Equip For Equality

10/05/2026

Talent is everywhere. Opportunity should be too.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent,” recognizing the skills and contributions Americans with disabilities add to the nation’s workplaces, communities, and economy.

At Equip for Equality, we know that employment is about more than a paycheck. It is about independence, dignity, opportunity and the right for people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities.
BECAUSE AN INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE IS A STRONGER WORKFORCE

For resources go to:
https://www.equipforequality.org/solutions/employment-rights/
https://www.equipforequality.org/resource/reasonable-accommodations/

10/01/2026

The Equip for Equality (EFE) 40th Anniversary Celebration was unforgettable. With more than 200 supporters, partners, and clients in the room, we are fired up and ready to continue advancing the civil and human rights of people with disabilities throughout Illinois.
Events like this remind us of our community's strength and the critical role it plays in fighting for justice.

09/23/2026

We are days away until our 40th Anniversary celebration and there are a few tickets left. Thank you to everyone who has purchased tickets! Our ticket sales will close this Friday September 25 at noon.

Chicago Winery is located at 739 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Time: 5-7pm
Dress code: Business/Business Casual
Heavy hors d' oeuvres and dessert will be served.
B**r and w**e
Limited street parking is avaible
Valet parking will be offered at a flat rate of $25
(Apple Pay, cash and credit card accepted)

We look forward to seeing you at Chicago Winery on September 28!

09/21/2026

The countdown is on: 7 days to go! Equip for Equality is celebrating 40 impactful years on one unforgettable night!
There is still time to join us!
https://equip-for-equality.snwbll.com/ticketing/40th-anniversary
Can't attend our event at Chicago Winery but still want to support our mission?
https://efe.app.neoncrm.com/np/publicaccess/browseProducts.do
https://efe.app.neoncrm.com/forms/40th-anniversary?campaignId=1935626461

09/18/2026

Your Opinion Matters: Young Voices Needed!
Be a part of the conversation about public safety and policing as we search for a new Chicago Police Superintendent.
Youth Listening Session on September 23 from 4-5:30pm
ccpsa.chicago.gov/2026-cpd-superintendent-search

09/16/2026

The Illinois Answers Project just published an article on the state of jails throughout Illinois. Amanda Antholt, a civil rights attorney at Equip for Equality, is quoted in the article.
https://projects.illinoisanswers.org/inside-illinois-jail-unusual-events/
This piece highlights why the work our civil rights team does is more important than ever.

09/11/2026

Equip for Equality's President and Founder, Zena Naiditch in Crain's Chicago Business: 50 years later, the Promise of Special Education Remains Unfulfilled.

Click on the link to access the article:
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/elevate/ccb-elevate-special-education-barriers-students-20260908/

09/03/2026

“I have six kids, four grandkids, and one of my sons is in the military. I cherish and love my family so much,” said Mr. Valenzuela. “I just want to tell them happy birthday and I am so grieved when I can’t call because I don’t want them to think I forgot.” We are working with Disability Rights Advocates and Much Shelist to file a lawsuit on behalf of an incarcerated man who is Deaf challenging IDOC’s failure to provide Deaf people equal access to its expanded telephone program.

September 2, 2026—Chicago, IL—Today, Daniel Valenzuela, a Deaf individual incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), filed a federal lawsuit challenging IDOC’s failure to provide Deaf people equal access to its expanded telephone program. Mr. Valenzuela is represented by Di...

08/27/2026

Announcing our 2026 Honorees! Join us in celebrating them and the extraordinary contributions they have made to Equip for Equality and the difference they have made in the lives of so many people with disabilities throughout Illinois. To purchase tickets or sponsorships go here:
https://www.equipforequality.org/launching-our-5th-decade-past-present-progress/

08/25/2026

The countdown is on! Join us on September 28 at Chicago Winery for our 40th Anniversary gala. We will be celebrating our accomplishments and the extraordinary people who have been central to our mission of advancing the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in Illinois. It will be an unforgettable evening! 🎉🙌🏻🎊
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.equipforequality.org/launching-our-5th-decade-past-present-progress/

We look forward to seeing you there!