Yearly Archives: 2018

December 17, 2018

Dear Friends of Progress Center,

In 2018, Progress Center celebrated 30 years of service in Suburban Cook County.  Since 1988, we have been providing people with disabilities with information, resources, and support that equip people with disabilities with the tools to be independent in their own homes and communities.  Like many years throughout our history, 2018 was a strong year for Progress Center.  In the past 12 months, Progress Center:

• Launched a new transition program designed to give young people with disabilities skills and resources to succeed after high school
• Produced weekly episodes of Radio Independiente, which airs on Univision Radio AM 1200 and four internet stations, reaching 2,000 listeners per week with information about inclusion, independence and empowerment
• Referred 211 people with disabilities to qualified employees within our personal assistant pool
• Hosted eight “SHOP-INS,” sending a message to local businesses about disability awareness and physical accessibility
• Distributed 240 amplified phones to people in need of assistive technology
• Provided Benefits Counseling Services to 183 people
• Secured Legislative Sponsorship of the Disability Integration Act from five US Representatives
• Hosted a Managed Care Town Hall Meeting, allowing people with disabilities to bring their healthcare concerns directly to managed care representatives

In addition to referring more than 200 people to qualified personal assistants, Progress Center also trained 133 people to enter our Personal Assistant Registry.  Personal Assistants perform day-to-day tasks such as dressing, bathing, cooking, feeding and cleaning. Progress Center permanently employs two personal assistants, allowing people with significant disabilities to work at Progress Center. Without personal assistants, thousands of people with disabilities would not have the support they need to work, and thousands of people would end up in nursing homes because they would not have the support they need to live at home.  Personal Assistants are a key link to independence.  In many ways, as a Center for Independent Living, Progress Center is also a key link to independence.  For people with disabilities throughout Suburban Cook County, we fill in the gaps separating people with disabilities from inclusion, equality, and independence.  As the year 2018 draws to a close, we invite you to make a year-end contribution to Progress Center. With your support, Progress Center will continue to be a key link to independence for people with disabilities in 2019, and for years to come.

To donate today, please visit this Web Page.  On behalf of Progress Center, we wish you a very joyous and safe Holiday Season. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like more information.

Sincerely,

Horacio Esparza (hesparza@progresscil.org)

Executive Director

Proposed Public Charge a threat to immigrants with disabilities

Progress Center for Independent Living opposes the new “Public Charge” rule proposed by the US Department of Homeland Security.  The rule change, if enacted, would be devastating to immigrants, including immigrants with disabilities.

The new rule would discourage and prevent many disabled immigrants from entering the United States, cutting them off from opportunity, from healthcare resources, and in some cases cutting them off from life-saving health and safety.   Under the new rule, immigrants could be denied entry into the United States if they use, or if they are considered to be “likely” users, of public benefits.

The proposed rule would impact immigrants seeking opportunity, safe haven, and reunification with their families.  Specifically for those with disabilities, the proposed rule cuts off the possibility of seeking medical treatment not available to them otherwise, and makes unavailable Medicaid services that allow people with disabilities to live in their own homes and be active participants in their communities.

“The proposed rule would have a terrible impact on people who want to enter the United States and who are disabled,” said Horacio Esparza, Executive Director of Progress Center for Independent Living.  “The proposed rule discriminates against people with disabilities, and is another example of actions taken by the current White House administration that threatens the civil rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with disabilities and other marginalized populations.”

The proposed rule is opposed by disability groups nationwide.

The Arc of the United States wrote, “The proposed rule would exclude people from this country simply because they have a disability and may need supports.”

 The National Council on Independent Living wrote, “The changes proposed would be devastating to immigrant families by making it harder for immigrants, and especially disabled and poor immigrants, to enter the US or become legal permanent residents. NCIL strongly opposes this proposal.”

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network wrote, “The Autistic Self Advocacy Network strongly condemns the Administration’s proposed “Public Charge” regulation, which discriminates against disabled and low-income immigrants and makes pathways to American citizenship contingent upon wealth and the absence of disability.”

“We applaud the leadership and advocacy of disability groups far and wide to oppose the Public Charge Proposal,” Esparza said.  “Progress Center will work with the community to ensure that immigrants with disabilities, and all immigrants, have access to opportunity and to services that support inclusion, independence, and equality.”

Progress Center urges The Trump Administration should immediately withdraw its proposal and instead advance policies that support—rather than undermine—the health of families and communities.

As a Center for Independent Living, Progress Center provides services and conducts advocacy that supports the independence of people with disabilities.  Progress Center serves Suburban Cook County. Progress Center is one of 22 Centers for Independent Living in Illinois.  For more information, contact 708-209-1500, or lbiondi@progresscil.org

On November 6- Turn out the Disability Vote

Progress Center for Independent Living is partnering with Indivisible Oak Park to ensure that voters have access to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

In you live in the near western suburbs of Cook County, and if you need transportation to the polls, contact Progress Center.  Progress Center will coordinate with Indivisible Oak Park to plan a ride.  The drivers are volunteers with Indivisible Oak Park.  The vehicles may not be  wheelchair accessible.

If you live outside of the near western Suburbs and need transportation, or if you need accessible transportation to the polls, we still encourage you to contact Progress Center.  We will work with you to ensure the opportunity to vote.

For more information and to request a ride, contact garnold@progresscil.org

Other Election Day Resources:

1. Equip for Equality Voters with Disabilities Helpline: 

Telephone: 1.800.537.2632; TTY: 1.800.610.2779; E-mail: voting@equipforequality.org

Available from 6 am to 7 pm

2. REV UP: Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power

The REV UP Campaign aims to increase the political participation of the disability community while also engaging candidates and the media on disability issues. REV UP stands for Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!  Visit https://www.aapd.com/advocacy/voting/

Flyer: 2018-November 6- Election Day Support

Recently, the Illinois disability community received the news about the passing of Ann Ford, a former Executive Director of the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living and a long time friend to, and leader within the community.

Progress Center mourns her loss and sends our sympathy to friends, families and former colleagues.  Below is a statement from the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living about Anne.

Progress Center

— 

Today the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living mourns the loss of Ann Ford, its founding Executive Director. Ann secured a place in history as a trailblazing organizer for people with disabilities who spent her entire adult life fighting for civil rights, integration and inclusion.

Her work to launch and lead the Illinois Network of CILs brought a stronger and more focused voice for the Independent Living movement to lawmakers.

Ann never shied away from telling the truth about the impact of state or federal policies on Illinois’ disability community.

She carried herself with a gentle demeanor undergirded by a tenacious commitment to justice, fairness and knowledge of the struggles faced by people with disabilities worldwide.

Ann had credibility in the corridors of power because she was honest, direct and steeped in personal and professional experience with the Independent Living philosophy.

She fought against harsh changes to rules impacting home caregivers, worked successfully to expand programs to help transition adults from State Operated Developmental Centers, institutions and nursing homes back to the community, and oversaw a statewide drive to bring decent health care to people with disabilities.

Ann was also a beloved mother, sister, doting grandmother and great-grandmother – who left a legacy of respect for all people, public service and humanity.

She received many awards for her advocacy, including most recently from the National Council on Independent Living in 2017. Ann was also prominently featured in Lives Worth Living, a 2011 documentary on the history of the long battle for disability rights in America.

She will be missed but her life will be permanently celebrated by the Illinois Network of CILs, her friends, family and disability advocates across the country.

The Ann Ford Independent Living Professional Development and Education Fund honors her work by providing opportunities for CIL staff in every corner of Illinois to pursue their dreams of assisting people with disabilities to enjoy a full, free life – the mission Ann devoted more than three decades advancing.

At her family’s request, contributions in her memory can be made to Ann Ford’s Fund, 1 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, #501, Springfield IL 62701. More details about her life and work will be shared at www.INCIL.org and funeral arrangements are pending at this time.

 Ryan Croke

Executive Director

Illinois Network of CILs

Progress Center for Independent Living is excited to announce

A New Youth Transition Program

The Youth Transition Program will equip young people with disabilities with independent living and job readiness skills.

If you are a young person, disabled, and enrolled in an academic program, Progress Center invites you to sign up for a new program designed to empower youth to navigate life after high school and college.

This new program will cover:

*Disability History

*Disability Rights

*Independent Living Skills

*Financial Literacy Skills

*Job Readiness Skills

*And more

Eligible young people must:

*Be between 14 and 21 years old

*Be disabled

*Be enrolled in an academic program

*Not have an active case with the Department of Rehabilitation Services of Illinois

For more information, contact:

a. Courtney Harfmann at charfmann@progresscil.org 708-209-1500 ext 26

b. Kim Lidell at Kliddell@progresscil.org or 708-388-5011

“Do Peer Health Navigators

help people with disabilities get better health care?”

The Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Access Living are seeking volunteers for a research study.

To qualify for the study, participants must be:  a person with a physical disability, receive healthcare through Medicaid, be at least 21 years old, in need of help getting health care needs met.

The study includes:

Three 1-hour interviews over the course of one year

Work with Peer Health Navigator for one year

Activities that will take place at UIC at 1919 West Taylor in Chicago

Volunteers will receive $25 for each interview completed.

For more information, contact Susan Magasi at smagas1@uic.edu or 312-996-4603.

Thank you to Access Living, the Center for Independent Living that serves Chicago, Illinois. Access Living published an Action Alert on August 13, asking members of the community to take action against Judge

Brett Kavanaugh, the nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Below is information taken from the Access Living Action Alert. The information includes a link through which individuals can contact their U.S. Senator with concerns about the Kavanaugh nomination.

One important thing you can do RIGHT NOW is send your U.S. Senator an email about this using this updated action link. Please do this, and also ask all of your friends and colleagues to send emails too.

Disability advocates across the country are saying no to Kavanaugh because the nominee poses a threat in these areas:

 Health care

Access to health care is life-and-death for people with disabilities. That is why the disability community fought so hard when Congress tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and cut Medicaid. But those wins are at risk if Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed to the Supreme Court. In the past, Judge Kavanaugh has said that he thinks parts of the ACA might be illegal. If the Supreme Court decides the ACA is illegal, millions of people will lose access to health care–especially people with disabilities and other pre-existing conditions.

 Self-Determination

People with disabilities are often denied the right to make their own choices. One case in particular shows that Judge Kavanaugh has not respected the rights of people with disabilities.

 DC made two women with intellectual disabilities have abortions, even though the women didn’t want to. DC also made another woman with an intellectual disability have eye surgery. These were not surgeries that they needed to save their lives. In general, DC usually didn’t ask people with disabilities what they wanted before letting doctors operate on them.

 Judge Kavanaugh said that was okay. He said that DC did not need to ask people before letting doctors operate on them. He said that people with intellectual disabilities do not have the right to have any say about their bodies and their health care. He said it was okay for a state to operate on people with intellectual disabilities, even if the person said no. Judge Kavanaugh said it doesn’t matter what people with intellectual disabilities want.

 Because of Judge Kavanaugh’s decision, it took a long time for these women to get justice.

Enforcement of Civil Rights Laws

Congress has passed civil rights laws to help stop discrimination. Judge Kavanaugh has made many decisions that would make these laws more narrow and harder to enforce. His rulings have also made it harder for workers, voters, and people with disabilities to use our rights.

Education

Education is very important to the disability community. IDEA says that all students with disabilities have a right to a Free and Appropriate Education. School voucher programs often make families give up their rights in order to use the voucher. But Judge Kavanaugh has a long history of advocating for vouchers. Advocates are also worried that Judge Kavanaugh’s views on vouchers might hurt how he thinks about the rights of students with disabilities in general.

Presidential Power

The President has to follow all of our laws, even if he doesn’t like a certain law. Judge Kavanaugh has said that the President should get to choose which laws to follow. That is very dangerous. If the President didn’t like an important disability law, like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Judge Kavanaugh would say that the President could just ignore it. Ignoring the law would hurt people with disabilities.

Thank you again to Amber Smock and to Access Living for developing this material.

Statement from Progress Center for Independent Living on the 28th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

As Progress Center for Independent Living celebrates the 28^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 2018, we applaud the members of the disability community who advocated fearlessly to pass the law, which was signed by President George HW Bush on July 26, 1990. Their dedicated work has paved the way in securing equality and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Many physical barriers have been eliminated as a result of the ADA, giving people with disabilities and opportunity to participate in society.  The elimination of physical barriers benefits not only people with disabilities, but all people, creating better access for fathers pushing strollers, travelers carrying luggage, and seniors navigating their communities.

One significant barrier that people with disabilities still encounter, however, is misguided and antiquated attitudes and misconceptions about disability.  Many still believe disability should be pitied, disability should be cured, and that people with disabilities living their lives the way a non-disabled person would is inspirational.  The ADA can’t change these attitudes; as the law moves into its 29^th year, it is up to people with disabilities and their allies to continue to educate and change perceptions some people have toward people with disabilities.  People often don’t pay attention to the views of disabled people, but as more and more do, attitudes and perceptions will begin to change.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is law that protects all people with disabilities, no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality. Moving forward, disability advocates must also address racism, bigotry and prejudice within our own community.  For too long, the voices and concerns of people of color within the disability community have been silenced or ignored.  For too long, the community has not been a community that is fully inclusive and representative of all its members, and the community has failed to prioritize issues that impact disabled people of color and disabled people who are LGBTQ.

The ADA is a vehicle that drives the spirit of civil rights for people with disabilities.  In order to continue the success of the Americans with Disability Act, all members of the community and members of the non-disabled community must work together and create an inclusive movement that welcomes all members and that supports all members.  Progress Center is ready and Progress Center is excited to play a role in this effort.  People who have experienced or are experiencing discrimination, or who have concerns about issues impacting people with disabilities, are encouraged to call Progress Center at (708) 209-1500.

Progress Center is the Center for Independent Living that serves Suburban Cook County. Progress Center works to provide people with all types of disabilities the tools and resources to be independent in their own homes. Progress Center is one of 22 centers serving Illinois, and one of more than 400 centers in the United States.

For more information, contact Larry Biondi at lbiondi@progresscil.org or Gary Arnold at garnold@progresscil.org