Turning an adaptive lifestyle into a rewarding lifestyle
By Hannah Gebresilassie A Medill Newsmakers Report When society thinks of people in wheelchairs, we often think of what they can’t do instead of what they can do. In this edition of Medill Newsmakers, wheelchair users in Chicago open up about living an adaptive lifestyle. The perspectives come from gunshot survivors, Skyhawks wheelchair basketball team […]
From the Streets to the Courts: Skyhawks wheelchair basketball helps gunshot survivors adapt
By Shen Wu Tan Video by Hannah Gebresilassie Marcus Jones was shot four times during an attempted armed robbery on April 17, 1995 on Chicago’s Southeast Side. Struck three times in the leg and once in the lower back, Jones suffered a serious injury and was devastated when doctors told him he would never walk […]
Illinois Developmental Centers Are to Remain Open
By Shen Wu Tan The seven Illinois state-operated developmental centers, housing individuals with developmental disabilities, will not close, according to the second proposed state budget. Due to the number of individuals still living in these centers and the amount of time it takes to transition these residents into the community, the state cannot justify shutting […]
Filmmaker, dad finds disability rights cause in plight of lost daughter
By Yixuan Chai Standing at the corner of Adams and Dearborn, Joey Papa and several friends yell at passersby through a loud speaker — for a reason: To raise awareness of people with special needs. On this cold Tuesday in February, between educating people walking by the post office about prejudice against those with special […]
Artist aims for radical visibility with new clothing line for queer people with disabilities
By Rebekah Frumkin Sky Cubacub, who uses the personal pronoun “they,” runs excitedly around this Lakeview studio, retrieving various chainmaille garments in the process. The bounty includes a chainmaille vest, a halter dress and bands of “metamaille,” or chainmaille that has itself been woven into a chainmaille pattern. “I’m super drawn to chainmaille because of […]
Supporters of Independent Living Call for Legislation to Protect Home Services and Discourage Institutionalization
By Shen Wu Tan A proposed bill that safeguards Illinois home care services passed the House Human Services Committee on Wednesday. The bill, HB 4351, sponsored by state Rep. Greg Harris (D-13), would prevent Gov. Bruce Rauner from increasing the eligibility score for community-based services until a new assessment tool is developed. HB 4351 also […]
Freshii Welcomes All Customers with Open Doors
By Shen Wu Tan The Canadian fast food chain Freshii recently launched its new accessibility program at its Chicago area locations, inviting and welcoming all customers into their stores, including those who require extra assistance. The Freshii Assist program includes installations of Inclusion Solutions’ BigBell alert systems at 28 Chicago locations and one Evanston location, […]
Entrepreneur with Disability Manages Own Vending and Delivery Business
By Shen Wu Tan “Ready…set…go!” Matthew Cochran yelled excitedly as he raced toward the entrance of his North Shore apartment. Eager to relax after a busy morning of deliveries, a wide grin stretched across his face as his plaid jacket flapped behind him. For months, Cochran has successfully managed a Chicago-based vending and delivery business, […]
Empowered Fe Fes gives young women sense of disability pride and community
By Rebekah Frumkin At 21, Alexis Smith already has the résumé of someone twice her age. She’s a poet, memoirist and activist working on a short film about inclusivity for people with disabilities. She also has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, for which she uses crutches 90 percent of the time and a power wheelchair the […]
CTA Proposes 20-Year Plan to Make All Railways Accessible
By Shen Wu Tan The Chicago Transit Authority announced earlier this month its proposal for a 20-year plan to make its entire rail system 100 percent accessible. According to the CTA’s website, about 70 percent of its rail systems are accessible and have ADA-compliant elevators or ramps. In collaboration with the City of Chicago, ADA, […]
