Calendar of Events & Trainings

Disability Pride Parade

Don't miss the inaugural Disability Pride Parade in Chicago, July 18th. Organizers and co-sponsors, including Equip for Equality, are promoting the parade as an event to change the way people think about and define disability, eliminate the shame among people with disabilities, and promote a social perspective that disabilities are a natural and beautiful part of human diversity. Organizers hope that the parade continues as an annual event to celebrate and strengthen the pride, power and unity of people with disabilities, their families and allies. They also aspire to use the parade as a means of increasing the national visibility of the disability community.

Yoshiko Dart, a devoted disability rights activist who along with her husband, the late Justin Dart, Jr., played the leading role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, will serve as Grand Marshal. For more information, visit: www.disabledandproud.com/parade.htm , or call the Disability Pride Parade Information Hotline at (800) 840-8844 (Voice/TTY).

Disability Rights Trainings

Equip for Equality holds regularly scheduled free disability rights trainings at its Chicago office, 20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300. Registration is required! Call: (800) 537-2632 (Voice) or (800) 610-2779 (TTY) or write contactus@equipforequality.org to reserve your space, request an accommodation and/or materials in accessible formats.

Be a Prepared Parent: What You Need to Know About Your Child's Special Education Rights

Monday, June 21, 2004 - 1 to 3 pm

This seminar will help you:

recognize your child's right to a free and appropriate education
recognize your right to actively participate in the decision-making process for your child's education (and why this is so important)
communicate effectively with your child's school
prepare for your child's Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meeting
identify the options available to resolve a conflict with the school.

ADA Paratransit in the Real World: Your Eligibility, Your Rights & Your Reality!

Monday, June 28, 2004, 2 to 4 pm

This workshop will cover the legal requirements for "origin to destination" paratransit service under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including eligibility issues (applications, re-certification and "functional assessments"). Note: This is an "interactive" workshop, and participants are urged to bring copies of their Paratransit Eligibility applications, doctor's statements and ADA Paratransit Certification letters from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). All information shared by participants will be kept confidential.

After this workshop, you will be able to:

determine if someone is eligible for (can get) ADA paratransit (door to door) service
explain how your disability affects your ability to use the mainline bus or train service
discuss the ADA requirements for paratransit service ("next-day service," "on-time pickups," etc.)
file a complaint if you have any problem related to transportation.

Tickets to Work: Know Your Rights, Protect Your Benefits

Tuesday, July 20, 2004, 2 to 4 pm

This seminar will help you understand how to:

get free professional help in finding or keeping a job and benefits planning
take advantage of new work incentives, which let you work and keep your cash and medical benefits
use your Ticket to Work to obtain free job services
recognize your rights to Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Subscribe to the Equalizer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use