Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Congratulating Access to Independence on their 35th Anniversary and their work in empowering, advocating and providing services for people with any type of disability, and of any age, to achieve or maintain their independence
Body
WHEREAS in 1978, Access to Independence was established after a group of local advocates came together to raise funds for the Karabis Apartments in Madison, and was soon developed into a social service agency to meet the needs of people with disabilities; and,
WHEREAS, Access to Independence became a federally recognized Independent Living Center adhering to the independent living philosophy, which believes that people with disabilities are the most knowledgeable experts about their needs and can make their own life choices; and,
WHEREAS, the majority of all members of the staff and the board of directors are people of diverse disabilities; and,
WHEREAS, Access to Independence provides services, education and advocacy to people with disabilities to improve access to housing, transportation, assistive technology, employment, public benefits, public accessibility, and voting, for example; and,
WHEREAS, Access to Independence provides information and education to families and friends of people with disabilities, service organizations, elected officials and bureaucrats; and,
WHEREAS, since 1978, Access to Independence has maintained a presence in the city of Madison through different locations around the city and by hiring and providing volunteer opportunities for Madisonians with disabilities; and,
WHEREAS, Access to Independence participates in systems change advocacy at a local, state and federal level to ensure that legislation, statute and policy provide a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities; and,
WHEREAS, Access to Independence brings community awareness to disability issues and milestones, and was the primary organizer for the 20th Anniversary Celebrat...
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