Chicago's Emergency Preparedness Resources for People with Disabilities and Seniors In An Emergency

Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
City of Chicago Links and Resources

Notify Chicago is a city service that provides residents with recorded telephone messages, text messages and/or e-mail alerts on various emergency and non-emergency situations taking place throughout Chicago.

Emergency Assistance Voluntary Registry

The City of Chicago’s Voluntary Emergency Assistance Registry (click) was created to provide police, fire and other emergency personnel with important information about the type of assistance people with disabilities and seniors would need in an emergency.

The City of Chicago continues to coordinate partnerships that will strengthen the response, rescue and recovery efforts of first responders as well as assist in protecting Chicago’s critical infrastructure. As such, the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Chicago Fire Department (CFD) and Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) have joined forces to ensure the highest level of preparedness for local businesses through the Chicago’s Public and Private Partnership (CP3) initiative.

The CP3 portal will immediately assist first responders across all agencies in saving time, life and property during an emergency event. The CP3 portal gives the private sector the opportunity to proactively update critical information regarding their infrastructure, such as, floor plans and security operations at their specific locations. The portal provides a one-stop-shop for the private sector and first responders to communicate critical information. Business owners, tenants and members of a facility’s management teams are encouraged to enroll to become a CP3 partner.

Federal Emergency and Management Agency (FEMA)
Links and Resources

The ready.gov website has a section focused on preparedness information for people with disabilities or functional needs. It includes an instructional video as well as the brochure “Prepared for Emergencies Now: Information for people with Disabilities” (copy of brochure attached).

Ready.gov also has basic emergency preparedness resources that may be useful, such as printable wallet cards to write emergency contact numbers or other information on.

Spanish language version of ready.gov can be found at www.listo.gov

Illinois Emergency Management Agency Sign Language

Preparedness Videos
www.illinois.gov/ready/multi-media/Pages/AmerSign.aspx 

ASL videos on topics such as making a plan, building a kit, getting trained, volunteering, sheltering in place, going to a shelter, planning for people with functional needs, and planning for evacuations.
Accessible Communication 4 All

This site includes downloadable sheets of common emergency terms with pictures and/or words.
Feeling Safe Being Safe

Tools developed by and for people with disabilities: This site includes a workbook that will help individuals to make an emergency plan, a video that demonstrates how to complete the workbook and put together a home emergency kit, and a printable magnet to post important emergency contact information on the refrigerator for first responders.

Information posted as shared by the City of Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) ...

# previous posted May 2014, all links are up to as of the repost.

Illinois Disability Rights Consortium meeting - Dec 6th - focus on intersection of disability and emergency preparedness

The next Illinois Disability Rights Consortium meeting will take place on Wednesday December 6, 2017 from 9:30-11:00 (ct) at Equip for Equality (20 N. Michigan, Suite 300 in Chicago).

Given the numerous recent weather and gun-related emergencies, we thought having a session on the intersection of disability and emergency preparedness would be timely. I will start the session by reviewing how the ADA has been used to ensure that people with disabilities are included in emergency preparedness plans by municipalities and schools. And then Laurie Dittman, Senior Policy Analyst for the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, will provide an update on the work of the City of Chicago on emergency preparedness and people with disabilities.

Continuing legal education credit will be provided for attorneys in attendance. A captioner will be present for the meeting. If you need any other accommodations to participate in the meeting, please email by November 29.

To participate remotely, you can call: 800-910-8278 and then enter code: 1940990.

Illinois Disability Rights Consortium meeting July 26th, speaker will be Karen Tamley, Commissioner for Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

Karen Tamley, Commissioner MOPD

The next Illinois Disability Rights Consortium meeting will be on Wednesday July 26th, 2017  – the 17th anniversary of the ADA! The meeting will be from 9:30-11:00 am at Equip for Equality’s Chicago office (20 N. Michigan, Suite 300). 

The featured speaker will be Karen Tamley, Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) for the City of Chicago. Commissioner Tamley will review the accomplishments and initiatives of MOPD and will answer questions and take suggestions for issues her office can address.

A captioner will be present for the meeting. If you need another accommodation to participate, please contact me by July 19th.

If you cannot participate in person, there will be a phone-in option. You can call 800-910-8278 and then enter code: 1940990.

"A Healthy Start" Informational Session for People with Disabilities in Chicago August 8th 2017

The City of Chicago Mayor's Office for People for Disabilities (MOPD) will be hosting an informational session: "A Healthy Start" on August 8th - 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM CDT. As always the events are free for all attendees, but RSVP > EventBrite

DESCRIPTION
Join MOPD for a presentation by Bethany Harris from JenCare Senior Medical Center on the benefits of Acupuncture (one of the oldest healing practices) and the various programs and services they offer.

MOPD will also have Stephanie Garrigan from Philips Lifeline to discuss their line of solutions (HomeSafe with AutoAlert,GoSafe, CarePoint and CareSage) that support senior independence, daily operations and care.

Lastly, Ryan McGraw from Access2Yoga will show participants how to incorporate yoga into their lives. Ryan stated, 'As a person with a disability and yoga teacher who has been practicing yoga for 14 years, I believe anyone can do yoga. Yoga can be adapted to be made accessible to all.'

LOCATION

Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities
Field Office
2102 W. Ogden Ave.
Chicago, IL 60612

312.744.MOPD (6673) (voice)
312.744.7833 (TTY)

RSVP > EventBrite

The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) works to meet the diverse needs of the more than 600,000 individuals with disabilities who live and work in Chicago. MOPD’s goal is to make Chicago the most accessible city in the nation.

MOPD serves five major groups: people with disabilities, City departments and agencies, other government agencies, disability-related agencies and organizations and the private sector.

source: press release

CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL APPROVES CREATION OF TASK FORCE ON EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

March 29, 2017 - Chicago City Council today approved a resolution to establish a new task force focused on removing barriers to employment for people with disabilities. The Task Force on Employment and Economic Opportunity for People with Disabilities, jointly created by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Alderman Roberto Maldonado, will advise the city on relevant policies and programs in order to increase employment and economic development opportunities to benefit residents with disabilities.

“Our top priority is to ensure that Chicago provides all of our residents with access and opportunity to earn a good wage and to live independently,” said Mayor Emanuel. “While we’ve made important progress on addressing the employment gap for people both with and without disabilities, we must do more. By increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, we will ensure that many more residents are able to live independently, allowing our city as a whole to thrive.”

The Task Force will represent leaders of not-for-profit disability policy organizations, community- based service providers, universities and higher education, organizations focused on driving economic growth in the region, and city and state officials.

While a series of both local and federal legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have contributed to significant improvements in quality of life in recent years, people with disabilities, who make up approximately one fifth of the population in Chicago, are still unemployed at higher rates and are more impacted by poverty than those without disabilities.

To address the employment gap, the Task Force will work to advance policies and programs that better prepare students with disabilities for higher education; increase alignment on job training opportunities between employers and service providers, and encourage economic development through entrepreneurship and a review of new and existing policies to ensure that the interests of people with disabilities are represented.

“There is no question that the only way to succeed in today’s economy is with a strong education and well-paying job,” said Alderman Maldonaldo. “This Task Force will address the employment gap for persons with disabilities head on, with a goal of opening new doors of opportunity that will lead to economic advancement for everyone in our city.”

Increasing employment and economic development opportunities is critical to people with disabilities being able to live independently, accessing quality education, job training, transportation, and housing.

The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) will serve as the facilitator of the Task Force, which will meet monthly over the course of the next year.

“To ensure that residents with disabilities are afforded the same opportunities for employment, the task force will work toward better opportunities for our residents with disabilities to live, work and thrive in our city,” said MOPD Commissioner Karen Tamley."

The creation of the task force delivers on the administration’s ongoing commitment to improving access and opportunity for disabled residents in a wide range of city initiatives, with a focus on education and employment. Under the Mayor’s leadership, MOPD has launched a number of initiatives focused on improving opportunities for people with disabilities to earn an education and gain employment. Most recently, the launch of the City’s first Mayoral Literacy Task Force in 2015 is aimed at closing the gap in literacy and improving reading proficiency among students and residents with disabilities.

SOURCE: Press Release City of Chicago

# another lets see what happens task force - Jim

Chicago Office for People with Disabilities Hosts Discussion about Fire Safety and Tenants Rights on March 22nd

DESCRIPTION:
Join the Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) an engaging presentation by the Chicago Fire Department in which they will provide information on the importance of having a working smoke detector, leaving cooking and space heaters unattended, as well as over loading extension cords. Plus many more fire safety tips!

Lawyer’s Committee for Better Housing will discuss and assist renters in understanding the legal remedies available under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. Lawyers Committee for Better Housing is funded in part with a grant from the Department of Planning and Development.

Please contact MOPDinfo@cityofchicago.org for more information. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Frances A. Learnahan, Disabilities Specialist III at (312) 746-5773 (voice), (312) 744-7833 (TTY) or at MOPDinfo@cityofchicago.org. Please allow at least 72 hours advance notice.

This session is free and open to the public. If you would like to register for this event, please click http://bit.ly/2iFOZ8n

Feel free to invite a family member or friend to attend with you!

DATE AND TIME:         

Wed, March 22, 2017
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM CDT

LOCATION:
MOPD FIELD OFFICE
2012 West Ogden Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612
View Map

MOPD Informational Session for People with Disabilities in Chicago Nov. 9, 2016

click image to enlarge

The City of Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) is hosting another Informational Session will focus will be on knowing your rights. MOPD invited a few agencies to come discuss their services and answer any questions you may have.

WHEN: November 9th, 2016 from 10am-12:30pm

WHERE: MOPD field office - 2102 West Ogden Avenue, Room A

REGISTER: CLICH HERE

Presenters:

• Center for Disability Elder Law (CDEL) as they will discuss your rights as it pertains to the ADA, Advance Directives, Powers of Attorney and IL Living Will Declaration.
• Equip for Equality will discuss employment rights
• Landmark Pest Management will discuss the issue of bed bugs and how to prevent them. www.landmarkpest.com

Please come with your questions and/or documents for presenters to review.
Please contact MOPDinfo@cityofchicago.org for more information. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Frances A. Learnahan, Disabilities Specialist III at (312) 746-5773 (voice), (312) 744-7833 (TTY) or at MOPDinfo@cityofchicago.org. Please allow at least 4-5 business days advance notice. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be unable to fulfill.

Chicago Awards Taxicab Driver Bayo Aladesuru With Free Taxicab Medallion For Exemplary Service To The Disability Community

Free Taxicab Medallion Offers Financial Freedom, Small Business Benefits for Driver

 "Congrats to the 2015 Taxicab Driver Excellence Award winner Bayo Aladesuru at #AccessChicago!

Press Release | July 21. 2016

City of Chicago 
The City of Chicago today presented the 2015 Taxicab Driver Excellence Award to licensed Chicago taxicab driver Bayo Aladesuru for his one of a kind customer service and dedication to the disability community. The taxicab medallion award was presented to Mr. Aladesuru during the 2016 Access Chicago expo, the city’s biannual event to showcase its offering of products and services created exclusively for individuals with disabilities.

The Taxicab Medallion Excellence Award was created for drivers providing services to passengers with disabilities. The ordinance allows for a free medallion to be awarded to one wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) chauffeur and the winner is chosen by the Taxicab Driver Excellence Committee. This year’s award was presented by committee members Karen Tamley of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and Maria Guerra Lapacek, Commissioner of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP).

“It is because of chauffeurs like Bayo who go above and beyond to provide quality service to the disabled community so they can navigate Chicago independently,” said BACP Commissioner Maria Guerra Lapacek. “The nominations for Bayo painted a very clear picture of the impact of the service he provides to his customers and what exemplary service looks like.”

Every year since 2012, the Taxicab Driver Excellence Award is awarded to a driver exemplifying superior service and a commitment to providing residents of all needs with access to quality transportation. The Taxicab Driver Excellence Committee reviews nominations by the general public and carefully considers each of them before selecting a recipient of the award, which includes a free taxicab medallion.

This year, the committee reviewed 4 nominees. Bayo secured this year’s award with over 40 nominations. He’s been a licensed chauffeur for 18 years, but 2015 was his year. Throughout 2015 he responded to over 1,800 calls from Central Dispatch for his wheelchair accessible taxicab. One nominee wrote, “I wish I could request him every time I need to go to the doctor. He treated me like a person and not just a customer. I wish every taxi driver had the same courtesy.”

Another nominee wrote, “If my husband is not there, Bayo without being asked regularly clears the snow from the area between the garage door and the taxi ramp […]. Once he picked me up exactly as planned for an early morning trip to the airport even though a family members business had just gone up in flames.”

The Taxicab Driver Excellence Committee is made up of three City of Chicago employees and four members of local non-profit organizations and one citizen at large. The committee is run jointly by BACP Commissioner Guerra Lapacek and Commissioner Karen Tamley of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). Additional committee members are Deputy Commissioner Rupal Bapat of BACP, Efrat Stein of Self Help Home, Carrie Kaufman of Access Living, Lisa Rosen of the Rehabilitation Institute Chicago, Rachel Weisberg of Equip for Equality, and Maureen Reagan, President of MRA Architects.

"Accessible taxicabs are critical to the independence of the disability community and we are proud to recognize the years of exemplary service that Bayo has provided,” said MOPD Commissioner Karen Tamley.

BACP oversees the licensing of Chicago’s public chauffeurs and public vehicles including taxicabs, transportation network providers, liveries, charter and site seeing buses, horse-drawn carriages, ambulances, water taxis and tour boats. The department oversees the purchasing of taxicab medallions, vehicle inspections and rates of fare. Learn more about BACP’s Public Vehicle Operations at www.cityofchicago.org/BACP.

###

AccessChicago 2016 Chicago Disability Expo July 13th

AccessChicago will be held Wednesday,

July 13th, 2016

Time: 10:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

                                                NAVY PIER, FESTIVAL HALL A 

Hosted by Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), AccessChicago expo promotes Chicago’s wide range of accessible venues, products, and services.

AccessChicago is the perfect event for people with disabilities of all ages!

• Test products and connect with community organizations to learn about available disability-related social services
• Participate in various adaptive sports and recreational opportunities

AccessChicago is FREE and open to the public!
July 13th, 2016

Chicago's Navy Pier
Time: 10:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

For more information, visit:
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mopd/provdrs/accesschicago.html

Perhaps you've been wondering what there is to do at AccessChicago?  Scales & Tales Traveling Petting Zoo Moving Mountains Accessible Climbing Wall Gardening Workshops by Envision Bingo Cooking Matters Cooking Demos ITA Therapeutic Art Workshops I See Music LLC Musical performance Comedy by Laura Hugg Judo, Fishing, Golf, sponsored by the Chicago Park District An Arts and Culture section An Accessible Transportation and Travel area Movie Showing, Finding Nemo  WIPA Seminar Accessible Indoor Rowing Competitions sponsored by Chicago Indoor Rowing Championships Lekotek Play Area Momento Photo Booth Raffle Prizes (be sure to fill out your raffle ticket(s) and put it in the box of the prize you would like the chance to win)

A Free Trolley Car is available at Navy Pier, from the front of the pier to Festival Hall A where AccessChicago is being held. Please watch for directional signage along the East side of the Pier. If you're getting dropped off, all drop offs and pick ups are at Riva's Restaurant turnaround.

For Public Transportation information:
CTA Trip Planner: http://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
PACE ADA Paratransit Service Directory: http://www.pacebus.com/sub/paratransit/sd_ada_paratransit.asp

Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

121 N. LaSalle Street
Room 104
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312.744.7050
TTY: 312.744.4964

Chicago's Office for Disability MOPD - Movie Day May 18th - Free

After the movie, MOPD staff will be available to assist you with any disability question/concern.  Just let any staff member know that you need to speak with a Disability Specialist. Please bring most current identification and any additional paperwork that will help address your question/concern. Lastly, please plan your transportation to and from the event accordingly. 

# Information is as shared by MOPD, for more information call (312) 746-5773 or visit: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mopd.html

Chicago's Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities on March 23rd presents "A Discussion about Nutrition with a Healthy Cooking Demonstration"

The City of Chicago's Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities is partnering with Community Engagement Neighborhood Health Partnerships and Cooking Matters (EverThrive IL) to present: A Discussion about Nutrition with a Healthy Cooking Demonstration. For an engaging presentation by Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health in which they will show how your body benefits by adding more nutritious foods into your daily intake. Immediately following, Cooking Matters (EverThrive IL) will enlighten you with a cooking demonstration.Their program empowers families at risk of hunger with the skills, knowledge and confidence to make healthy and affordable meals. So no matter how tight your budget, this program can show you how linking access to food, with the skills needed to make healthy meals, can improve your overall eating habits. WHEN: Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM (CDT) WHERE: Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities - Room 1 2102 W. Ogden Avenue , Chicago, IL   If you would like to register for this event, please click  HERE . Feel free to invite a family member or friend to attend with you! Please contact MOPDinfo@cityofchicago.org for more information. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Frances A. Learnahan, Disabilities Specialist III at (312) 746-5773 (voice), (312) 744-7833 (TTY) or at MOPDinfo@cityofchicago.org. Please allow at least 3-5 business days advance notice. Last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fulfill. Information in this post is shared from the  City of Chicago's Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.

Chicago's O'Hare Airport gets indoor Service Animal (& pet) Relief Room

Service animals and pets will now have a place indoors to relieve themselves at O’Hare International Airport making it especially convenient for those passengers with connecting or layover flights.
article By LORRAINE SWANSON for the Oak Lawn Patch | Oct. 20, 2015
The indoor service animal/pet relief room at O’Hare is located past security checkpoints in the rotunda area of Terminal 3. The room is designed to accommodate passengers traveling with service animals or pets. Individuals with disabilities will no longer need to pass back through security to take their service animals outside to relieve themselves.

The room has two, 2-foot by 4-foot pet relief areas complete with artificial grass covering, miniature fire hydrants and pop-up sprinkler systems to wash away liquid waste into a drain. In addition, a mounted hose bib and reel is available for manual spraying and plastic bags are provided for clean-up.

The glass pane door into the indoor service area open and close automatically, and is designed for wheelchair access. The room also includes two sinks for passenger use. In the indoor service animal/pet relief area is provided by the Chicago Department of Aviation.

“We are pleased to offer this new amenity for passengers, especially those who depend on the assistance of service animals when they travel through our airport,” said CDA Commissioner Ginger S. Evans. “This is another way we are making O’Hare International Airport more accessible to the traveling public and creating a more welcoming environment for visitors to Chicago.”

The aviation department coordinated with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities to ensure the room is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

“The new indoor animal relief area located in the secured terminal of O’Hare International Airport will enhance the traveling experience for individuals with service animals, particularly those with connecting flights,” said MOPD Commissioner Karen Tamley. “This feature is another step towards our goal of making Chicago a world class accessible city for people with disabilities.”

In addition to the new airside animal relief room, there are three outdoor service animal/ pet relief areas located near the lower level curb front of Terminals 1, 2 and 5.

The Terminal 1 and 5 outdoor locations were opened in 2009 and the Terminal 2 location was added in 2014.

Midway International Airport also has an outdoor service animal and pet relief area located near the lower level curb front at the north end of the terminal that opened in 2009.

Real grass, gravel or wood chips are used inside the fenced-in areas and plastic bags and garbage cans are provided. The Chicago Department of Aviation and custodial staff monitor the areas throughout the day to ensure cleanliness.

http://patch.com/illinois/oaklawn/ohare-international-airport-opens-indoor-service-animal-pet-relief-area

On 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Chicago Commissioner Karen Tamley Discusses ADA Advancements

Chicago Tonight WTTW 11 (July 27, 2015) Phil Ponce talks with Karen Tamley, Commissioner of Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD).

Sunday July 26th marked the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark legislation that set standards for everything from accessing buildings and public transportation to mandating equal access in employment.

How has the world changed for the disabled in the last quarter century? Here to discuss that is Karen Tamley, commissioner of the Chicago Mayor's Office for Persons with Disabilities.

For more information and to be part of the anniversary year events, visit The ADA Legacy Project website.

Illinois Disability Rights Consortium Webinar, July 22, 2015 - Guest: Karen Tamley, Commissioner Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

Illinois Disability Rights Consortium July 22nd, 2015

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday July 22^nd from 9:30-11:00 at Equip for Equality (20 N. Michigan, Suite 300 in Chicago.)  

The speaker for July will be Karen Tamley, Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities in Chicago.  Commissioner Tamley will be sharing with us the work of her office.  There will also be an opportunity to provide her with feedback regarding issues of importance to the disability community.

A captioner will be present for the meeting.  If you need any other accommodations, please contact Barry Taylor BarryT@equipforequality.org by Friday July 17^th.  You can participate on-line by logging onto www.illinoislegaladvocate.org and then click on Calendar and then click on the link for the Consortium.