Positive Comments from Co-Sponsors
I wanted to express my sincere thank you for coming out to our Huntingdon's Disease event on Sunday in Burbank. I have heard nothing but wonderful comments on your presentation and information you provided to us. Information on the ADA is something many of us need to know about and have never been exposed to and you did this in a clear and concise way that made it very understandable for all.
Maryann Moynihan
Huntington's Disease Society of America
At Schwab, we see firsthand the powerful impact the Training Institute has on the lives of people with physical and mental disabilities. With their participation, our patients are assisted in acquiring the disability rights information and self-advocacy tools they need in their efforts to become self-sufficient and live independently. Equally important, the Training Institute on Disability Rights helps our patients learn how to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation.
Many of our patients live in some of the poorest communities in Chicago and do not have the financial resources to obtain vocational training on their own. The Training Institute has provided our patients with opportunities that would have been unavailable to them based solely on their socio-economic status.
Judith C. Waterston, President and Chief Executive Officer
Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital
On behalf of Unified Services Plan, I want to thank you for coming out to our agency and providing training and education to our clients on both the ADA and Guardianship and Advance Directives. This type of training and awareness is invaluable information for our clients as well as persons with disabilities in general. I commend your organization for providing a much-needed service by educating individuals to understand their rights and become their own advocates.
Ilene Rosenberg, Program Director
Unified Services Plan
Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township
Equip for Equality seminars provide our clients basic rights information and self-advocacy strategies to assist them in problem solving. NCLD is committed to working in collaboration with Equip for Equality through referrals and sharing information in order to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services to minority individuals with disabilities.
Everardo Franco, Executive Director
National Center for Latinos with Disabilities, Inc.
Equip for Equality provides a number of valuable services for individuals with disabilities, many of which are not duplicated by any other agency. We applaud Equip for Equality for having the Institute as a proactive vehicle for empowering more families to advocate for their children's rights before a problem situation results in litigation. We know firsthand how difficult it is for parents having to struggle to create a quality life for their children with special needs.
Lynne Solway, Principal, PAEC Center
Proviso Area for Exceptional Children
Anixter Center's Industrial Services department provides preparation for competitive employment to people with a variety of disabilities. We believe that as a part of this training people need to understand their legal rights and responsibilities. It is important for us to be able to call Equip for Equality with their expertise in this area to offer such training.
What's important for our clients is not only that Equip for Equality staff is knowledgeable about the rights of people with disabilities, but that they understand and are sensitive to the needs of their audiences. Equip for Equality empowers individuals with self-advocacy tools. I view Equip for Equality as a partner in our efforts to assist our clients in becoming more independent and self-actualized.
Sakena McWright, Manager of Industrial Services/HR
Anixter Center
As a provider of services for people with epilepsy we have had many opportunities to use the services of Equip for Equality, and whatever they do is always excellent. They are certainly considered a leader in the field of training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
We provide employment services to persons with epilepsy and see a great need for training on the ADA. Equip for Equality's training is always helpful in assisting our clients in becoming self-sufficient, contributing citizens of our community.
Epilepsy Foundation Greater Chicago
The Office of Vocational Training and Development offers vocational development classes in the areas of functional academics, independent living, and career development; vocational training in real work environments; and supported employment services to adults with developmental disabilities.
Over the past several years, Equip for Equality has played an invaluable role in supporting our efforts to help students become more independent and self-sufficient. Our students have participated in training sessions on such topics as rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employment discrimination and how to request "reasonable accommodations," and important guardianship information for people with disabilities. These sessions empower our students to become better able to advocate for themselves.
Last year we incorporated a series of the Institute's sessions per-quarter, in order to reach a broader audience. I know Equip for Equality as well as the Vocational Training and Development staff at Harold Washington understand the value and effectiveness of marketing this series of sessions to other vocational programs at community colleges.Brian R. Wolff, Director
Harold Washington College
