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ADAPT

April 27, 2009

ADAPT Scores Meetings with AG Holder and NGA in Defending Our Freedom Campaign

For Immediate Release

For Information Contact:
Bruce Darling 585-370-6690
Rahnee Patrick 312-320-5111
Mike Oxford 785-224-3865
http://www.adapt.org

Washington, D.C. --- ADAPT started its week in Washington winning a double-header. On Monday morning, 500 ADAPT activists, many in wheelchairs, filled the block-long sidewalk outside the U.S. Department of Justice in the pouring rain, demanding that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder aggressively enforce the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision. "Olmstead" affirms the right of disabled Americans to live in the "most integrated setting," namely the community. As a result of the ADAPT protest, Attorney General Holder agreed to meet with all of ADAPT on Wednesday afternoon.

"We are very encouraged by the discussion we had at DOJ this morning," said Cassie Holdsworth, ADAPT organizer from Philadelphia. "The Attorney General is committed to firmly enforcing Olmstead through consent decrees with states and litigation when necessary. He also reiterated the need for advocates in the states to bring violations of Olmstead and the ADA to his attention. We look forward to hearing about the benchmarks DOJ is currently developing when Mr. Holder meets with us on Wednesday."

On Monday afternoon ADAPT filled the courtyard outside the offices of the National Governors Association (NGA) with both bodies and noise. ADAPT demands included that the NGA partner with ADAPT to issue a technical assistance white paper for the states promoting best practices in nursing home emancipation/transition, and providing home and community-based services and supports in the most efficient, effective, and cost effective manner. NGA Executive Director, Ray Sheppach, and Health and Human Services Committee Director, Matt Salo, agreed that NGA would benefit from ADAPT input, and arranged to do follow-up with ADAPT.

"When we first got there, it was a little touch-and-go," said Steve Verriden, ADAPT Organizer from Wisconsin. As we approached the NGA headquarters, several police on motorcycles screamed through the crowd, scattering people right and left like bowling pins. A few people sustained minor injuries from that. As always, we were not deterred, and chanted louder than ever about stopping the human services cuts in the states and calling on state compliance with Olmstead. NGA knows from past actions that we don't leave until we get what we came for, so we are glad they have decided to work with us."

On Wednesday, in addition to the afternoon meeting with Attorney General Holder and some visits to Congress, ADAPT, in partnership with the Coalition for Community Integration (CCI)will hold a press conference to announce the results of a recent Harris Poll showing that an overwhelming majority of middle class tax payers not only support the Community Choice Act, but are willing to pay $6/year for it. The Community Choice Act would assure that disabled and aging Americans could choose to stay in their own homes and receive services and supports there instead of being forced into nursing homes as happens under current Medicaid law. In addition to ADAPT and CCI, representatives have been invited to participate from the National Council on Disability (NCD), the American Association of Persons with Disabilities (AAPD), TASH, and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), among a number of other disability organizations.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on ADAPT visit our website at http://www.adapt.org/