transit systems from falling off a fiscal cliff, resulting in severe cuts to the transportation systems our community relies on. We were finally successful with the passage of a $1.5 billion funding package that is a tremendous win for all who rely on public transit.
This year also marked the start of Access Living’s new three-year strategic plan. With ongoing and looming threats, this plan is action-oriented and looks to the future of our success. Our work is especially urgent and centered on disability power to shape our future. Rooted in the principle “Nothing About Us Without Us,” this is a plan that will build community, meet the moment with renewed advocacy, look to innovations that can support independent living and expand our footprint to bring our programs and services to Chicago’s most under-resourced communities. This strategic plan was developed with the engagement of board, staff and the people we serve, and shows how Access Living will lead the way over the next three years, building a better, more inclusive and sustainable future led by and for people with disabilities.
For 45 years, Access Living has advocated for a world where people with disabilities can live freely and fully, without barriers. Your continued partnership allows us to make that vision a reality.
With gratitude,
Karen Tamley
President and CEO
Access Living:
45 Years
Our Work
by the Numbers
3,331
Consumers with disabilities received Information and Referral services
1,580
Participants in community organizing meetings, to advance disability policy
3,700
People reached through our disability inclusion consulting and training to the corporate, non-profit and philanthropic sectors
1,728
Disabled Chicagoans received independent living supports through our partnership with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
1,614
External collaboration meetings, expanding the reach and impact of organizing efforts
1,018
Participants reached through book readings, art making for mental health, storytelling workshops, and more
172
Households received our housing counseling services to improve living conditions
230
High school students with disabilities prepared to transition into higher education or the workforce through our youth leadership trainings in 17 schools
609
Meetings with elected officials to advance disability rights and policy change
85
Disabled Consumers received assistive devices and training to help them live more independently
73
Disabled Consumers graduated from an 11-week financial literacy training, and shared that they have improved their financial positions as a result
113
Disabled Consumers transitioned out of nursing facilities
249
Individuals were recruited and trained as personal assistants for people with disabilities
118
Disabled Consumers received a computer or tablet and the training necessary to use that device to improve digital literacy and increase independence
48
New or ongoing legal cases related to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act
18
Disability discrimination cases resolved
21
Cultural events and Cross-disability support group sessions held for community-building
Our 2025 Board of Directors
Officers
Denise Avant
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Vice-Chair
Kevin Bradley
HUB International
Board Chair
Chaitanya Manchanda
Discover
Secretary
Chad Turner
Bank of America
Treasurer/Finance & Human Resources Committee Chair
Members
Drew Beres
Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC
Resource Development & Communications Committee Vice Chair
Kristen Carey
Northern Trust
Resource Development & Communications Committee Chair
Sangeeta Patel Driver, MD MPH
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Anthony Hinton
Scott Hoesman
inQuest
Leah Jaron
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
Rosanna Márquez
AARP
Nicole Monroe
Emerge the Soul
Karin Norington-Reaves
i.c. stars
Megan Pavich
Allstate
Nancy Prussian-Weber
General Parking Corporation
Jacob Ringer
Sushi Hall
Jaya Sharma
Deloitte
Carlos Terrazas
McDonald’s Corporation
Corey Turner
Beam Living
Molly Walsh
J.P. Morgan
Nominating & Board Development Committee Vice Chair
Peter Yi
Harmonic Equity Partners
Finance and Human Resources Vice Chair
2025 Gala
2025 Access Living
Gala Supporters and Sponsors
Disability Progress Partner
Impact Ally
Host Committee
Anniversary Committee
Our Funders
Donations listed between the dates of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Please contact Director of Development Barbara Khalouf at BKhalouf@AccessLiving.org to make edits to the list.
*Deceased
$25 Million Leadership Campaign
Corporations and Foundations
Individual Donors
In-Kind Donors
In Memorium
Tribute Gifts
Public Funding
Planned Giving Legacy Society
Looking Ahead
As we look to the year ahead, we are excited to continue building on our mission of advancing opportunity, access, and independence for people with disabilities.
Expanding Our Reach
Through intentional partnerships with local organizations, community leaders, and residents, we will bring our advocacy, peer support, and independent living services to folks we might not otherwise be able to reach. We want to ensure that everyone, regardless of ZIP code, can thrive.
Building Relationships & Collaboration
This expansion is an investment in relationships and collaboration. By working alongside trusted community partners, we aim to co-create programs that reflect the priorities and lived experiences of those we serve.
Together, we will strengthen the independent living movement, amplify diverse voices, and build a more inclusive Chicago for all.
Embracing Innovation
We are also exploring how emerging technologies – particularly how artificial intelligence can help advance our mission. From improving accessibility in digital communications to supporting advocacy efforts through data-driven insights – and making the lives of those we serve easier and more accessible – AI offers powerful tools to enhance independence and expand opportunity.
We are committed to approaching this work thoughtfully and ethically, ensuring that innovation remains rooted in the values of self-determination.
Our Shared Future
The future holds tremendous potential for growth, learning, and transformation, and we remain steadfast in our belief that when communities come together, barriers fall and possibilities expand.
Our Financials
For security purposes, we post our financials as a PDF.
Download our statements of financial position: June 30, 2025 and 2024