Our Story

Our story

Equip for Equality is the federally mandated, governor appointed Protection & Advocacy Organization for the state of Illinois. For almost 40 years, we have achieved extraordinary outcomes that removed barriers in education, employment, housing, transportation, and government services for people in Illinois and created model programs used by other organizations around the country.  

About us

Equip for Equality’s mission is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with disabilities.  Disabilities affect every individual and family—be it a child with autism, a friend dealing with depression, a serious illness or injury to a family member, or coping with the natural changes that come with aging. Disabilities are a shared human experience and an important aspect of diverse communities.  

We recognize that expanding access, choice and opportunity not only benefits individuals with disabilities and their families, but also strengthens our communities and fosters an inclusive society that enables all people to live fully engaged and self-directed lives.

Using a variety of reform strategies, Equip for Equality has:

  • Attained individualized educational services for children and youth with disabilities to help ensure their success in school through our Special Education Clinic and nationally recognized Parent Helpline.
  • Established a Pro Bono Initiative with 32 leading corporations and law firms that contributed the equivalent of 4 ½ full-time employees last year.
  • Enabled 12,400 people with developmental disabilities and mental illness to move from institutions into more integrated community settings with critical services and supports.
  • Created a more accessible mass transit system in Chicago.
  • Pioneered a national model for identifying and addressing abuse and neglect of people with disabilities living in institutions and in the community. 

By working in partnership with other disability and civil rights groups, progressive service providers and government leaders, Equip for Equality has been able to build broad consensus for reform and achieve transformational victories for the disability community.  As a leading agent for social change, we have spearheaded many public policy and legislative reform efforts.  

To achieve the organization’s mission, Equip for Equality focuses on five substantive priorities: challenge discrimination/ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; promote inclusion of people with disabilities in the community; ensure quality care and safety; protect individuals’ control over personal decisions; and ensure quality special education essential for students’ success in school and beyond.

We carry out our mission through a comprehensive agenda that includes:

  • Disability rights education to empower people with disabilities and their families to be effective self advocates.
  • Legal services, including representation in negotiations, administrative proceedings, and court cases to achieve systemic change.
  • Independent monitoring of state and private facilities to uncover and resolve problems involving treatment and safety.
  • Oversight of state abuse and neglect systems, including recommending improvements and conducting investigations.
  • Public policy and legislative reform efforts to promote best practices and ensure government programs provide meaningful choices, rights protection, and fair processes to resolve disputes.
Sad, older woman sitting alone in a corner.

Unique role and statutory powers

Equip for Equality was established in 1985 and, later that year, Governor Thompson designated us as the federally mandated Protection & Advocacy System for the state of Illinois.  This was previously performed inside state government and its transfer to Equip for Equality enhanced its independence and ability to pursue its mission. 

Equip for Equality has broad federal and state statutory powers, including the right to make unannounced visits to public and private facilities and programs at our discretion; observe and talk with service recipients and staff; and access service recipients’ clinical records.  Furthermore, we have the right to review all records developed as part of an abuse and neglect investigation performed by the state oversight agency or a service provider agency.  If we think there may be a systemic problem, we can also access a sample of records.  These powers are similar to, and in some instances exceed, state government—they are critical to our ability to carry out our Congressional role.

Protection & Advocacy Programs

As the Protection & Advocacy System for Illinois, we receive funds from the federal government to perform the following functions.

1. Protection and Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (PADD)

Equip for Equality (EFE) receives funding from the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Protection and Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (PADD) Act to provide protection and advocacy services to individuals with a developmental disability as defined by federal law.

2. Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI)

EFE receives funding from the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for providing protection and advocacy services to individuals with a significant mental illness or emotional impairment under the Protection of Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Act. Eligibility for this program was expanded to include anyone with a serious mental impairment without regard to residential setting.  However, pursuant to Congressional mandate, EFE gives priority to individuals at risk for abuse due to seclusion, restraint, and any related serious injuries or fatalities, neglect, or civil rights violations, while residing in public and private care and treatment facilities.

3. Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR)

EFE receives funding from the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education under the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) Act to provide protection and advocacy services to all individuals with disabilities, including age-related disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, except for those eligible for PADD or PAIMI.

4. Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)

EFE receives funding from the Social Security Administration to provide protection and advocacy services to beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) with disabilities.  The PABSS program provides information, assistance, advice, and individual representation to Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities regarding vocational rehabilitation services, expungement and/or sealing of criminal records, employment services, and other support services from employment networks and other service providers that eligible beneficiaries with disabilities may need to secure, regain or retain gainful employment.

5. Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT)

EFE receives funding from the Administration for Community Living in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide protection and advocacy for assistive technology (PAAT) services to people with disabilities who have assistive technology needs.

6. Protection and Advocacy for People with Traumatic Brain Injuries (PATBI)

EFE receives funding from the Administration on Community Living of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide protection and advocacy services to people with traumatic brain injuries (PATBI).  The purpose of the PATBI program is to ensure that people with TBI, who have historically been underserved by the P&A system, have sufficient advocacy and educational services dedicated to them.

7. Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA)

EFE receives funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide protection and advocacy services for voting access  (PAVA) to ensure full participation in the electoral process for people  with disabilities, including registering to vote, casting a vote and accessing polling places.

8. Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries with Representative Payees (PABRP)

EFE receives funding from the Social Security Administration to strengthen oversight and protections for beneficiaries by monitoring and reviews of representative payees to address issues of performance and suitability and ensure proper handling of funds.

9. Client Assistance Program (CAP)

EFE receives funding from the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Education to provide advice and legal assistance to individuals applying for or receiving services under the Rehabilitation Act, including vocational rehabilitation services from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and independent living services from the Centers for Independent Living (CILs).