CCDI WANTS YOU!

CCDI is preparing for the upcoming election and is seeking candidates to run for the offices of: 1st Vice President, Treasurer, and Regional and Assistant Directors for regions 2, 4, 6 , 8 and 10. We also need to fill vacancies in Regions 3, 5 & 11. To apply or to be considered for appointment, contact the CCDI office at 1-800-433-8848 to request a form.

HB 655 (the bill to create an employment task force) was signed about 2 weeks ago and is now Public Act 96-0368. If you are interested in serving on the task force, you must submit an application (online only) at appointments.illinois.gov, select boards and commissions, then select "Disabilities Task Force, Employment and Economic Opportunities for People with Disabilities" and nominate yourself.

The budget battle continues. Proposed budget cuts would drastically impact services that many Illinois citizens with disabilities could not continue to live independently without. We need a PERMANENT tax increase to fund these vital services for people with disabilities. We need sustainable and adequate revenues to meet the human service needs of Illinois' most vulnerable citizens, including persons with disabilities.

How will the potential budget cuts affect you or your loved ones?

Conference Time!

I am getting so excited about the conference next week! Anyone else?

Tell Us Your Story!

Calling All Story Tellers (That Means You)!

Please tell us your story about how the high rate of unemployment for people with disabilities affects you personally. We will use these stories as anonymous examples for why we need HB 655 to pass, as well as in our employment awareness campaign.

HB 655 would create the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force. The Task Force would be required to analyze programs and policies of the State, State disability systems, applicable research and policy studies, innovations used in other States, and federal policy initiatives, in order to remove barriers and increase employment and economic opportunity for persons with disabilities.

Thanks for all that you do!

Welcome to the New CCDI Member Blog!

Welcome to the New CCDI Member Blog!

This blog is a forum for CCDI members to discuss a wide variety of advocacy topics, such as employment, accessible parking, affordable and accessible transportation, healthcare, Olmstead implementation, community choice, affordable and accessible housing, low income heating and energy assistance, transition services, human rights and discrimination, assistive technology, and voting.

We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to share your ideas, personal stories, successes, failures, and inspiration, with other CCDI advocates!

Blog away!