On July 26, 1990, President George H. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities. This legislation established a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

The ADA has expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by reducing barriers and changing perceptions, increasing full participation in community life. However, the full promise of the ADA will only be reached if public entities remain committed in their efforts to fully implement the ADA.

The 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is fast approaching! On July 26th, 2010 the country will celebrate the Anniversary.

The National ADA Symposium is spearheading a "2010 by 2010" campaign as a lead-up activity to the June 20-23 conference in Denver, Colorado. In recognition of the passage of this landmark civil rights legislation, the National ADA Symposium invites state and local governments, schools and colleges, businesses, organizations, service providers, and advocates to join our "Proclamation of Recommitment" to the spirit of the ADA.

The "2010 by 2010" campaign's goal is to collect 2010 "Proclamations of Recommitment" to the mission of the ADA by the 20th anniversary of the ADA--July 26, 2010. Join us and become part of a nation-wide effort to proclaim a recommitment to vision and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act--full inclusion of people with disabilities into American life! Visit http://www.2010anniversary.org/ for sample proclamations, suggested activities, and events related to the anniversary.

Many local and state governments have already acknowledged the anniversary by issuing proclamations of re-commitment to fully implement the ADA in their communities.

Here in Illinois, join us in Springfield in "Celebrating 20 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act: 1990-2010" on Wednesday, July 21 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Old State Capitol Plaza, 5th and Adams Street.

In Chicago, join us as we "Celebrate 20 Years of ADAction" sponsored by the Illinois Department of Human Services, in cooperation with numerous state agencies and councils, on Thursday, July 22 from 10 am to 3 pm at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 West Randolph Street (between Lake and Randolph & Clark and LaSalle Streets).

We also hope to see you at the 7th Annual Disability Pride Parade "Pride Revolution" on Saturday, July 24 in downtown Chicago at the intersection of Plymouth Court and Van Buren Street. For more information, please visit www.disabilityprideparade.com.

You can also join us at the ADA Celebration on Tuesday, July 27 from 8 to 10 pm at the Bolingbrook Village Hall, 3735 West Briarcliff, Bolingbrook.

If you have other ADA Celebrations that you would like for us to promote on our website, please send them to us!



On July 26, 1990, President George H. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities. This legislation established a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

The ADA has expanded opportunities for Americans with disabilities by reducing barriers and changing perceptions, increasing full participation in community life. However, the full promise of the ADA will only be reached if public entities remain committed in their efforts to fully implement the ADA.

On the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois celebrate and recognize the progress that has been made by reaffirming the principals of equality and inclusion and recommitting our efforts to reach full ADA compliance.

NOW THEREFORE, we do hereby reaffirm our commitment to work toward full ADA compliance in the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois.



On June 6 Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, kicked off the President’s and White House’s celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act while delivering remarks to over 2,000 people from around the World at the VSA International Festival, the largest arts event featuring artists with disabilities, at the Kennedy Center. VSA was long known as "very special arts." However, Words such as "special" and "handicapped" do not reflect current language trends in the United States and many other countries. Therefore, VSA is now just … VSA … the international organization on arts and disability.

Valerie’s remarks, which you can find below, noted the significance of this historic landmark civil rights legislation, highlighted some of the President’s initiatives thus far related to people with disabilities and previewed that senior administration officials will be commemorating this historic anniversary in the weeks to come with new policies and events.

2010 International VSA Festival Opening Ceremony June 6

Valerie Jarrett Remarks
Thank you, David for that very kind and generous introduction and for your new chairmanship of this extraordinary Center. We know your tenure will be marked with many accomplishments, and the support of you and your wonderful wife Alice as the principal underwriters for this evening is a wonderful start. We thank you, David. Let's please give him a round of applause.

What an exciting night. I am having so much fun already, and it's just beginning. It's always an honor for me to be able to represent the President and First Lady of the United States who bring you greetings and wish they could be here with you this evening, and I can't wait to report what a treat this has been. David recognized Soula Antoniou who-and I know she is up in the box, and I want to say just your passionate advocacy for people with disabilities and all that this conference stands for is just tremendous. So, one more round of applause for Soula, please.

David also mentioned Vicky, you grace us with your presence, and of course we want to recognize the contribution of Senator Edward M. Kennedy and the critical role that he played in the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. And throughout the course of his long career was a steadfast champion for people with disabilities, and we miss him dearly, and his impressive legacy and good works and service certainly continue, and he is here with us tonight.

I am honored to represent the White House and the President who is so deeply committed to honoring and enforcing the rights of all people with disabilities. But disability rights are human rights, and to be recognized and promoted from both here at home and certainly around the world and we should lead by example.

That's why the President was so proud to add America to the list of 140 countries that signed onto the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This was the first new human rights treaty of the 21st Century.

It's also why president Obama lifted the ban on stem cell research.

It's why he provided more than $12 billion in funding in the Recovery Act for individuals with disabilities education act.

It's why he signed into law the Christopher and Dana Reeves Paralysis Act. And it's why the President launched the Year of Community Living, to affirm the fundamental right of people with disabilities to live with dignity and respect wherever they choose, and we're just beginning. This is just the beginning.

We will celebrate our successes, but we will not stop, and we will know that there is still lots of hard work ahead.

But tonight, I am so pleased to be able to kick off the administration's recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA was a landmark civil rights legislation. It was a bill of rights for persons with disabilities, a formal acknowledgement that Americans with disabilities are Americans first and that they're entitled to the same rights and freedoms as everybody else.

So over the course of the upcoming weeks we will honor this commitment across the country, senior White House officials, cabinet members, members of our administration, and of course the general public will commemorate this historic anniversary through various events, new policy announcements, and other recognitions.

This festival and the ADA's 20th anniversary are both an opportunity to recommit ourselves to making sure that we see those with disabilities for what they can do rather than for what they cannot. And that everyone has the right to pursue the American dream, everyone, just like everyone else.

And of course this has been the life's work of tonight's honoree, Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, VSA's founder, and you will be hearing from her in a moment. But I would like to add our congratulations to the very important work that she's done over the course of her lifetime for people with disabilities, people with intellectual disabilities, and her commitment to VSA. So thank you, Ambassador, for your hard work.

For more than 35 years, VSA has made the arts both accessible and enjoyable to people with disabilities. And in so doing, VSA has changed social attitudes and just as important, it has changed the lives of those it seeks to serve. Tonight we celebrate this incredible organization's legacy, and just as important, we celebrate the artists, those who show us that with passion and hard work and incredible talent, absolutely anything is possible.

Although you will not be seeing me on that skateboard, I will say, we have already enjoyed the wonderful performance so far this evening, and I look forward to the rest of the evening and the duration of the festival. And again, we want to thank you for coming tonight for the support that you give this organization and this cause each and every day, and for being a part of this extraordinary celebration.

Thank you all, and enjoy the night.



The Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI) is proud to announce that Cyndy Benton was named as the Justin Dart Distinguished Citizen Award recipient this year. This award is CCDI's most prestigious honor and recognizes outstanding commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities.

First presented in 1989, the Distinguished Citizen Award is one of the Coalition's most prestigious honors. Recipients are persons who have shown an outstanding commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities.

In 1997, the award was renamed after the legendary disability rights activist, Justin Dart, Jr. Mr. Dart was a long time friend of the Coalition. He attended our conference in 1990, which was not only the year he was honored as the Distinguished Citizen, but also the year the ADA became law. He was instrumental in the passing of this historic piece of civil rights legislation.

Cyndy is the Legislative/Voter Advocate at the Jacksonville Center for Independent Living (JACIL). A person with a hidden disability, Cyndy has worked in a variety of disability fields for many years prior to her employment at JACIL. As the Legislative/Voter Advocate at JACIL, Cyndy provides support to staff and consumers in the areas of legislative advocacy, voter advocacy and systems advocacy. The preceding are nice, neat phrases that hardly convey the impact that Cyndy has made within the disability community.

Cyndy stays on top of key legislative issues that impact the lives of people with disabilities – including but not limited to changes in special education regulations, healthcare, as well as MiCASSA subsequent reincarnations and modifications. She is a contributor to the JACIL Connections newsletter and also sends a quarterly newsletter to Illinois legislators addressing topics of key importance to people with disabilities, most recently focusing on the needs people with disabilities have which demand a responsible and humane Illinois budget. She organizes and participates in rallies, does one on one site visits with legislators, coordinates in district meetings and trains others to advocate as well.

She is considered by advocates, coworkers, family and friends as a champion and cheerleader (some might describe her as a "real nag") in the disability community! Cyndy embodies the true character of an advocate. She remains polite, but assertive, she encourages, she politely ignores excuses, and she expects positive results.

Possibly the single greatest key to Cyndy's effectiveness is that she treats everyone with respect and is respected by those with whom she works including co-workers, members of People First, consumers, legislators, children and adults participating in advocacy initiatives.

Congratulations Cyndy!



Each year the Coalition of Citizens of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI) honors a legislator from Illinois who has shown outstanding support of issues that are important to people with disabilities. This year CCDI is proud to announce that State Representative Esther Golar is the recipient of the Senator Penny Severns Memorial Award.

Representative Golar is a Democrat representing the 6th District in the Illinois House of Representatives. She is the Chairperson of the Disability Services Committee. She has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities through public policy initiatives. A highlight of some of Representative Golar's legislative accomplishments supporting people with disabilities are as follows.

She is the primary sponsor of HB 655 which creates the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force Act which analyzes programs, policies and systems of the State as well as applicable research, innovations used in other States and any federal policy initiatives to determine what changes, modifications, and innovations may be necessary to remove barriers to competitive employment and economic opportunity for persons with disabilities.

Representative Golar is the primary sponsor of HB 2392 which amends the Disabilities Services Act of 2003 and creates the Rapid Reintegration Pilot Program to demonstrate that, with appropriate support and services, individuals with physical disabilities, individuals with mental illness, and individuals age 65 and older who need a short-term placement in a nursing facility can successfully return to the community without institutionalization.

She is the primary sponsor of HB 5326 which creates the Consumer Alternatives Program Act to prevent or avoid the unnecessary institutionalization of individuals with mental or substance use disorders or a co-occurring disorder of mental illness and substance abuse, and to provide cost effective, community residential settings and supports that enable these individuals to live successfully in the community.

Representative Golar is the primary sponsor of HB 443 which appropriates $31,600,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department on Aging for increases in wages and health insurance assistance for Community Care Program workers. HB 443 appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, for increases in wages and health insurance assistance for Home Services Program workers.

She is the primary sponsor of HB 444 which amends the Illinois Act on Aging and provides that a vendor of home care aide services or personal assistant services is entitled to a rate increase of $1.32 per hour if the vendor uses at least $0.70 of that increase to increase the wages of home care aides and personal assistants and the vendor uses an additional $0.13 of that increase for health insurance assistance for home care aides and personal assistants.

Representative Golar is the sponsor of HB 5834 which amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and provides that a comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated web-based system that documents in real time the availability of services offered for adults and children with disabilities. It shall be publicly accessible to allow primary and secondary customers to develop person-centered services plans, search for services or supports needed within a consumer specific time period, and track agency progress in providing needed services or supports, and to determine service gaps in the system.

Additionally, Representative Golar is also the sponsor of HB 6177 which amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and provides that no property owner shall allow any unreasonable obstruction of a designated aisle or parking place specifically reserved for persons with disabilities after 24 hours following the conclusion of an adverse weather event. It also provides that no property owner shall allow the accumulation of debris or large objects to unreasonably obstruct any designated aisle or parking place specifically reserved for persons with disabilities without providing suitable and equivalent alternative parking spaces on-site.

Representative Golar is a native of Chicago. She attended Malcolm X College and is a member of the Alternative Policing Strategy, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc., and the Robert Fulton Elementary Local School Council. She has received the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Leadership Award and recently received the Carl Suter Award presented by the Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities (ICED) awarded to those who strive to further the rights and opportunities for Illinois citizens with disabilities.

Representative Golar is a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ. She has lived in the New City community of Chicago since 1983.

Help us welcome and congratulate Representative Esther Golar as the recipient of the Senator Penny Severns Memorial Award for her work as an Illinois legislator fighting for the rights of people with disabilities.


Approximately 75 grassroots members were in attendance at the CCDI "Think Ability" Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony held at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in downtown Springfield on May 24.

We were honored to introduce CCDI's new Executive Director Ruth Burgess Thompson who has literally hit the ground running in her first two weeks and is very excited and enthusiastic about her new role. Please help welcome her to your regions and what is happening in your communities.

CCDI was also honored to have Dr. Rob Kilbury, Director of the Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, (DHS/DRS) to address grassroots members. State Representative Esther Golar was also on hand and delivered a musically charged message of inspiration and advocacy. We thank you for taking the time to address our grassroots members. Keep up the great work that you both do for people with disabilities throughout the state of Illinois.

CCDI's guest speaker was paralympian Jack Sanders, a native of Illinois. Jack and I went to school together in the little town of Avon. Jack was in a class ahead of me, and we were the only students who had physical disabilities that went to our little school. We graduated and then our lives took different paths. Jack and I reconnected via facebook about 3 months ago. I discovered that Jack had become a Paralympian Sled Hockey Gold Medalist!

Jack and I also talked about when we were little tots in Peoria St. Francis Hospital back in the 60s. He remembered that my father would play with him while my mother gave me the attention I needed from her. In the 60s many households didn't usually have two cars. My folks came as often as they could one or twice a week. I asked Jack if he remembered this and he said he did. Then many years passed and his family moved into our school district.

After talking to Jack we both had similar thoughts about our lives and futures. Jack told of his journey with getting involved with cycling and building his own bike later in time. Jack is an inspiration because he never gave up on his life and when something came along he was interested in, he went for it-instead of just wishing, he DID IT.

I was so excited that Jack agreed to be our guest speaker. Jack has had so many adventures that I couldn't wait to hear more about them at the Annual Meeting. So thank you Jack Sanders for your inspirational story and how we should always strive to "think ability."

Those of you keeping track of the legislative activities know that it is budget cut time and again and we wait and pray for NO additional budget cuts for CCDI. We are excited for the year to come. We have some open positions on the Board and in some of the regions. PLEASE if you consider being on the Board then contact Executive Director Ruth Burgess Thompson and she will give you the information to apply for a Board position or let you know if your region needs a Regional Director or Assistant Director.

I would like to leave you with this thought-if you dream it, make it happen, it will only happen with as much energy you put into it. NOTHING happens without ACTION.


Greetings all! It is my pleasure to introduce myself as your new executive director. My first several days have been busy. I have never had my calendar fill up so quickly, but it is exhilarating and very satisfying work. I realize that I have a challenging job in front of me, but I have received so many calls of support that I know that I am not going to have to meet the challenges alone.

I think I’d like to start by letting you know a little about myself and then share with you my vision for the organization. I am married to Scott Thompson, who is a community developer and small-town mayor. My daughter Ashleigh is studying early childhood education at Western Illinois University. I have a M.S. in Sociology with a concentration in the sociology of medicine and health care delivery systems. My undergraduate degrees are in sociology and political science.

I’ve lived in west central Illinois for four years and have been working as a community developer in the areas of health care and housing during most of that time. I’ve served for three years on the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois (SILC), with a year on the executive committee. I am currently the Treasurer of the SILC. I am also on the board of directors of the Illinois Rural Health Association.

Prior to moving to Illinois, I spent most of my adult life in the Charleston, West Virginia area where I worked for the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services with their Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver Program and later as a consultant to both the Aged/Disabled (A/D) Waiver program and the Mental Retardation/Developmental Disability (MR/DD) Waiver program. I served three years as an ex-officio member of the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council and then as an elected member for an additional year.

It may sound as though I have a background as a bureaucrat and the medical model, but nothing could be farther from the truth. The work that I did with the Medicaid waiver programs centered around moving them toward consumer direction. I developed a fully consumer directed model for the A/D Waiver that allowed participants in the program to develop their own budget and solicit, interview, hire, train and supervise their own workers. I also provided technical assistance to both waivers on how to evaluate their services from the consumer experience standpoint. I also helped implement the practice of forming waiver advisory boards that were made up of at least 1/3 people who used the program or their parents, 1/3 advocates and 1/3 agency representatives. So that was then, and this is now.

My vision for CCDI is to be the voice of people with disabilities in the state. I want to strengthen the organization’s voice by re-establishing relationships that have fallen by the wayside over the years and reach out to new partners. I want us to be a visible and respected presence at the Capital. I want CCDI to be a driving force in seeing that people with disabilities have the resources needed to participate fully in the social, financial, educational and civic systems in the community of his or her choosing. I look forward to seeing all of you as soon as possible. Please feel free to email or call to introduce yourself.


We will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 2010 – that's 20 years … two decades … one generation. This means that there are folks in our society who have no idea of life without the ADA. Veterans of the struggles that gave birth to the ADA remember what it was like before 1990. But how much has really changed twenty years later? As we look to the future, it is important to ask ourselves … how far have we come and where are we going?

Many Americans are most familiar with the ADA. The ADA is better known than other disability-related laws because it applies to a far broader range of persons, organizations, and businesses than any laws that preceded or have followed it. Various titles of the ADA apply in different circumstances. The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities. The ADA also establishes requirements for telecommunications relay services.

As employment has been one of CCDI's primary advocacy goals, let's take a look at that area in terms of how far we have come and where we are going.

The ADA, which came into effect in 1992, prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, or in the terms, conditions and privileges of employment. This includes organizations like retail businesses, movie theaters, and restaurants.

These organizations must make "reasonable accommodation" to people with different needs. Protection is extended to anyone with (A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual, (B) a record of such an impairment, or (C) being regarded as having such an impairment. The second and third criteria are seen as ensuring protection from unjust discrimination based on a perception of risk, just because someone has a record of impairment or appears to have a disability or illness (e.g. features which may be erroneously taken as signs of an illness).

So how far have we come? The ADA seems to have helped in some ways but, like most legislation, has not worked as a panacea … a cure all …for a serious social problem that extends to a large proportion of the U.S. population.

The ADA of 1990 was passed "to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities." However, decisions of the US Supreme Court and other courts have resulted in ADA protections that were neither "clear" nor "comprehensive" and therefore not in keeping with the spirit of the ADA.

On July 26, 2007, the ADA Restoration Act was introduced to restore the civil rights protections originally intended by the ADA that had been lost as a result of US Supreme Court as well as lower court decisions. Consequently, Congress amended the ADA on September 25, 2008 to ensure that the ADA can fulfill its original promise. It took effect on January 1, 2009.

There has been a history of barriers to equal employment opportunity for people with disabilities and those barriers continue to exist in the public and private sectors.

Overall, about a fifth of Americans over the age of five have some disability, and the majority of these people are of working age. Many stay out of the labor force entirely, even though they want to work. In fact, of those U.S. residents who are not in the labor force, 130,000 said this was due to illness or disability (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007).

While estimates vary, national statistics show that most people with disabilities are not fully included in the US workforce. In January of 2009, Illinois' interagency (HFS, DCEO, DHS) Strategic Planning Leadership Committee published a plan "To Reduce/Eliminate Barriers to Employment for People with Disabilities". They reported that less than 40% of individuals with disabilities (between the ages of 21 and 64) in Illinois are employed. Almost double that rate, or 80% of people without disabilities in the same age group, are employed. In 2007 the AARP Policy Institute reported that only 35% of people with disabilities were employed full time, compared with 78% of the rest of the population.

Millions of federal and state dollars are invested each year in education, training, supported employment, vocational employment, vocational training and other services related to the employment and training of people with disabilities without any significant gains in the rate of competitive employment for people with disabilities.

According to Andy Imparto, Director of the American Association of People with Disabilities, "One of our big challenges is going to be entering the middle class in significant numbers. Achieving that goal is going to require dismantling the current employment disincentive and ultimately changing the way our society equates disability with being unable to work. We need to transform the big four entitlement programs – SSI, SSDI, Medicaid and Medicare – so they are consistent with the goals of the ADA and they don't punish people when they try to work."

The AARP Policy Institute also reported that people with disabilities in the U.S. tend to be poorer than those without disabilities. Using data from a 2004 Harris poll, analysts found that 26% of people with disabilities were likely to have a household income under $15,000 a year, compared with only 9% of people without disabilities.

There have been gains as a result of the ADA.

In 2007, the US Department of Labor created a database which assists employers who say they want to hire people with disabilities but don't know where to find them. A similar government database lists college students with disabilities who want to find jobs.

Some corporations are taking steps to assist workers with disabilities to stay in the workforce. For example, General Motors (GM) Corporation paired with the United Auto Workers to implement a program to relocate employees with disabilities to other jobs within the company that might offer a better accommodation for their disability.

McQueen reports in "How Employers Are Coping with a Rise in Disabled Workers" in the Wall Street Journal Online on May 3, 2007 that a program called "Adapt" arranges for the employee to meet with GM doctors and other specialists. For instance, a worker who installs windshields but has an injury or ailment that prevents reaching up might be reassigned to a door installer's position.

McQueen goes on to say that American Express made two relatively simple changes in its Greensboro, NC, plant to improve the workplace for its employees with disabilities. First, the cafeteria was redesigned to allow wheelchair access to microwave ovens and to give the chairs themselves the ability to carry trays. Second, the company allows its employees who have disabilities and who also use public transportation to work more flexible schedules.

A study conducted by the University of Michigan included in the article "Disabled Have Lower Incomes" and printed in the Baltimore Sun, May 12, 2006, found that people with disabilities are indeed more likely to be accommodated at work than they used to be and that the ADA has done a pretty good job of keeping them in the workforce.

But the same study also found that the increase in accommodations has been only modest since the ADA was implemented in 1992. And accommodations are often relatively easy to provide. In fact, 70% of workers with disabilities cost a company nothing extra, reports the California Job Journal. More worrisome is evidence that workers with disabilities are often paid less as a result of their accommodations. This might influence overall income levels.

So … where are we going?

In response to the high rate of unemployment for people with disabilities and as one component of CCDI's employment goals, CCDI worked with State Representative Golar on HB 655 to create the Employment and Economic Opportunities Task Force for People with Disabilities. As stated in the state legislature, "it is in the best social and economic interests of the state of Illinois to expand competitive employment and economic opportunity for people with disabilities in Illinois." These opportunities facilitate self-sufficiency and independent living.

This bill became law on August 13, 2009 and many CCDI members were appointed to sit on this task force by Governor Quinn. The Task Force filed their preliminary report on May 1, 2010. As stated in the preliminary report of the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force, "The current economic hardship facing all Illinoisans, especially those with disabilities, brings a particular urgency to our times. Persons with disabilities face disproportionately high levels of unemployment and disproportionately low levels of income. Revenue shortfalls at every governmental level threaten the services and supports upon which persons with disabilities rely for basic life needs, including the need for employment." (To see the full report, go to our hot news on our main page).

At the annual meeting this year in May, we, as members of the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities (CCDI), once again voted to focus attention on employment issues for people with disabilities. Our vision is that every individual will be able to use their abilities in a job where they make a meaningful contribution to their employer and community, and to secure a financial future where employers will be able to use the talents and abilities of all employees.

The preliminary report of the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force continues, "Notwithstanding challenges, monumental strides have been made on behalf of the disability community towards integration in to all aspects of society. Advances in civil rights, social acceptance, public policy, technological innovation and the availability and accessibility of services have contributed to quality of life improvements for all.

Yet the policies and procedures of our education, health, state and federal employment systems reflect the limitations of the past, and have not always fully incorporated the advances made in each of these areas. The Task Force plans to take a comprehensive, multifaceted approach that will address these issues and provide the roadmap for the work ahead. The Task Force will meet quarterly with subcommittee meetings as needed and will file a final report in 2011.

We, as CCDI members, still believe that it is important to encourage a thought process that embraces a vision of full integration and leads to the movement of people with disabilities who have been marginalized to the mainstream in the workforce.

We believe that it is important to advocate for increased funding for employment programs that lead to job creation and supported employment. We believe that it is the time to end sub-minimum wage paid to people with disabilities in sheltered workshops. We believe that it is important to provide recommendations to Illinois leaders to share in our vision of accelerating employment and economic opportunities for people with disabilities.

We believe that it is important to advocate with state and local governmental offices for on the job training, placement programs and increased job coaching support for individuals with disabilities. We believe that we still need to encourage a thought process among employers that enables a vision that hiring people with disabilities makes good business sense.

We believe that we must empower ourselves to become greater participants in the workforce by recognizing that not only do we think outside of the box but we "live" outside of the box and therefore bring unique competitively relevant knowledge and perspectives about work processes, work requirement and goals as well.

To state the obvious, there is much work yet to do post ADA. While the ADA has become interwoven into the cultural and political fabric of our nation, it is up to us to claim its protections. This is not the time to rest on our laurels. So while we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ADA, let us pause to reflect on the achievements of the past while we look to the future … a future which is really a product of our own making.


Greetings everyone! I have been busy completing the goals of our energy assistance program. Since I started in June, I have surveyed 12 community action agencies across the state to ensure that both their physical facilities and their programming are accessible to people with disabilities. I look at everything from reserved parking, sidewalks, entrances, thresholds, doorways, corridors, reception areas, restrooms, telephones, drinking fountains and more.

By next June I will have surveyed the rest of the community action agencies in Illinois for the same purpose, and then all 35 community action agencies throughout Illinois will have received a report letting them know areas of non-compliance as well as recommendations on how to become more compliant. Do you know of a business that needs an accessibility survey? CCDI provides this service free of charge so let me know if you want me to come out.

I am also in the process of reviewing the websites of all 35 community action agencies throughout Illinois to make recommendation on making them as accessible as possible. You can check the accessibility of a website yourself by utilizing the free site, www.wave.webaim.org and entering the URL of any website, and clicking, “Wave this page”.

I also have made presentations about CCDI, LIHEAP (the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and IHWAP (the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program) to the staff at 10 of the Centers for Independent Living across Illinois, as well at INCIL, the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living. My main task was to inform participants about energy assistance programs (where and how to apply as well as income eligibility guidelines). Do you know of an agency that would like to hear more about CCDI, energy assistance programs for individuals with disabilities, and/or advocacy?

I made a presentation at two workshops on Disability Awareness at Chicago CEDA’s (the Community & Economic Development Assn. of Cook County, Inc.) Energy Assistance/LIHEAP Conference in June. Do you know of anyone who could benefit from training on disability awareness, the history of the disability rights movement, people first language, etc.? Do you know of anyone who could benefit from training on recruiting, interviewing, hiring and providing reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities?

To be eligible for LIHEAP (low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), a person’s monthly income must be $1,354 or less, a household of two whose income is $1,821 or less, a household of three whose income is $2,289 or less (add $467.50 for each additional household member).

The Weatherization program helps residents reduce energy consumption and lower their utility bills while increasing the comfort of their homes. Renters can also qualify for the program if the landlord agrees to pay a portion of the weatherization cost. Energy conservation measures are provided free of charge to eligible households and may include weatherization kits, air sealing, attic/wall insulation, furnace repairs/replacement, window/door work and more.

Applications for IHWAP are accepted at local administering agencies throughout Illinois. To be eligible for Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP), a person’s annual income must be $21,660 or less, a household of two whose income is $29,140 or less, a household of three whose income is $36,620 or less (add $7480 for each additional household member). Priority is given to households containing children 5 years or younger, older adults (60 years or older), and/or a person with a disability. Those approved for LIHEAP assistance are automatically eligible to receive services through the Weatherization program.

For a complete listing of community action agencies offering energy assistance, and additional information about the programs, go to www.LiheapIllinois.com, or call the toll-free hotline at 1 877 411-WARM.

CCDI has recently learned that there will be a cooling assistance program again this year in July. For more information go to www.keepcool.illinois.gov or call 877 411-WARM.

Tips for Saving Energy:

1. When purchasing appliances or new windows, look for products that have earned the Energy Star. This means they have met the energy assistance guidelines set by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Even though they may be off, appliances that are plugged in still use electricity.

3. Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL’s) use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

4. Match the size of the pot to the burner size to avoid energy waste, and always use a lid to reduce cooking time and energy use.

5. Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees or low. Wrap your hot water tank in an insulating “blanket” if it feels warm to the touch.

6. Use cold or warm water for laundry when possible and always rinse in cold water. (Today’s cold water detergents do a good job.) And only wash when you have a full load.

7. Clean or replace furnace and air conditioner filters monthly during the cooling and heating seasons.

8. Turning off your computer during periods of non-use not only cuts costs it improves the longevity of your computer.

9. Make sure your attic, exterior and basement walls, floors and crawl spaces are adequately insulated. This can reduce cooling costs up to 30 percent.

10. Install storm windows or double-paned windows.

Please contact me if you would like a LIHEAP brochure, (CCDI also has it available in Spanish, large font, in Braille or electronically), a Weatherization brochure, or a brochure on how to save energy. My email address is energy@ccdionline.org or call me at the CCDI office.


Governor Pat Quinn today announced that applications will be accepted for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning July 19. Through LIHEAP, utility bill payments are made on behalf of households with incomes of up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

“Temperatures have already started to reach dangerous levels across the state. We must do everything we can to ensure Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens can remain healthy, safe and cool this summer,” said Governor Quinn.

The LIHEAP summer cooling program will run from July 19 through July 30, or until funds are exhausted. A total of $10 million in federal and state funding is available for the program.

“Through the LIHEAP program, we have helped over 420,000 Illinois families to live more comfortably in their homes, while helping reduce burdensome energy bills,” said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. “We are pleased to once again be able to offer this assistance to those who need it most.”

People can apply for LIHEAP assistance by visiting their local administrating agency. A complete listing of LIHEAP's local administrating agencies and additional information about the program are available at www.liheapillinois.com, or by calling the toll-free "Keep Cool Illinois" hotline at 877-411-9276 between 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Seniors are among the most vulnerable to extreme heat. With temperatures soaring, Governor Quinn urged seniors and families with small children to take special measures to stay safe. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) advises residents to stay hydrated; avoid going outdoors during extreme heat; avoid or minimize physical exertion; keep window shades drawn; wear loose cotton clothing; and avoid eating heavy meals and cooking with ovens. People taking medications should check with their pharmacist or doctor to find out about any heat-related side effects.

Governor Quinn also urged Illinoisans to take advantage of more than 120 state facilities that serve as cooling centers. The cooling centers provide a place to stay cool and comfortable during the scorching hot days of summer. The centers are located at Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) offices throughout the state and the seven Illinois Tollway Oases in Northern Illinois. They will be open to the public during regular business hours.

More information on the state’s cooling centers is available by calling the IDHS toll-free hotline (800-843-6154), or search by zip code for the nearest cooling center at www.keepcool.illinois.gov.


The Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI) Annual Meeting took place Monday, May 24 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center in downtown Springfield.

Board President Donna Giles opened the meeting and remarks were given by Dr. Rob Kilbury, Director, Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS/DRS). DHS/DRS is the state's lead agency serving individuals with disabilities. Rob oversees the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, the Home Services Program, the Bureau of Disability Determination and three residential schools. DRS works in partnership with people with disabilities and their families to assist them in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living opportunities. Prior to working for the state of Illinois, Rob served as the Executive Director for the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois and the Southern Illinois Center for Independent Living.

CCDI welcomed Jack Sanders, 2002 Gold Medal Sled Hockey Paralympian, seven-time national and six-time world and arm wrestling champion as guest speaker at the Annual Meeting. Central to Jack's message was his focus on ability, not disability and he encouraged folks to always "Think Ability."

Following Jack's address, members ratified the advocacy goals for 2010-2011. These goals include a focus on employment and accessibility issues. Other business was conducted as appropriate and election results were announced. For the executive board positions, Marilyn Smith was elected as 1st Vice President and Roberta Garrison was elected Treasurer. Regional and Assistant Regional Directors were elected in the following regions: Region 2 Director – Gene Dempsey; Region 8 Director – Henry Helm; Region 8 Assistant Director – Joe Denton; Region 10 – David Hollinshead.
CCDI traditionally honors advocates each year who have displayed perseverance and leadership in the struggle for equal rights. This year's award winners were as follows:

This award is presented to a member of the Coalition who has dedicated themselves to principles of volunteerism. This recipient is someone who commits a significant amount of time and energy to their volunteer activities. Many recipients of this award have been Coalition state office volunteers, but it is not a requirement.

This award is reserved for members of the Coalition who support advocacy work from behind the scenes. This recipient is someone who rarely seeks the spotlight for themselves, and focuses their time and energy on helping others achieve their leadership and advocacy goals.

In February of 2008, the disability rights community lost one of our most beloved pioneers - Bang Long, Jr. As a founding member of CCDI, he was elected to the Steering Committee at the First Disability Rights Conference. The Steering Committee's charge was to work together to develop a grassroots disability rights organization to advocate for the "full and equal participation in society of all people with disabilities". Bang lived his belief through his activism and throughout his life demonstrated support and commitment to CCDI. Bang served many years on the CCDI Board of Directors and was elected President twice.

He spent untold hours supporting youth with disabilities and promoting the IL Youth with Disabilities Leadership Summit. Bang's heart was always focused on CCDI "...to be a catalyst to promote and advocate for the full and equal participation in society of all people with disabilities."

The Markeeta Award was renamed as the Bang Long Jr. Markeeta Award in 2007. This award is presented to an individual for their advancement and progress as a youth in pursuit of social justice.

Mary Linden is a long time member of CCDI, who has worked tirelessly with her legislators on countless disability related issues over the years. The Mary Linden Award was created in 1988 as a means to honor Coalition members who have demonstrated conviction, dedication and strong personal growth. This is a person who volunteers their time, energy and talents in pursuit of the mission and goals of the Coalition. This year Mary Linden turned 80 years old. She is still going strong, and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.

Dr. Judy Smithson is a retiree of Illinois State University where she served as Director of the Office of Disability Concerns. She is one of the founding members of CCDI. Dr. Smithson is more than just an advocate herself; she is one of those rare individuals who have spent her life working to develop other potential leaders by becoming a teacher and mentor to many young people in the disability rights movement.

The Dr. Judy Smithson Advocacy Award recognizes an individual for advocacy activities supporting the human and constitutional rights of citizens with disabilities. This award recipient should be someone who has advocated on more than one issue of concern. The individual should be a positive role model for others to follow.

Each year the Coalition chooses to honor at least one legislator who has done the most to advance the rights of people with disabilities in Illinois. Formerly known as the Legislator of the Year Award, this award was renamed in 1998 in honor of Senator Penny Severns outstanding dedication to the rights of people with disabilities. Senator Severns proved herself to be an incredible advocate for people with disabilities during her time in the Illinois General Assembly. She was dedicated to issues such as health care reform and Senator Severns was a major supporter of centers for independent living. In 1998 the award was renamed in honor of Senator Severns; she lost her battle with cancer in February of that year.

First presented in 1989, the Distinguished Citizen Award is one of the Coalition's most prestigious honors. Recipients are persons who have formerly or who are currently living in Illinois, and who have shown an outstanding commitment to the rights of people with disabilities. In 1997, the award was renamed after the legendary disability rights activist, Justin Dart, Jr. Mr. Dart was the second recipient of this award. Mr. Dart was a long-time friend of the Coalition. He attended the conference in 1990, which was not only the year he was honored as our Distinguished Citizen, but also the year the ADA became law. He was instrumental in the passing of this historic piece of civil rights legislation.

Members had the opportunity to meet and network with other members from across the state.



This year elections included Executive Committee Officers, specifically the First Vice-President and Treasurer and Regional Director and Assistant Regional Director positions in our even numbered regions (02, 04, 06, 08, and 10).

Marilyn Smith was elected as First Vice-President and she would like to see CCDI grow and develop strong advocates as well as to further develop relationships with leaders of local, state and federal governments. As First Vice President, Marilyn will continue to encourage increased visibility among members and legislative representatives in their home districts to be a top priority. She believes our voice will be strengthened by these efforts. Marilyn believes that we must focus on issues such as employment, education, housing and healthcare, as well as others, facing the disability community and educate the public while speaking as one voice with dignity and courage using our abilities not our disabilities.

Roberta Garrison was elected Treasurer. She has since resigned due to personal reasons. The CCDI Board would like to thank Roberta for all of her hard work and dedication to CCDI. This position will be appointed by the CCDI Board of Directors.

In region 2, Gene Dempsey was elected Regional Director. Gene would like to CCDI to increase its membership base and to assist young folks to become better advocates.

In region 8, Henry Helm was elected Regional Director. Henry would like to see continued advocacy for persons with disabilities. He hopes to see an expansion of CCDI's membership base, awareness of its mission and education at the local and state level.
In region 8, Joe Denton was elected Assistant Director. Joe would like to see continued advocacy for persons with disabilities. He hopes to see an expansion of CCDI's membership base, awareness of its mission and education at the local and state level.

In region 10, David Hollinshead was elected Regional Director. David would like to continue to work to increase the number of regional advocacy action teams in his region and to assist members as an advocacy resource.

If you have comments, questions or would like to have a regional director come out to your area and talk about advocacy action team formation, please give us a call.


REGION 2 – Gene Dempsey, Region 2 Director Hello from region 2! Mary Weiler from Aurora came on board as the Assistant Regional Director this quarter. Welcome Mary! Efforts have begun to start an advocacy action team at Eden's Supportive Living as well as the reformation of the Aurora Chapter as an advocacy action team. Follow up was made with contacts given to me about interested folks who attended the SILC Youth Summit and their desire to start an advocacy action team. So stay tuned for developments here. Media contacts were made throughout the region in the counties of Western Cook, MacHenry, Lake, DuPage, and Kane "looking for a good members" and the Annual Meeting update.

I attended the "Home Services Program on the Chopping Block" Rally in Springfield, NAMI Annual Education Conference this year in Itasca, the Statewide Transition Conference in Schaumburg, the Adult Service Provider Fair at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora and represented CCDI.

Employment toolkits, CCDI promotional materials, LIHEAP information, and team leader/member materials were distributed to hundreds of folks. Petitions were circulated for our online facebook causes to "Save CCDI" and to "Expand Access to Abe" – the statue at the state Capitol. Many faxes were received from teachers from school districts who had their students sign on to these petitions. That was very exciting!

I also circulated I also talked with attendees about our online Legislative Action Center and how they can use it to send messages to their representatives. I also made contacts with school districts in my region as to their requests for informational materials to distribute in their schools, as well as informative presentations to be conducted. It is my hope that in the future these presentations can proceed.

Our regional meeting was held at the Association for Individual Development in Aurora in February. An informational program on LIHEAP was presented at this meeting. Comment was given to proposed 2010-2011 advocacy goals at this meeting.

I am looking for a few good team members to pursue advocacy issues and do more in the upcoming year. Call me at 630-851-3691 or email me at genedaurora@yahoo.com. I look forward to continuing to serve you as your advocacy resource in Region 2.

Region 5 – Chuck Smith, Region 5 Assistant Director

Greetings from region 5! My name is Chuck Smith and I recently came on board as the Assistant Regional Director in Region 5. Christopher Meskimen recently resigned due to personal reasons. Under Chris' direction, an advocacy action team in Pekin was started and several meetings have been held. Some of the programs that were conducted included Sexual Abuse The Regional Meeting was held February 12 and comment was taken on proposed advocacy goals for the upcoming year.

My plans for the coming year include to first determining the state of the region. I will be looking at how many active groups exist in the region, whether they are chapters or advocacy action teams. I will be contacting members in the region and finding out who among you are wanting to be more active. I will be looking to hold a meeting within the region and calling upon action team leaders and/or chapter representatives so everyone will have a voice.

I need your assistance to find out what you are interested in pursuing as advocates within the region and discuss CCDI's advocacy goals for the next year as well, which include employment and accessibility. I hope to have a survey for you to complete so that I can capture this information. I hope to begin reaching out to people in the region including folks taking part in support groups, parents of children with disabilities and in areas such as Phoenix Towers, just to name a few. I do need a Regional Director to work with in region 5. If you have expertise to share, we need you!

Region 9 - Greg Rowden, CCDI Member

Hey from Region 9 advocates!! My name is Greg Rowden and I would like to share with you some of the advocacy work that has taken place within Region 9 this quarter. Summer is a quiet time around Greenville. With the end of the academic year, the students have all gone home to family and friends or summer jobs, while most professors and school administrators spend their summers vacationing with family or doing mission work, or on personal retreats. Whatever their summers occupation you can bet that all will be ready for new challenges in the fall.

Summer is also a time of rest and reflection. A chance to celebrate successes and contemplate ways to commutate CCDI’s message and mission of promoting independent living for all persons, while acting as a catalyst for change at local state, and federal levels of government. But, most of all, by promoting understanding and awareness by educating, mentoring as they live and work in our communities.

This quarter, I met with school administrators to discuss needed access improvements on campus. Our discussion began by considering a proposal to partition the dinning commons, adding lighting and sound improvements. Thereby creating a much needed lager public space to be used in the evenings providing greater access to campus wide events for students and the public, with special needs challenges. These include mobility, vision and hearing. Work was completed June 30. Next, I forwarded a request by fellow CCDI member Lindsey Seeger to repair the shower drain in a campus dorm.

Lastly, I requested that some automatic door timers be reset. While the doors in the school library have been widened and reset, four other buildings are on the list to be done before mid August. Note that I have also suggested that the entrance doors of my apartment be replaced with a single sliding door, in order to accommodate the growing number of power chairs in our building. Besides myself, two others now use power chairs. The request is under consideration by Saint Andrews Management Inc. The firm is based in Saint Louis, and oversees four other properties in the state of Missouri.

Shortly before the end of last semester a group of Greenville College students and advocates, including myself, with the support of the faculty, petitioned the college board of trustees requesting the addition of a Bachelor of Science Degree Program in college curriculum.

This degree would not require a student to take a foreign language course in order to graduate. This is significant because most learning-disabled students have trouble mastering the complexities of a foreign language. For me these difficulties include writing and some comprehension. The request was in keeping with the addition of an online degree program. It is the long-range goal of the college that Greenville College achieve university status by the year 2030. The petition was approved. A Bachelor of Science degree will be offered to students beginning this fall. I have approached two Greenville College faculty members, asking that they act as sponsors for an on campus CCDI student organization. Both individuals have expressed interest.

The Bond County Fair will take place August 3-10, 2010, at the Bond County Fairgrounds in Greenville. It is my intention to distribute CCDI membership brochures on at least two evenings. I have also been in contact with Impact Center in Alton regarding a local ADA celebration. At this time, their plans are to hold a 25-birthday party and found-raiser sometime in September.

I have responded to the last three action alerts from the state office, activating a personal phone tree with each. I have been in contact with the offices of state senator Timothy McCarter to discuss the importance of maintaining the Home Service program at current its level. At this time, his office has not set a date to meet.

I just received a phone message from Bond County Transit (BCT). Thanks to the persistence of local advocates, BCT has received additional funding from the Federal Transportation Authority making it possible for them to offer limited Saturday service within Bond County. As part of the Organizing For America effort, I have recently written advocacy letters to United States Senators Durbin and Burris, urging passage of the Financial Reform Act, and also urging more funds to be dedicated to modernizing, upgrading and maintaining this countries universal power grid. It is my personal concern that should large-scale blackouts occur, the health and well-being of all people with disabilities would be at extreme risk. I also expressed my belief that we should decrease our energy dependence on foreign oil and other energy subsidies by supporting the current Clean Air Act being proposed by the Obama Administration.



"The 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act is right around the corner, yet our legislative leaders in Springfield seem bent on setting people with disabilities back 40 years by cutting our most indispensible support services,” said Mike Ervin of Chicago ADAPT, a person with a disability who uses a personal assistant through the Home Services Program.

On Tuesday morning, June 29, Mike joined more than 100 other disability and senior advocates who rallied in downtown Chicago to protect the independence of people with disabilities and seniors living in their homes with the support of Illinois’ Home Services Program and Community Care Program. The advocates marched up Clark Street to the State of Illinois Building then blocked traffic at Randolph and Clark, demanding Illinois preserve services that enable people with disabilities and seniors to live in their own homes and save money. Approximately 50 disability and senior advocates also rallied at the Capitol in Springfield.

The proposed 2011 Illinois State Budget includes cuts that will force people with disabilities and seniors into poverty, out of their homes, and into institutions. On average, institutional care costs three times more than home based care. “It's regressive, it's brutal and it's not even fiscally wise. We will not surrender ourselves to a life of inescapable poverty and institutionalization just because our leaders don't have the courage to demand and pass a responsible budget,” said Ervin.

Under the Department of Human Services Home Services Program, eligible people with disabilities have access to personal assistants. By assisting with day-to-day tasks like cooking, bathing and dressing, personal assistants help people with disabilities live in their own homes. Without adequate personal assistant services, people with disabilities are often forced into institutions.

The current Illinois Budget for 2011 puts service caps on Home Service Hours and also reduces the Asset Limit from $17,500 to $2,000 a year for people eligible for Home Services. With the new service caps, some people with disabilities may lose the support they need to live on their own. The change in asset limit will force new members of the program into poverty.

“As a mother and a home care worker for nearly eight years, I’ve seen the important role home care has in the lives of Illinois families—and how important it is in keeping seniors and people with disabilities independent,” said Flora Johnson, a home care provider through the Home Services Program and a member of SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana. “My son has cerebral palsy. His life depends on the assistance he gets through the state’s home care program. For lawmakers to even consider making deeper cuts to this vital care is heart wrenching.”

The rally was led by the disability rights group Chicago ADAPT and by home care workers represented by SEIU Healthcare Illinois, with support from Access Living, Jane Addams Senior Caucus and Progress Center for Independent Living.

In addition to service caps and asset limits, the current Illinois budget includes cuts to the Community Care program, which helps senior citizens live in their own homes. On average, cuts in the proposed budget will mean a 20% cut in hours of care for seniors, and reducing eligibility for home care by lowering the asset limit. The cuts will impact 50,000 seniors statewide.

Blocking traffic in front of the State of Illinois Building, disability and senior advocates demonstrated that State cuts will result in increased unemployment, higher rates of unnecessary institutionalization, and the loss of jobs for personal assistants and home care workers, all of which will cost the state more money. For months, people with disabilities, seniors and the rest of Illinois have been waiting for leadership that will strengthen the state financially and will empower thousands of citizens in Illinois with independence. As long as the State leadership continues to make cuts that don't make fiscal sense and are at the expense of the freedom of people with disabilities and seniors, the communities will continue to fight back.

For more information, contact Gary Arnold at 312-640-2199 voice, 773-425-2536 (mobile), garnold@accessliving.org; or Rachel Siler at 312-479-0220 (voice).


On Tuesday, July 29, approximately 50 disability and senior advocates rallied at the Capitol to protect the independence of people with disabilities and seniors living in their homes with the support of Illinois’ Home Services Program and Community Care Program. This rally was being held in conjunction with a rally in downtown Chicago taking place at the same time for the same reason.

The following are the remarks given by CCDI Executive Director Ruth Burgess Thompson.

I want to thank the Springfield Area Disability Advocates (SADA), who collaborated with Chicago Adapt to organize these events and for inviting me to participate here in Springfield. Thanks to all of you for attending. I’m very excited that one of my first activities as the new director of CCDI is to be part of this action.

I don’t need to tell you that disability accounts for poverty in far more cases than we realize. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 77% of people with disabilities under the age of 65 have incomes below 200 percent of poverty. According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, about half of working-age adults who experience poverty have a disability and of those who live in poverty for at least three years, two thirds have a disability.

Two of DHS/VRS own goals include: 1) Independence with the objective being to provide services that will enable DRS customers to achieve the highest level of independence; and 2) Job Quality with the objective of increasing the quality of jobs obtained by VR program consumers. To reduce the means test to be eligible for the home services program and to restrict the number of hours that can be used for various tasks seems counter intuitive in light of these goals. To the contrary, it seems to reduce independence and provide a strong disincentive to getting and keeping meaningful work.

Not far above people with disabilities on the ladder of poverty are the people who care for them—home service workers are among the lowest paid in the work force. The abovementioned changes have the unintended consequence of pushing the people who provide these vital services further into poverty or out of the field entirely.

Next month we will gather again to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The 'integration mandate' of the ADA requires public agencies to provide services "in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities." That mandate was upheld 11 years ago through the Olmstead Decision. As we reflect on the promises of these two major civil rights victories, we must reinforce to policymakers the necessity of preserving the home and community based services that are essential for people with disabilities to participate fully in the social, economic, educational, and civic systems in the community of their choosing.

None of us would question that the State of Illinois has been in financial crisis for far too long. And if we stay on our current trajectory, the situation will only become more dire. As baby boomers age and those who bravely serve our country continue to come home with disabilities acquired in battle, the strain on the state’s health care system will grow exponentially. But to impose parameters on services and make programs more difficult to qualify for is like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound.

We absolutely need change. But to make systemic change we must first look at the system itself. Change should come from the top by requiring that every branch of state government be run more effectively and efficiently. Change should not be borne on the backs of children, people who are poor, elderly, or have a disability.

Furthermore, the people of Illinois need our elected officials to demonstrate the courage necessary to increase state revenue through HB 147. Please join me in contacting your representatives to express your feelings about changes to the home services program and the need for increased revenue.

Again, thank you for coming out today. I look forward to working shoulder-to-shoulder with you in the future.



The voices of people with disabilities in Illinois must be a vigorous part of the election debate. Plans are being made to organize Legislative Forums in each of the following media centers early this summer: Chicago, Springfield, Peoria, Rockford, Champaign, the Quad Cities and the Greater East St. Louis area.

The goal of the legislative forums is to educate candidates on the importance of quality self-directed services for people with disabilities in Illinois, offer candidates an opportunity to educate voters on their planned disability policies, and to impress upon candidates the importance of the disability vote.

The collaborating statewide organizations include The Arc of Illinois, The Campaign for Real Choice, The Family Support Network of Illinois, The Illinois Self-Advocacy Alliance, The Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois, National Association for Down Syndrome, Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living, Illinois Assistive Technology Program, Illinois Voices, Institute on Public Policy, Mental Health America of Illinois, Equip for Equality, Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois, and the Institute on Disability and Human Development.

Our Coalition believes that people with disabilities deserve equality and freedom. People with disabilities should be able to direct their lives and to live life our way.

The current system must be rebalanced and redesigned. We support the following: • Self direction and individual budgets for home and community based supports

• New revenue to increase home and community based supports

• Prompt payment for community services

• An end to the state's waiting list of almost 20,000 children and adults with disabilities

• Reduce institutional services and increase home and community based supports and services

• Invest in housing that is affordable and accessible

• Move forward with the Blueprint Resolution (HJR 28).

For more information about the legislative forums coming this summer please contact Charlotte Cronin, fsn@familysupportnetwork.org or 309-693-8981.


Beginning June 27, guests with visual disabilities will be able to explore Walt Disney World theme parks in a whole new way through an enhanced Disney-designed device that provides detailed audio description of outdoor areas and fits in the palm of a guest's hand.

"Disney Parks have long been at the forefront of providing accessibility for guests with disabilities," said Greg Hale, chief safety officer and vice president of Worldwide Safety and Accessibility for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. "We are pleased to build on this legacy with new technology that enables us to do something that has never been done before – provide rich audio description in moving rides and outdoor environments."

Link to a demo of the outdoor environment audio description: http://ncamftp.wgbh.org/disneyareadx/MK_AreaDX_Demo_Short.html

Via an interactive audio menu, the newly enhanced Assistive Technology Device lets guests choose the type of information they would like to receive about outdoor areas, from architectural elements to the location of the nearest restroom. The 7.2-ounce device, which utilizes wireless technology to pinpoint its location and take pre-programmed actions also offers guests at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort:

Detailed audio description of key visual elements, including action and scenery, for more than 50 attractions;

• Amplified audio for most theater-type attractions for guests with mild to moderate hearing loss;

• Handheld captioning that enables guests to read captions while enjoying specific rides; and

• Activation of closed captioning in pre-show areas where television displays narrate the upcoming experience.

"I know of no other public space in this country – or anywhere else for that matter – that is as welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities as Disney’s theme parks," said Larry Goldberg, director of media access at WGBH Boston, which is considered a pioneer in developing multimedia and new technologies that make media accessible for the disabled. "With their captioning systems for guests who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and now outdoor environmental description for guests who are blind or visually impaired, Walt Disney World is now more inclusive than ever. WGBH is proud of our role in helping make this happen."

WGBH teamed up with Disney to deliver outdoor audio description, marking the latest collaboration between the two organizations, which began with the installation of WGBH's Rear Window® Captioning system in Disney's theater-based attractions in1996.

Disney has patented and licensed the assistive technology, which could serve a wide variety of retail, commercial and industrial applications. The technology is already being used at the World of Coca Cola Museum, The Hall at Patriot Place and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium and will receive the National Society of Professional Engineers 2010 "New Product Award" next month.

"We are particularly excited to make this technology available beyond Disney Parks and extend accessibility where it was previously impractical," added Hale. Softeq Development Corporation is licensed to make the technology available beyond Disney Parks.

Other examples of Disney Parks' services for guests with disabilities include:

• Accessible Experiences – From vehicles at Toy Story Midway Mania! that enable guests to remain in their wheelchair during the ride to American Sign Language interpretation at live shows, the focus is on providing accessible experiences.

• Recreation Devices – Specially designed vehicles, such as an adaptive golf cart and sand and aquatic wheelchairs, enable guests to experience leisure activities throughout the resort.

• Guide maps for Guests with Disabilities – Theme park-specific maps provide an overview of services and facilities available for guests with disabilities. Braille guidebooks are also available to assist guests during their visit.

• Resort Access – Resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort offer special equipment and facilities for guests with disabilities such as phone text, visual indicator door knocks and sloped-entry pools.

The Handheld Assistive Device is offered at no cost with a refundable deposit at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort theme parks. Audio description of outdoor areas will be available at Disneyland Resort next year. For further information about services for guests with disabilities, guests should visit the Walt Disney World Web site at disneyworld.com or contact Walt Disney World Information at 407-824-4321 (voice) or 407-827-5141 (TTY).

Thank you to the DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center (www.adagreatlakes.org) for the preceding information.

MEMBER NEWS
CCDI ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES $10 BEGINNING JULY 1, 2010

Thank you all for taking part in our promotional membership dues reduction of $1! As of June 30, 2010, the promotion has ended and dues are once again $10. Thank you for helping us to increase our membership and we hope that you will continue to actively recruit new members and/or involve other advocates in our mission to increase our voice as people with disabilities. If you need membership brochures to distribute to other advocates who would like to join CCDI, let us know! WE NEED YOU! Thanks again!

MEMBER NEWS
IN MEMORIAM

Karen L. Wordelmann, 55, of Springfield died on Saturday, June 12, at her home. Karen was a member of CCDI and worked as a receptionist through the DHS DRS On the Job Training Program. Karen graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a B.S. degree. She worked as a caseworker for several local social service agencies, and she was an advocate for people with disabilities. We will miss you Karen.

EMPLOYMENT NEWS
MAY 2010 DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS RELEASED

In May 2010, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 22.3%. By comparison the percentage of persons with no disability in the labor force was 70.1%.

The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 14.7%, compared with 9.1% for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted.

EMPLOYMENT NEWS
MAKING RECRUITING SITES ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL
By Rebecca R. Hastings

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is sending employers an important message: “Talent has no boundaries; workforce diversity includes workers with disabilities.” As employers begin to hire once again, therefore, they had better make sure that applicants with disabilities can find and compete for jobs just like everyone else.

DOL’s message is actually the 2010 theme for October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual opportunity to remind employers that there’s a large pool of talent waiting to contribute. According to April 2010 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, less than a quarter of the potential labor force of Americans with disabilities are employed (22 percent), compared with more than two-thirds of the labor force without disabilities (70 percent).

In order to tap into this population, however, employers need to make sure that their entire recruitment process is accessible. That can be tricky, because an estimated 15 to 20 percent of the U.S. population has a disability that might affect their ability to use technology, according to LaMondré Pough, vice president of sales for TecAccess, a technology company in Rockville, Va.

TecAccess employs over 60 associates with disabilities ranging from developmental to physical, giving them the ability to test systems from a wide range of perspectives, he explained during an April 21, 2010, webinar on the accessibility of career web sites. Technology has made it possible for people with disabilities to be productive; resources that used to be considered “high end” can now be bought off the shelf, he said.

That’s one reason why people with disabilities are getting more vocal about their rights and their place in the world, he added.

The Law Is on Their Side

Sandy Masin, an accessibility consultant with TecAccess, noted during the webinar that federal contractors and subcontractors are required by law to take affirmative action to hire, retain and promote qualified individuals with disabilities. However, many contractors have moved toward using an online system as their primary, if not exclusive, method of accepting applications for employment, she said. While some of these systems might be accessible, others are completely inaccessible or only partially accessible.

Part of the reason for this problem, she said, is that technology is changing rapidly and accessibility is not keeping up.

However, federal contractors have a good reason to pay attention to the accessibility of such systems. “It is our understanding on the federal contractor side that very shortly the OFCCP [Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs] will be visiting to do on-site audits,” Masin said. In anticipation of such an audit, federal contractors should, at a minimum, provide applicants with instructions on another way to apply if they cannot access the online system, she said.

But it’s not just federal contractors who should worry about the accessibility of their employment sites, said Vanessa Williams, TecAccess vice president of training and legal affairs, during the webinar. Private employers covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must avoid discrimination against people with disabilities throughout the recruitment, application and interview process. That’s why these employers can face a challenge if their sites are inaccessible.

“Many companies are moving toward using the Internet as their sole means of recruiting, posting jobs openings and collecting resumes and applications,” Williams said. “If their employment web site is not accessible, they may be opening themselves up to liability.”

As a result, private employers, too, must ensure that an alternate application process is available in case their online site is inaccessible. However, Williams said, this opens up the risk of human error if applicants who apply outside of the online system are treated differently than those who apply online.

“An easier alternative is to make your employment web site accessible to people with disabilities,” she said. “It levels the playing field and is a much easier process.”

Create a Plan “Accessibility is an ongoing process, not a one-time occurrence,” Masin said. However, she recommended that organizations get started by creating a plan with a series of action steps such as:

• Obtain leadership’s commitment and accountability.

• Perform an inventory of external, internal and social media platforms used for recruiting purposes to ensure that all sites are accessible to internal and external applicants. “Your LinkedIns, your Facebooks, your Twitters all need to be looked at,” she said.

• Evaluate all careers sites and forms by doing accessibility risk audits. This will give you an initial analysis, she said.

• Start a detailed requirements analysis.

• Send report findings with recommendations to leadership and keep them in the loop regarding challenges.

• Identify a prioritized list of defects, deliverables and enhancements.

• Build a reoccurring, sustainable testing plan.

• Launch integration and rollout plans.

• Track and train personnel and test on a continuing basis.

“Social media are just exploding,” Williams added, “But a lot of those sites are not accessible.”

“If you are using these areas to find employees and the areas are not accessible to people with disabilities, that’s another area in which your company can be exposed to some liability because you are closing people off from being able to apply for a job,” she explained.

Employers can find a collection of resources on accessibility through Earnworks, a free disability employment consulting service funded by the DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). One such resource, the Accessible Systems Racing League (ASRL), is an easy-to-use tool that highlights barriers job seekers and employees with disabilities might face when trying to access a company’s career site or other online HR recruiting and hiring tools and systems.

Access Isn’t Enough

Although it’s a critical step in ensuring ADA compliance, accessibility alone is not enough to ensure that people with disabilities are treated the same as every other applicant.

Another obstacle employers must face is attitudinal barriers.

“Most of the things that hold us back are fear—fear of the unknown,” said Pough. When it comes to people with disabilities, he said, some employers fear the costs of accommodations and wonder if employees with disabilities will be productive or miss a lot of work. But he said such fears are unfounded.

“People with disabilities do not cost more to employ than people without disabilities,” he said. “Disability employment research has shown that there is no significant difference between the productivity of people with disabilities and people without disabilities, particularly in knowledge-related businesses.” He added that “people with disabilities do not miss more work than people without disabilities.”

For example, when Walgreens drugstore chain opened a new distribution center in Anderson, S.C., the company decided that 30 percent of the people it would hire would have disabilities. The company exceeded that goal—with 42 percent of its employees having disabilities—but found that that site is 20 percent more productive than other distribution centers. “It’s not about charity; it’s a smart business decision,” Pough said.

One in three households has a connection to a person with a disability, he said. “From a business perspective, how would you feel if you were closing out one out of three of your customers?”

Organizations that dare to think differently and look deeper can find the value and stand apart in terms of profits and efficiency, he added.

Rebecca R. Hastings, SPHR, is an online editor/manager for Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

EMPLOYMENT NEWS
A WORLD IN WHICH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE UNLIMITED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez recently congratulated nine high school students with disabilities who graduated from a new Department of Labor work experience program. The Project SEARCH – Federal Sector Program was founded by ODEP and its project partners: Project SEARCH – Cincinnati, The District Of Columbia (DC) Public Schools, the DC Rehabilitation Services Administration/Department on Disabilities Services., and the Kennedy Institute of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Washington.

The students’ graduation ceremony was held in the USDOL Auditorium and featured remarks by Assistant Secretary Martinez; Michelle Rhee, Chancellor DC Public Schools; Dr. Richard Nyankori, Deputy Chancellor, Special Education Department, DC Public Schools and Roy Albert, Deputy Director, DC Rehabilitation Services Administration, Department on Disabilities Services.

The Project SEARCH – Federal Sector Program features both a classroom embedded in the USDOL worksite, and three work experience rotations. The Project SEARCH model has been very successful in assisting students with disabilities who might otherwise not be employed in competitive careers. The graduates, who are in their last year of high school, received work experience in general office and computer skills as well as the general skills required in the world of work. Four graduates have since been hired by the USDOL, three more have been hired by outside firms and others are interviewing with other employers. Recognizing the program’s value, two more federal agencies have approached USDOL and Project Search – Cincinnati about starting their own Project Search programs.

Project SEARCH was founded by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to serve people with disabilities through innovative workforce and career development. Through this process, employers are educated about the potential of this underutilized workforce while meeting their human resource needs. The program is dedicated to workforce development that benefits the individual, community, and workplace.

HEALTH AND DISABILITY NEWS
STATE PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR CELEBRATES NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK

The Illinois Department of Public Health is encouraging Illinoisans to practice good health habits during National Public Health Week.

“The key to a living a healthier life includes physical activity, regular check-ups and healthy eating. By making these smart choices about your health, you can give yourself and your loved ones the gift of a longer and healthier life,” said Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director.

Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed April 5-11, 2010 as “National Public Health Week” in Illinois. This year’s theme for National Public Health Week is “A Healthier America: One Community at a Time.” According to the American Public Health Association, although we spend more on health care than any other nation, our nation is falling behind in many important measures of what it means to be healthy:

• U.S. life expectancy has reached a record high of 78.1 years but still ranks 46th – behind Japan and most of Europe, as well as countries such as Guam, South Korea and Jordan.

• We’re among the top 10 countries that have the most people with HIV/AIDS, and it is estimated that one in 20 residents in the nation’s capital are HIV-positive.

• Disparities persist with ethnic minority populations having nearly eight times the death rate for key health conditions, such as diabetes, than that of non-minority populations.

According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, physical activity is recommended for at least two and a half hours ever week.

Physical activity helps to:

• Maintain weight.

• Reduce high blood pressure.

• Reduce risk for type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and several forms of cancer.

• Reduce arthritis pain and associated disability.

• Reduce risk for osteoporosis and falls.

• Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The same diseases can also be brought on by poor eating habits. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a healthy eating plan:

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.

• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.

• Is low in saturated fats, trans-fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

• Stays within your daily calorie needs.

"Staying active and eating healthy are important, but you also need to make sure you go in for check-ups,” said Dr. Arnold. “Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. That’s why regular screenings and treatments are the best steps you can take to help your chances for living a longer, healthier life.”

ART & CULTURE
WHOSE LAWN IS IT ANYWAY?
By Chuck Smith

Over fifteen thousand people gathered at the State Capitol on April 21 at the Save Our State (SOS) rally to make their voices heard. I was one among those fifteen thousand people chanting "Have some guts, stop the cuts," among others. We were there to ask our state government representatives to take responsibility and to produce a balanced budget which would include a small, but necessary tax increase.

Although I heard many speakers representing unions, schools, and human services on that day, I failed to hear one person from either the Illinois Senate or House of Representatives. The only message I heard from the people that the citizens elected that was loud and clear was, "Get off our lawns -please we don’t want them trampled."

Over fifteen thousand people were protesting how the state government has been handling things and the only response they could make to us was to ask us to not mess up the lawn - a lawn that the tax payers paid for? Is this what Illinois government has become? Well, pretty much yes.

So what can you and I do about a government that fails to respond to the will of the people? We can vote. The power of the vote is not a small thing. Many Illinois legislators have been in office for a very long time. When asked about a tax increase, one representative said it wouldn’t happen because it was an election year. This shows that our leaders are more interested in keeping in office than the good of the people they serve. Let's do what should have been done a long time ago. Vote those legislators out of office.

As people with disabilities we need to be sure that we have leaders in place who understand our needs. We need to keep vital services in tact that will allow us to live independently in the community and to stay out of nursing homes. IF they fail to act to assist us then we have a right to do something about it.

So when election time comes around again make every effort to VOTE … even if it takes a little effort. Enact your right to choose who is to help you keep the services you need and make Illinois a decent place to live and hold our leaders responsible. Let them know that the lawns in front of the capital building belong to the people, just as the government of the state does.

I'd like to leave you with the following poem entitled, "Whose Lawn Is It Anyway?"

Who tends the lawns and weeds the flowers?

Who laid the foundations and poured the concrete?

Who sweated and bled, and worked to build something great?

Who paid the money out so that this proud building could stand?

Who works in it now?

Who has failed the voters time and time again?

Why do we tolerate it?

What are we, as voters going to do about it?

Only you, the voters of Illinois, can decide.

A JOURNEY OF DETERMINATION: A SIGHT TO SEE
By Brad Mosier

Jim Bryant is a husband, father of two and working professional who lives with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Atrophy. This disability is best described as an inherited form of vision loss. Bryant has a small percentage of vision remaining, but he finds it very difficult to distinguish between colors, objects, text, and music.

According to Jim, "Though a permanent diagnosis was a mystery, my sight was diminishing in both eyes. Being a music teacher, band director, bus driver, husband and father of two, this seemed devastating to the whole family. To seek rehabilitation seemed the only solution to face and overcome the crisis."

At the time of Bryant's diagnosis of Hereditary Optic Atrophy his children faced fear, anger, and loss coinciding with the frightening question "Will Dad ever see again?" or "Will this happen to me too?"

Jim contacted the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), the state's lead agency serving individuals with disabilities. DRS administers an array of disability-related programs and services to assist individuals with disabilities and their families in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education and independent living opportunities.

According to Jim, "My success is reflected by the work of my mentor, Dennis Kelahan, my DRS Bureau of Blind Services case manager. Dennis steered my rehabilitation journey from the start, supported my decisions, provided various necessary equipment and services, and encouraged me to keep moving forward. I greatly appreciate his wisdom, caring attitude, and friendship as I faced the reality of blindness."

Jim worked with the Bureau of Blind Services through DRS to attend the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education (ICRE-Wood) in Chicago. ICRE-Wood is an educational program for adults who are visually impaired and provides a concentrated, short-term residential program.

The mission of ICRE-Wood is to assist individuals with vision loss in achieving their highest level of vocational, professional, and personal independence. ICRE-Wood staff works one-on-one with each individual to ensure that services are individualized to meet his or her unique needs. Since 1965, thousands of men and women with visual impairments have benefited from ICRE-Wood.

During Jim’s seven-month stay at ICRE-Wood, he participated in classes of Braille, mobility, adult living adaptations, technology training, physical education and home mechanics.

Jim also attended a four-week residency/training at the Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, California and received his guide dog, a golden Labrador named Bradley while there. He also began to study music Braille with the National Resource Center for Blind Musicians and with a Braille music and technology instructor in Philadelphia.

Through all of these experiences, Jim met other people facing similar issues and challenges. Jim was inspired by their positive outlook and knew he could overcome his obstacles as well. Those special friendships and memories assisted him to meet his goals of adaptation, self-sufficiency, and independence.

After his vision rehabilitation training, Jim returned to his teaching position with Rochester Middle School within two and a half years with a trial part-time position teaching instrumental music, band rehearsals, and general music. In 2009, he returned to a full-time status but with different duties teaching instrumental music and assisting in the library.

As a music teacher at Rochester Middle School, Bryant uses various accommodations to perform his job. He uses music software to transcribe music Braille and a pocket trumpet to teach instrumental lessons.

Jim also uses an Amigo magnifier and Acrobat magnifier to read lecture notes, student worksheets and tests. He uses a monocular to focus in on the computer screen, a PacMate and literary Braille as lesson plans and attendance charts. Such accommodations have allowed Jim to proficiently teach and manage a classroom successfully.

Jim's advocacy efforts revolve around educating others about vision loss. He shares his knowledge about adaptive technology and the equipment that has enabled him to return to enjoying a full and independent life inside as well as outside of the classroom.

According to Jim, "I wanted to treasure my remaining vision and continue doing family activities like before. I wanted my boys to realize that they did not lose their 'dad'. I now spend time with them like before but in a different way. I have a tandem bike, canoe, and kayak to enjoy the outdoors like before with their assistance. We continue fishing, working with model trains, and periodically travel by Amtrak to reaffirm that I can still do the activities that I did before the blindness, just in a different way." Jim is a 1993 graduate with a B.S. degree in Instrumental Music Education from Southwest Baptist University in Missouri. Jim and his wife, Melissa, have two sons, Nicholas and Noah, and they reside in Rochester.

CCDI'S MISSION

"The Voice: advocating equal opportunities for all people with disabilities."

CCDI'S VISION:

"Equality through change at the local, state and federal levels."