ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

For nearly 35 years, Equip for Equality has been advancing the human and civil rights of people with disabilities across Illinois. Among our many accomplishments, Equip for Equality has made Chicago public transportation more accessible, helped tens of thousands of people with disabilities move from institutions into the community, increased inclusive education and educational outcomes for students with disabilities, and enhanced safety and quality of care in a variety of settings. We have offices throughout Illinois.

Equip for Equality has three Programs: The Civil Rights Team, the Special Education Clinic, and the Abuse Investigation Unit. Equip for Equality has a dedicated staff of 59 attorneys, social workers, and administrative staff working every day to advance our mission. As we work to improve society’s inclusion of individuals with disabilities, we also strive to be an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming workplace.

The Equal Justice Works Fellow position is within the Civil Rights Team. The Civil Rights Team handles a wide range of legal issues impacting people with disabilities. These issues include: removing barriers to public accommodations and government services and programs; community integration to support individuals to live in the most integrated community setting; employment discrimination; transportation; the right to be free from abuse and neglect; individuals’ legal rights in institutions and community settings; and self-determination and personal decision-making in the context of guardianship and other forms of substituted decision-making.

JOB SUMMARY

As part of a two-year Equal Justice Works’ Elder Justice fellowship, the attorney will perform duties within the Fundamental Rights Section of the Civil Rights Team, representing low income adults, age 60 and older, in Central and Southern Illinois who have fallen victim to abuse or exploitation. As part of this work, the attorney will conduct intakes and represent older adults by providing advice, advocacy and/or litigation services to protect them from and ameliorate the impact of, abuse and exploitation. The attorney will also educate older adults regarding their rights, legal remedies, and risks related to abuse and exploitation. Finally, the attorney will increase appropriate referrals from and coordination with the Illinois Department on Aging’s statewide network of local private and public agencies, through outreach and trainings. In light of COVID-19, such outreach and trainings will be conducted in accordance with current recommendations from the CDC and State of Illinois.