Yesterday ADAPT activist from around the nation went to the Hart Senate Building to meet with Senators Manchin and Sinema. The reason we were wanting to meet with them both is that they are the two people who are holding up the human infrastructure projects in the Build Back Better Jobs bill. We were refused entry into the building because we were told that the building is closed unless you have an appointment.
We have requested meetings for some time now and have been ignored. We communicated this fact to the Capitol police. We also requested that they contact the Senators and ask them to come out. The police refused. The police gave us three warnings in about a period of ten minutes. 16 of us were arrested from the larger group of ADAPTers. We were ticketed and released. Although, that is not always the case when we have been arrested in the past fighting for our freedom for over the past 40 years in ADAPT.
Then we marched through the Capitol Complex to join a coalition of organizations advocating for the Build Back Better Jobs bill. We arrived to the Vigil for HCBS and Community Attendants/Direct Support workers wage increase. The vigil was awesome!
It was attended by National ADAPT and 15 other disability, aging, and caregiver organizations. ADAPTers hung in there from the evening of October 6th through 7PM of the 7th, some even camped out at the Capitol all night. We read the personal stories of people that use HCBS programs and the workers stories. It was also attended by Senator Bob Casey from Pennsylvania and Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington State. Senator Casey took the personal stories orgsnizations collected throughout the Country to use as an advocacy tool on behalf of the human infrastructure projects in the bill. Sometimes it can be very difficult to share our stories but they will be used to change the course of history for the better.
The Build Back Better is a result of all of ours and allied organizations hard work through the years and is an opportunity that only comes along once in a generation. We still have hard work to do to get it passed but everyone should be proud.
Hi. My name is Carol. I live in Washington, DC. A very dear friend of mine (who was with us today) introduced me to ADAPT before I acquired my disability years ago. Knowing that the disability rights movement existed, and had my back, helped me to fight and to live through some dark times. I’ve attended ADAPT actions in the past, to support. Today was the first day I participated as a member. I am so grateful and proud. It is super-late as I write this, so please excuse any rambling. … These are the highlights from my day.
I arrived at the hotel in time to grab a coffee just before the issues meeting. The medium-sized room was packed. We learned about the history of ADAPT, how it was started in the early 80’s in Denver, CO, by a group of rowdy activists to get lifts on buses. The movement spread across the country and, after years of actions, ADAPT won. Hearing this story retold was a perfect way to start my day – access to transportation is an issue I am passionate about. We learned that after the passage of the ADA ADAPT switched its focus, and began to work on getting our community out of nursing homes because they couldn’t access public transit. ADAPT is now calling for the passage of the Disability Integration Act which would, among other things, establish living in the community as a civil right. The lack of affordable, accessible, integrated housing would no longer be an excuse to keep people on waiting lists. (Sounds great!) We also learned that the Graham-Cassidy ‘healthcare’ bill would not only repeal the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), but also demolish the Medicaid program as we know it. (AAAHH!)
After the issues meeting we moved into a larger room – even more packed. We learned dos and don’ts for how to respond in an action. A diversity statement was read and we were all reminded that it is important to acknowledge differences and diversity, to support ADAPT members of color, LGBTQ+ and gender nonconforming members, to call each other out if needed, and to keep an eye out for each other, and be aware if anyone is being targeted. I was grateful to hear this as a priority of the group. We were reminded that while we are all participating because issues are important to us individually, we are also here representing and speaking out for our disability family who can’t be here this week.
Later (after a much need lunch and more water), we lined up and began our looooong march/roll in the unrelenting sun and heat to — ummm, I didn’t know where we were headed. We walked/rolled past houses and hotels, tourists and DC residents, chanting: ‘Our Homes, Not Nursing Homes! ‘Disability Integration is a Civil Right!’ and ‘Down with Nursing Homes! ‘Up with Attendant Care!’ Many people took flyers about ADAPT, some cheered us on. Eventually, we turned down a side path, and squeezed ourselves onto a narrow sidewalk leading to some pretty nice looking apartments that faced each other. Then, we were told we were at Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ home and we chanted even louder, so he would know we were outside. A press release explaining why we were there was read aloud – including asking the AG to do his job, and for the DOJ to enforce the ADA and the Olmstead Supreme Court decision. The action felt great, and was a huge success.
We squeezed ourselves back out, and returned to our marching line – chanting again – eventually making it back for a debrief. We heard from seasoned ADAPT members and those who were brand new; we sang, and expressed our excitement for the days of action to come. I met old and new friends – some who I’ve only know on Twitter. I got a little teary eyed (nothing new), but they were happy tears, fierce, ‘hey – we got some demands and we’re gonna be heard, and we deserve to exist’ tears. I’m looking forward to tomorrow. To anyone reading this, I’ll be thinking of you.
By Cal Montgomery Chicago ADAPT
Cal Montgomery
After a series of training meetings all morning, we headed out to lunch and then lined up in our teams — I was on the red team. It was hot. They handed out bottled water in line.
We headed down C in single file, turned left on 2, and filed down to Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s home, where we met up with other teams. Using a portable ramp to get over a barrier, we crowded in as close as we could to our target and began to chant. I’m told two neighbors came out — one to say he wished he had a bigger dog and one to offer protesters water and chant with us. Another activist who was up front said that although Sessions wasn’t home, someone kept opening and closing the shades.
A couple of security guards showed up, listened for a moment and moved through the crowd and away. Apparently our sound system went down, so as Mike Oxford read out our demands from the back near me over an old-school loudspeaker, someone further up shouted them to the front. Sessions claimed during his confirmation that the U.S. “government is one of laws, not of men.” He promised “to see that the laws are enforced faithfully, effectively, and impartially.”
But the laws protecting our right not to be unjustly imprisoned are not enforced. We are forced into institutions. Many of us die there. Our Lives and Liberty, promised to us in the Declaration of Independence, are routinely denied. Today, ADAPT insisted that Sessions admit that forcing us into institutions violates our Constitutional right to Liberty.
We insisted he work with the disability rights community, including ADAPT, to enforce the Olmstead rights of people in nursing homes nationwide. We insisted he work with the autistic community and ADAPT to change the conditions of institutionalized people at one institution, the Judge Rotenberg Center by stopping one of the aversive procedures they use in the process of applied behavior analysis.
And in light of the deplorable conditions faced by disabled people after recent disasters, we demanded he work with NCIL and ADAPT to ensure our civil rights and liberties are protected when disaster strikes. When the group was confident that we had been heard, we marched back to the hotel to meet up with the activists who attended the second action and go to a big meeting to debrief and prepare for tomorrow.
By Kimberley Jackson Denver ADAPT
Kimberly Jackson
We started to line up around 1:30 in the afternoon by color group. As this is my first national action, it was a little daunting to get in a line with hundreds of other advocates, many in power wheelchairs like myself, and follow the leader without knowing exactly where you are headed or how long it will take. Add in the 90 degree heat and humidity, and it took an act of faith to keep going.
Eventually the red team split from purple and orange, and we were lead over a cobble stone driveway that was a roller coaster of ups and downs. We finally arrived at courtyard outside of three houses. After everyone was packed in, it was announced that we were at the house of Jeff Sessions, the US Attorney General. As we were told by the ADAPT leaders, the Department of Justice hasn’t done anything to enforce the ADA or the Olmsted Act under the current administration.
While we were there, it was reported that one of Mr. Sessions’ neighbor came out to talk with us. When someone gave the example of an older woman being forced to go into a nursing home because of needing some help at home, he responded that that was how it should be. One of his neighbors came out, and started arguing with him about how ADAPT was right. Mr Sessions either didn’t come out or wasn’t home, but we promised him we’d be back.
We mostly rode back the way we had came, rolling and walking in the street to avoid problems with sidewalks and curb cuts. We were all dragging from the heat, and more than a few people had to pull to the side to cool off. I think everyone was happy to be back in the hotel air conditioning at the end of the day. All in all, it was a great start to the action.
By Liam Dougherty Philadelphia ADAPT
Liam Dougherty
It was Adapt’s first day in Washington DC. I woke up around 7am, got an Egg McMuffin, and went to the Issues Update meeting in the conference room at the Holiday Inn. Bruce Darling and Mike Oxford talked about Adapt’s mission, in the past and present. Its current priority is getting government to provide affordable, accessible, integrated housing, instead of the isolation of life in a nursing home. We also talked about the Disability Integration Act, legislation that was made by Adapt, crafted to end the “institutional bias” and grant fundamental civil rights to people with disabilities.
Then we had a full meeting, with all 200 Adapters. It was amazing to see so many of us, with all kinds of disabilities and assistive equipment. We discussed some rules of our actions, such as always traveling in an unbroken single-file line. Then I went over to the Media meeting (#adaptandresist) and lined up with the rest of the Blue team to go.
We marched for about an hour, through 90-degree weather, chanting and playing noisemakers and tambourines. Day-leaders brought a small ramp, which we used to jump the curb to get to Attorney General Jeff Session’s home. We chanted and shouted, saying he is not doing his job in protecting the civil rights of our people. One of his neighbors came out and yelled at us, saying we had no right to go to somebody’s home and harass them. We responded that it is the only way to get his attention, and that it must be nice to have a home in the first place, and not to be forced into a nursing home.
We marched back and had a big recap meeting. Now I am sitting in the hotel lobby, tired and still sweaty. We are all bracing for the next day of the action.
Disability rights activists from ADAPT returned to D.C. this week to push Congress to move forward Disability Integration Act that would allow disabled and elderly people to live in freedom, instead of being forced into nursing facilities or other institutional settings.
In the grand scheme of the world, every aspect of our lives are intertwined…where we are from…our personal histories… the color of our skin…the language we speak…our disabilities. They intertwine in our interactions with others…locally..nationally…and globally. We must all remember this.
FEMA got a visit to ensure that we hold them accountable for displaced disabled Americans impacted by natural disasters. The latest devastating storms that have ravished the southern states have impacted and destroyed the homes and lives of countless families. In the mist a better effort is needed to ensure access and transport to shelters…access to Attendant care…and an adequate rehabilitation program emphasized in ensuring the continued integrated independent living after the storm passes.
Home is where a lot of things start. We hope that our home is our own salvation…our paradise…ours to design and dream. Many cannot find their own paradises since there is still a serious lack of housing that is accessible…affordable…and safe. Housing in real communities not tied to services or programs. At our stop at HUD we talked about the struggle to find housing that meets our housing platform requirements.
We took our March to the Navy Memorial…our veterans and decorated heroes that serve our country. They deserve to live in the land they fought to defend…in their own homes and communities. Some come back though and end up institutionalized because of disabilities they gained in combat. They deserve a life better than that. We were reminded that Disability Rights are Veterans Rights. I think often of my brother Justin…cousin Gavin and his wife Stephanie. They all served and I am so proud of their service. My cousin was injured in a roadside IED…and ended up diagnosed with a TBI as well as injuries to his legs. He plays soccer for the Special Olympics. He fought for his family to live in freedom…and so we give back as a group including many disabled vets. Recognizing their struggle and how it is connected..and one of many aspects of life.
As we continued we ended up at the sacred grounds…of which many DC belongs to lands that was taken and stolen from the indigenous peoples that lived before. We made our way to the National African American Museum of History and Culture. It was there we heard the names of many of our ADAPT members and allies whom we have lost along our long journey. They fought to have rights not only as disabled Americans…and as African Americans and people of color in America. We honor the sacrifice and the good work of our ancestors on the land and the memory of powerful people in our movement who have contributed to the movement and betterment of our country.
We found ourselves on the move again. Arriving at the DC office of the US Customs and Border Protection. They have been a part of horrible acts at the border to separate immigrants from their families. We heard stories of those seeking a better life in our countries…life sustaining and saving services…as well as fleeing countries that may not have access to home and community based services…either due to laws…lack of human rights or disability rights…or any number of reasons. Regardless…no one should be caged like an animal and no one should be locked up because their disabilities are too hard to handle. That is not how we should be treating any human being. This happens in our country at institutions. It is a human rights issue and the practice against disabled citizens of the world should be denounced.
We finally went to the house of the head of the administration. The White House. The Trump Administration has been known to make decisions that would impact many people and many aspects of our lives… including people with disabilities in America and across the globe. We called upon them to do better…do no harm…ensure our right to independence…community…and freedom. For us…all of us.
American has been looked on as a beacon to the world…the world is looking to us. Because all are one.
Hello! On day one of the daily summaries log, today adapt participated in the adapt fun run for disability rights 2019. The run was held as a fundraiser for a gap in our spring 2019 national action. The activist were eager to move to show their support for disability rights.
By Beatrice Boston ADAPT
Today on May 19th 2019 the National ADAPT Association held it’s 14th annual Fun Run for Disability Rights in Washington D. C. at the upper “D” Park and it was fantastic. We had 154 people show up today to walk and roll around the park to raise funds for the different chapters of ADAPT which work hard to fight for the rights of all disabled individuals across the world. People enjoyed the 80+ degree heat while walking and rolling around the park and enjoying listening to the music.
By Liam Dougherty Philadelphia ADAPT
Today we had our first meeting at 8am. We discussed general advocacy issues, with specific attention to the Disability Integration Act, legislation that would make community integration a human right for people with disabilities. Bruce Darling led the discussion, saying “some people say lawmakers should hear your footsteps if you want to influence policy- I say let them hear your squeaky wheels”. Next media team met to give out roles and assign hashtags for the action. We lined up around noon and marched to Upper D Park – Area 14 – “C” St. SW and South Capitol St., where we did our Fun Run fundraiser. It was very hot and sunny but a lot of fun. We made sure to stay hydrated. We then came back for an energetic and rousing group meeting. I am excited for this week with ADAPT.
Today we got up at 7 in the morning and headed to USCIS. We went there to advocate for the disabled immigrants who are coming to America for health care and a better life. We demanded that they be let in and given a chance for a new life and not put in cages, especially children. We chanted “No cages, no walls, free our people now!!” The energy was pretty high and I enjoyed listening to Tony Brooks talking about how he started a new life when he came here from Ghana. I got a little hot here and there but it was mainly OK. After that, we marched to Senator Mitch McConnell’s office and we demanded that he cosponsor DIA and make Money Follows the Person permanent. My mom and I stayed away with the other folks who didn’t want to get arrested and then we waited for the people who got arrested outside. Danielle got arrested for the first time. We headed back home around 8 pm and we got back to the hotel at 9 pm. I had fun joking around with Sophie Poost and talking smack talk. I ate McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets even though technically I’m a vegetarian. I guess I broke the rules this week! I ate in the lobby with my buddies. Tomorrow, we don’t know where we will go but it will be an adventure to be discovered. Free Our People!
By Jordan Sibayan Atlantis ADAPT
Jordan Sibayan
ADAPTs demonstration at the USCIS building to denounce the harmful public charge rule was very moving. Denying access, refuge, and entrance to our country to anyone seeking opportunities and a better life is wrong, and to expand upon it to discriminate against people with disabilities is deplorable.
Being from Colorado, I have lived my life surrounded by conversations both social and political on immigration. I went to a school in which all announcements and materials were equally shared and distributed in English as well as Spanish. That is just how it was.
The idea of immigrants and their children and families being locked in cages for the crime of seeking a better life in our country makes as much sense as being locked in institutions for the crime of being disabled.
No more Cages…no more Walls. We must tear down the walls of oppression by denouncing the practice of incarceration of migrants at the boarder and the treatment they get and the public charge rule that specifically calls out disabled migrants and refugees and asylum seekers.
People with Disabilities in those detention centers…often separated from their families and care givers…are in extreme danger of further risks to their health and quality of life. Further…those who go through the traumatic experience of gaining citizenship may develop disabilities and worse more severe conditions.
This Public Charge rule also endangers those who already are here receiving life sustaining and saving medical treatment and attendent services. They are in danger of being sent back to their country of origin or to somewhere else entirely. This puts them in danger of further injury and death.
We urge the administration to say NO to this rule. Do the right thing and stop endangering our people…the world’s people. What happens to them can happen to us. Our lives are linked…our experience all…and all are one.
By Liam Dougherty Philadelphia ADAPT
Liam Dougherty
I got up this morning at 7am and after going to McDonald’s we all lined up and marched for the first time in this action. We went to the immigration and naturalization services building which was about an hour march away. We did some theater and chanting there outside the building and made our demands to them about the accommodations and discrimination of immigrants with disabilities. Then we went over to the Senate office building, up to Mitch McConnell’s office. We wanted him to hear our demands around accessible housing, nursing home transition, and community integration. Around 30 of us were arrested in his office room and processed in the building.
Forty years ago in Denver, a movement began when 19 disabled activists rolled into traffic, stopped a bus to demand accessible public transportation, and gave the world its first look at the power that would be known as ADAPT. Forty years later with chapters across the country, ADAPT is credited with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), saving Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and numerous other victories. November 2018, 11-15, ADAPT members from across the nation will be in be in Denver for a week to both celebrate the accomplishments of the past forty years and to rally to push forward on the work that is yet to be done.
ADAPT’s history, the issues we are fighting for, and our activities can be found at www.adapt.org, the National ADAPT Facebook, and on Twitter under the hashtag #ADAPTandRESIST.
Action Reports
Narratives from the action through the eyes of various ADAPT activists.
The 2018 Spring ADAPT DC action, once again, starts with a tribute to our mothers on Mother’s Day May 13th and continues till May 16th.
Attacks on the life and liberty of people with disabilities continue each and every day in various forms such as proposed cuts to Medicaid, bill to gut ADA (H.R. 620), use of torture devices to control behavior, etc.
ADAPT has been fighting these injustices and will continue to do so.
ADAPT will fight to ensure that no Disabled American is denied their Constitutional right to Life and Liberty.
ADAPT activists from all over the nation have traveled to DC to protest against these changes. Join ADAPT and #ADAPTandRESIST!
Return to this page to see the latest photos from the action and read the daily ADAPT Action Reports.
Action Reports
Narratives from the action through the eyes of various ADAPT activists.
The abuse of people with disabilities at the Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton, MA, drastically accelerated in 1990, when its infamous founder, Matthew Israel, devised a money-making patent that would apply painful shocks to residents at any time of the day – while they ate, when they showered, even while they slept – via a remotely activated device worn 24 hours a day. Israel promoted this abuse as behavior modification mostly on autistic people, and JRC soon became the only institution in the country to utilize aversive shocks despite overwhelming evidence debunking its effectiveness. Since then, JRC has been paid millions in taxpayer money to effectively traumatize unwilling residents. New York City alone throws $30 million annually towards JRC’s way to warehouse more than 120 of its residents. You may ask: “If this treatment is really torture, why is JRC still in business?” One answer may be that JRC pays thousands to lobby lawmakers and government administrators to turn a blind eye. In 2010, JRC paid Rudy Giuliani’s law firm $100,000 for his influence peddling. You may say: “Well, maybe this is the only answer for self-injurious behavior.” The answer is no! It has been shown that abusive treatment, just like the torture of enemy combatants (which is, unlike the torture of people with disabilities, illegal), is less effective than other approaches. In short, there is no excuse for supporting JRC’s program of torture.
