Highlights of this year in grass roots community organizing and 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act systems advocacy
By Tim Wheat
1990 Americans with Disabilities Act Community Organizer
The Memphis Center for Independent Living
Last years system advocacy report began with the grim prognosis that "The year 2000 has been miserable for civil rights for persons with disabilities across the nation," in light of the Garrett decision and the backlash against the
1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. This year's projection includes no miraculous change from that national trend.
Memphis advocates; however, have remained undaunted by the national setbacks and have continued their struggle for equality. With the loss of power and authority of the federal tools, the motivation of the local advocates is essential to continue the advance of our civil rights.
The courageous persistence of Memphis advocates, I feel, is a tribute to the focus of The Memphis Center for Independent Living. By challenging consumers to pursue their civil rights, and not depending on the legal system, legislation and agency benevolence, MCIL's consumers have risen to the confront the barriers they find in our community.
This year MCIL's impact of on the Nation, Region and community has been significant. I have in the past attempted to rank the general issues in order of their significance; but this year I will only give an overall chronological listing. (Please don't overlook May of 2001 - Deborah Cunningham wins NCIL Advocacy Award):
LOCAL: White Cane "Walk for Awareness" (Oct. 2000)
LOCAL: MCIL writes the City of Memphis Visitability Directive (Oct. 2000)
LOCAL: FTA Review shows MATA's poor paratransit performance (Nov. 2000)
LOCAL: Response to Marshall Bryant in the Commercial Appeal (Dec. 2000)
NATIONAL: Liberty Resources v. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Jan. 2001)
LOCAL: ADAPT Un-Blocks Blockbuster (Jan. 2001)
LOCAL: MCIL sues local apartments for greater access (Jan. 2001)
LOCAL: MCIL publishes accessibility survey of local apartments (Jan. 2001)
LOCAL: MATA changes the process for newly qualified riders (Feb. 2001)
LOCAL: Board and Staff Training with Mark Johnson (Feb. 2001)
LOCAL: Zinnie's street theater (March 2001)
NATIONAL: Underground Railroad - Willie Robinson escapes a Nursing Home and Tennessee (April 2001)
LOCAL: Mitzvah Day 2001 Ramp building project (April 2001)
LOCAL: BFMS focus group on MATAplus (April 2001)
REGIONAL: Memphis Fair Housing Conference - Deborah Cunningham and Tim Wheat are presenters (April 2001)
NATIONAL: ADAPT Action Report (May 2001)
LOCAL: MATAplus Rider's Guide Changes (May 2001)
REGIONAL: Deborah Cunningham wins NCIL Advocacy Award (May 2001)
NATIONAL: Bush signs Executive Order to implement Olmstead (June 2001)
REGIONAL: Tennessee Medicaid Scam (July 2001)
LOCAL: ADAPT Shocks FTA Administrator (July 2001)
LOCAL: Mayor Herenton proposes a Fair Housing Ordinance (July 2001)
LOCAL: ADAPT members use theater to remind officials that the most critical part of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the "integration mandate." (July 2001)
REGIONAL: The Tennessee Olmstead Coalition - Call to the table (August 2001)
LOCAL: Congress member Ford's accessible transportation forum (August 2001)
LOCAL: Activists Demand Jerry Lewis stop the pity routine (Sept. 2001)
REGIONAL: Statewide grassroots advocacy training with Bob Kafka and Stephanie Thomas (Sept. 2001)
LOCAL: Zinnies agrees to build a ramp (Sept. 2001)
LOCAL: US Department of Justice intervenes in MCIL v. MRB Windyke
(Sept. 2001)
-Tim Wheat
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