Number Address for the Event: Outside U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
MEDIA ADVISORY
National ADAPT Confronts Republican Party’s Proposed Cuts to Medicaid and Housing
WHAT: National ADAPT Protests Republican’s proposed Cuts to Medicaid and Housing
WHO: The disability activist organization, National ADAPT
WHEN: Happening NOW
WHERE: Outside U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
WHY: The Republicans proposed cuts to Medicaid and Housing will affect the lives of millions of people with disabilities around the country. Currently it is very difficult for people with disabilities to be able to obtain home and community-based services. Cuts to Medicaid will make it impossible for people to remain in the community and will be forced into unwanted more costly institutionalization. National ADAPT DEMANS that Mitch McConell, Kevin McCarthy, and others in the Republican party STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH OUT LIVES.
HOW: For interviews or additional information please contact:
What: Demonstration to demand that the Administration for Community Living Stop Funding Guardianship Systems that Institutionalize People with Disabilities
When: Wednesday, May 10th 1pm
Where: Administration for Community Living, 330 C St SW,
National ADAPT Demands that Administration for Community Living (ACL) Immediately Stop Funding Guardianship Systems that Institutionalize People with Disabilities and Prioritize People With Disabilities
Washington, D.C.- The disabled community has paid the price of guardianships. National ADAPT Demands that the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Stop Funding Guardianship Systems that Institutionalize People with Disabilities.
National ADAPT strongly opposes the use of guardianship as a tool for institutionalization and for infringing on the rights of people with disabilities. Upholding the mission of independent living (IL), we call for the end to all systems of oppression that segregate and incarcerate our people. Guardianship, by diminishing our self-determination, dignity, and community participation, is wholly incompatible with the IL philosophy.
Contrary to the Olmstead decision and its own IL principles, ACL continues to fund agencies that wrongly pursue guardianships through profit-taking schemes and unethical relationships with peer agencies and the legal profession. These guardianships force people into long-term care facilities and other institutions where they lose access to less restrictive alternatives and community supports. We demand ACL stop funding these entities and to explicitly oppose unwarranted guardianships. National ADAPT further calls on ACL to ensure that anyone subjected to guardianship, whether institutionalized or not, will have full access to federally mandated Centers for Independent Living (CIL) services and the unimpeded opportunity to enjoy less restrictive alternatives.
On the 40th Anniversary of National ADAPT, National ADAPT, the nation’s largest grassroots disability rights activist organization, has been urging ACL to act on these critical issues. These programs enable people to live outside institutions and in freedom in their communities. National ADAPT calls for a meeting with ACL w/in 30 days of this Action to ensure that the voices of countless Americans with disabilities and aging adults under, or at risk of unnecessary guardianship are heard.
ADAPT Demands ACL:
1. Immediately audit the use of ACL funds in states to identify financial support going to guardianship programs that do not adhere to the spirit and letter of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Olmstead decision.
2. Immediately cease funding to Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that operate conflicting, dual roles as guardians, Adult Protective Services (APS) or ombudsmen; and direct those funds to a collaborative partnership between a CIL and a Protection and Advocacy System (P&A) with an emphasis on the mitigation and restoration of unnecessary loss of rights for those at risk and under needless guardianship.
3. Within 45 days of this Action issue federal guidelines and directives to the Administration On Aging (AOA), its funded state aging programs & AAAs that clearly affirm the federally mandated role of the Office of Independent Living Programs (OILP), its CILs, Supportive Independent Living Centers (SILC) and Protection & Advocacy agencies to advance the community integration of people with disabilities, including providing for the least restrictive supports and services in the settings of their choice. Reaffirming the most integrated settings mandate of Olmstead.
4. Immediately institute strict parameters on ACL funding to states, requiring transparency, accountability, reporting and adherence to the Administration’s underlying mission. This is imperative for accountability on all systems involving guardianship.
5. Immediately apply penalties to states using ACL funds that violate the civil and human rights to self-determination and due process of people with disabilities through abusive guardianship practices.
National ADAPT calls on ACL to uphold its commitment to IL and include those with lived experiences in assessing support for agencies that establish or promote the use of guardianships. As outlined in Senators Bob Casey and Mike Braun’s proposed Guardianship Bill of Rights, work with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop procedures that will offer real protections to our community and finally stop the abuse and exploitation of our people.
National ADAPT Demands that Secretary Xavier Becerra and HHS work with ADAPT towards Ending the Institutional Bias
National ADAPT has attempted for over a year to get the Center for Medicare and Medicaid to push policies down to the states that will help with Ending the Institutional Bias for our brothers and sisters with disabilities to remain as independent and free from barriers while living in the community.
National ADAPT is protesting today to Demand Secretary Xavier Becerra and HHS work with ADAPT towards Ending the Institutional Bias.
ADAPT Demands:
1. A meeting with Secretary Xavier Becerra
2.Community Attendants be paid a living wage with healthcare plans and benefits.
3. Secretary Becerra directs CMS to create network adequacy standards for all HCBS that provides under the Managed Care Long Term Services and Supports system.
4.Secretary Becerra appoints one of our members to the IL Specialist seat on the Guardianship Council outlined in Casey’s Federal Bill of Rights.
5.ADAPT Demands: that HHS puts a policy in place for emergency durable medical equipment repairs[1] [2]
DME: Timelines and penalties for the enforcement
and attendant workforce coverage if the attendant has & emergency, we demand HHS has a policy in place to cover these needs in a manner equivalent to consumers’ physical emergencies.
National ADAPT Demands that HUD Immediately Include and Prioritize Funding for Accessible Affordable Housing for People With Disabilities
Washington, D.C.- The disabled community has paid the price before and during COVID. We have been locked away in institutions because of lack of affordable and accessible housing and have died at an extremely high rate while waiting to transition to affordable accessible housing. On the 40th Anniversary of National ADAPT, National ADAPT, the nation’s largest grassroots disability rights activist organization, has been urging HUD to act on these critical issues. These programs enable people to live outside institutions and in freedom in their communities. National ADAPT calls on Speaker Kevin McCarthy to do the following:
1-Funding going to housing must be doubled, that is the requirement under Section 504 for housing units to be built as mobility-disability accessible needs to be increased by 10% and as sensory-disability accessible needs to be increased by 4%.
2-Create a permanent funding for Barrier Eliminations for accessibility modifications for people transitioning out of facilities and those at risk of going into facilities (i.e., nursing facilities).
3-Make Housing Choice vouchers an entitlement for all who need housing.
4-Continue to issue Mainstream vouchers for disabled people to transition out of facilities and who are at risk of going into facilities (i.e. nursing facilities). HUD will track these vouchers.
5-Enact or include the Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act, this would allow for any new housing built to have one entrance to the house with no steps and a half a bathroom on the first floor, just large enough for someone in a wheelchair to use. This would allow for integration of disabled into their communities to visit others.
With this increase in funding, existing programs will be enhanced. It is time for Speaker McCarthy to keep his promise to National ADAPT and all Americans – that they will truly invest in accessible affordable housing. We pay taxes and vote!
What: Confronting Senators blocking passage of the Build Back Better social infrastructure bill Where: In front of the Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington DC 20510
When: Happening TODAY, Wednesday December 8, 2021, 12 PM
Why: To demand the Senate pass the Build Back Better social infrastructure bill, and support full funding of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), which keeps people out of institutions. HCBS funding also provides living wages for the attendants who provide essential, often intimate care for older and disabled people. ADAPT is also demanding that senators support funding for affordable, accessible, integrated housing, because you can’t have HCBS without the “H.”
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
Who: National ADAPT What: Demonstration to demand that AHCA prioritizes Olmstead When: Tuesday, May 10th starting at 1PM Where: AHCA, 1201 L Street N.W., Washington D.C., 20005
Washington, D.C.- National ADAPT, the nation’s largest grassroots disability rights activist organization, urges ACHA to hold themselves accountable for their role in promoting the institutional bias by being the largest lobbying organization for nursing homes and other institutions. As oppose to congregate settings, home and community based services enable people with disabilities to live in their own homes instead of an institution, which is exponentially more expensive for a lesser quality of care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
National ADAPT demands that AHCA: Publicly supports funding for Home and Community Based Services to ensure that people with disabilities have true choice to live in the community. Without equitable funding, there is no true choice.
Create more appropriate regulations for members of ACHA to ensure that they are not exploiting their residents. They must use their resources in the best interests of the residents, not for financial gain.
Acknowledge that nursing homes and other congregate settings are deadly. We see this most profoundly in the fact that 23% of all Covid-19 deaths have occurred in long-term care facilities, which translates to 201,000 individuals. If home and community based services had been prioritized, this would not have occurred.
Truly adhere to Olmstead. They must make sure that their residents who want to leave the facility have the opportunity to do so with the necessary support. In order to do this, you must allow the transition specialists/CILs to have access to their residents.
Establish an ongoing communication with ADAPT. We request an initial meeting with CEO Mark Parkinson
Danny Saenz, activist from ADAPT of Texas, speaks of the loss of freedom when experiencing institutionalization. He says, “When you’re in a nursing home they tell when or if you get a shower. You ask for permission if you want to go out. And have to be back by a certain time.” We must end the institutional bias that keeps people with disabilities at a disadvantage from accessing community services. It is time for ACHA to acknowledge the harm that they perpetuate by advocating for the entitlement for nursing homes. ###
About ADAPTADAPT is a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.
Washington, D.C.- National ADAPT, the nation’s largest grassroots disability rights activist organization, urges ACHA to hold themselves accountable for their role in promoting the institutional bias by being the largest lobbying organization for nursing homes and other institutions. As oppose to congregate settings, home and community based services enable people with disabilities to live in their own homes instead of an institution, which is exponentially more expensive for a lesser quality of care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. National ADAPT demands that AHCA: Publicly supports funding for Home and Community Based Services to ensure that people with disabilities have true choice to live in the community. Without equitable funding, there is no true choice. Create more appropriate regulations for members of ACHA to ensure that they are not exploiting their residents. They must use their resources in the best interests of the residents, not for financial gain.Acknowledge that nursing homes and other congregate settings are deadly. We see this most profoundly in the fact that 23% of all Covid-19 deaths have occurred in long-term care facilities, which translates to 201,000 individuals. If home and community based services had been prioritized, this would not have occurred.Truly adhere to Olmstead. They must make sure that their residents who want to leave the facility have the opportunity to do so with the necessary support. In order to do this, you must allow the transition specialists/CILs to have access to their residents. Establish an ongoing communication with ADAPT. We request an initial meeting with CEO Mark Parkinson Danny Saenz, activist from ADAPT of Texas, speaks of the loss of freedom when experiencing institutionalization. He says, “When you’re in a nursing home they tell when or if you get a shower. You ask for permission if you want to go out. And have to be back by a certain time.” We must end the institutional bias that keeps people with disabilities at a disadvantage from accessing community services. It is time for ACHA to acknowledge the harm that they perpetuate by advocating for the entitlement for nursing homes. ###
About ADAPTADAPT is a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.
Who: National ADAPT What: Demonstration to demand HUD prioritize the needs of the disability community When: Tuesday, May 10th starting at 9:30AM Where: HUD, 451 7th Street, S.W., Washington D.C., 20410
Washington, D.C.- National ADAPT, the nation’s largest grassroots disability rights activist organization, is advocating for affordable, accessible, and integrated housing. This is integral to ending the institutional bias and ensuring people with disabilities have real choices for where they want to live. National ADAPT demands that HUD:
Expand affordable, accessible, integrated housing development and rent subsidy programs targeting low- and moderate-income people with disabilities, especially people who receive HCBS services. Expand access to accessible home modifications programs to enable people to leave or avoid institutional settings thus saving millions of health care dollars. Ensure that 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) funding is reserved for those transitioning out of congregate living settings to independent living. Release the 2022-2023 811 PRA funding for people with disabilities. SUPPORT visitability; it means freedom for all and the ability to visit and enter ALL homes with a basic standard of accessibility.
“Those of us working at Centers for Independent Living are not able to truly help people get out of institutions if there is no proper access to accessible housing. Access isn’t only about a building having an elevator … it’s about affordability, ease of access to home modifications, and a housing system that allows disabled individuals to access these services without bureaucracy,” says Misty, an ADAPT activist.
Without these priorities, people with disabilities will not have sufficient resources to leave institutions and/or live independently in the community.
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About ADAPT
ADAPT is a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.
Who: National ADAPT What: Mother’s Day Recognition of Community Attendants and HCBS recipients When: Sunday, May 8, 2022 Where: Spirit of Justice Park starting at 2PM
Washington, D.C. – National ADAPT will hold a rally south of the US Capitol to celebrate mothers that are Community Attendants and mothers with disabilities. Mother’s Day is a day to honor and show appreciation to our mothers. The Senate has abandoned our mothers who are attendants to their child or family member, mothers with disabilities who receive attendant services, moms assisting moms, and all mothers who are attendants receiving the inadequate wages that make it difficult for them to support themselves and their families. This is how Congressional leadership “honors thy mother”. National ADAPT and numerous attendant and disability rights advocacy groups have worked furiously to advocate for the $15 base wage, for funding for HCBS and affordable accessible integrated housing. The Congressional leadership has received hours of personal testimony, hearings, voluminous fliers, petitions, reports and countless Congressional visits, all coming together to stress the urgency of the necessary funding for HCBS and housing for people with disabilities and the community attendants that assist them. Thus far, the Senate has refused to make these issues a priority. Such a lack of support by the Senate on the importance of the jobs we do,” said Carrie Warner, 30-year attendant in the community. The Senate must make these issues a priority. Our lives depend on it. It’s an Unhappy Mother’s Day for Community Attendants that do not get benefits; days off, not even on the day we “celebrate” them. ###
