Welcome to the Equip for Equality Homepage
Find answers to a variety of disability related concerns, including information on how to seek individual assistance with disability-related rights issues, information on legislation and public policy that impacts the disability community, training to help you advocate for your own disability rights in a variety of circumstances, and information on ensuring that people with disabilities remain safe in the wide variety of settings where they live and work. This site also maintains a wealth of links and documents related to disability rights issues in its Resource Center.
Find out more about Equip for Equality in the About Us Section.
Ligas v. Maram: People with Developmental Disabilities Celebrate Agreement with State of Illinois in Landmark Suit - Sweeping Reform Will Dramatically Expand Opportunities for Community Living and Create Meaningful Individual Choice
A groundbreaking agreement between Plaintiffs and State of Illinois officials in a class action lawsuit brought against the State for its ongoing violation of the civil rights of people with developmental disabilities was announced today. The agreement, when approved by the court, will bring justice to people with developmental disabilities, giving them the choice to receive long-term care services in integrated community settings. No longer will they be compelled to live in segregated institutions in order to receive the services they require. To download/view the proposed Consent Decree along with other relevant files, please visit the Documents Relevant to Ligas v. Maram page.
Equality for Kids Campaign
Equip for Equality is proud to announce the launch of a major new legal support initiative, the Equality for Kids Campaign.
Chicago’s legal community is joining together to raise funds to support Equip for Equality’s new Special Education Clinic and other disability rights initiatives, as well as promote pro bono support of Equip for Equality’s advocacy for kids with disabilities.
Click here for more information.
Announcing the 2009 Legal Issues Webinar Series: Employment and the ADA
The DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center is pleased to announce an educational opportunity for 2009. This program will focus on employment issues and disability discrimination under the ADA.
Cost: $100 per session for businesses amd $50 per session for non-profit organizations (including local/state government). Discounts are available for any organization that registers for more than one session in the series. (10% discount for 2 sessions, 15% discount for 3-4 sessions, 20% discount for 5-6 sessions).
TIME: Each session is 90 minutes in length. They are held from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Central Time Zone (CT) on dates specified.
This webinar series will utilize an on line conferencing system. The Online Conferencing System is a fully accessible integrated data and voice medium that enables users to conduct workshops over the Internet from just about any computer with a high speed network connection and web browser. Participation is enhanced with use of a personal microphone.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN at www.ada-audio.org (choose the ADA Legal Issues Webinar Link)
Click here for more information (Word Document).
Update: On September 5, 2008, following repeated calls for the closure of the decertified Howe Developmental Center by Equip for Equality and a number of advocacy groups along with people with disabilities, the Department of Human Services announced closure of Howe and the Tinley Park Mental Health Hospital.
The doors of the Howe Developmental Center will close following repeated calls for the closure of the institution based on numerous reports detailing abysmal conditions leading to the injuries and deaths, millions of dollars wasted as a result of Howe’s decertification from the federal Medicaid program, and an ongoing investigation by the United States Department of Justice.
To download/view the press release related to the closure announce, visit Abuse Investigation Unit reports and booklets page under publications. (posted September 12, 2008) Also available in PDF format.
Young Man with Severe Disabilities Wins Right to Services from State Enabling Him to Live at Home.
Equip for Equality Obtains Federal Injunction Against the State for Violation of the ADA's Integration Mandate.
Following two years of federal court litigation under the ADA's "integration mandate," Equip for Equality has obtained a permanent injunction to enable its client, David Grooms, to receive services he needs to remain in his home. The order overturned a decision by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (“HFS”) to cut more than half of David’s Medicaid benefits when he turned twenty-one-years old. U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer ordered the agency's Director, Barry Maram, to restore "immediately" the level of skilled nursing services provided to David prior to his 21st birthday.
- Press Release (Word document)
- Federal Complaint (PDF format)
- Judge Pallmeyer's Memorandum Opinion and Order (PDF format)
Review reveals that Illinois’ Investigatory system does not provide basic protections to people with disabilities of all ages and in all settings.
Equip for Equality Equip for Equality has released a special report from its Abuse Investigation Unit entitled Ensuring the Safety of Children and Adults with Disabilities: Filing the Gaps in Illinois' System that Investigates Allegations of Abuse and Neglect.
The prevalence of violence against people with disabilities highlights the critical need for an effective investigatory structure, which will ensure that children and adults with disabilities have basic protections against abuse, neglect and exploitation wherever they live or receive services. This report provides an overview of Illinois' investigatory system, identifying critical gaps and inadequacies in the structure by which abuse, neglect and exploitation are dealt with in Illinois. It also offers clear recommendations to address the identified problems in order to ensure basic protections for people with disabilities.
Life and Death in State-Operated Developmental Disability Institutions
Chicago (June 6, 2008)- Equip for Equality’s Abuse and Investigation Unit just released a special report: Life and Death In State-operated Developmental Disability Institutions. Included are the shocking details connected to the needless death of a young person at the Ann M. Kiley Development Center. Additionally, there’s a disturbing summary of 12 more deaths at three other state-run institutions, highlighting the dangers endemic to Illinois’ state-operated system of institutional care.
In response to these deaths, Equip for Equality calls for the State to immediately enhance the scrutiny of state-run institutions by establishing teams of independent observers and medical experts to insure safety and quality of care and to examine all deaths in an effort to prevent further tragedies. EFE also strongly recommends that Illinois give up its over-reliance on large, state-run institutions and expand community-based services for people with disabilities.
Appellate Court Issues Precedent-Setting Decision on Involuntary Sterilization
Equip for Equality Wins Reproductive Rights Victory for Woman with Disabilities
In a precedent setting case, the Illinois Appellate Court upheld a trial court’s denial of a petition for involuntary sterilization of a woman with traumatic brain injury and other disabilities. The appellate court also upheld the decision to deny attorney’s fee for the guardian on appeal and orderd that the trial court review the original award of over $100,000 in attorney’s fees paid out of the estate. Click here for a copy of the Appellate Court's decision.
DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center
Announcing the 2008 Legal Issues Webinar Series: Employment and the ADA
Equip for Equality is pleased to partner with DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center to present a series of webinars focusing on emerging employment issues under the ADA.
United State Department of Justice Investigates EFE's Complaints of Unconstitutional Conditions At the Choate and Howe Developmental Centers
Following submission of two complaints detailing the findings of the Abuse Investigation Unit as a result of in depth investigations at the Choate and Howe Developmental Centers, two of Illinois' nine state fun institutions for people with developmental disabilities, the Justice Department has opened investigations at each institution under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. In each complaint, Equip for Equality documented longstanding histories of significant problems resulting in deaths and serious injuries. The complaints also documented serious deprivations of statutory and constitutional rights guaranteed to people in state operated facilities including the right to be free from abuse and neglect, and unlawful restraint as well as the right appropriate services and programs. Equip for Equality continues to call upon the State to close each institution. Download/view relevant files and links on the Choate and Howe Developmental Center Files page. (Posted APRIL 25, 2008)
Illinois Residents Sue State for Failing to Provide Community Services
Today, a class action lawsuit was filed against Illinois state officials under the Americans with Disabilities Act for failing to provide community services to people with disabilities living in nursing homes. This is the third class action filed by Equip for Equality, Access Living and the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois seeking to increase the choices of people with all disabilities to live in the community. Download/view the complaint along with other relevant files on the Colbert v. Blagojevich Case Files page. (Posted August 22, 2007)
Update: Equip for Equality Urgently Calls for Closure of Dangerous State-Run Institution for People with Disabilities Following Additional Deaths
Citing further evidence of substandard care and critical errors by staff at Howe Developmental Center in connection with 3 more deaths at the state-run institution, Equip for Equality is now calling for the State to take urgent action to close the institution, ensure the safety of the individuals living there and prevent further deaths.
For more information, read today's full press release as well as the original press release. (Updated March 8, 2007)
Update: LaSalle Bank Expands Number of Talking ATMs
After a structured agreement with Equip for Equality in May 2005 to provide more accessible services to people who are blind or sight impaired, LaSalle Bank has installed Talking ATMs in locations in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. All of the Illinois installations have been completed. Talking ATMs allow for users with sight impairments to follow audio commands through headphones.
View an alphabetical list by city of all LaSalle Talking ATM locations to date. (Posted January 30, 2007)
Federal Court Advances Challenge to Illinois Policy Warehousing Residents with Mental Illnesses
Residents of Illinois with mental illnesses who are needlessly segregated in large nursing homes now have an opportunity to challenge state policies inhibiting the development and implementation of suitable, community-living alternatives. U.S. District Court Judge William Hart recently granted class action status to a lawsuit, brought by four individual clients, charging that Illinois in violation of federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For more information, read the full press release. (Posted November 20, 2006)
