For nearly 40 years, ADAPT has fought for the right to community. Our vision of community is a place where all people can live, move, and participate in the ways that recognize and support our individual dignity and freedom. Our vision is integration into all aspects of society, where every member of the community experiences myriad opportunities, not a multitude of barriers.
ADAPT’s vision is Community for ALL.
Right to Remain in the community
Passage of the DIA – The Disability Integration Act, S117, HR555, will enshrine the right to community into federal law and support states in developing the infrastructure to make “community first” a right.
Right to Equality in the Community
Housing – the lack of accessible, affordable, integrated housing forces people into institutions, when their access needs cannot be met the only option becomes the costly institution this is why affordable accessible integrated housing is a lifeline to people with disabilities. Presently the lack of affordable housing threatens the freedom, safety and well-being of all people.
Workforce – the quality and security of many of our lives depend on the services and supports of direct support workers; the wages, and policies and support for recruitment and retention of our workers should reflect the value of our lives, their efforts, and our interdependence; resources for a living wage cannot come at the expense of the availability of services.
No EVV – people with disabilities and their workers should not have to submit to surveillance to get the services that keep us in our own homes.
Health Care – health care is a human right. Health care services and systems should be accessible, affordable, and responsive to the needs of all people.
Disaster Relief – people with disabilities cannot be an afterthought or grist for stories of tragedy in the aftermath of disasters. Access, services, and supports should be included in disaster preparedness and response. Using disaster to fast track people with disabilities into institutions instead of building community capacity is not an answer. Temporary Protective Status should remain available for storm refugees with disabilities seeking shelter and care in the United States.
Access – our communities should provide equal opportunities for participation; free of physical, communication, and sensory barriers. Access should not rely on an evaluation of the costs or benefits; we should not have to justify our full inclusion.
Value our Lives – People with disabilities should not have to rationalize our existence; we should not be treated as a burden unworthy of equal immigrant status, we should not be encouraged to end our lives prematurely, and medical waivers should be readily available for migrants seeking treatment in the United States.
Right to Return to the Community
Passage of a Permanent MFP program – when people with disabilities lose community, they need to have inroads back to their homes and communities. The Money follows the Person program has been that for over 80,000 people. Current proposed legislation, The EMPOWER Care Act (HR1342, S548) would reinstate this program for five years, returning the promise of community to people all across the country. The ability to return to community should not be limited to the next five years. Congress should make Money Follows the Person a permanent program.
THIS is National ADAPT’s vision of Community.