AAPD Action Alert:

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.

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Action Alert!

Stop Bipartisan Congressional Attacks on the ADA!

October 12, 2017

Earlier this year, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 620) was passed out of the House Judiciary Committee, clearing the way for a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives. This bill would seriously weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by delaying requirements that businesses be accessible to people with disabilities.

The proposed legislation requires a person with a disability to provide inaccessible businesses with a written notice of the barrier, after which the business has 60 days to even acknowledge there is a problem, and then another 120 days to begin to fix it. No other civil rights group is forced to wait 180 days to enforce their civil rights!

While a full House vote has not been scheduled at this time, the bill is picking up bipartisan support. There are currently 71 co-sponsors (59 Republicans and 12 Democrats).

 

We urge you to contact your Representatives and tell them to vote no on H.R. 620!

Don't let this bill weaken the ADA and the rights of people with disabilities!

Take Action

All Members of the House of Representatives need to hear from the disability community. Make them aware of this ill-advised and damaging bill.

 

Message / Talking Points

Vote “NO” on H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017.

The ADA Education and Reform Act would seriously weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act and would turn people with disabilities into second-class citizens.

H.R. 620 would require a person with a disability who encounters an access barrier to send an exactly written notice and gives the business owner 60 days to even acknowledge that there is a problem – and then another 120 days to begin to fix it. No other civil rights group is forced to wait 180 days to enforce their civil rights.

The ADA is already very carefully crafted to take the needs of business owners into account. Compliance is simply not burdensome – existing businesses are only required to provide access when doing so is readily achievable. But this bill would remove any reason for businesses to comply. Instead, they can take a “wait and see” attitude, and do nothing until they happen to be sued or sent a notice letter.

Title III regulations of the ADA went into effect in 1992, providing accessibility standards for private businesses (also known as public accommodations). Businesses have had over 25 years to comply with these regulations.

H.R. 620 calls for education by the Department of Justice (DOJ). But there are already extensive federal efforts to educate business owners about their ADA obligations, including the in-depth DOJ ADA website (www.ada.gov), which received 30 million visits in 2016 and 2017, the DOJ ADA hotline, which received over 97,000 calls, extensive DOJ technical assistance materials, etc., and by the 10 federally-funded regional ADA Centers (www.adata.org) that provide in-depth resources and training in every state.

Proponents of this bill have raised concerns about monetary damage awards. But that has nothing to do with the ADA, since the ADA does not allow money damages. Such damages are only available under a handful of state laws. This bill will do nothing to prevent damage awards under state laws.

It is troubling that this bill blames people with disabilities for public accommodations’ failure to comply with the ADA. Why should disabled people pay the price of an inaccessible environment, where we cannot live our lives like everyone else?

 

Meet with your Representatives

You can arrange a meeting in Washington, DC or in your home state, depending on when Congress is in session. Contacting Congress allows you to request a meeting with your Member of Congress. You can also check the Town Hall Project for congressional events in your area.

Civic Engagement Toolbox for Self-Advocates – Autistic Self Advocacy Network

How to Set up a Meeting with your Member of Congress – Families USA

 

Call your Representatives

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative.

 

Email your Representatives

Contacting Congress provides unique links to email your Representative directly.

 

Tweet your Representatives

Twitter has become a powerful tool to communicate with elected officials directly. Find your Representative on Twitter and tell them to oppose this bill. Some sample tweets are included below:

Tell Congress to stop chipping away at the #ADA - Vote "NO" on #HR620 https://goo.gl/rHg5HB

#HR620 would force people w/ disabilities to wait 180 days to enforce their civil rights - Vote "NO" on H.R. 620 https://goo.gl/rHg5HB

Businesses have had nearly 3 decades to comply with the #ADA - no more excuses! Vote "NO" on #HR620 https://goo.gl/rHg5HB

#HR620 won't stop "drive by" #ADA lawsuits, but it will strip civil rights from people with disabilities. https://goo.gl/rHg5HB

[insert Representative handle] protect the #ADA and the rights of people with disabilities - Vote "NO" on #HR620! https://goo.gl/rHg5HB

Additional Resources

The Quiet Attack on the ADA Making Its Way Through Congress – Center for American Progress

Overview of concerns with H.R. 620 – Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

Comments on H.R. 620 – US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division

H.R. 620 – Congress.gov

Save the ADA web page – National Disability Rights Network

Letter of Opposition to H.R. 620 – National Disability Leadership Alliance

Letter of Opposition to H.R. 620 – National Council on Independent Living

 

We cannot allow Congress to chip away at the ADA and deny the civil rights of people with disabilities – tell your Representative to vote NO on HR 620.

 

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Save Our Skyways Action TODAY

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 27, 2017

 #saveourskyways #adaptandresist

For more Information and Media contacts:

Tyler Frank………………(612) 791-0416

Darrell Paulsen……………(651)387-8354

Rick Cardenas…………..(651) 357-8927

ADAPT Minnesota is a chapter of the national ADAPT. ADAPT is a grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in non-violent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.

WHEN: July 27th 2017 Tonight at 7:30 Start picketing and leafleting; at 8pm we will make a statement asking the City of St. Paul to ensure us that the Skyways will stay open until 2am, as per city code. Our statement will also ask the Barrio and the Bulldog to join with us in wanting to keep the Skyways open.

WHO: ADAPT MN; People with Disabilities, Seniors and Residents of the Downtown St. Paul Community

WHAT: Members of ADAPT MN and allies will be picketing and leafleting.

WHERE: In front of the Barrio-235 Sixth St E- St. Paul and the Bulldog

WHY: A section of the skyway is being shut down, which gives access to all of downtown and to the Barrio.

This is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA !!!

We need to let the owner of the building and the City of St Paul know we will NOT tolerate this!

We need full access to the Skyways!

http://www.facebook.com/adaptmn

http://www.adapt.org 

REV UP 2016!!!

Dear Disability Rights Advocates:

In July 2015 we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

We can take great pride in the historic advances we have made in the community integration of people with disabilities of all ages since the passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. No matter what the issue— education, housing, transportation, personal assistance services, employment, recreation, adaptive technology, durable medical equipment, or health care, we can see the advances that have improved our lives and moved us closer to true equality.

This has come about by working together and implementing a strategy that has included legislative, legal, direct action, and educational tactics. These tactics are part of our overall goal to bring about the community integration promised in the ADA.

We cannot rest on our past victories. We must build on the past and move forward using the power we have acquired. This power can be exerted if we Make the DISABILITY VOTE Count! Policymakers are influenced by large numbers of people turning out to vote in the primaries and the general elections. This reality is why we started the REV UP Campaign.

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. The focus of the REV UP Campaign is to get more people with disabilities and our supporters registered and voting!

This Toolkit is designed to help you begin organizing in your state. Effective REV UP Campaigns will convene state and local disability organizations, such as centers for independent living (CIL) and protection and advocacy (P&A) organizations, to amplify this message and reach more people with disabilities.

If you need assistance getting connected to CILs or P&As in your state please contact AAPD at communications@aapd.com. We’ll be happy to make an introduction.

 

Register! Educate! Vote!

Use your Power!

 

 

ADAPT MN Questions the Governor About His Legacy About Supporting Ppl w Disabilities and Seniors

Yesterday (8/29) ADAPT MINNESOTA went to the State Fair to question Governor Dayton about not funding OVERTIME for Homecare. 

Gov. Dayton was at the MN State Fair Monday on his usual round of interviews, when ADAPT MN found the Governor at the WCCO Radio booth. We listened to him discuss the political game of tag, which is the Southwest Light Rail, when ADAPT MN Member Jay Spika had to ask a question he thought was more relevant to him and his family...

He said...

Governor Dayton, do you care about people with disabilities?

The WCCO Radio Host said that if we gave him a chance he would let us ask the Governor a question.

We waited for him to finish and then he brought over the microphone for another ADAPT MN Member Nikki Villavicencio to ask the Governor what thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, and Homecare workers have been wondering...

She said...

Gov. Dayton you haven't funded OVERTIME for Homecare workers, so we're (ppl w disabilities) not getting our needs met. When Obama fixed this racist overtime laws, it meant we were supposed to be fully staffed. How does not supporting people with disabilities and seniors fulfilling your legacy?

Then the Governor responded on Live WCCO Radio by saying that he would make Overtime a priority next legislative session and we said that we would be there to hold him accountable to that promise.

After we left the booth Lt. Governor Tina Smith approached us to ask us about what we were doing and we explained to Lt. Gov. Smith that we have been trying to get a meeting with them for three months and we need the Governor to hear about the care crisis from people with disabilities and Homecare workers now.

ADAPT marching in the May Day Parade

 

Thanks to everybody who made this a great success !

   

ADAPT MN knocks with congressman Keith Ellison GOTV 2014

ADAPT loves musicinmears.com

ADAPT MN Asks for an Oral Amendment

Community First Services and Supports

ADAPT Minnesota Oral Amendment

Background: Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) is designed to replace the current Personal Care Assistance (PCA) program that is available as a State Plan service through Medical Assistance. The language creating this program is included in Section 43 (beginning at line 63.20 as introduced) of the Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill (SF 1034). The language was developed by the Department of Human Services in accordance with the Federal Community First Choice Option regulations (1915k) that are a part of the Affordable Care Act. The language was developed with some input from stakeholders who attended the Community First Services and Supports Development and Implementation Council meetings held by the Department of Human Services.

ADAPT Minnesota member, Galen Smith, was selected to be on the Development and Implementation Council and attended all meetings including many workgroup meetings over the last several months. ADAPT Minnesota supports the creation of CFSS as a more person-centered, self-directed option than what is currently available through the PCA program.
ADAPT Minnesota has one major problem with the language as it has been introduced. Subd. 16 (4) says that “Support workers shall not be a participant of CFSS.” This means that a person who receives services through CFSS for any reason is prohibited from being employed as a support worker for another person receiving services through the same program. This can be solved by offering a simple oral amendment.
Amendment: Strike Section 43, Subd. 16 (4).
This amendment is necessary because:
• Employment discrimination.
o People are denied employment for no other reason than their participation in a public program. This puts the State at risk of legal action on these grounds.

• It is unnecessary.
o Subd. 16 (3) already says that “Support workers shall have the skills and ability to provide the services and supports according to the person’s CFSS service delivery plan and respond appropriately to the participant’s needs.” If a person who receives CFSS services does not have the skills and ability to provide services this language already excludes them.
• CFSS is different from PCA.
o CFSS is available to: “assist with acquiring, maintaining, and enhancing the skills necessary to accomplish ADLs, IADLs, and health-related procedures and tasks”. People with disabilities are uniquely suited to assist other people with disabilities in acquiring new skills.
For more information contact: Galen Smith – 651-285-5364 – galen.d.smith@gmail.com or
Nikki Villavicencio – 651-455-3013 – nikkilee1984@gmail.com

A Conversation with Keith Ellison and the Disability Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Matt Roznowski (matt@keithellison.org or 414-839-2560)

Rep. Keith Ellison & ADAPT MN Co-Hosting
Disability Community Conversation



Event will focus on empowerment, inclusion, and voter turnout among people with disabilities

What:

Rep. Keith Ellison and ADAPT Minnesota are bringing the disability community together for a conversation about issues that have a big impact on people with disabilities, such as the voter restriction amendment, PCA funding, and the Community Choice Act.

The conversation will also focus on voting among people with disabilities will empower the community and lead to greater inclusion.

ADAPT MN will be giving Rep. Ellison the 2nd Annual Free Our People Award for his commitment to reaching out and working with people with disabilities to solve problems.

ADAPT Minnesota is a chapter of the national ADAPT. ADAPT is a grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in non-violent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.

Who:

Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-05)

Chris Bell, Attorney [Panelist]

Debra Burke, Executive Director and Founder, Break Thru Home Care [Panelist]

John Tschida, Vice President, Public Affairs and Research, Courage Center [Panelist]

ADAPT MINNESOTA LEADERSHIP TEAM:
Galen Smith
Jay Wilson
Jim Carlisle
Claudia Carlisle
Becky Francin
Darrell Paulsen
Nichole Villavicencio


When:

Tuesday, October 23 from 6:00 – 7:30pm

Where:

Courage Center Atrium
3915 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55422

--
Matt Roznowski
Communications Director
Re-Elect Keith Ellison for U.S. Congress
Office: (612) 522-4416
matt@keithellison.org

Join Us {ADAPT MN} for a Disability Community Conversation!!

Join Keith Ellison and ADAPT for a Disability Community Conversation

Tuesday, October 23
6:00 - 7:30pm
Courage Center
3915 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55422


Our panel of experts will talk about issues that have a big impact on the disability community, such as the voter restriction amendment, PCA funding, and the Community Choice Act.

Occupy the Capitol Rally: The First Day of MN Legislative Session 2012

Welfare Rights Rally
January 24, 2012

Good morning everyone! My name is Nichole Villavicencio and I am here representing ADAPT Minnesota. ADAPT is a national grassroots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.

In my few years here at the Minnesota Legislature, services for people with disabilities have gone from bad to worse. We have suffered cuts in all aspects of our lives: our healthcare, transportation, our ability to live in the community, jobs, education. Also simple, but important, things have been threatened and/or eliminated: for instance, eye glasses, dentistry, physical, speech and occupational therapies. The thing is, my fellow ADAPTers and I realize that many Minnesotans have suffered due to the economy. But what we can’t understand is why some legislators insist on making cuts that hit people with disabilities so hard while refusing to raise taxes on those who can afford it.

I want the legislature to know is that this session we will not allow it! We will not allow them to make cuts that threaten our independence, while they continue to protect the rich from paying their fair share! We will hold them accountable!

Already some in the are working very hard to disenfranchise low income people, people with disabilities and senior citizens from the right to vote. We cannot let them squash our voice! The legislature is also attempting to change the state constitution to only allow Minnesota to raise taxes if there is a "super-majority" vote. This would put any future legislature into gridlock and make it nearly impossible to raise income taxes. We cannot allow them to continue to protect the rich!

As a community we must come together and fight these absurdities and all the ones to come! We need everyone here to stay tuned in this session and stay in contact with your legislators. Call them! Email them! Visit them! Tell them we will not allow them threaten our freedom and independence while they protect the one percent! FREE OUR PEOPLE!

Disability Rights Activists Take Over MN Senate Gallery; Disrupt Session

St. Paul, MN, May 11, 2011- Members of ADAPT Minnesota, a grassroots disability rights organization have taken over the public gallery of the Minnesota State Senate. They are chanting phrases such as “Our Homes, Not Nursing Homes!” and “Cuts Kill!”. Today the Senate leadership insists on voting on a bill that would harm families by further restricting marriage rights. People with disabilities want the Senate to instead focus on strengthening families and communities by passing a budget that protects services that keep people with disabilities in their communities and out of institutions.

Members of ADAPT Minnesota will continue this nonviolent action until their demands are met! The activists are demanding that Senator David W. Hann, the chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee support a funding plan for Health and Human services that cuts no more that 2% from the overall budget. ADAPT Minnesota expects the legislature to raise new revenue from those who can afford it and opposes the legislature’s cuts-only approach to balancing the state’s budget.
The proposed budget for the Department of Human Services eliminates or reduces programs, which allow people with disabilities of all ages to live in their own homes rather than being forced into more costly institutions. “We we will continue demonstrating until Minnesota State Senator David W. Hann, commits to continued funding home and community-based supports including the ‘Community First ChoiceAct’ and the ‘Money Follows the Person’ programs in Minnesota”, said Chris Bell, a member of ADAPT Minnesota.

Senator David W. Hann, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, would cut over $1 billion in spending for medical necessities for the health, safety and freedom of those with disabilities of all ages. These cuts would be devastating to the disability community, which would include home-and community-based attendant services, habilitation and rehabilitation therapies, prescription medications, prescription glasses, dental services, prostheses, mental health services, and durable medical equipment, like communication devices and wheelchairs.

“Senator Hann’s bill threatens our liberty and very lives,” says ADAPT Minnesota organizer Galen Smith.

"Without this funding, we would not be able to live where we choose and hold the job we choose," said ADAPT Minnesota member Darrell Paulsen.

For more information on the effect of the cuts see DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson’s letter to the Health and Human Services Conference Committee: http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/upload/4.27.11%20HHS%20to%20Conference%20Committee.pdf

ACTION ALERT: Demand Accessible Transportation at ALL Minnesota State Fair Park-and-Rides!

Sign our petition telling the Minnesota State Fair: Provide accessible transportation at ALL State Fair park-and-rides!

For the 2011 Minnesota State Fair, 27 out of 35 park-and-ride options (80%) have vehicles that are not wheelchair-accessible. Although, 7 park-and-ride options (20%) do use accessible vehicles, only 1 park-and-ride guarantees consistent availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.  The remaining 6 park-and-ride locations indicate wheelchair-accessible vehicles will be used when they are available, but do not tell us when they will be available, thereby making it nearly impossible to plan our trips.  Most of these accessible locations are relatively close to the fairgrounds; they are not equally distributed geographically. Therefore, individuals and families experiencing disability, chronic illness, or aging -- especially those living further away from the fairgrounds -- do not have an equal opportunity for equal participation in the Minnesota State Fair park-and-ride benefit. We believe this violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects the civil rights of Americans experiencing disability.

ADAPT Minnesota, the sponsor of this petition, is a chapter of the national ADAPT. ADAPT is a grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in non-violent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.  Originally, ADAPT was an acronym that stood for Americans Disabled for Accessible Public Transit.  In the early-80s, ADAPT's initial issue was to get wheelchair accessible lifts on buses.  Since then, the group has expanded to address all disability-related rights.

Metro Chapter Structure and Process Meeting -- Sat, 8/20 at 10 a.m. at Location to Be Determined

ADAPT Minnesota - Metro Chapter Structure and Process Meeting
Time: Saturday, August 20 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Location: To Be Determined

Description:We will discuss the creation of a structure and process for ADAPT Minnesota moving forward. Some of the agenda items will include:

• Decision making structure
• Legal Structure
• Leadership Structure

If you are interested in attending this meeting please RSVP please e-mail adapt.mn@gmail.com. If you are interested in attending but this date doesn't work for you let us know via e-mail as well. We may not be able to accommodate everyone's schedule but if this date doesn't work for the the majority of people who want to be a part of the meeting we will look for another date. We want to make sure we know how many people to expect so that we get a room that will accommodate all of us.

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.

Metro Chapter Meeting -- Wed, 8/10 at 6:30 p.m. at Griggs-Midway Building

ADAPT Minnesota - Metro Chapter Meeting
Time: Wednesday, August 10 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Location: Griggs-Midway Building
1821 University Avenue; Saint Paul, MN
Map: http://bit.ly/lxzY9P

Description: Everyone is welcome!  We will discuss the following items:

• Potential Action Re: Lack of Equal Access to Minnesota State Fair Bus -- We will discuss potential actions and people who are interested can volunteer to work out the details.

• Fundraising -- We will discuss where we are now, what our goals are, and how we want to move forward with fundraising.

If you want to propose additional agenda items for the August 10 meeting, please e-mail adapt.mn@gmail.com. You can always bring additional items to the meeting and we can try to make time for them.

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.

ADAPT Minnesota Raising Funds for Washington, DC National Rally Trip

Three of our ADAPT Minnesota members and one personal care assistant (PCA) will be traveling to Washington, DC from September 17th through Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 to participate in the National ADAPT Fall Action.  The trip includes participating in the Demand Responsible Medicaid Reform rally being held Wednesday, September 21, 2011. During the rally, ADAPT will join other disability, aging and civil rights groups as we demand responsible Medicaid reform that supports our civil right to live in the most integrated setting. We need Medicaid reform that not only contains costs, but also protects the civil rights of seniors and people with disabilities.

In order to make the trip, we need to raise nearly $6,000.  Therefore, we are asking individuals, families, and organizations throughout our communities for assistance raising funds plus spreading the word.  One very ambitious member has already raised nearly $500!  We invite you to join with us in solidarity in this struggle as we go to Washington DC to work for change.  Each dollar counts.  Please let your family, friends, colleagues, and vendors know about the opportunity to support the disability community through this event.  For more information, please e-mail adapt.mn@gmail.com.

ADAPT Minnesota is the local chapter of a national organization advocating for the rights of people with disabilities to live in and contribute to our communities. ADAPT has a proud history of fighting for accessible transportation; affordable, accessible, and integrated housing; plus, living, working, and serving in our chosen communities.

Metro Chapter Meeting -- Wed, 7/20 at 6:30 p.m. at Griggs-Midway Building

ADAPT Minnesota - Metro Chapter Meeting
Time: Wednesday, July 20 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Location: Griggs-Midway Building
1821 University Avenue; Saint Paul, MN
Map: http://bit.ly/lxzY9P

Description: Everyone is welcome!  We will continue our discussion of fundraising, organizational planning, and discussing the recent budget agreement.  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.

Metro Chapter Meeting -- Wed, 7/13 at 6:30 p.m. at Griggs-Midway Building

ADAPT Minnesota - Metro Chapter Meeting
Time: Wednesday, July 13 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm
Location: Griggs-Midway Building
1821 University Avenue; Saint Paul, MN
Map: http://bit.ly/lxzY9P

Description: 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. on Wednesday, July 20th at the Griggs-Midway Building.

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