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Advancing the Human & Civil Rights of People with Disabilities in Illinois

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Issues

 

Man sitting in fetal position in the corner

Abuse & Neglect

Preventing abuse, neglect and exploitation through systemic and individual advocacy; facility monitoring and oversight; and enforcement of fundamental rights.

 

Boy with down syndrome and girl laughing and smiling

Community Integration

Advocating that people with disabilities live in the most integrated setting with the supports and services they need to succeed.

 

Arms held up against a sunset. Handcuffs and chains between the wrists are broken.

Decriminalizing Disabilities

Advocating for adults and juveniles with disabilities in the criminal legal systems, including for interactions with police, jails, prisons, and court systems.

Woman in wheelchair in front of courthouse steps

Discrimination/ADA Rights

Fighting to address the unequal treatment of people with disabilities in private businesses, employment, housing, government, higher education and transportation.

Man sitting in cubicle

Employment First Blueprint

Equip for Equality published an “Illinois Employment First Blueprint” containing action steps Illinois can take to make competitive, integrated employment a reality for people with disabilities.

 

 

Woman in a wheelchair at desk writing on a notepad

Independent Client Assistance Program

Self-advocacy support, information, and legal help for people with disabilities so they can understand their rights and get help from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) or a Center for Independent Living (CIL).

 

 

A man's hands in restraint straps

Misuse of Restraint and Seclusion

Promoting alternatives to restraint and seclusion and challenging abuses that occur when these methods are used.

 

Representative Payee Program

Protecting people with disabilities who receive Social Security benefits.

 

Sign for Murray Developmental Center

Rights in Institutions

Protecting people with disabilities, who receive services in institutions, from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

 

Girl who is blind, smiling and sitting on a bench

Self-Determination/Guardianship

Supporting the decisions of people with disabilities to take control of their lives.

 

African American Boy Reading

Special Education

Advocating for children with disabilities- regardless of their academic, medical, physical or behavioral needs- to have the right to a free appropriate public education.

 

A row of voting booths, with a wheelchair accessible booth at the end of the row

Voting

Ensuring that people with disabilities are able to vote and are able to do so privately and independently.

 

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Last updated: June 14, 2023

This website is made possible by funding support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, both the Administration on Developmental Disabilities and the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; and the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. The contents of this website are solely the responsibility of Equip for Equality and do not necessarily represent the official view of any of these agencies.

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