ADAPT marches for justice

Overview of the ADAPT 2019 Fall Action in Washington DC

By Allison Donald
National ADAPT gathered in Washington DC for the 2019 fall action in solidarity with those who are the most marginalized people in our society.  This action took on a very different tenor than those I have attended in the past.  There was a concerted effort to include everyone in the issues that National ADAPT was going to be addressing during the next four days.  

One specific goal of National ADAPT was to begin the conversation about race within the social justice movements.  National ADAPT feels it is imperative to shine a light on issues regarding housing, ending the institutional bias and disaster preparedness. Also critical is pivotal legislation like the Disability Integration Act, the Empower Care Act, Access across America, and the READII Act. 

The 2019 Fall Action concluded the action with the “All for One March” which was intended to recognize ADAPTERS and others living with disabilities who claim multiple identities in the fight for freedom and liberation.

Sunday October 20, 2019
National ADAPT took part in a Racism 101 workshop which was intended to start to address the systemic and structural racism that has pervaded National ADAPT.  The facilitator of the workshop Michelle Marks-Osbourne spoke on the system of that bore white supremacy.  Ms. Osbourne told us about the extensions of white supremacy structure that led to the language that was espoused on July 14, 2019.   The workshop also covered anti-blackness, the difference between being non-racist versus being anti-racist. 

“The disability rights movement is anchored in the civil rights movement,” said Ms. Osbourne, “you can not want something more for yourself than you want for your neighbor.”

Ms. Osborne has agreed to work with the Intersectional Justice Committee and National ADAPT on the next steps which will include work that chapter leaders will take back to their respective chapters.

Monday October 21, 2019
National ADAPT went to the USCIS office to call for an end to the “public charge”.  ADAPTers sat outside of the USCIS office as Kimberly Hale of Texas ADAPT recounted her visit to one of the camps where immigrants are currently being detained while they wait to find out if they are going to be allowed to stay in the United States. 

“I heard the voices of children as they cried for their parents,” Ms. Hale said, “and how some individuals with disabilities were left in their soiled beds.” 

Tony Brooks from PA ADAPT recalled his experience coming to the United States in search of a better life and getting injured and ending up in a nursing institution.  The “public charge” rule is proven to be an extension of the discriminatory practices of the current administration that is why the next stop for National ADAPT was the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

While sitting in the Majority Leader’s office, Danny Saenz (Desert ADAPT), began to tell his story of living in an institution.   Staffers from McConnell’s office would listen, but as the clock struck five-thirty the Capitol police began to pull protestors out.

No resolution was reached.  People living with disabilities need not wonder where Senator McConnell stands on disability related issues he has yet to come out in support of the Empower Care Act, Access across America legislation, or the Disability Integration Act. 

Twenty-three National ADAPTers were arrested in the office of Senator McConnell including Danelle Holdsclaw (1st arrest).   Irene “Spitfire” Sabol told her story of survival in a nursing institution.  Spitfire was one of the twenty-three ADAPTers pulled out of McConnell’s office for her 100^th arrest.

Tuesday October 22, 2019
National ADAPT ascended on the office of Senator Susan Collins of Maine.  We were there asking Senator Collins to cosponsor the Disability Integration Act and the proposal for Access across America

Wednesday October 23, 2019
National ADAPT took to the streets on the last day of the action for the “All for One March”.  The first leg of the march began in the courtyard at the front door of FEMA.  We were there to address the reasoning behind FEMA not supporting the READII Act.

As the march moved further down the road the next stop was the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Goldilocks and the Three Bears told the story of people living with disabilities and the process of obtaining affordable, accessible, integrated housing. 

Next, the march took us to the African American Museum of History and Culture. Anita Cameron, Latoya Maddox, and I were charged with lifting up the names of black ADAPTers. 

The march continued through the streets of the capitol, the next stop was the Navy Memorial Plaza. ADAPTers who served in the armed forced Scott (Arizona) and Zan (Georgia) spoke about their experience as service men and women living with disabilities. 

The ADAPT route continued to wind its way through the streets of Washington DC and  we found ourselves at US Customs and Border Protection.  National ADAPT’s final stop on the march was the White House where we gathered and announced that the current occupant in the White House has waged an unprecedented  war on the lives and dignity of people living with disabilities through cuts in resources and programs, abuse of immigrants and children living with disabilities at the border and negligent disaster relief policies.

  

As a result of the 2019 fall action we were able to secure follow up meetings with the head of Disability Rights Policy for FEMA and Immigration and Naturalization Services.  We also secured a firm promise from the staffers of Senator Collins’ office in regards to working with Senator Corey Gardner’s office to flesh out the DIA so that Collins will sponsor the bill.  The Disability Integration Act now has 238 sponsors in the House and on needs 19 more Senators to cosponsor the bill in the Senate.

Every Acton is different, but the goal remains the same. Free Our People!

MCIL patrons help to improve state services

Needs Assessment for People with Disabilities in Tennessee

By Christina Clift, 

Over the past six months members of the State Rehabilitation Council in collaboration with the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) staff worked to develop a Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment survey which is required to be conducted every three years.  Tennessee’s last Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) report was submitted in 2016. 


The responses gathered through the comprehensive needs assessment surveys are used to identify areas in need of improvement.  So, it is important to get as much feedback as possible from the public.  As a result, members of the state rehabilitation council and DRS wanted to increase the number of survey responses by simplifying the questions, reaching out to all groups that interact with the Division of Rehabilitation Services and identify the best method to distribute the survey. 


We also wanted to ensure that the information being gathered would be beneficial for the Division of Rehabilitation Services staff and the State Rehabilitation Council.  I believe that we accomplished all three of our goals. 

    

First, The Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment surveys were distributed to five groups of people that interact with the Division of Rehabilitation Services. They included customers and caregivers, community rehabilitation providers, Division of Rehabilitation Services counselors, stakeholders such as MCIL, Disability Rights of Tennessee, the Arc Midsouth, Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, SRVS, and many more.  The assessment also included partners that work with the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act. 


Surveys were distributed by email at the beginning of June and responses were collected for three weeks.  Responses in all five groups increased from 2016.  Once all of the data was collected, members of the State Rehabilitation Council read and reviewed them before making seven key recommendations which are reflected in this year’s report. 

They include:

•     Talent Management - Staff hiring, training and retention, including addressing adequate compensation to improve recruitment and retention of Master's Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors.
•     Communication and Responsiveness - Communication, responsiveness and response time, including communications within VR, with clients, with CRP's, with WIOA Partners and with the public.
•     Timeliness of Services - Timeliness of services, i.e., improve process and timeliness of assistive technology services, better utilize various levels of staff to expedite the provision of services.
•     Customer Engagement - Focus on encouraging active participation by customers throughout the VR process to ensure customers are empowered to practice informed choice in the development of their Individualized Plan for Employment.
•     Transportation - Address transportation barriers based on individual client need to ensure clients are able to fully participate in services necessary to achieve their employment objectives.
•     Community Partners and Resources - Identify and develop community resources to ensure both staff and customers have a clearer understanding of the services available through WIOA partners and other community agencies.
•     Pre-Employment Transition Services - Monitor and improve the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services to ensure VR is meeting the needs of students with disabilities statewide and is meeting the requirement to expend 15% of federal funds for this service.

Now, it will be the job of both the SRC and DRS to find ways to address these seven priority areas.  This might be done by improving training, changing policies and practices, building new partnerships, and thinking outside the box for new ideas. 


This process would not have been possible without the time individuals took to complete the surveys, and members of the SRC and DRS thank you.  The Comprehensive Needs Assessment is one of the ways that your voice can be heard when it comes to DRS and the job that they are doing to assist individuals with disabilities to find employment. 


Other ways include communication with your counselor and their supervisor when troubles arise in your case.  Using the Client Assistance Program through Disability Rights of Tennessee if you can’t resolve issues with your counselor or disagree with their decision.  Attending SRC meetings which are open to the public.  Finally, by completing future surveys. 


Read the Comprehensive Needs Assessment report.

MATAplus 30-Minute Window

October STAC Report

By Allison Donald
The Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC) elected Stephen Tennial as the new interim chair.  Mr. Tennial, from MCIL has been riding MATAplus for ten years and replaces Rexcey Bowers.  

“I hope to bring leadership, innovative ideas, and fairness in regard to riders and MATAplus” said Mr. Tennial. “I hope to make some headway on the services provided to the riders.”
Attendees of the meeting were Allison Donald (Secretary), Anthony Amos (MATA plus Disability Coordinator), STAC members June Mangum, Savannah Morris, and guests Lonnie Collins and, Nancy Balazadeh. 

It is the goal of STAC to continue the open communication with MATA and the MATAplus administration.  The Committee is continuing to delve into the new MATAplus rider’s guide that was updated in May of 2019.  MATA is also working with Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired to provided braille copies of the Rider’s Guide.  If you need copies of the Guide contact MATA administrative offices by calling 901-722-7100.

“I hope that Mr. Amos is as genuine and sincere as he comes across and not attempting to pacify us in the moment,” said Mr. Tennial. “I look forward to working with Mr. Amos toward building a mutually beneficial relationship between riders and MATA administration.”

One of the first issues STAC will undertake is understanding of the 30-minute window and how it affects MATAplus riders.  The MATAplus Rider’s Guide it is ambiguous and leaves room for misinterpretation by riders and MATA staff.  The Rider’s Guide should be clear about the 30-minute window.  

The STAC is intently focused on the customer experience as well.  The Committee pleased that MATA administration has purchased 10 new vehicles. Five of the new buses are rear loading vans and five are side loading access vans for MATAplus.  As with any new purchase there will be some good points and some bad, but overall the members of STAC agreed that the new vehicles were a good purchase.  

Allison will be reviewing the seatbelt policy for riders of MATAplus.

As a committee STAC will remain committed to bringing the disability community the information that is needed about the ever changing MATAplus service.  If you would like to attend the next meeting will be on November 15th at 2:00pm in the 8th floor conference room. 

If you have any questions please contact the Memphis Center for Independent Living located at 5100 Poplar Avenue Suite 810 at 901-726-6404.  You can also follow us on social media @MemphisCIL #MCILToday, www.mcil.org, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcilACTION to keep up with the latest news on MATAplus.