EFE Projects Updates

EFE Client Satisfaction Survey Results

Since 1987, Equip for Equality has been assessing the performance of its Legal Advocacy Program by having an independent firm survey a sample of clients whose cases were recently closed. The latest results are of individuals whose cases were closed in fiscal year 2002 and reflect services provided statewide and by funding program. Results from the survey are consistent with those of prior years, showing high rates of satisfaction with the Equip for Equality's Legal Advocacy Program. Results included:

72 percent reporting being satisfied with the legal advocacy services they received from Equip for Equality, 46 percent being very satisfied.
85 percent reporting that staff at Equip for Equality were helpful in solving their problem, with 41 percent reporting that they were very satisfied. They gave similarly high ratings to questions about the ease with which they could reach their advocate and were updated on the progress of their case.
One of the highest ratings was client satisfaction with the competence of the legal advocacy staff - 89 percent reporting satisfaction and 62 percent saying they were very satisfied with their competence.
76 percent reporting they would recommend Equip for Equality to a friend. Due to limited resources, Equip for Equality provides the vast majority of clients with brief legal advocacy assistance. In some instances, individuals receive advice and strategies they can use in advocating on their own behalf. Equip for Equality represents others informally in negotiations with other parties. Only about 2 percent of our legal advocacy cases go to court. Despite the limited service provided to the majority of people, the following outcomes were achieved:
63 percent reported taking action based on the information or advice Equip for Equality provided. Of these individuals, 89 percent said the information or advice was helpful, with 66 percent saying it was very helpful.
49 percent reported that their problem was solved after they contacted Equip for Equality.
Of those who reported that their problem was not solved, 48 percent reported that they still felt they benefited from their contact with Equip for Equality.
68 percent reported that if the problem came up again they would be able to do more for themselves, 59 percent reported that they had a better understanding of their rights, and 61 percent felt more confident about dealing with the problem again.

Finally, clients reported that the organization's legal advocacy services are unique among organizations statewide. Seventy-five percent said that they knew of no other organization they could have called that provides the same type of advice and assistance.

The survey is one element of a broader quality assurance system at Equip for Equality and is seen as a national model for state Protection and Advocacy Systems and other advocacy programs.

Equip for Equality's Assistive Technology Program Expands

Since 1994, Equip for Equality has received funding from the U.S. Department of Education to help people with disabilities advocate for Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services. This year, funding increases will allow the agency to expand its scope of AT advocacy.

AT includes products or systems used to improve or maintain the lives of people with disabilities, as well as services that help people acquire or use AT devices. Wheelchairs, augmentative communication devices, evaluations of AT needs for individuals and training on the use of devices are all considered assistive technology.

Equip for Equality's AT funds go to cases that will have a broad impact on major AT problems, including access to government services, schools and private businesses. A recent case, for instance, against the Chicago Transit Authority has resulted in greater access to public transportation for people with disabilities and incorporate such AT solutions as rehabbed elevators and automated communication systems for riders who are blind or deaf.

Equip for Equality has expanded its AT work to include individual representation in such areas as Medicaid, special education, employment, and vocational rehabilitation. If your employer refuses to provide an AT device or service that is necessary for your work, if your school district denies an AT request on behalf of your child, if you are having problems getting funds for an AT device from Medicaid, Medicare or the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services, or if you need a Social Security plan to pay for an AT device, you should call your regional office of Equip for Equality and ask for intake. Equip for Equality's advice, advocacy and, in certain cases, legal representation are free to people with disabilities throughout Illinois.

For more information or to share areas of concern, contact Senior Attorney Amy F. Peterson at 800-537-2632 (voice), 800-610-2779 (TTY), or amy@equipforequality.org.

Dialogue Held on Transportation for People with Disabilities

Over 50 people gathered at the Chicago-Region Dialogue on Accessible Transportation this April to identify critical transportation issues for people with disabilities. Sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration's Office of Civil Rights, the dialogue sought to develop solutions and action steps that could be carried out at local, regional and national levels and identify participants to lead the steps' implementations.

Dialogue facilitators asked stakeholders from the greater Chicago area's disability and transit communities to list the most important public transportation issues and barriers the communities face. The groups identified four key issues, which were discussed in small breakout sessions. One group addressed issues involving the training and performance of transit personnel - this includes how transit staff are trained and how they respond to elevator outages, bus lift failures, and other accessibility problems. Another group worked on the complicated issue of transit service linkage and coverage, especially in suburban areas outside Chicago. This included discussing coordination between different modes of transit (bus to commuter rail, commuter to rapid rail, etc.) or between service areas (Pace to CTA, etc.), and issues faced by unserved or underserved neighborhoods or communities. A third group tackled ADA Paratransit eligibility and recertification issues. The group discussed how changes in RTA's certification process are affecting long-time paratransit customers, self-advocacy training for paratransit applicants, and seasonal eligibility. A fourth group worked on issues involving ADA Paratransit service. This included matters involving reservations, scheduling efficiency, trip denials, discouraged paratransit customers and late pick-ups and drop-offs.

The final document from the dialogue will detail barriers that must be addressed, objectives to be met, action steps to be taken, responsible parties, and timelines for completion. For more information, contact Equip for Equality's transportation advocate, Kevin Irvine, at (800) 537-2632, extension 7321 (voice), (800) 610-2779 (TTY), or kevin@equipforequality.org.

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