Access Living is a cross-disability organization governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities. We foster the dignity, pride and self-esteem of people with all types of disabilities and enhance the options available to them so they may choose and maintain individualized and satisfying lifestyles. To this end, Access Living offers peer-oriented independent living services; public education, awareness and development; individual and systemic advocacy; and enforcement of civil rights on behalf of people with disabilities. Access Living recognizes the innate rights, abilities, needs and diversity of people with disabilities, works toward their integration into community life, and serves as an agent of social change.

Civil Rights , Homeless & Housing , Job Training , Mental Health

Long-term care team - provides training and referral for personal assistants, assists people interested in moving out of nursing homes, and advocates for healthcare policy that would benefit people with disabilities. housing and community support team - assists people with disabilities to find affordable, accessible, integrated housing. The team also helps people obtain support (such as assistive technology) and develop the skills (such as financial literacy) they need to live independently. community organizing and policy team - conducts activities to engage people with disabilities in the work that the agency does around issues important to people with disabilities in chicago, including housing, employment, education, healthcare, and transportation. The team also conducts policy analysis in order to understand and impact legislation, laws and policies that impact people with disabilities in chicago. The agency's policy analysis work focuses on housing, education, healthcare, employment and community integration.