Please Join Equip for Equality in Planning Our Priorities
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
10:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Silversmith Hotel & Suites
10 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago
Chicago Landmark Room
Please provide us your input for our annual priorities
Equip for Equality is hosting a Public Meeting to solicit your input for planning our priorities for the
forthcoming year. This meeting presents a unique opportunity for people with disabilities, family
members, service providers and other interested parties to participate in this planning process.
In years past, it has been very exciting to hear your comments and suggestions that have helped to effect systemic change in Illinois. New services and programs were initiated as a result of your past contributions at our priority-setting meetings. These include the establishment of our Training Institute for Disability Rights, the Abuse Investigation Unit, the Guardianship Reform Project, and Outreach to the Latino Community, to name a few. More recent comments have led to the development of the Special Education Clinic.
We carefully consider all public input we receive in finalizing our annual priorities and plan. The Board of Directors and staff of Equip for Equality look forward to this meeting where we can share with each other our vision for the future.
To attend in person or by phone:
Please contact Cecille Escartin at 800.537.2632, ext. 7346, TTY 800.610.2779 or
cecille@equipforequality.org. A sign language interpreter will be present. Please advise us if
you require any other accommodation to participate in the meeting.
To participate by fax, mail, or the Internet:
You may complete the enclosed form, return it in the postage-paid envelope, fax the
completed form to 312-341-0295, or submit your written comments on our website at
www.equipforequality.org.
The meeting will also be webcast at www.illinoislegaladvocate.org (Click “Calendar” to access the webcast)
Comments can be submitted through June 30th.
Equip for Equality Programs & Services
Equip for Equality provides services to people of all ages with any disability anywhere in Illinois.
- FIGHT FOR YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS!
Our Self-Advocacy Assistance Program gives information and advice. EFE helps people protect themselves and their families. This information may include advice on how to protect your rights or referrals to other resources or agencies. - LAWYERS WORKING FOR YOU!
Our Legal Services Programs provide lawyers to help people with disabilities. EFE tries to choose legal cases that will help many people. - POLICIES THAT PROTECT YOU!
Our Public Policy Program works with government officials and agencies to improve state laws and policies for people with disabilities. EFE’s policy team also researches many disability issues, writes reports, and suggests ideas to improve the government’s policies. - LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS!
The Training Institute on Disability Rights offers free workshops for people with disabilities and their families. Topics include: employment rights, education, transportation, voting, special education, and guardianship. The workshops are also available for a fee to businesses and nonprofit staff. Workshops are also offered in Spanish and ASL. - NO MORE ABUSE OR NEGLECT!
Our Abuse Investigation Unit (AIU) makes unannounced visits to public and private facilities and programs. EFE’s AIU checks those facilities and programs to make sure they are safe and provide quality services. AIU monitors the actions of other agencies that investigate abuse and neglect and alerts people, programs, and facilities to problems and dangerous practices.
Equip for Equality’s Current Priority Areas
- Safety from Abuse and Neglect – Working to keep people with disabilities safe and free
from improper restrictions on their liberty. - Community Integration - Advocating that people with disabilities live in the most integrated
setting. - Discrimination – Fighting to address the unequal treatment of people with disabilities in
employment, housing, government and private business. - Special Education – Ensuring that students with disabilities are served in the least restrictive environment with the services they need to be successful.
- Self-Determination – Supporting the individual decisions of people with disabilities, including the choice to not have a guardian.
Equip for Equality is the independent organization that administers the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities in Illinois. The mission of Equip for Equality is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with physical and mental disabilities in the state.
