Hello! I’m Elizabeth Hamilton, the IL ABLE team’s new Enrollment Specialist.
I am here to support you on your pathway to opening an IL ABLE Account for yourself or for someone with a disability that you assist.
Parents Save With IL ABLE
Parents of a child with a disability are thinking ahead.
Alysia Townsend, parent of IL ABLE Account Owner Etienne contributes to IL ABLE Account to save for her son’s adult life. “I didn’t need to immediately focus on spending ABLE money around certain needs,” said Townsend in a recent interview with Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering stories about education. “I already had those needs met. As he gets older he needs more things and different things.”
The Americans with Disabilities Act Turns 35
The Colors of Disability Pride
Disability Pride Month is observed each July and commemorates the signing of the landmark civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which turns 35 this year! It is a time to honor the rich and diverse history, experiences, and achievements of people with disabilities here in Illinois and across the country. One way to show your pride is to fly or display the Disability Pride flag!
Growing Work-Ready Skills at the Growing Solutions Farm
One teacher’s perspective
Each week, students from across Chicago travel to Urban Autism Solutions’ Growing Solutions Farm (UAS), a 1.2-acre produce farm located in Chicago’s west side where Chicago public high school transition students with autism and related disabilities gain valuable vocational skills to help prepare for future competitive employment.
Read More “Growing Work-Ready Skills at the Growing Solutions Farm”
Celebrating Disability Pride this July
The Americans with Disabilities Act turns 34!
Disability pride is not something that happened overnight for me. For a long time after my injury I felt shame and like I was a burden. Over time, as I made an effort to connect with other people with disabilities, I came to value my community and admire so many disability leaders that are unapologetic and lead with care and kindness. That is what pride means to me: community, care and love…individually and collectively.
Reveca, IL ABLE Account Owner
IL ABLE salutes Reveca and all people with disabilities during this Disability Pride Month! July is a central month for people with and without disabilities to celebrate the anniversary of the passage of Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and disability pride. Across the country, people with disabilities and their allies honor the achievements, contributions, struggles, culture and pride of the disability community.
Self-Advocates Speak for Themselves about IL ABLE
IL ABLE Account Owners Featured as Panelists at Arc of Illinois Annual Convention
IL ABLE Account Owners Tom and Nevit told their personal stories about pride and independence they feel by being the owners of an IL ABLE Account during the Arc of Illinois Annual Convention May 1 in Normal, IL. The pair presented the “Me and My IL ABLE Account: Self Advocates’ Perspectives” session. Tom and Nevit each shared their sense of pride and autonomy with the audience as they talked about how they “make it happen” with their IL ABLE Accounts.
Read More “Self-Advocates Speak for Themselves about IL ABLE”
Disability Advocate and IL ABLE Account Owner Creates Social Impact through Art
Spotlight on Reveca Torres: Artist and Community Builder
IL ABLE Account Owner Reveca Torres wears many hats; she is a disability advocate, artist, filmmaker, and the founder and Executive Director of Backbones – a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with spinal cord injuries or disease connect with their communities.
In March, Reveca received an award for Outstanding Achievements in Arts and Humanities from Illinois State Treasurer Frerichs in honor of Women’s History Month. accessABLE News & Updates editors connected with Reveca recently to learn more about her work and how her IL ABLE Account helps to support her efforts.
Read More “Disability Advocate and IL ABLE Account Owner Creates Social Impact through Art”
How do you Celebrate Disability Pride?
Ideas for marking Disability Pride Month and the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
July is Disability Pride Month. Each year, Disability Pride Month celebrates the rich tapestry of disability experience and honors the collective achievements and history of the disability community.
Remembering Judy Heumann
Disability rights leader blazed trails for people with disabilities
IL ABLE honors the life and legacy of disability rights advocate Judy Heumann, who passed away on March 4 at age 75. Judy was a trailblazer for people with disabilities. Widely recognized as the mother of the disability rights movement, she dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.