CHICAGO, May 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Equip for Equality, a statewide disability rights organization, is holding a public meeting in Chicago to help guide its annual programming goals and priorities. All individuals interested in speaking or hearing about disability rights issues and the services that should be provided to the disability community are invited to attend.
Equip for Equality, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with disabilities, provides disability rights advocacy services statewide. These services include free self-advocacy assistance and training, legal services, advocacy for better policies, and investigations into abuse and neglect. The organization provides direct services to more than 5,000 individuals annually through four offices -- in Chicago, Springfield, Rock Island, and Carbondale.
This meeting presents a unique opportunity for people with disabilities, family members, service providers and other interested parties to participate in Equip for Equality's planning process. In years past, suggestions at these public meetings have guided initiatives leading to significant changes in Illinois. Past public input helped Equip for Equality establish its nationally recognized Training Institute for Disability Rights, its Abuse Investigation Unit, a Guardianship Reform Project, and Outreach to the Latino Community. More recent comments have led to the development of a Special Education Clinic and a community organizing position that assists in developing grassroots and peer initiatives.
Equip for Equality carefully considers all public input it receives in developing its priorities and plans. The meeting in Chicago will be at the following time and location:
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
10:00 a.m.-noon
Chicago Bar Association, 2nd Floor
321 S. Plymouth Court
Please contact Karen Holiday at 800.537.2632, ext. 7334, TTY 800.610.2779 or karenh@equipforequality.org. A sign language interpreter will be present. Please advise Equip for Equality if you require any other accommodation to participate in the meeting or if you would like to participate in the meeting via teleconference.
To participate by fax or mail, please request a questionnaire, which will be sent with a postage-paid return envelope. To participate by internet, please visit Equip for Equality's website at http://www.equipforequality.org/. Comments can be submitted through July 31st.
The meeting will also be webcast at http://www.illinoislegaladvocate.org/. To access the webcast click on "Calendar."
Contact: Barry Taylor
Legal Advocacy Director
TEL: (800) 537-2632, ext. 7317
TTY: (800) 610-2779
FAX: (312) 341-0295
barryt@equipforequality.org
Equip for Equality
CONTACT: Barry Taylor, Legal Advocacy Director of Equip for Equality,
+1-800-537-2632, ext. 7317, barryt@equipforequality.org
Web site: http://www.equipforequality.org/
http://www.illinoislegaladvocate.org/
