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Monday, April 22, 2013

DISABILITY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS "ADAPT" DEMAND NATIONAL SOCIAL PROGRAMS | April 2013

as posted by Adapt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Bruce Darling, 585-370-6690
Adam Ballard, 708-945-3893

DISABILITY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS DEMAND NATIONAL SOCIAL PROGRAMS ACCOUNTABILITY
IN WASHINGTON DC APRIL 22-24; PROTESTS EXPECTED

ADAPT Urges Obama Administration to Keep Its Promises on Community Living
for People with Disabilities


Washington, DC -- As the nation faces down the effects of sequester cuts
and debates the future of social programs, the national disability rights
group ADAPT will be in the nation's capital for protest actions concerning
Medicaid and home services beginning Monday, April 22 following its annual
FUN*RUN on April 21, beginning at 1 pm in Upper Senate Park.

Several hundred ADAPT activists from around the US will converge on the
nation's capital to spread ADAPT's message of "Our Homes! Not Nursing
Homes!" The civil disobedience at ADAPT actions has historically led to
mass arrests of activists, such as last April when 74 ADAPTers, including
actor Noah Wyle, were arrested for protesting Medicaid cuts in the Cannon
House Office Building.

"We have not and cannot allow the values of independence and community
living to be threatened by proposed austerity policies that totally
disregard the basic supports that keep millions of people with
disabilities thriving in the community," said David Wittie of ADAPT of
Texas. "We are coming to DC to once again hold public officials
accountable to the human rights of people with disabilities, who are often
the poorest of the poor."


ADAPT will hold the Obama administration and other offices accountable for
unfulfilled promises made regarding community living and attendant
services, which would enable millions of people with disabilities to lead
independent lives, stay out of institutions and work in their communities.
While some progress has been made, according to Chicago ADAPT member Scott
Nance, "Officials in several Cabinet-level departments as well as the
Administration itself need to hear how inaction and poor decision-making
on their part threatens the everyday life of people with disabilities and
their attendants."

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

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