Grassroots Advocacy Training Broadcast throughout Tennessee

National ADAPT Organizers Bob Kafka and Stephanie Thomas are in Memphis this week conducting a training in grassroots advocacy in the new Millennium. The initial session was video linked with sites in Nashville, Knoxville, Jackson, and Johnson City so that about 75 people could participate statewide.

Stephanie Thomas began with a brief history of ADAPT to explain why and how ADAPT was formed and how it has developed since the 1970s. She explained that ADAPT has always had the purpose gaining access to the community. ADAPT has also had the goal of opening up the community to more involvement of people with disabilities as well as, enlightening all community members to participation of people with disabilities. The struggles of ADAPT have led the group to focus on the Olmstead mandate.

Stephanie Thomas: "People with disabilities are the crop of the nursing home industry. Those institutions need to fill their beds, they have to have a body in the bed to harvest the federal funds."

"Olmstead has changed the question from if people with disabilities can live in the community," said Stephanie Thomas, "to how people with disabilities are going to live in the community."

Bob and Stephanie explained that the true test of a states implementation of Olmstead would be how many people get out of nursing homes and the number of citizens that are diverted from institutions. The U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead ruling is often called the "most integrated setting" mandate because it requires states to provide services, including ling-term care, in the most integrated setting appropriate to the individual.

The speakers took turns at outlining the major issues facing people with disabilities in the new Millennium. Bob and Stephanie paused when they came to the issue of transportation to hear the expertise from the crowd in Memphis. The local ADAPT chapter recently focused their energy on the expanding rail service in Memphis with great success.

Bob Kafka: "To the average folks out there we are just a bunch of cripples. We still have a long way to go to win the hearts and minds of America. Even someone like governor Sundquist; however, can be moved. All things are possible. We are limiting ourselves if we do not respect the advocacy of other individuals."

The presenters gave us 12 items to look for in a good Olmstead implemation plan, and some tips on how these pieces can be advocated and supported. Bob and Stephanie also told the audience of some help in or corner including $70 million in 'Real Choice Systems Change Grants.'"

The Tennessee Olmstead Coalition is working for this across the state - information on the web about the Tennessee Olmstead Coalition - contact the Tennessee Olmstead Coalition.

- Tim Wheat