Adam Ballard

Adam Ballard has a demonstrated career history in advocating for housing choice and transportation access for individuals with disabilities and older adults. He spent 11 years of his career at Access Living leading the organization’s work in housing and transportation through community organizing and policy advocacy, and currently serves as an Associate State Director at AARP Illinois. He is instrumental in developing legislation and policy by partnering with government offices, grass roots community organizations, and other stakeholder groups to set both long-term and short-term agendas in housing and transportation policy, regional planning, and other issues impacting livable communities for all. Adam also works with AARP volunteers and staff to develop campaigns and events related to advancing the organization’s advocacy agenda across northern Illinois. Adam also serves on several committees and advisory boards aimed at advancing racial equity, disability justice, wealth building, public health, and climate resilience within the city, region, and state. He is also co-chair of The Disabilities Fund of The Chicago Community Trust and serves as the Vice Chair of the Land Use and Housing Committee within the Chicago Metropolitan Agency on Planning. Adam is constantly finding ways to involve the community in his work and wants to center decision-making power in the hands of the communities that are the most affected by inequity and power imbalances. He seeks to build relationships that allow change to happen – from grass roots leaders and those who are most affected by broader policy decisions, all the way up to partnerships with stakeholders and decision makers who can help implement those changes on a widespread level.