Disability Connection News

Friday, March 13, 2015

ADAPT Regional Action

ADAPT speaks at the New America Foundation on the Department of Labor's Companionship Rules

By Bruce Darling
The regional hit continued today. Philly and Rochester ADAPTers got up early to metro and march to the New America Foundation where Ai-jen Poo was presenting. We filled the front of the room and - when she started presenting - as German put it, we put some ADAPT power in her powerpoint. ADAPTers held her accountable for breaking her agreement with ADAPT to not file comments on behalf of the Caring Across Generation Coalition - a coalition with us on the steering committee. As Director, she made the agreement and then broke it the next day. We made sure she understood that this is not acceptable.

We also demanded that she acknowledge the harm that came about because of the DOL companionship rules and urged her to call on the Obama administration to stop the process and bring us ALL back to the table. She refused. With an audience watching we urged her to consider the people with disabilities who will lose their freedom or died because they don't get the assistance they need and the attendants who will lose needed income.

It was an ADAPT-style conversation with everyone yelling and explaining the impact these rules would have on them PERSONALLY. Spitfire punctuated the ADAPT chaos with shouts of "Deathcamps!". They appeared to want to try dragging us out, but gave up on that plan rather quickly. They finally announced that the police were coming and Ms. Dorothy of Philly, Eric’s wonderful attendant who is impacted by this rule, started the chant, “I'd rather go to jail than die in a nursing home!" We all followed her lead and our voices became one. They evacuated the room. Police came. We were all "escorted" out. No charges were filed.

Apparently, today's talk by Ai-jen (and the related ADAPT protest) was
livestreamed.

http://www.newamerica.org/breadwinning-caregiving/the-future-of-elder-care/

I did notice that the room looked like it was set up to be a studio and a man who was asked to drag me out did respond that he was "just a producer", but it didn't all fit together until Stephanie W called to say the event had been live streamed. I wonder if they put up the "We are having technical difficulties" screen. Had we noticed this, we would have invited people to watch.

I know all of ADAPT appreciates the hard work that went into this regional action. So thanks to the Rochester and Philly ADAPTers who took on this project. And thanks to Stephanie W for identifying some strategic possibilities and pulling together the multi-chapter response that we needed to acheive a significant victory and express some truly righteous anger. Although there were no arrests at this regional hit, it still earned the Spitfire Seal of Approval.

DC is now primed and ready for the full ADAPT Community to take ACTION!

Hope to see you in DC on April 18th. Be sure to register and seek donations for the FunRun. Because I didn't need to use the fine money I had saved for this, starting now, the first two people to send me FunRun solicitations, with their FunRun link, will be sponsored for $100 each.

FREE OUR PEOPLE!

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Information on Rolling for Independence

February 20, 2015 Contact: Sandi Klink

901-726-6404

For Immediate Release

Rolling for Independence, friend and fundraiser for Memphis Center for Independent Living (MCIL) will take place on Saturday, May 2nd in Midtown! Registration begins at 9:00 am for the hearty rollers and runners with a takeoff time for the 20 mile run and roll at 9:30 am. The Family Fun 5k will walk, run or roll out at 10:00. This fun and inclusive event will start and finish at 1633 Madison Avenue with lunch and prizes at 11:30.

What are the costs and what can you get? Early registration starts at $15 per individual. Family or team fees are also available. Prize packages include gift certificates and will be awarded for the Most Spirited team or the team which finds the most barriers in the Sidewalk scavenger search. Each of these winning packages will be valued at approximately $200 with donations from such generous donors as Molly’s LaCasita, Five Guys, Applebees and others.

How did this event get started? Rolling for Independence grew from collaborative efforts related to the bike lanes on Madison Avenue. This is the 4th year for this fund and friend raiser. It is also an opportunity to bring awareness to issues faced by people with disabilities trying to get around in their communities.

MCIL is often seen as trouble makers around access issues, why is that? Independence and Access are civil rights. In 1990, the ADA was signed into law giving people with disabilities their civil rights and eliminating discrimination in the workplace, to education and to community participation. In this the 25th anniversary of this legislation, there are still restaurants, businesses and schools in Memphis that do not have access to their programs or services and many sidewalks that are impassable. Who better to bring these matters to the attention of the community than the people most affected by the discrimination? MCIL is not afraid to bring this injustice to light in whatever way we must from education to direct action!

What else does the Memphis Center for Independent Living do other than raising awareness about access issues? MCIL offers free services such as; Information and Referral, Advocacy assistance, peer counseling, which we do well as 75% of our staff are people with disabilities. We also provide Skills training such as using assistive technology to learn basic computer or Braille, learning how to budget on disability income, practicing social skills and other needs. MCIL’s Home Modification program offers some assistance getting that ramp built or bathroom changes to make homeowner’s lives easier, safer and add to their independence. Through Medicaid, our Personal Assistant Services program offers individuals a real Choice about who comes in to their homes to assist with bathing, dressing or cooking. MCIL has the information needed to make independence with a disability possible or we will help find it!

Who are partners in this year’s event? MCIL is excited to announce the addition of the Memphis Rolling Grizzlies to our event planning team! This nationally recognized wheelchair basketball team is going to do a passing drill demonstration on May 2nd to show some of their awesome skills and then lead out the 5k Family and team roll!

How can you help make equality a reality in Memphis? Join MCIL on May 2nd for Rolling for Independence as we show the community not only the problems faced but our willingness to work and play together! Pick up your registration packets today at 1633 Madison, or download one from our website at www.mcil.org, registration fees may be paid through our website “donate now” button or at the MCIL offices. Join MCIL to help us raise some money and awareness through your participation in this fun event! For more information call: 901-726-6404 and ask for Sandi or Janice.

- Download the registration form -