For Immediate
Release: March 22, 2006
Contact: Bob Kafka 512-431-4085
Janine Bertram 503-504-9787
ADAPT Launches
Campaign for Accessible, Affordable, Integrated Housing Targets Alfonso
Jackson, Secretary of HUD
Nashville- Over
400 ADAPT members ended a day of non-violent civil disobedience at the
Nashville Office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Protesters blocked the entrance of the
building chanting and expected a long stay after requesting a meeting with the
Director. Within one hour, Director
William Dirl came out to meet ADAPT.
Cassie James,
Campaign Coordinator for Access Across America (AAA), presented a letter for
Secretary Alfonso Jackson detailing ADAPT's demands. "See, when you meet
with us, we go away," James said with a smile.
"Even with
the increasing availability of services and supports in the community, people
with disabilities are being stopped from relocating to housing in the community
because they cannot get any real access to housing," stated James.
"This affects and elderly and disabled people who continue to wait to get
out of nursing homes," Ms. James continued.
Earlier in the
day, ADAPT members went to the office of TennCare and outlined demands for in
home services and supports for the 6700 Tennesseans who want out of nursing
homes. That action followed two days of
protests and arrests at the Capitol focusing on Governor Bredesen's callous
disregard for these 6700 elderly and disabled people held in nursing homes
against their will.
"The
Tennessee community based service waivers don't pay for the attendant care that
disabled and elderly citizens need," stated Deborah Cunningham of
Memphis. "Other states apply for
the federal Medicaid dollars that are available for attendant services but
Governor Bredesen refuses."
ADAPT demands
that HUD Secretary Jackson implement the following four
policies:
1. Improve the
timing and coordination of affordable, accessible, integrated housing with the
receipt of home and community-based services;
2. Facilitate
the rebalancing of the long term care system;
3. Implement
the goals of the New Freedom Initiative;
4. Assist
states in implementing the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision.
"Tennessee
ADAPT is grateful to over 400 members who came to Nashville and drew attention
to our 6700 citizens who want out of nursing homes but can't get out because
there are no adequate in home services and supports and a serious lack of
affordable, accessible, integrated housing.
We look forward to holding the Governor's feet to the fire on these
issues,"
stated Randy
Alexander, Organizer for Tennessee ADAPT.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION on ADAPT visit our website at http://www.adapt.org/