Access Living@AccessLiving
20h
When the world feels heavy, it's more important than ever to celebrate where progress is being made. From emergency mental health support to new protections for seniors, read our round-up of recent advocacy wins for Chicago's disability community: accessliving.org/newsroom/actio…
A collage showing photos of Mayor Brandon Johnson holding a signed executive order surrounded by advocates, Access Living's Candace Coleman with mental health advocates, and Alderman Andre Vasquez speaking to the press surrounded by organizers, including Access Living's Laura Saltzman. Text on a purple background reads "4 recent good news moments for Chicago's disability community." Access Living logo bottom right
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Nov 10
Make your voice heard about accessible public transit in the Chicago region! @NITA_Chicago—the agency overseeing CTA, Metra, and Pace—is accepting public comment on their prospective 2027 budget through 12/4. Learn how you can speak out: nita.illinois.gov/transit-fundin…
Photo of a CTA train stop in the background with purple box and text overlaid. Headline reads "Make your voice heard for accessible public transit in Chicagoland!" Smaller text reads "The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), which oversees CTA, Metra, and Pace, just released its 2027 prospective budget. The public is invited to comment through Dec 4. NITA Board Meeting, this Thursday Nov 12, In person and virtual. Submit comment online on NITA's website." Access Living logo bottom right
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Nov 9
Attention Auburn Gresham and other South Side neighbors—On December 2, you're invited to an info session and lunch to explore Access Living's services for Chicagoans with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses!

Learn more and register: accessliving.org/event/get-to-k…
Graphic with heading "Get to Know Access Living: Auburn Gresham Community Info Session" in white against dark purple background. Smaller text reads "Wednesday, December 2, 11 am - 12:30 pm, Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub, 839 W. 79th Street." At the top are three photos of Access Living consumers with various disabilities. Access Living logo bottom right
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Nov 6
Hot off the presses, flyers for MadMade Print Fair, coming next Saturday, 11/14! Join 40+ creatives for a mad-positive, disability-affirming event celebrating art that is sparks conversation and builds community. Details at AccessLiving.org/MadMade2026
Photo of risograph-printed Mad Made posters with a handwritten logo on top and illustration of two very detailed hands. At the bottom edge is a paint splotch image and art tools in purple.
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Nov 4
Last month we hosted "DSM-bodied: Upcycled Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Zine Poetry." Community members created these evocative collaged works, using creativity to examine and reclaim their experiences with psychiatric disabilities.
A photo background resembling firey lava with a simple body shape that's been cut out of glittery blue paper overlaid. Snippets of text have been cut out and placed on top, including "criteria for language" and "diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder." Some text has been underlined or crossed out.A white page with the headline "Other specified feeding or eating disorder" with large text cut out from a magazine that reads "Bite" and "Me." Below a photo of a face is cut into strips and on top of it is text cut into single words and short phrases.
Large photos of graphic, colorful abstract imagery including a spikey red shape, large red field with a hand at the bottom, and abstract marbled pattern in rainbow colors. Text cut out and overlaid reads "another psychotic disorder," Schizoaffective," and "My whole nervous system."White page with headline "Diagnostic criteria for social anxiety disorder (social phobia)." Below the body text has been blacked out with a marker as if it were censored. A cut-out over the illegible text reads "an expert in computer programming."
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Nov 3
Access Living mourns the passing of our dear friend and Chicagoan Mike Ervin this morning after a brief illness. Read our full remembrance of this giant of the disability movement: accessliving.org/newsroom/actio…
Purple background with square photo of Mike Ervin with overlaid text "In Memoriam, Mike Ervin." Access Living logo at the bottom.Purple background with square photo and caption "Mike Ervin speaking to the press following a rally at the Illinois State House in the earlly 2010s." Access Living logo at the bottom.
Purple background with square photo and caption "Mike pictured outside a CTA station in 2024, in his fifth decade of advocacy for fully accessible public transit in Chicago." Photo by Zubaer Khan / Chicago Sun-Times. Access Living logo at the bottom.Purple background with square photo and caption "Mike (far left) and other activists, including Access Living CEO Karen Tamley, at a National Governors Association protest for attendant services in the early 2000s. Access Living logo at the bottom.
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Nov 3
Election Day is here, Chicago! People with disabilities deserve to have our voices heard in decisions that affect our lives. Your vote has the power to affect healthcare, housing, civil rights, and more. As we say, nothing about us without us, so cast your ballot today!
Graphic with gray background and text "Polling places in Chicago are open 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. You can vote at the assigning polling place in your precinct or at one of 51 vote centers, including the downtown Supersite. Visit chicagoelections.org to look up your polling site or a list of vote centers across the city." Graphic of a map pin with hand casting ballot. Bottom text says Election Day 2026 and Access Living logoGraphic with gray background and text "Accessibility info for Chicago voters with disabilities: The Chicago Board of Elections website has comprehensive info about polling place accessibility, adaptive devices available, and more. Visit chicagoelections.gov and select Voter with Disabilities under the voting menu." Graphic of a person in a wheelchair casting a ballot. Bottom text says Election Day 2026 and Access Living logo
Graphic with gray background and text "Not registered to vote? Same-day registration is available! To register to vote on Election Day, you must visit your precinct polling place and present two forms of ID. At least one must show your current address." Graphic of a ballot box. Bottom text says Election Day 2026 and Access Living logoGraphic with gray background and text "If you have accessibility issues while voting, call the Board of Elections disability number at 312-578-8816 or the main Election Central line at 312-263-1394." Graphic of a map pin with hand casting ballot. Bottom text says Election Day 2026 and Access Living logo
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 30
This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, learn what Section 503 is and why recent rollbacks threaten the hard-fought progress made to protect disabled people at work: bit.ly/3Ub2IYO
Photo in black and white with light purple filter shows people working at a table with notes and a laptop. White box in the center with large headline "Federal Rollbacks of Section 503 Threaten Program in Disabled Employment". Smaller text "Read more at AccessLiving.org/blog". Access Living logo top right
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 29
With just 2 weeks to Election Day, have you made a plan to vote? 🗳️

This article from @AARP explores the voting experience for people with disabilities, including federal protections: aarp.org/government-ele…

Chicagoans can also check out this guide: chicagoelections.gov/voting/accessi…
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 22
Tomorrow, @cta hosts a Safe Ride Specialist Hiring Fair for mental health clinicians and outreach specialist positions with the program's partner organizations.

Learn more: eventbrite.com/e/safe-ride-sp…
Photo of a Chicago subway stairwell with a group of men wearing Safe Ride Specialist vests shown from the back and commuters walking down the other side of the stairs.
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 22
"The question is no longer whether Illinois should move toward community living. The question is whether we take this opportunity to do it right."

@chicagotribune op-ed about closing Choate from Access Living, @arcillinois, and @equip4equality : chicagotribune.com/2026/10/21/opi…
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 21
Our monthly Survivors of Gun Violence peer support groups are next week—online Monday 10/26 or in-person on Tuesday 10/27. Both are open to Chicagoans of all ages who are survivors of gun violence living with a disability. RSVP to attend at accessliving.org/events
Photo of a group of people sitting in a circle. Bottom section has purple background. Access Living logo appears next to text "Survivors of Gun Violence Monthly Peer Support Group. Open to Chicagoans of all ages who are survivors of gun violence living with a disability. Online Monday October 26, 11 am - 12 pm. In-Person Tuesday October 27, 3-4 pm. RSVP info at AccessLiving.org/Events"
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 20
How do Chicago School Board candidates plan to support CPS students with disabilities? We asked them.

With election season heating up, learn more about where your district's candidates stand before you cast your vote: accessliving.org/voting-for-cha…
Photo of a man in a wheelchair taking a ballot being handed to him by a poll worker at a voting site. Access Living logo is in the top right. In a dark purple box, text reads "Know Before You Vote. Find out how the candidates for Chicago School Board plan to support students with disabilities."
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 19
We are proud to share that Access Living Senior Education Policy Analyst Frank Lally was recently appointed to the City of Chicago's Fair Access to Democracy Advisory Council. The council was created to protect voting rights and ballot access throughout the city. Congrats, Frank!
White background with dark purple text that reads "Congratulations to Senior Education Policy Analyst Frank Lally on his appointment to the City of Chicago's Fair Access to Democracy Advisory Council." Photo of Frank in a circle at the bottom right and Access Living logo bottom left
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 15
On Jan 1, HB 4758 goes into effect across Illinois, preventing companies from requiring new hires have a driver’s licenses except for positions where driving is an essential job function.

Find out what that means for your business at our upcoming webinar: accessliving.org/series/accessi…
Dark purple box at top with headline "Accessible Job Application Webinar, for employers implementing HB4758" In white box, text reads "Beginning January 1, a driver's license can no longer be required for new hires for positions that don't involve driving. Learn what the new law requires of your business at one of three upcoming webinars: October 19, 2:30-4:00, November 13, 2:00-3:30, December 9, 10:00-11:30. Scan the QR code to register or visit AccessLiving.org/events." Logos for Access Living and Great Lakes ADA center. Photo of woman reading a sheet of paper and smiling
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 12
This Wednesday, join us for a free Medical Supply Swap event! Donate your new or gently used items and take what you need from a variety of supplies and equipment. Learn more at accessliving.org/events/
"Medical Supplies Swap" in large white text on a teal rectangle next to two bandages with hearts. Purple background with text "Donate new/gently used supplies. Take what you need. Wednesday October 14, 4-7 pm. Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Ave. All items are first come, first serve. See accessliving.org/events for full list of types of supplies we're accepting." Logos for Access Living and Clean Air Club
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 9
Next month, Chicagoans elect all 21 school board members. More than 1 in 4 CPS students has a disability, so where the board stands on disability issues is critical in ensuring they have the resources to thrive. Explore where the candidates stand: accessliving.org/schools-2026
Image of purple lockers with the Access Living logo in the top right corner. Text on the image asks how Chicago School Board candidates plan to support students with disabilities. A call to action directs viewers to explore questionnaire responses at AccessLiving.org/schools2026.
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 9
Building community is vital to making change happen, and our TFAS group—which organizes for healthcare equity—put that idea into action this wee with a visit to the Obama Presidential Center for lunch on the John Lewis Plaza.

Learn more about TFAS here: accessliving.org/tfas
A group of people, some using wheelchairs and other mobility aids, are gathered on a plaza with the Obama Presidential Center building in the background.
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 8
Being independent means knowing how to manage your money.💰 Access Living’s Money Management classes explore how disabled people can take control of their finances and reach their goals.

Join us on Thursday this fall online or in-person. Register now at accessliving.org/money
Teal background with icons of a light bulb, house, laptop, credit card, and bag of money with text overlaid "Take control of your money to reach your financial goals!" Large white box with title "Money Management for People with Disabilities. Free 10-week class. Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 pm, October 22 - December 21. Online or in person at Access Living, located at 115 W. Chicago Ave." Access Living logo in bottom right
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Access Living@AccessLiving
Oct 6
Big things are happening at Access Living! We are proud to announce that in 2027, Access Living will open a new location in Auburn Gresham in the heart of Chicago's South Side.

Read more about this historic expansion: accessliving.org/newsroom/blog/…
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