Hello,

My name is Tyler McHaley, and I am the new Advocacy Coordinator for the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI). The staff at our state office wanted to implement a new way to get information to our members and others concerned with disability rights. Thus, you are not getting this email by mistake. This is what we hope will be the first of many action alerts regarding both state and federal disability-related legislative issues.

Obviously, as the operator of this email list, I am not attempting to invade your privacy or bombard you with any more email than you already receive. The email addresses I have included belong to CCDI members and individuals I felt would have a direct interest in the issues facing the disability community in Illinois. However, if you would rather not receive any mail from this list, just send me an email me at Tyler@ccdionline.org, and I will remove your address immediately.

I do not intend to duplicate mailings you might currently receive from such lists as, Justice for All, ADA Watch, or the Great Lakes ADA list serve. I will try very hard to present you with new information. If similar information is sent, I will, at least, be sure to offer it from a perspective relevant to Illinoisans with disabilities.

These emails are called action alerts for a reason. When something is sent on this list, it will, usually, be time-sensitive. Further, each alert will ask you to do something and be an agent of change. I will provide telephone and fax numbers, email and traditional mail addresses, and any other contact information I have to help you reach the appropriate people.

This is a proactive list that will only work if you decide to get involved. You are the foundation of grassroots advocacy in our state. If we, as the disability community, will not work for change and the protection of our own equal rights, who will? In these days when the ADA is under attack from all sides and horrors like institutionalization are still happening, we need to make our collective voice heard. It may be a cliché, but there really is strength in numbers.

My plan is to send, approximately, two email alerts each week, as the need arises. One will pertain to a federal issue, and one will concern a state-specific situation. Of course, when there are several issues that need simultaneous attention, I may send a few more. Still, I promise not to deluge your inboxes with email.

I hope you enjoy our maiden voyage on this email adventure. Feel free to offer any comments, criticism, or ideas for specific mailings. I am sure I will miss some very important topics that need to be discussed. Send me any suggestions you have. My inbox is always open. I intend to send two or three alerts today to catch up with events that are unfolding even now. Until then, take care.


Back to Action Alerts Archive Menu