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.

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

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