Kirkland Receives “Distinguished Partner” Award From Equip for Equality

Equip for Equality honored Kirkland with its 2026 “Distinguished Partner” award, recognizing the Firm’s decades of shared commitment to disability rights.

Kirkland has played a critical role in Equip for Equality’s history and growth, helping support the organization’s transition from a state agency into a nonprofit organization and ensuring the independence necessary to fully pursue its mission of advancing human and civil rights for children and adults with disabilities.

This strong foundation has led to 20+ years of collaboration on a range of initiatives that have made a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities and the greater disabled community. Since 2004, our attorneys have devoted thousands of hours to researching, investigating and litigating violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act; ensuring polling places are fully accessible; appealing disability benefit denials; participating in clinics for parents of children with special needs to advise them on their rights for special education services; and advising more than 75 families on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Our attorneys have also devoted over 980 hours to the Equip for Equality Special Education Helpline, answering callers’ questions, directing them to resources and providing limited advice.

In one of our the most high-profile pro bono matters of the partnership, Kirkland and Equip for Equality achieved a landmark agreement in 2022 mandating that Chicago Public Schools must provide language interpretation and translation services to non-English-speaking parents of students with disabilities. Under the agreement, the district also agreed to hire 10 full-time certified interpreters/translators and provide translated versions of a student’s IEP documents within 30 school days of the meeting, allowing parents to make informed educational decisions for their children.

“It’s a tremendous honor to accept this award and to help support the incredible community of people living with disabilities, their families, advocates, educators and community partners,” Kirkland Chairman Jon Ballis said. “Equip for Equality has made a remarkable difference in the lives of so many people, and we remain committed to continuing this important work together.”