On October 20, 1990, Mayor Richard M. Daley created the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) to better meet the diverse needs of the more than 600,000 individuals with disabilities who live and work in Chicago. MOPD’s goal is to make Chicago the most accessible city in the nation.

MOPD promotes total access, full participation and equal opportunity for people with disabilities of all ages in all aspects of life. It seeks to accomplish this mission through a multi-faceted approach that includes systemic change, education and training, advocacy and direct services.
MOPD’s services and programs include:

*Disability Resources: Information & Referral, Independent Living Program, Case Management Services, Assistive Technology Program, Homemaker &

*Personal Assistance Services.

*Employment Services: Employment Counseling and Training to Job Seekers, Consultation and Technical Assistance to Employers, Social Security Work Incentives Planning and Assistance outreach and education

*Training: Independent Living Skills, Disability Awareness and Etiquette, Teletypewriter (TTY) Training.

*Accessibility Compliance: Site Surveys, Technical Assistance, Consultation and Plan Review, Information about Accessibility Laws.

*Public Information and Education: Disability Awareness, Special Events, Workshops and Seminars, Publications, Community Outreach.

*Youth Programs: Substance Abuse/AIDS Prevention Program for the Deaf (SAAPPD), Disability Mentoring Day, National Job Shadow Week, Mayor Daley's Youth Ready Chicago Program for Students with Disabilities, TechWorks Internship Program for Youth with Disabilities.