Attention Disabled Adults, Seniors and Veterans: See Highlights from 2008 Disability Forum... News and Updates from State and Local Experts.

RESOURCE REMINDER:  The Illinois State Treasurer’s Opportunity Illinois: Community Development Loan Program helps provide low interest loans to businesses and non-profit organizations that provide programs and services to the community.  Community Development Loans are available to help:

• Non-profit organizations expand, enhance services or make other improvements so that they can better assist the community.
• Historically significant structures get the necessary repairs and preventative maintenance so they last for future generations.

Borrowers can use the funds to finance real estate acquisition, construction, expansion, inventory, or to purchase equipment.

Check out the RESOURCE section of the Accessible Cities Alliance website for the Illinois State Treasurer's website where you can find complete details on Opportunity Illinois.

The Accessible Cities Alliance (ACA) is a cooperative, broad-based partnership between the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, disability advocates and persons with disabilities, local municipalities like the City of Joliet, businesses, the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, professional trade organizations, media representatives and civic leaders.

In its initial phase, the group's efforts are focused on Joliet, the home of the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living. The long-term goal is to help the City of Joliet become an Accessible City, then pass on the template to other cities to increase access in public accommodations throughout Will and Grundy Counties.

This broad-based coalition is committed to the process of improving accessibility to public accommodations for the one in five Americans currently experiencing a disability. Initiated in early 2003, the Alliance has established a three-fold mission:

1. Improving voluntary compliance with the ADA and related accessibility laws.
2. Working with businesses to provide a host of resource to achieve full compliance, from accessibility audits to ADA and disability training, product and resource recommendations, and financing coordination;
3. Continually promoting efforts toward a barrier-free society.

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