ADAPT protest for disability rights
By Cheryl LaBash
Oct 1, 2010
ADAPT, a national disability rights action group, fought state budget cuts
to Medicaid home services by mobilizing in Washington, D.C., Sept. 19-22.
Activists chained themselves to three gates at the White House and blocked
street intersections. ADAPT also barricaded the Department of Housing and Urban
Development building and parking structures with their wheelchairs until HUD
Secretary Shaun Donovan agreed in writing to meet with them on Oct. 15. Sixteen
were arrested.
Photo: Tom Olin
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On Sept. 22 attendees at a swanky luncheon honoring House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi for supporting women’s rights heard from women with disabilities
because Pelosi refuses to sponsor and promote the Community Choice Act —
legislation allowing people with disabilities to choose home care instead of
nursing homes.
Demanding “Our homes, not nursing homes,” ADAPT women said,
“68.4 percent of all nursing home residents are women. You can bet they
would rather be in their own homes with services and supports. Most are seniors
and women with disabilities and definitely not rich. These women are not
exactly on Speaker Pelosi’s high priority list.” For more
information on these actions, go to www.adapt.org.
