ADAPT protest for disability rights

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

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.