ADAPT Homecoming

Fall ADAPT Action Denver, Colorado

By Allison Donald

National ADAPT went to Denver, Colorado November 11-16 to address issues regarding long term supports and services, the lack of affordable, accessible, integrated housing, the lack of real time transportation options for people with disabilities and asking for Congresswoman Diane DeGette’s continued support of the disability community.

Although there have been increased opportunities for community living many individuals with disabilities remain trapped in nursing facilities or other institutions and other initiatives that stunt the growth of people with disabilities in respect to community living.  The Department of Health and Human Services is the federal agency most directly responsible for ensuring that Disabled Americans who need long term support and services receive them in the most integrated setting.


ADAPT demanded that HHS Secretary Alex Azar acknowledge that Disabled Americans who require long term supports and services have the right to Life and Liberty under the constitution.  If the constitution is to be followed as written then people with disabilities should not be subjected to daily torture that occurs at the Judge Rotenberg Center.



In addition to that ADAPT and NCIL are working together to reestablish the Money Follows Person.  ADAPT wants HHS to utilize the authority to assure that Medicaid rates are sufficient to pay a livable wage to recruit and retain a workforce.Members of National ADAPT went to the Colorado Division of Housing to demand that the Division support an increase in accessible, affordable, integrated housing in Colorado.



“Housing that meets our needs,” said Jackie Mitchell of Atlantis ADAPT, “continues to be one of the primary barriers to people with disabilities transitioning into the Colorado community.”



“Because of the lack of housing for people with disabilities in Memphis,” said Bobbie Fields the nursing home transition coordinator for the Memphis Center for Independent Living, “people are forced to stay in institutions or live on the streets, because shelters will not take people with disabilities either.”



Transportation remains a significant barrier for people with disabilities not only in Colorado, but all over the country.  Even though paratransit is a viable option for people with disabilities it should not be the only option for on demand transportation services.  If ride sharing services such as, Uber and Lyft were to establish requirements that would allow for people with wheelchairs to ride it would undoubtedly result in further integration into our respective communities.



National ADAPT’s final target and most contentious interaction was at the office of Colorado Congresswoman Diane DeGette.  In the past DeGette has supported disability related legislation like the Empower Care Act (HR 5306).


National ADAPT was there to demand Congresswoman DeGette work with ADAPT and CCDC to introduce a bill by February 1, 2019, carving out consumer directed care and family caregivers from the Electronic Visit Verification requirements in the 21st Century Cures Act.

Also, ADAPT wants help stopping the shock at the Judge Rotenburg Center in Massachusetts.  Finally, National ADAPT would like Diane DeGette to be an initial co-sponsor of the Disability Integration Act (HR 2472), and champion the bill so that house Democrats pass this civil rights legislation during the 116th Congress.

If you would like to read more stories about the fall ADAPT action you can visit
http://www.adapt.org
 Also, you can visit
http://www.midsouthadapt.org