Category: 2022

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 

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 For more information:  Nina Bakoyiannis   646-709-2510   ninabakoyiannis@lhalvorson Misty Dion   570-367-6269   misty.m.dion@gmail.com    www.nationaladapt.org

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 ADAPTWhat:  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 For more information:  Nina Bakoyiannis   646-709-2510   ninabakoyiannis@gmail.com Misty Dion  570-367-6269   misty.m.dion@gmail.com    www.nationaladapt.org

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 For More information:  Nina Bakoyiannis   646-709-2510   ninabakoyiannis@gmail.com Rhoda Gibson          617-504-1792    rhodagibson2@gmail.com        www.nationaladapt.org 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.            ## 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8th 2022

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  For More information: Nina Bakoyiannis   646-709-2510   ninabakoyiannis Cathy Cranston       512-650-6543   flacacata@aol.com           www.nationaladapt.org

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.      ###

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. Formed by a collective of local ADAPT Chapters, National ADAPT has worked for the past 30+ years to promote community living for aging and disabled people through reform of the outdated long-term service and support system. An essential part of living in the community is the ability to participate in free and fair elections.  There must be full accessibility to the ballot box and the electoral infrastructure including but not limited to the two-party system.  In order to ensure that voters with disabilities are able to participate in the voting process, people with disabilities must be able to vote by mail, utilize curbside voting, and voting sites and voting machines must be accessible.  And whether at home or at polling places, people must be allowed to obtain assistance from others if needed. The overall process should make it easier for older and disabled people to vote and not hinder their right to vote. 

Voting rights and Build Back Better are of equal importance to the disability and aging community. Build Back Better must be passed with $150 billion for affordable, accessible, integrated housing, and the $150 billion for Home and Community Based Services.

Build Back Better will provide the necessary expansion of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) under Medicaid to address the current need for services for disabled and aging Americans. It will guarantee a “living wage” and benefits to attendant care workers employed in home care which will assist in recruitment and retention of this workforce  It will expand affordable, accessible, integrated housing development and rent subsidy programs targeting low- and moderate-income people with disabilities, especially people receiving HCBS services,  and it will provide support to home accessibility modification programs that will enable people to leave or avoid institutional settings, thus saving millions of health care dollars

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we remember the importance of engaging in direct action and civil disobedience to advance the policies that keep America moving toward an accessible and inclusive community for all. Tactics that are very much embedded in ADAPT activism.  “Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we must all protest.”- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We call on Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Build Back Better Act.

TAKE ACTION!

Contact  your Senators at the Congressional Switchboard and ask them to support these important bills.

Call them at 202-224-3121

Send them messages on social media as to why these issues are important to you.  Remember to tag National ADAPT.  

Follow National ADAPT https://linktr.ee/adaptnational