Metro Chapter Meeting -- Wed, 7/6 at 6:30 p.m. at Griggs-Midway Building

ADAPT Minnesota - Metro Chapter Meeting
Time: Wednesday, July 6 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Location: Griggs-Midway Building
1821 University Avenue; Saint Paul, MN
Map: http://bit.ly/lxzY9P

Description: We'll discuss the draft letter to the legislature regarding our opinion about the shutdown and/or special session.  We'll also start putting together a group to perform the strategic planning and creating the more formal legal structure/existence for our group.  Everyone is welcome!  Become part of our growing ADAPT Minnesota Metro Chapter plus be a part of upcoming actions and events to get our state leadership and citizens to focus on what matters -- assuring the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom -- instead of voting to limit equal opportunities throughout our communities for our allies and taking away funding essential to our independence.  Support equal opportunities for equal participation in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone!

Scent-Free and Safe Spaces:  Please remember that all our activities are scent-free and safe spaces to offer equal opportunities for equal participation for everyone.

FUTURE MEETINGS: We'll meet 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays on July 13th and 20th at the Griggs-Midway Building.

Personal Story: Living Life with having to depend on Personal Care Attendants!

I have lived in Minnesota for over 30 years, coming from ND and I lived in many institutions in my time. Some institutions were very bad and some not so bad.

My dream was always to live independently, but had so many people against it. Some were afraid that I couldn’t live by myself or they knew I could do it, but were afraid I would be bored and hate it and I would have to wait for a while to get back into an institution again.

Much to people’s dismay, I loved living independently and loved my own independence.

I couldn’t have done it without the help of the Personal Care Attendant Program. Without this wonderful program a lot of people would be stuck in some type of nursing home.  

Now my husband and I live together and we use shared PCA services.

My husband, Jim built our home from ground up in 1996. We both have very involved cerebral palsy. although we are very active people. We can be very active because of our Personal Care Attendants. Without these people, we would not be able to live in the community. We would be in nursing homes rotting away and costing taxpayers a lot more money.

Many of us (people with disabilities) are taxpayers, too. Having these attendants is not a luxury, it is a necessity! If the state starts cutting our hours you are taking away our willingness to live!

This Personal Care Attendant Program allows us to be a part of society in which we live in. We are able to work, go on vacations and all that a person would do if they didn’t have a disability.

~Claudia Carlisle

Minnesota Government Shutdown Activities Thursday

There are several government shutdown events going on from 10 a.m. until midnight Thursday that ADAPT members (especially as informed Minnesota citizens) may wish to participate in as a show of solidarity and active citizen participation even though the events are not directly organized or sponsored by ADAPT...

1.      Invest in Minnesota Action at 10 a.m. [ More Information on the Web ] [ More Information on Facebook ]

2.      Welfare Rights Committee Action at Noon [ More Information on Facebook ]

3.      USuncutMN FIGHT BACK!  Minnesota!  Shutdown Eve Parade and Rally at 1:30 p.m. [ More Information on the Web ] [ More Information on Facebook ]

4.      MAPE Pre-Vigil Cookout at 6:30 p.m. [ More Information on the Web ]

5.      AFSCME / MAPE Shutdown Eve Vigil at 9:00 p.m. [ Flyer from AFSCME ] [ More Information from MAPE ]

NATIONAL ADAPT: Say "NO" to Massive Medicaid Cuts, Block-Granting

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Contact Representative Bachmann, Representative Ryan, and Speaker Boehner to say "NO" to massive Medicaid cuts and block-granting. 

ACTION OPTIONS:

·         Most Effective Yet More Time-Consuming: Call the following US Congressional Officials:

o   Representative Bachmann -- 202-225-2331 / 651-731-5400

o   Representative Ryan -- 202-225-3031

o   Speaker Boehner -- 202-225-6205

o   Senator Hatch -- 202-224-5251

o   Senator Baucus -- 202-224-2651

o   Your US Representatives and Senators

·         Less Effective Yet Less Time-Consuming:

o   Generic Fax, Letter, or E-mail Generator to US Representatives

o   Generic Fax, Letter, or E-mail Generator to US Senators

MORE INFORMATION:

·         US Representatives Action

·         US Senators Action

NATIONAL ADAPT: Urge Speaker Boehner to Meet with ADAPT

URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Contact Speaker Boehner to urge him to meet with ADAPT.

ACTION OPTIONS:

·         Most Effective Yet More Time-Consuming: Telephone Speaker Boehner at both his Troy, Ohio and Washington, D.C. offices [Talking Points]

o   Troy, Ohio Office:  937-339-1524

o   Washington, D.C. Office:  202-225-6205

·         Less Effective Yet Less Time-Consuming: Generic Letter or E-mail Generator

MORE INFORMATION

Metro Chapter Meeting -- Wed, 6/29 at 6:30 p.m. at Griggs-Midway Building

ADAPT Minnesota - Metro Chapter Meeting
Time: Wednesday, June 29 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Location: Griggs-Midway Building
1821 University Avenue; Saint Paul, MN
Map: http://bit.ly/lxzY9P

Description: We will discuss our thoughts around the awards ceremony for the Governor.  What went well?  What could be improved next time?  Everyone is welcome!  Become part of our growing ADAPT Minnesota Metro Chapter plus be a part of upcoming actions and events to get our state leadership and citizens to focus on what matters -- assuring the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom -- instead of voting to limit equal opportunities throughout our communities for our allies and taking away funding essential to our independence.  Support equal opportunities for equal participation in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone!

Scent-Free and Safe Spaces:  Please remember that all our activities are scent-free and safe spaces to offer equal opportunities for equal participation for everyone.

Personal Story: The Impact of Previous Years' PCA Service Cuts (Jim Carlisle)

To Whomever Has The Power:

Living independently would be impossible for my wife, Claudia, and I without the help of the Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) who allow us to stay in our own home and be a part of the taxpaying community. This is why it is so frustrating to hear about possible additional cuts in PCA rates and hours.

Many legislators say that they will not raise taxes. Yet, in 2009 they reduced the rate of PCA Services by 2.75% and in 2010 there were similar cuts. And now this year the State is threatening to make a third reduction in PCA Services. In reality, this is equivalent to more than a 6% GROSS REVENUE tax on PCA providers. Income taxes are usually imposed on NET PROFIT. If the State would put a 6% gross revenue tax on all industries in Minnesota, three things would happen:

1. The State hoppers would be overflowing.
2. Most State industries would be bankrupt.
3. Many legislators wouldn’t be re-elected.

Do you realize that a 6% cut in gross revenue equates to a 70% reduction in an already low net margin? On top of this, the Department of Human Services has implemented many new required regulations on PCA Services that take additional administration staff to achieve compliance. Thus, the State Legislature is asking for much more work for much less pay in the PCA Industry that cares for:

1. Some of the most vulnerable Minnesota Citizens in the State.
2. Minnesota Citizens who must live below poverty income levels to receive PCA and medical services.
3. Minnesota citizens who need reliable quality care by reasonably paid care givers.

PCA care givers are among the lowest paid employees in Minnesota and are expected to be reliable, responsible and honest, working independently in private homes. They also must be intelligent enough to deal with complex physical and mental disorders along with keeping track of hours worked, employment limitations, and timesheet requirements to satisfy the State Auditors. State reimbursement rates and county care assessments dictate that all this must be done with no morning and afternoon breaks, no sick pay, no vacation pay, and no other fringe benefits. And now these dedicated care givers will have to take an hourly wage reduction if the State slashes reimbursement rates further.

The thousands of PCAs employed in Minnesota are helping to drive the economy by spending their entire meager wages within the State and, therefore, should not be penalized with wage cuts. Minnesotans, who probably spend some earnings on yearly out-of-state vacations, should be able to make ample (federally tax deductible) contributions to protect the State’s vulnerable citizens with decently compensated care givers. Please put your full support behind this critical need for quality PCA services.

Thank you,

Jim Carlisle

Public Accountant

Governor Dayton's Response to Free Our People Award

[A PDF containing an image of the letter is available at http://bit.ly/iFZe2J ]

[Printed on letterhead reserved for the State of Minnesota's Office of Governor Mark Dayton.]

June 21, 2011

Dear members of ADAPT Minnesota:

Thank you for inviting me to attend ADAPT Minnesota's First Annual Free Our People Award Ceremony.  It is truly an honor to be recognized by your organization and Minnesotans with disabilities.  I am sorry I am not able to join you today.

On May 24, 2011, I vetoed the Legislature's Health and Human Services budget bill, which proposed severely damaging cuts to the services needed by many Minnesotans with disabilities.  When I vetoed that bill, I sent a letter explaining my reasons and in that letter I wrote:

This Health and Human Services bill, passed by the House and Senate, would cause devastating harm to many thousands of Minnesotans, which I will strongly oppose.  I cannot support a $1.8 billion reduction in health and human service spending.  A reduction of this size jeopardizes the progress Minnesota has made in providing health coverage for the uninsured, supporting our seniors in their communities, offering treatment and community support for people with mental illness, and establishing a public health infrastructure that protects all Minnesotans.  I understand the need for belt-tightening and I embrace the need for reform.  But I do not accept that Minnesota must go backward in the support we provide to our most vulnerable citizens.  We are better than that.

The state budget is about values and priorities as much as it is about dollars and cents.  It remains my priority to protect the most vulnerable Minnesotans from devastating cuts to the services they rely on for day-to-day living.

Once again, thank you for your invitation to today's ceremony, and thank you for your continued efforts to build a better Minnesota for ALL Minnesotans.

My best regards.

Sincerely,
Mark Dayton
Governor

Press Release: Free Our People Award to Governor Mark Dayton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (UPDATED 2011-06-25 1:13 AM CDT)

ADAPT MN Presents Free Our People Award to Governor Mark Dayton

SAINT PAUL, Minnesota (June 23, 2011) -- ADAPT Minnesota presented its first Free Our People Award to Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton during a short ceremony at the Governor's office during the afternoon of Thursday, June 23.  Around 50 individuals, families, and allies were present; many wearing their standard red shirts to show their support for the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.

After a few brief presentations, including the sharing of Jim Carlisle's personal story and Claudia Carlisle's personal story, ADAPT Minnesota thanked Governor Dayton for vetoing several finance bills that would have created significant harm throughout Minnesota.  Plus, ADAPT expressed support for him to continue standing firm for a fair budget that isn't balanced on the backs of individuals and families experiencing disability.   

Although the Governor was unable to attend, Dan Pollock, Dayton's Policy Advisor, shared a letter from Governor Dayton.  Then, the group presented the Governor with a few tokens of appreciation, including a standard red ADAPT t-shirt displaying an individual in a wheelchair breaking free of shackles and chains with the logo "Free Our People".

As Darrell Paulsen pointed out, "Throughout the legislative session, Governor Dayton stood up for us.  Another great example of his understanding and fight for civil rights happened earlier this week when he expanded the list of critical services from the one he had submitted to the court earlier.  He expanded the list to be sure that the organizations we rely on for personal care assistance, homecare, transportation to our medical appointments, and so on would get the payments they need to pay their employees so they can continue delivering the services we depend on."  Paulsen is a disability rights advocate and nonprofit executive who experiences the effects of cerebral palsy.  He relies on personal care assistance, public transportation, and special transportation to help him ensure that his health, safety, security, and dignity needs are consistently and reliably satisfied.

ADAPT Minnesota is statewide chapter of a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, that may or may not include civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom; equal opportunities for equal participation in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

QUESTIONS AND PRESS INQUIRIES:

     Please e-mail adapt.mn@gmail.com

Award Text: Free Our People Award to Governor Mark Dayton

ADAPT MN presents the Free Our People Award to Governor Mark Dayton

Governor Dayton has shown his commitment to supporting freedom and independence of people with disabilities by:

• Vetoing the GOP Omnibus Health and Human Services finance bill, Transportation finance bill, and Jobs and Economic Development appropriations bill, remembering that Real Cuts Hurt Real People; and,
• Recognizing that enabling people with disabilities to live in our own homes in our own communities costs less than institutionalization and improves our dignity, health and safety.

Governor Dayton is a leader that the disability community can count on to:

• Include People with Disabilities in any decisions that affect our lives;
• Raise revenue to fund vital services by ensuring that the most wealthy Minnesotans are paying their fair share; and, 
• Ensure that people with disabilities receive people-centered supports to free us from unnecessary, costly, inherently demeaning, frequently understaffed and sometimes abusive institutions and nursing homes.

Share Your Ally/Media Contacts -- Unify, Encourage, and Empower Your Community

While ADAPT Minnesota organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, which one may or may not include civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom, we are part of a much bigger community.

Please help us develop a larger, more unified, and more powerful community of individuals, families, organizations, and media that can more effectively encourage and empower equal opportunities for equal participation in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone.  Help us by 1) sharing your ally and media contacts; 2) introducing us to them; 3) identifying opportunities where we can work together; 4) engaging them to work with us toward our common visions, promote our shared values, and work on our unique missions.

• Ally Contact Submission Form (Google Forms)
• Media Contact Submission Form (Google Forms)

If you have any problems using the Google Forms, please let us know of those challenges and your contact by simply e-mailing adapt.mn@gmail.com .

Minnesota Governor’s Identification of Essential Services during Government Shutdown

 The list of state government services that must continue during the looming Minnesota government shutdown has been released by Governor Dayton's office.

What's on the service continuation list related to the disability community?

• Access to Medical Assistance and other state health program services have been listed as essential; (Department of Human Services)
• Disability determination claims (Department of Employment and Economic Development)
• Unemployment Insurance claims processing and payments claims (Department of Employment and Economic Development)
• Workers' Compensation claims and approval of medical treatments (Department of Labor & Industry)

What's NOT on the service continuation list related to the disability community?

• Payments for ANY health care services under state health care programs (Department of Human Services)
• Metro Transit bus service (Metropolitan Council)
• Metro Mobility (Metropolitan Council)
• Vocational Services authorizations or claims (Department of Employment and Economic Development)
• The Minnesota State Council on Disability
• Most state grants or contracts through any state agency

MORE INFORMATION
More information can be found at the following agency's government shutdown information pages:

• Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Minnesota Department of Health
• MetroMobility (which indicated plans to continue operating as long as possible)

Metro Chapter Meeting -- Wed, 6/22 at 6:30 p.m. at Griggs-Midway Building

ADAPT Minnesota - Metro Chapter Meeting
Time: Wednesday, June 22 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Location: Griggs-Midway Building
1821 University Avenue; Saint Paul, MN
Map: http://bit.ly/lxzY9P

Description: We will finalize our planning our awards ceremony for the Governor.  Everyone is welcome!  Become part of our growing ADAPT Minnesota Metro Chapter plus be a part of upcoming actions and events to get our state leadership and citizens to focus on what matters -- assuring the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom -- instead of voting to limit equal opportunities throughout our communities for our allies and taking away funding essential to our independence.  Support equal opportunities for equal participation in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for everyone!

Scent-Free and Safe Spaces:  Please remember that all our activities are scent-free and safe spaces to offer equal opportunities for equal participation for everyone.

Future Meetings: We currently plan to meet every Wednesday through at least the end of June as state leaders continue to hammer out a budget resolution.  We will meet at the Griggs-Midway Building for the remaining meetings.

ASL Interpreters Wanted -- Volunteers and/or Independent Contractors

• Wednesdays through June, 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., in St. Paul (Griggs-Midway Building; 1821 University Avenue; Map)
• Thursday, June 23 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Minnesota State Capitol
• Other Opportunities Going Forward

ADAPT Minnesota is looking for several American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to help us ensure equal opportunities for equal participation exist for everyone. ASL interpreters are desired for our regularly scheduled membership meetings, activities, and events. Volunteers are fantastic, but we are able to compensate as well.

ADAPT Minnesota is statewide chapter of a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, that may or may not include civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom; equal opportunities for equal participation in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We strive to ensure all our meetings, activities, and events are scent free and safe spaces .

Please forward this message to your family, friends, colleagues, and communities to help us develop a large and qualified pool of ASL interpretation professionals.

If you are interested in joining us as an ASL interpreter, please feel free to provide your information on our ASL interpreter roster sign-up form.  Only our communications committee will have access to the information you submit.  If you have any trouble using the form or have any questions, comments, or concerns, please e-mail adapt.mn@gmail.com with your qualifications and availability.

Metro Chapter Meeting -- Wed, 6/15 at 6:30 p.m. at Griggs-Midway Building

ADAPT Minnesota - Metro Chapter Meeting
Time: Wednesday, June 15 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Location: Griggs-Midway Building
1821 University Avenue; Saint Paul, MN
Map: http://bit.ly/lxzY9P

   
We will continue planning the Community Living Leadership Award Ceremony.  Become part of our growing ADAPT Minnesota Metro Chapter plus be a part of upcoming actions and events to get our state leadership and citizens to focus on what matters -- life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for everyone -- instead of voting  to limit equal opportunities throughout our communities for our allies and taking away funding essential to our independence. Everyone is welcome!  Please remember that all our activities are scent free and safe spaces to offer equal opportunities for equal participation for everyone.

Future Meetings: We currently plan to meet every Wednesday through at least the end of June as state leaders continue to hammer out a budget resolution.  We haven't decided on meeting locations yet for June 22 or June 29.  More information will be released in the next week or so.