Access Life Solutions

Pros

• They provide great service and staff are always willing to help.
• Access Living offers awesome resources and quality services for people with disabilities.
• The organization creates a welcoming, friendly environment for the disability community.
• They offer comprehensive housing resources and financial literacy support, including one-on-one credit help.
• The staff are caring, respectful, and treat clients with dignity.
• They are a valuable community resource that advocates for people with disabilities.
• They pay participants while teaching them how to help themselves.

Cons

• They really suck.
• The staff are largely trying to advance their careers at the expense of clients.
• The policy work stands out as particularly incompetent.
• The organization was not helpful, inviting people for housing assistance only to ask questions and then say there is no housing available.
• Some staff members are nice, but after years of dealing with the same paperwork, no one helps and there's no explanation why.
• They told homeless families with a special needs son to seek shelter at police stations or hospitals, promising a call in about two and a half years.
• The process was started but never finished; the initial helper left and subsequent staff did not follow up.
• They do not seem to specialize in helping people with PTSD, single parents with disabilities, or people of color, and do not appear to care to provide information.
• The reviewer felt there was no help at all.

Review

A chorus of voices emerges from a shared space that serves as a hub for disability advocacy, housing resources, and community organizing. The thread running through dozens of observations is a commitment to helping people with disabilities live fuller, more connected lives, even as individuals navigate the complex maze of housing petitions, vouchers, and social services. Some describe a building that feels like a small, focused ecosystem - one that aims to be green, fragrance-free, and doorless yet private and accessible. They recall a "total green environment," a place where the environment is designed with accessibility and dignity in mind, including private restrooms that are accessible to all and a policy that emphasizes fragrance-free spaces. In short, there is a palpable sense of mission: a dedicated civil rights team, experienced and focused on disability issues, working to shepherd people through the maze of services and supports they need.

Several accounts highlight the organization's strengths in connection, information, and ongoing support. Reviewers praise "great service" and staff who are "always willing to help," and describe the organization as an informative and resource-rich setting. There is appreciation for the breadth of their work - from housing assistance to financial workshops and one-on-one help with credit reports, with some praising the practical outcome of these programs: getting people paid while they learn to help themselves. The organization is recognized for hosting events and forums, including mayoral forums focused on disability inclusion and leadership, signaling a willingness to engage with public policy and the needs of the disability community at a city-wide level. For many, Access Living feels like a welcoming place for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired, where staff treat clients with kindness, respect, and genuine care.

Yet the collective portrait is not uniformly positive. Other voices describe a frequent, stubborn friction between need and response. Some reviewers characterize the place as not very helpful at certain times, with complaints about inconsistent follow-through and questions that go unanswered. One note emphasizes that "the policy work stand out as especially incompetent" and cautions others to "avoid." Another tells of staff turnover and handoffs that stalled progress: "the person who helped me was great but left and then someone else picked it up and didn't follow up." In some narratives, people feel overlooked or dismissed, with comments about not receiving information or clarity on housing options after lengthy processes, and even accusations that the organization is not particularly attentive to people of color or to specific vulnerabilities like PTSD or parenting disability needs. The tone ranges from disappointed to disheartened, suggesting that while the mission is noble, the execution can falter in the daily grind of paperwork, eligibility checks, and case management.

The housing front, in particular, weaves through the discourse as a central, urgent concern. Some describe looming or ongoing housing insecurity, including homelessness and the emotional toll it takes - "I need housing bad. I am homeless." There are stories of bureaucratic dead-ends, with references to delays and miscommunications, and even troubling anecdotes about being directed to the police or hospital for shelter, only to face a long wait that stretches into years. Several older testimonials recount struggles with voucher processes - "Needing Help with obtaining my Sec 8 Voucher from August 2015 to March 2016," followed by frustration over lack of resolution and inattention. The housing narrative is a sobering reminder that even well-intentioned agencies can fall short when systems move too slowly or when staff changes interrupt continuity of care.

What stands out in this tapestry is the human impact - the emotional weight of waiting, the relief of a compassionate interaction, the sense of purpose when a workshop or one-on-one session tips the balance toward stability. Reviewers repeatedly note the kindness, empathy, and respect they experience when interacting with staff who treat them as people first, not just as clients with disabilities. There are frequent affirmations of the organization's role as a resource for social connection and community: places to meet, to learn, to advocate, and to push for broader policy changes such as universal health care or housing reforms. The blend of practical assistance - workshops, financial literacy, housing navigation - with advocacy and community-building characterizes Access Living as a multifaceted institution that can offer both immediate relief and longer-term empowerment.

In sum, the collective voice surrounding Access Living reflects a complex, lived reality: a core mission to support people with disabilities through housing, health care, and civil rights work, paired with an uneven patchwork of experiences in which responsiveness and follow-through sometimes meet formidable obstacles. The organization is described as a vital resource that can spark progress, educate, and connect people to meaningful services, yet it also faces criticism for inconsistent communication, bureaucratic delays, and occasional gaps in cultural responsiveness. The stories present a spectrum - from gratitude and admiration to frustration and disappointment - yet the throughline remains clear: a community-centered effort to empower disabled individuals to live with dignity, participate in civic life, and access the tools they need to build steadier futures. As a living institution, Access Living embodies both the aspirations of disability advocacy and the everyday challenges of turning those aspirations into reliable, accessible support for all who seek it.

This area of Chicago, Illinois offers a variety of amenities that would be beneficial for senior living. With a range of restaurants nearby such as The Dearborn and Miller's Pub, residents can enjoy delicious meals without having to travel far. Additionally, there are several pharmacies in close proximity including Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy for easy access to medications and healthcare needs. For entertainment and relaxation, there are cafes like Intelligentsia Coffee and Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe where seniors can socialize with friends or enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee. The area also boasts several parks such as Maggie Daley Park and Grant Park, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and leisurely walks. Access to top-rated hospitals like Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital ensures quality healthcare services are readily available. Overall, this neighborhood offers convenience, dining options, recreational activities, and excellent healthcare facilities making it an ideal choice for senior living in Chicago.

Restaurants

• The Dearborn (0.1 miles)
• Miller's Pub (0.3 miles)
• Emerald Loop Bar and Grill (0.3 miles)
• RPM Seafood (0.4 miles)
• Rossi's Liquors (0.5 miles)
• Gibsons Italia (0.5 miles)
• Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop (0.5 miles)

Transportation

• CTA - Clark/Lake (0.2 miles)
• Cta (0.3 miles)
• Ogilvie Transportation Center (0.5 miles)
• Jamba Union Station / Chicago (0.5 miles)
• Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains (0.6 miles)
• Metra - LaSalle Street (0.6 miles)
• CTA - Clinton (0.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)

Cafes

• Intelligentsia Coffee (0.3 miles)
• Tiny Tapp & Cafe (0.3 miles)
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (0.4 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (0.5 miles)
• Starbucks (0.8 miles)

Parks

• Maggie Daley Park (0.6 miles)
• Grant Park - Butler Field (0.7 miles)
• Grant Park (0.8 miles)
• Mary Bartelme Park (1 miles)
• Coliseum Park (1.4 miles)
• Skinner Dog Park (1.6 miles)
• Skinner Bark Park (1.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (1 miles)
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (1 miles)
• Rush University Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (2.2 miles)
• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (2.5 miles)
• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (2.5 miles)
• Illinois Eye Institute (3.3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (3.2 miles)