EQUIP FOR EQUALITY INC
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Mission Statement
Advancing the Human & Civil Rights of People with Disabilities in Illinois
About This Cause
Equip for Equality’s mission is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with disabilities. Disabilities affect every individual and family—be it a child with autism, a friend dealing with depression, a serious illness or injury to a family member, or coping with the natural changes that come with aging. Disabilities are a shared human experience and an important aspect of diverse communities. We recognize that expanding access, choice and opportunity not only benefits individuals with disabilities and their families, but also strengthens our communities and fosters an inclusive society that enables all people to live fully engaged and self-directed lives. For more than three decades, Equip for Equality has achieved extraordinary outcomes that have removed barriers in education, employment, housing, transportation, and government services for people in Illinois and created model programs. Using a variety of reform strategies, Equip for Equality has: • Attained individualized educational services for children and youth with disabilities to help ensure their success in school through our Special Education Clinic and nationally recognized Parent Helpline; • Established a Pro Bono Initiative with 32 leading corporations and law firms that contributed the equivalent of 4 ½ full-time employees last year; • Enabled 12,400 people with developmental disabilities and mental illness to move from institutions into more integrated community settings with critical services and supports; • Created a more accessible mass transit system in Chicago; • Pioneered a national model for identifying and addressing abuse and neglect of people with disabilities living in institutions and in the community. By working in partnership with other disability and civil rights groups, progressive service providers and government leaders, Equip for Equality has been able to build broad consensus for reform and achieve transformational victories for the disability community. As a leading agent for social change, we have spearheaded many public policy and legislative reform efforts. To achieve the organization’s mission, Equip for Equality focuses on five substantive priorities: challenge discrimination/ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; promote inclusion of people with disabilities in the community; ensure quality care and safety; protect individuals’ control over personal decisions; and ensure quality special education essential for students’ success in school and beyond. We carry out our mission through a comprehensive agenda that includes: • Disability rights education to empower people with disabilities and their families to be effective self advocates; • Legal services, including representation in negotiations, administrative proceedings, and court cases to achieve systemic change; • Independent monitoring of state and private facilities to uncover and resolve problems involving treatment and safety; • Oversight of state abuse and neglect systems, including recommending improvements and conducting investigations; • Public policy and legislative reform efforts to promote best practices and ensure government programs provide meaningful choices, rights protection, and fair processes to resolve disputes. Unique Role and Statutory Powers Equip for Equality was established in 1985 and, later that year, Governor Thompson designated the organization as the federally mandated Protection & Advocacy System for the state of Illinois. This function was previously performed inside state government and its transfer to the not-for-profit sector enhanced its independence and ability to pursue its mission. Equip for Equality has broad federal and state statutory powers, including the right to make unannounced visits to public and private facilities and programs at our discretion; observe and talk with service recipients and staff; and access service recipients’ clinical records. Furthermore, we have the right to review all records developed as part of an abuse and neglect investigation performed by the state oversight agency or a service provider agency. If we think there may be a systemic problem, we can also access a sample of records. These powers are similar to, and in some instances exceed, state government—they are critical to our ability to carry out our Congressional role.