Mission
The mission of Equip for Equality is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with physical and mental disabilities in Illinois. It is the only statewide, cross-disability, comprehensive advocacy organization providing self-advocacy assistance, legal services, and disability rights education while also engaging in public policy and legislative advocacy and conducting abuse investigations and other oversight activities.
Overview
An independent, private, not-for-profit organization designated by the governor in 1985 to implement the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System in Illinois, Equip for Equality has broad federal and state statutory powers. These powers include broad access to private and public facilities, their participants and staff, and service recipient records and other facility documents.
Equip for Equality provides an array of advocacy services that empower individuals, strengthening their ability to advocate effectively on their own behalf. We partner with community groups and public and private agencies to bring disability rights education seminars to people with disabilities and their families in their neighborhoods. When individuals' rights are violated and self advocacy is unlikely to prove effective, the organization can directly represent the individual in negotiations, administrative proceedings, or court.
Equip for Equality believes that social change will only come about when people with disabilities organize, demand justice, and become a strong voice for reform. We are committed to supporting individuals with disabilities, along with their family members, by providing them with the information and tools they need to be effective activists for societal change. And Equip for Equality stands alongside people with disabilities and their families in our state capitol, advocating for laws and policies that promote both community inclusion and choice and ensure that quality programs and services are provided in a safe and humane environment.
Equip for Equality serves as a catalyst for social change, breaking down barriers that prevent children and adults with disabilities from participating in all aspects of community living. We proactively advocate for policies and laws that advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with disabilities and fight to defeat those that move the state in a different direction. We challenge policies and practices by both government and the private sector that discriminate against people with disabilities and deny them their rights to self-determination and community integration. We hold the state and local governments and the private not-for-profit and for-profit sectors accountable for complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal and state laws intended to level the playing field for people with disabilities. And we uncover and bring to the public's attention dangerous and unsafe practices and conditions at facilities entrusted with the care and treatment of children and adults with disabilities and call for reform.
Equip for Equality provides an array of advocacy services that empower individuals, strengthening their ability to advocate effectively on their own behalf. We partner with community groups and public and private agencies to bring disability rights education seminars to people with disabilities and their families in their neighborhoods. When individuals' rights are violated and self advocacy is unlikely to prove effective, the organization can directly represent the individual in negotiations, administrative proceedings, or court.
Equip for Equality believes that social change will only come about when people with disabilities organize, demand justice, and become a strong voice for reform. We are committed to supporting individuals with disabilities, along with their family members, by providing them with the information and tools they need to be effective activists for societal change. And Equip for Equality stands alongside people with disabilities and their families in our state capitol, advocating for laws and policies that promote both community inclusion and choice and ensure that quality programs and services are provided in a safe and humane environment.
Equip for Equality serves as a catalyst for social change, breaking down barriers that prevent children and adults with disabilities from participating in all aspects of community living. We proactively advocate for policies and laws that advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with disabilities and fight to defeat those that move the state in a different direction. We challenge policies and practices by both government and the private sector that discriminate against people with disabilities and deny them their rights to self-determination and community integration. We hold the state and local governments and the private not-for-profit and for-profit sectors accountable for complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal and state laws intended to level the playing field for people with disabilities. And we uncover and bring to the public's attention dangerous and unsafe practices and conditions at facilities entrusted with the care and treatment of children and adults with disabilities and call for reform.
General Programs & Services
The Legal Advocacy Program provides free, individual self-advocacy and legal services for people with disabilities and their family members.
The Training Institute on Disability Rights provides free training seminars to people with disabilities and family members on a variety of disability rights related topics. For a fee, the Institute also conducts seminars for business and nonprofit staff. Some seminars are available in Spanish.
The Public Policy Program pursues public policy research and advocacy through active involvment in the state's legislative and executive policy-making processes.
The Abuse Investigation Unit investigates and monitors public and private facilities and programs to uncover dangerous conditions and practices affecting people with disabilities. The Unit also issues alerts and recommendations to prevent future tragedies.
The Special Education Clinic/Helpline provides a helpline, individual self-advocacy, training and legal representation for people with disabilities and their families in securing an appropriate education and related services.
Specialized Advocacy, Outreach & Education Services Several specialized services address the needs of specific populations or circumstances and frequently combine the disciplines of Equip for Equality's general programs and services.
For Americans with Disabilities Act information, the Illinois ADA Project educates, enriches, and enlightens the people, businesses, and organizations of Illinois regarding the ADA.
For assistive technology, the Assistive Technology Project assists individuals with disabilities in Illinois to obtain assistive technology (AT) devices and services to increase, maintain and/or improve their functional capabilities.
For beneficiaries of Social Security, the Ticket to Work Project assists with information and advice regarding vocational rehabilitation and employment services, as well as provides advocacy or other services that beneficiaries with disabilities may need to secure, regain, or retain employment.
For Latinos with disabilities and their families, the Latinos with Disabilities Advocacy Project provides free individual advocacy services, education and outreach in Spanish at several host community centers in neighborhoods with high Latino populations.
For people with disabilities and their family members who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina, Equip for Equality offers a wide range of assistance and referrals, including assistance in obtaining financial and other benefits, as well as services, that are offered by government and community organizations.
For people with mental illness, the PAIMI Council advises Equip for Equality on policies and priorities to be carried out in protecting and advocating for the rights of individuals with mental illness.
For people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and their families, the Traumatic Brain Injury Project provides free individual advocacy services, trainings, and other community support.
For transportation rights, the Transportation Rights Project provides information about the legal rights of people with all types of disabilities when using many types of transportation.
For voting rights, the Voting Rights Project works to eliminate barriers to voting, including barriers to privacy and independence in voting.
Last year, over 6,000 individuals benefited directly from the many programs and services of Equip for Equality. In addition, thousands of individuals benefited from its public policy and other system change initiatives.
The Training Institute on Disability Rights provides free training seminars to people with disabilities and family members on a variety of disability rights related topics. For a fee, the Institute also conducts seminars for business and nonprofit staff. Some seminars are available in Spanish.
The Public Policy Program pursues public policy research and advocacy through active involvment in the state's legislative and executive policy-making processes.
The Abuse Investigation Unit investigates and monitors public and private facilities and programs to uncover dangerous conditions and practices affecting people with disabilities. The Unit also issues alerts and recommendations to prevent future tragedies.
The Special Education Clinic/Helpline provides a helpline, individual self-advocacy, training and legal representation for people with disabilities and their families in securing an appropriate education and related services.
Specialized Advocacy, Outreach & Education Services Several specialized services address the needs of specific populations or circumstances and frequently combine the disciplines of Equip for Equality's general programs and services.
For Americans with Disabilities Act information, the Illinois ADA Project educates, enriches, and enlightens the people, businesses, and organizations of Illinois regarding the ADA.
For assistive technology, the Assistive Technology Project assists individuals with disabilities in Illinois to obtain assistive technology (AT) devices and services to increase, maintain and/or improve their functional capabilities.
For beneficiaries of Social Security, the Ticket to Work Project assists with information and advice regarding vocational rehabilitation and employment services, as well as provides advocacy or other services that beneficiaries with disabilities may need to secure, regain, or retain employment.
For Latinos with disabilities and their families, the Latinos with Disabilities Advocacy Project provides free individual advocacy services, education and outreach in Spanish at several host community centers in neighborhoods with high Latino populations.
For people with disabilities and their family members who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina, Equip for Equality offers a wide range of assistance and referrals, including assistance in obtaining financial and other benefits, as well as services, that are offered by government and community organizations.
For people with mental illness, the PAIMI Council advises Equip for Equality on policies and priorities to be carried out in protecting and advocating for the rights of individuals with mental illness.
For people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and their families, the Traumatic Brain Injury Project provides free individual advocacy services, trainings, and other community support.
For transportation rights, the Transportation Rights Project provides information about the legal rights of people with all types of disabilities when using many types of transportation.
For voting rights, the Voting Rights Project works to eliminate barriers to voting, including barriers to privacy and independence in voting.
Last year, over 6,000 individuals benefited directly from the many programs and services of Equip for Equality. In addition, thousands of individuals benefited from its public policy and other system change initiatives.
Contact Information
Main/Chicago Office
20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 341-0022 (800) 537-2632 (Voice) (800) 610-2779 (TTY) (312) 541-7544 (Main Fax) (312) 541-1413 (Alternate Fax) Se Habla Español and other languages American Sign Language (ASL) [email protected] (E-mail) |
Central Illinois - Regional Office
1 West Old State Capitol Plaza Suite 816 Springfield, IL 62701 (217) 544-0464 (Voice) (800) 758-0464 (Voice) (800) 610-2779 (TTY) (217) 523-0720 (Fax) |
APA Citation
Equip for equality. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.equipforequality.org
Equip for equality. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.equipforequality.org