State of Illinois and City of Chicago Open Doors With the Easy Access Chicago Guide

New guide allows visitors with disabilities to explore Chicago treasures

     with ease

    CHICAGO, Jan. 17 // -- The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity today joined the Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, the Open Doors Organization, and the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau during an event at the Chicago History Museum to unveil Easy Access Chicago, a comprehensive visitor guide for travelers with disabilities. The 52-page guide provides detailed information about Chicago's accessible offerings, allowing visitors with disabilities to make informed decisions about travel during their stay in the city.

    "Chicago was recently named one of America's most accessible cities by the National Organization on Disability," said Jack Lavin, director, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with the Open Doors Organization and our partners to develop the Easy Access Chicago guide. This guide furthers our commitment to providing an enjoyable travel experience for all of our visitors."

    This first-ever resource guide provides a wide variety of visitor offerings throughout Chicago that are accessible and appeal to a range of budgets and tastes. The Easy Access Chicago guide includes:

    -- Details of Chicago's public transportation, inter-city ground

     transportation, and airports

    -- Descriptions of attractions such as parks, gardens, zoos, recreational

     areas, museums, theaters, nightclubs and more

    -- Overviews of Chicago's most accessible neighborhoods

    -- Area and transit maps

    -- Information about the online database of hotel and restaurant options

    "Every location featured in Easy Access Chicago was visited by our trained site inspectors to ensure accessibility," said Eric Lipp, executive director, Open Doors Organization. "This guide truly opens the doors for travelers with disabilities to experience all that Chicago has to offer."

    "We are thrilled to be able to offer this comprehensive guide to area residents and visitors with disabilities," said Commissioner Karen Tamley of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities. "This guide truly underscores our efforts to realize Mayor Daley's vision of making Chicago the most accessible city in the nation and one that is welcoming and friendly to people with disabilities."

    Best used in conjunction with the Chicago Official Visitors Guide and Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site, http://www.choosechicago.com, the Easy Access Chicago guide is available by calling the Illinois Bureau of Tourism at 1-800-2CONNECT or by visiting http://www.enjoyillinois.com or easyaccesschicago.org.

    The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of

    Tourism manages industry efforts that result in sustainable and significant
economic and quality-of-life benefits for Illinois residents.

     CONTACT: Stephanie Aenchbacher

     312-240-2688

     stephanie.aenchbacher@edelman.com

     Ashley Cross, DCEO, 312-814-8193

     Marcelyn Love, DCEO, 217-558-1542