For Immediate Release September 20, 2022
Contact:
Rhoda Gibson, rhodagibson2@gmail.com, (617)504-1792
Colleen Flannigan, colleen1979@gmail.com, (617) 435-0486
Gina Barabra, ginambarbara@gmail.com, (516)318-9460,
National ADAPT Demands Biden Administration Prioritizes Community Living for People with Disabilities
Who: National ADAPT
What: Demonstration and Street Theatre exposing the need for expansion of Home and Community Based Services
When: HAPPENING NOW!
Where: In front of White House, Washington, D.C.
National ADAPT is peacefully protesting outside of the White House in Washington, D.C. as we continue fighting for the civil and human rights of disabled people. For 30 years ADAPT has been demanding Congress recognize our right to live in integrated housing, we have been fighting for an increase in funding to expand and make permanent, the Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration project, which provides funding for home and community-based services (HCBS), and livable wages for our personal care attendants.
32 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act the freedom of people with disabilities continues to be denied. People with disabilities continue to be forced to beg for the freedom that others take for granted. People with disabilities still don’t have the right to get care in their own homes. Public access is not a right that people with disabilities are allowed to fully enjoy.
ADAPT is at the White House in D.C. to peacefully yet assertively DEMAND that the Biden Administration stop ignoring us and TAKE ACTION NOW to FINALLY Free Our People.
ADAPT Demands The Biden Administration immediately pass a bill that includes and prioritize funding for HCBS, increased wages for Community Attendants, and accessible housing for people with disabilities
ADAPT has been urging the Biden Administration to act on these critical issues since this Administration took office. We have asked previous Administrations to do the right thing and while we have made strides, our people are STILL not free. For over 30 years, National ADAPT has been fighting to end the institutional bias to FINALLY free our people from nursing homes and other institutions .
Home and community-based services enable people with disabilities to live in their own homes instead of an institution. ADAPT demand that the Biden Administration pass a bill that includes funding for the following items:
1. Expansion of HCBS under Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act as a required service in all states (rather than a waiver-based program) to increase access, quality, and uniformity nationwide.
2. Increase payment rates for attendant care workers in a manner that will guarantee a “living wage” and benefits
3. Expand affordable, accessible, integrated housing development and rent subsidy programs targeting low- and moderate-income people with disabilities, especially people who receive HCBS services.
4. Expand access to accessible home modifications programs so people can leave or avoid institutional settings, thus saving millions of health care dollars.
5. Immediately stop disparaging money into nursing homes and other institutions and fully fund Home and Community Based Services
6. President Biden should meet with ADAPT and work on FINALLY ending the Institutional Bias
With this increase in funding, existing programs will be enhanced. It is time for the Biden Administration to keep its promise to ADAPT and all Americans – that they will truly invest in long-term care infrastructure!
@RealNatlADAPT will continue #FightingForOurLives because we are #DisabledNotDisposable and we want to live in #OurHomesNotNursingHomes
For more social media contact info: linktr.ee/adaptnational
