Volume 12 / Number 1 /
EDITOR: Randy Alexander
The Newsletter of the Memphis Center for Independent Living
Winter 2006 Index Volume 12 Number 1 - Spring 2006 Index Volume 12 Number 2 - New! Summer 2006 Volume 12 Number 3 -
MCIL is a community based non-profit organization whose primary mission is to facilitate the full integration of persons with disabilities into all aspects of civic life.
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On December 1st Devoe used the Underground Railroad to escape Tennessee and go to a state that values his freedom. In 1994, Devoe was shot by a neighbor in Philadelphia PA and incurred a spinal cord injury. Shortly afterwards Devoe decided to come back to his home town of Memphis, TN in order to be closer to his family. After coming to Tennessee Devoe found out what many of us already knew, in Tennessee there was no assistance available.
So his family did what many other Mid-South families have done and that’s pull together to provide Devoe with the daily assistance he needed. They helped with what’s called his daily living activities, such as dressing, bathing, bowel and bladder care. Times were tight but they got by. Of course, Devoe did have to be isolated at home because all the family had to continue with their own schedules too, like working. Unfortunately, after the death of Devoe’s mother, who provided most of his assistance, the rest of the family just could not provide the support he needed. So off to a nursing home he went.
A couple of years later, Devoe was still residing in that same nursing home. “I had to get up when they wanted, eat when and what they wanted. I had NO control over my own life,” explained Devoe. “I knew I couldn’t get the services I needed from the state, even though the state paid more to keep me in the nursing home. It made no sense, but I thought that’s how it had to be.”
Then in mid summer Devoe had his first contact with MCIL. “It was a life changing event,” explains Devoe. Some friends of Devoe’s found out that he was living in a nursing home and knew that just wasn’t right. Within just a couple of months of first coming to MCIL, Devoe realized that there is life outside of the institution and that he could live where he wanted. Well, almost.
Working with staffers here at MCIL it soon became perfectly clear, Devoe had very limited choices. He could stay in the nursing home, but, now realizing his lack of freedom that, wouldn’t do. He could stay in the nursing home until the state of Tennessee saw fit to provide meaningful, appropriate and consumer directed services or he could ride the Underground Rail Road to a state that valued him and his FREEDOM.
Needless to say, in less then eight months since first coming to MCIL Devoe was riding our Underground Rail Road to Denver. “I think naming it the Underground Railroad is very appropriate and touches me personally because I’m African American. Here I am, having to escape the state of Tennessee, leaving behind friends and family, because this state does not value my freedom. I have to leave Tennessee to be emancipated,” exclaimed Devoe, Freedom Rider #16.
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There is only one person we spend our entire life with, ourselves. This being true, it’s vital that we learn how to live independently at an early age. Support systems are a very important part of each individual’s life and growth. It’s equally important that our loved ones understand the difference between teaching independence and fostering co-dependence.
Interaction with others gives us a sense of belonging and nurtures our necessity for inclusion. Growing up as a person with a disability, one often experiences a feeling of being ostracized. Coping with these situations can be difficult. It’s important that our youth with disabilities are taught from an early age that their lives are meaningful and they have a lot to offer the rest of the world. Living with a disability doesn’t make one disabled; closing your eyes, heart and mind does.
I am Angie Shown, the new Youth Coordinator for MCIL. I’m still getting to know my groups and look forward to working with them. I hope to instill ideas of choice, change, and inclusion. I hope to assist our youth transitioning into adulthood with a sense of pride, confidence and self-motivation.
In the words of one of my favorite philosophers, “That which does not kill me, will only make me stronger” – Nietzche
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For folks that receive services through the DMRS or Aging & Disabled Waivers, there is a great opportunity starting here in Memphis. Several people with disabilities have come together to start their own service provider agency, the Freedom Co-op. There are several ways that Freedom Co-op differs from traditional service provider agencies.
To start with, the Freedom Co-op has been started by and the board of directors will be comprised of people with disabilities. The idea behind Freedom Co-op is that the members control who is providing the services. It is an agency with choices. Members who receive services and their families will have much more control over who the personal care assistant is and where and how the services are rendered.
Secondly, it is being designed around the co-op framework. Members will receive services and the members or someone they designate will also give back to the organization by being a voting member, helping with office work, outreach, etc. All of this helps keep costs down so that the organization can do such things as pay the personal care workers better wages or provide better benefits, helping purchase more services or equipment for the consumer and a vast number of other things.
What’s really exciting is that the Freedom Co-op is looking for its first twenty members. So if you are a person with a disability or a family member and interested in this revolutionary way of receiving services and want to be part of this ground breaking agency contact them now. Call Suzanne at
901/272-0059 or email them at info@freedomco-op.com.
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Managing a disability for over 25 years, one that is neuro-muscular in nature and becomes more problematic with age, I have become smarter and more realistic in my approach to employers about work accommodations. I hope this story will give you insight on how to handle your disability and a work situation.
The first thing to recognize when seeking employment is, can you do the essential functions of the job? Have you carefully read a Written Job Description provided by the employer?
I applied online for job within the Shelby County Government and I knew from reading the job description that I met the essential requirements for the job.
When I interviewed with this employer, I specifically asked if there was much heavy lifting since I could not do this. I was told by the manager where I would work that there was usually not any heavy lifting required unless an emergency occurred, and then there was usually additional assistance provided.
On my first day on the job, I was asked to report to Human Resources first, before reporting to my work area. I went prepared with documentation of my specific disability, such as letters from qualified doctors that detailed my need for accommodation. First, I asked the HR secretary if she could make copies of these letters for my personnel file. I told her I had about 20% mobility impairment and I needed minor accommodation. When I spoke with the Human Resources manager I verbally told him of my need for accommodations, including, flexible reporting hours. Looking back I now realize it’s better to give any such request in writing.
Next I discussed my impairment and need for minor accommodation with my immediate supervisor. I also provided written documents to him and wrote down the dates when we spoke. This is very important to keep a “written log” of when and who you talked to and what you talked about.
Throughout the process it’s important to feel confident and comfortable enough to discuss this in private with your employer, in a non-threatening situation.
Then one day our network crashed and they asked me to load computers on a dolly from the loading dock and deliver the computers to several different floors. I unpacked computers and set up equipment at 10 to 15 workstations a day for three days. By then my hands were swollen and my legs and back would no longer take the strain. I went above and beyond my job description for those three days.
The smart thing I did was take off on sick leave, go to a doctor, and get a written letter that said my hands were swollen and I could no longer perform those extended job duties. Remember, put it in writing, get the name of the person who you talk to and keep a record of events.
I was fired two days later. I immediately went to EEOC with my complaint. I took copies of all my letters and who I spoke to, and filed my complaint. Be prepared, and try to leave out the emotional part of the matter.
After waiting a year or so, my discrimination case was finally turned over to Department of Justice (DOJ). This is where the written notes are so important. After 2 or 3 years have passed, will you remember the details of what happened and when, without written notes? Of course not.
Then the DOJ came to interview me on several occasions, and they also took depositions under oath. After another year of waiting, I was told that I had a valid discrimination complaint.
I decided to go through the EEOC instead of a private attorney because I didn’t have the money for a private attorney and most importantly I wanted to be sure the employer was made to follow the ADA. I received a small settlement, but the best part is that the DOJ will be scrutinizing Shelby County’s hiring practices and HR documentation for at least two years. Hopefully, this will not happen again to someone else with that employer.
The most important part of any process is to have confidence in your rights as an employee and know the details of the ADA law. Then keep written records of every situation where your disability is involved. Plus, seek help from your Center for Independent Living, like I did. Get their collective support, so that you feel like someone is on your side, and get information that they can provide or you. Thanks, MCIL!
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Suzanne Colsey
People First of Tenn,Inc.
1633 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
901-272-0059 Office
901-603-5864 Cell
901-272-0059 Fax
pftennwest@aol.com
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It is my goal to be a source of encouragement, with integrity, humbleness, inquisitiveness of spirit, and caring always. My services are available to teach blind and visually impaired persons, to educate and to instill knowledge in such skills as Braille, computer, and basic sign language.
I want to motivate their confidence to obtain a facility for their needs and purpose. I want to make the Life After Blindness Center the best center with knowledgeable effects.
Therefore, it is my objective to promote, instruct, and teach 100 blind and visually impaired individuals in a one-on-one setting so that he or she can grasp the fullness of each subject. I do charge for services, but the first visit is free. Instructional sessions are $40.00 per hour.
I will also teach sighted individuals who desire to learn Braille. Cost will vary.
Respectfully,
Lula M. Blair, A.S., C.B.I., RMP
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Dear Advocates:
ADAPT will be hosting a day long event documenting the institutional bias in America, “REAL PEOPLE-REAL VOICES”. It will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at the Hilton hotel in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
ADAPT would like to invite up to 100 people with disabilities who have been institutionalized in nursing facilities or institutions for people with physical, developmental and/or mental disabilities to testify before a panel consisting of representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services – Office on Disability; National Council on Disability; American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); National Disability Rights Network (NDRN); and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL).
Stories should emphasize experiences in three areas:
The “REAL PEOPLE-REAL VOICES” stories will be used to develop a report, a PowerPoint presentation and a short documentary that can be used by advocates at the state and national levels to bring about changes in the institutionally biased long term service and support delivery system.
If you are a person with a disability who has been in an institution, or you know of someone who would like to be one of the 100 people to testify at the “REAL PEOPLE-REAL VOICES” event, please ask for an application form and send it back to us by February 15, 2006.
Though we currently do not have funds to assist those testifying, we can give you ideas on getting sponsorship for the event.
If you want an application or have any questions, please contact us at The ADAPT Community “REAL PEOPLE – REAL VOICES.
In Tennessee, contact
Randy 901/726-6404
randy@mcil.org
Nationally contact:
Bob Kafka 512/442-0252
bobkafka@earthlink.net
For an Institution Free America,
The ADAPT Community
“Words cannot express the exultation felt by the individual as he finds himself, with hundreds of his fellows, behind prison bars for a cause he knows is just.”
Martin Luther King, JR.
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by Angie Shown
Members of Rockers & Rollers, MCIL Staff and Board met with Memphis Traffic Engineer Mr. Tanhaee to resolve numerous problems with the pedestrian crossing light on Avalon that intersects Madison Ave. There had been many complaints about the allotment of time for the crossing by many that use that intersection. Some of the Rockers & Rollers made mention regarding their concerns and brought it to the forefront by making it a 2006 resolution promoting community advocacy.
Changes that will be implemented are the installation of an audible signal, traffic control box will be moved and the push button will be lowered and moved. There will be other changes made in regard to curb cuts and sidewalk repair. The details haven’t been completely worked out but are in the works.
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Mardi Gras Party
Feb 25th 6:00-Till
Bring some drinks or an appetizer…
To RSVP call Randy @ 726-6404
Eat, Drink & Plan
Door Prizes!
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Why get involved?
I woke up this morning at 4am. No, that’s definitely not my usual rising time. I was just fired up! I can hear it now, “Oh, Randy; you’re just a hot head. You just get all worked up.” I’d have to reply, “You’re #@&^ right I do!”
I am worked up. And if more folks don’t get worked up, we’re just going to continue to have our lives dictated to us. Do you need examples?
How about the city of Memphis? That’s a good place to start. How many people with disabilities work for the city? Yeah, there are a few, but does the city truly make an effort? As one of the biggest employers in Shelby County and being OUR city, should they not LEAD the way with programs, incentives, education, recruitment and retention of employees with disabilities?
How about housing issues? The city of Memphis continues to build SEGREGATED housing! The concept of affordable, accessible and INTEGRATED housing is LOST on city leaders! Do you know that the city of Memphis has been in a housing BOOM? How much of it has been built visitable, with at least one no step entrance on an accessible route, 36” doors throughout the ground level and a usable bathroom on the ground floor? NONE! Not unless the new owner demanded it. But did the city require it? No! Even the apartments around here, even ones the city help build or renovate have major access issues. The city continues to HIDE behind loopholes and minimum requirements and gets away with it.
How about Transportation in this city? I’m not even going to start with the cab service in this town, I’ll just go straight to issues with MATA. MATA’s management and the drivers union continue to marginalize the rights of riders with disabilities. I’m talking about mainline buses. The drivers union president’s response to complaints about drivers not complying with the ADA our CIVIL RIGHTS LAW, was unforgivable. He talked about how some drivers had been driving MATA buses for years and never had to get out of their seat to help anyone, call out stops, etc, and how could we expect drivers to suddenly change. Suddenly change! These are requirements passed in the ADA in 1990! Then again, MATA ain’t known for its customer service.
What about our state’s SHAMEFUL system of shoveling folks wholesale into nursing homes? We know that 6,700 plus folks institutionalized in Tennessee want out! People with disabilities are being treated as a commodity. People who need help with daily activities of life are, for all intents and purposes, being sold to fat cat nursing home owners. And the state is paying for it! Nursing homes are even allowed to bill the state through Medicaid for their lobbying efforts!
These are just a few of the significant issues facing people with disabilities. Statewide there are advocates documenting the issues, meetings to educate policy makers, city and state officials, requests for change, ideas shared and so much more. Advocates statewide are working hard and have been for years.
Then why is Tennessee dead last in so many areas affecting disability? BECAUSE POWER CONCEDES NOTHING WITHOUT A DEMAND! Frederick Douglas was right. You see, unless we, people with disabilities, step up and show that we have power and create a situation so critical that those in power HAVE to concede, the system of denial of our rights will continue.
DON’T beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, blow off, carp, crab, fuss, groan, grouch, grouse, grumble, kvetch, moan, murmur, mutter, nag, squawk, whine, yammer and yawp—ORGANIZE! Even if it’s something small, get involved.
The world is run by people who show up!
Randy Alexander
MCIL would like to recognize several donors: Sponsors are individuals or companies who have donated at least $100.00, Benefactors have donated $500.00 or more. A great big thank you to all these generous donors! If you would like to make a donation to MCIL please contact Renee at 726-6404. Although Sponsors and Benefactors are recognized in the Declaration any, donation can help MCIL do the vital work needed for the civil rights of people with disabilities.
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Ms. Suzanne Colsey
Ms. Lois Tobias
Dr. Ralph Pope
Dr. Robert Christopher
Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Kirkland, Jr.
Ms. Jean W. Guy
Aging Commission of the Mid-South
Access Industries, Inc.
Mr. Jack Ford
Mr. George Edwards
Ms. Betsy Walker
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NOTICE: CAT & BFMS meetings will be held at new times and locations. Check for time, date & locations below. Whether these meetings are being held at MCIL or another site everyone is still invited. So join us in making a difference in Memphis.
If you are going to attend a MCIL event and you need any of our materials in an alternative format or interpreter services please notify us at least five working days in advance of the event.
Coalition for Accessible Transportation (CAT)-If you ride public transportation including MATA mainline, MATAplus, Trolleys, cabs, or other forms of public transportation and YOU would like to work towards a better and more equitable system for all, be at a CAT meeting.
February 20th 2pm @ Welsh Manor, 2900 Coleman Rd
March 6th 1pm @ MCIL
April 17th 2pm @ McCullough Place, 1456 Gillham Dr
February 6th 2pm @ MCIL
March 6th 3pm @ MCIL
April 3rd 2pm @ MCIL
February 22nd
March 29th
April 26th
February 6th
March 6th
April 3rd
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Thursday, 9th 10-12 Voting Rights Workshop, RSVP with Kevin Lofton
Thursday, 16th 1pm Down payment Initiative for home BUYERS with disabilities, RSVP with Jeffrey Smith
Tuesday, 21st 10am Social Security Work Incentives, RSVP with Hope Johnson
MCIL Office Closed 20th-24th
Thursday, 9th 10-12 Tax Credits and Deductions for People with Disabilities, RSVP with Christina Clift
Monday, 20th through Friday, 24th
MCIL Office Closed. All staff to attend National Disability Rights Conference in Nashville
Friday, 31st 1pm How to Use MATA, Your Public Transit System, RSVP with Betty Anderson
Wednesday and Thursday 12th & 13th
9:30 to 4pm Nursing Home Transition Training
Lunch Provided. You MUST register and pay a $5.00 fee for this training, contact Christina Clift
Friday, 21st, 4pm
SPRING FLING
Come Celebrate the spring with MCIL
This project is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education & United Way of the Mid-South
MEMPHIS CENTER For INDEPENDENT LIVING
MCIL is a community based non-profit organization whose primary mission is to facilitate the full integration of persons with disabilities into all aspects of civic life.
March 19-23 Nashville played host to a national ADAPT gathering. This was a monumental few days in the disability rights movement in the state of Tennessee and therefore we will spend this Declaration documenting the Action. ADAPT was close to 500 strong, over 50 of those from all corners of Tennessee. Following are individuals’ accounts of the days events.
By Tim Wheat
(NASHVILLE, March 19, 2006) Testimony of rape, abuse, neglect and lonely death given by survivors of institutionalization filled the Volunteer Ballroom of the Hilton in downtown Nashville. ADAPT, the nation’s largest grassroots direct-action organization of people with disabilities, coordinated witnesses for the first ever National Day of Testimony to document the human impact of the institutional bias in the United States.
LaTonya Reeves moved away from her family in Memphis to avoid returning to a nursing home. Tennessee does not offer alternatives to expensive and undesirable institutions forcing citizens like LaTonya to leave home for a facility.
“One day I had an accident and the nurse made me wash my face in it,” Ms. Reeves said about the nursing where she once lived. “She filled the bathtub with cold water and made me stay there for two hours. She said: ‘If you don’t stop screaming, I’ll come and drown you.’”
The sixty witnesses were individuals that had been placed in an institution because of a disability and had successfully moved out of the facility into their own home. The national panel was made up of private and government organizations that deal with disability policy: Andrew J. Imparato from the Ticket to Work advisory council; Jim Ward, the leader of ADAWatch; John Lancaster, Executive Director of NCIL; Gwen Gillenwater, American Association of People with Disabilities; Dr. Margaret Giannini, Director of the Health and Human Service Office on Disability; and Carol Novak of the National Council on Disability.
“These nightmares are only the tip of the iceberg; they are the voice for so many voices that cannot be heard,” said Stephanie Thomas of ADAPT. “The fact of the matter is for that system what people with disabilities really are is the crop. We are the crop. We are there to fill beds, so they are warm beds, so they get paid. That is what it is about, and that is what it’s got to stop being about.”
By Christina Clift
I never considered myself to be a strong advocate before I started working at MCIL three years ago. I have always had opinions about events, issues and I’d even written several letters to the editor of the Commercial Appeal, but I had never participated in direct action or stood with a group of people to voice my opinions. That all changed on March 18, 2006, when I traveled to Nashville to participate in the ADAPT action. Until then I couldn’t quite figure out why people were willing to go to jail. I thought they were just a bunch of wannabe radicals that missed the 60s. But now I understand why they are willing and why they have gone to jail.
On Sunday I listened to people from across the nation talk about their experiences living in nursing homes, and it was very hard to hear. But I am glad I listened. It only made it even clearer why no one should be forced to live in one. I had worked with several folks in nursing homes and a few of them had gotten out, but it was a struggle, and they had to fight. I knew that there were even more people in Tennessee nursing homes like them that wanted out and couldn’t get out. That’s why I was there, to be a voice for those who couldn’t be, to support changes in the unfair policies for funding and to let Governor Bredesen know how I felt.
Monday and Tuesday were wet and cold days. They were also the days we would be protesting in the streets. On Monday, after a short rally in front of the state capital, we proceeded to block all of the intersections around Legislative Plaza, in effect, blocking all of the traffic around the Capitol area. The Governor, Legislators and state employees were all blocked. If they weren’t already at work they weren’t driving in on this day or driving out until Governor Bredesen met our demands.
While we blocked the intersections, we were closely watched by the Nashville Metro Police Department. People who passed by our group gave us encouragement and support. One gentleman summed it up best, “If you aren’t willing to stand up for something you believe, in then you’d fall for anything.”
Later in the evening, after lengthy negotiations with the governor’s office via police officials, we learned that the governor decided not to meet with ADAPT, and I knew that there were lots of us were going to be ticketed or arrested. On this day they decided to just write citations.
Choosing to go to jail is an extremely personal decision, one that a person must decide for themselves. It is not one that someone else can or should make for you. Every person who got arrested in Nashville went to jail for their own reasons. I went because I wanted to give people a choice on where they could live.
Will I ever go to jail again? The answer is I don’t know. I learned that advocacy involves writing letters, making phone calls, sometimes going against government policies, voicing your opinion, and at times it may also mean being willing to stand up and go to jail. After all, in order to create changes, you sometimes have to make a mess. Maybe people in Tennessee and around the country will listen to the issue. Hopefully this action made Tennesseans stop and think. I also know that I have become a much better advocate not only for myself but for others as well. And those weird and radical wannabes are no longer so strange after all.
By Randy Alexander
On Tuesday it was another cold and rainy day, but just as we lined up to march the rain let up. It’s an amazing and wonderful feeling when you are about to march across town with 500 ADAPTers. Everyone is lining up, making adjustments and readying themselves for a long day. All of them ready, ready to move forward to create change. Then you march down the street and you hear the chorus of “Our homes not nursing homes,” being belted out by so many folks, it’s just inspiring. You see, I get goose bumps when ADAPT is about to march out. There is just so much camaraderie, compassion, energy and strength of will that this crowd can and will overcome any obstacles thrown before them that day. If you ever wanted to feel a kinship to the disability culture this is one of those moments. Others might see a mass of bent and broken. I see brothers and sisters.
Off we marched, singing, screaming, chanting as loud as our lungs can carry. Back up to the capitol. Once again we were going to give Governor Bredesen the chance to do the right thing. In the back of our minds though we knew there would be more police, more troopers and less negotiation.
We lined up on the sidewalks on Charlotte, directly in front of the capitol, leaving the streets clear and held a press conference and rally. The Governor had one more chance. It was a state Senator that tried to step up though. She said she believed in our cause; people shouldn’t be forced into nursing homes and should be able to receive services in their own homes but we needed to wait. Wait? How can someone tell you she believes in your cause but that you should wait for your freedom? She wasn’t about to actually do something for our cause, like get the governor.
Nobody would. This time we marched directly up the road to the capitol but were blocked by State Troopers. After an hour of negotiation with no results, no word from Governor Bredesen, we started back to the rally point. We told folks we were headed back to the sidewalk, including the police. Then I realized these folks weren’t here to simply knock on the door and go home. They were here, come hell or high water, to make a difference. So we blocked the street directly in front of the capitol, Charlotte Ave. The police were quick to sweep in and try to clear the street. Yet it took hours to arrest us. And arrest they did, on this day over 40 of us were arrested, processed and back out to do business by the next day.
By Sarah Watkins
On Wednesday morning I went outside the hotel to find our fleet of vans was loading up, and I was excited, because I thought that maybe this meant we were headed for a Belle Meade house visit of some kind. I got in the second round of shuttles and peered out the rear window, trying to see if I recognized anything from last week’s scouting trip of the neighborhoods of Bredesen and Frist.
I was kind of surprised, when after about 15 minutes of riding, we joined about 75 folks from the first round of drop-offs in a large deserted parking lot ringed by what looked like modest office complexes. This definitely wasn’t anywhere near Frist’s or Bredesen’s homes in Belle Meade, but it occurred to me that it was Wednesday, and since we were going home tomorrow, we couldn’t risk the arrest that would certainly befall us if we tried to go after either one of them.
About an hour later, when everyone else had been safely delivered to the parking lot, it was revealed that we were at the TennCare headquarters to deliver a message to Steve Hopper, a Bredesen minion and one of the directors of TennCare. All the Tennessee ADAPTers and Freedom Riders who had left Tennessee for access to community-based services in other states headed up our line, carrying a yellow banner decrying the TennCare cuts and large piece of cardboard bearing a bright blue sketch of the freedom guy and the following note, hand-written with brown paint:
“Dear Steve Hopper, 6700 disabled people want out of nursing homes. Support Money Follows the Person. – ADAPT.”
We left the Tennesseans to rally at the front door, while the rest of us continued to march around the building in support. The office was paneled with windows, and inside, I was amused to see that numbers of TennCare employees had stopped to eagerly observe our disturbance. Their noses were practically pressed against the glass, like little kids watching otters in an aquarium at the zoo.
Steve Hopper wouldn’t come out but definitely had heard our message. Having finished our work at TennCare, we rolled our noisy procession out of the driveway and down a wide, rather deserted street. The cops and the media had caught up to us by this point, but we kept rolling down the road, eager to give them nothing to accuse us of.
We finally rounded a wide corner, passed a large green sign denoting our new street as Cumberland Bend Private Drive, and there it was, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MAIN ENTRANCE: the white lettering on the glass door confirmed my suspicions.
Meanwhile, the McDonald’s had arrived, so we ate lunch, and I was happy to finally be able to wash down cold French fries. Sure enough, seeing that we had picnicked outside his front door, the office’s Executive Director, William Dirl, made a swift appearance. Saying that he understood the critical importance of affordable housing in the efforts to get people out of institutions and he would pass that on to Secretary Jackson. With this promise from the Nashville HUD office we declared a victory and began loading back up our fleet and headed back to the hotel.
Advertisement:Teach people about their rights and responsibilities. Advocate for changes to help people live more independently
Teach self-advocacy and self-determination. Work to promote multicultural leadership opportunities. If you are interested in joining please call Suzanne Colsey at 901-272-0059 or email at pftennwest@aol.com
PVA Bowling Tuesdays 10am May 16th through the end of June Billy Harwick Lanes For more info call Sam Cooke @ 901-527-3018
Out On A Limb Memphis Area Limb Loss Support For more info William Samuels, Jewish Family Service (901) 767-8511 MemphisLimbLoss@aol.com
If you are part of a community group that would like to be listed in our community listing please contact Randy @ 726-6404 or randy@mcil.org
By Angie Shown
Let me first say that I have never been involved with a group like ADAPT before. I went thinking I knew what to expect. I was surrounded by strong willed, determined, selfless, advocates fighting for the rights of people with disabilities.
I was in awe of the dedication these new friends of mine demonstrated. The bonds I share with those I was fortunate enough to get to know are treasured and unique. We all share a common goal and even though we come from all over the country and have different backgrounds, lifestyles and the like, it didn’t matter. When we gathered together in voice and action, we were ONE. I won’t deny, it was hard physically, but I’ll do it again. I’d rather go to jail than to die in a nursing home!
Advertisement:with us on July 26, 2006
Court Square Park
Picnic & March
Bring your lunch, listen to speakers & join us in a march from Court Square to City Hall
Gather at Court Square at 11:00AM For more info call Randy at 726-6404 or randy@mcil.org
Advertisement:June 8th 9:30-12:30 Introduction to Parents & Students Rights under IDEA. Contact Christina Clift to register 726-6404 or christna@mcil.org
I’m a baby-boomer. I hear rumors that there are a lot of us around. Speaking from my own experience, I can tell the rest of my fellow boomers—we need to be thinking seriously about old age, disability and how we want to live the remainder of our lives. We need to be thinking about the future of long term care.
There are some good choices out there. But having better choices available to us and to our parents is going to require that we conquer our fear and guilt, think clearly—and act, like American citizens, to demand that our leadership, state and federal, make those better choices available to us.
There are really two things that put a person in a nursing home. One is that the person becomes unable to take care of him or herself. Either physical or mental disability’s, or both, can prevent a person from being able to handle the normal chores of daily life, cooking, cleaning, dressing, toileting, hygiene. What drives a person out of his or her home, however, is not the disability. It’s the lack of help in the home.
These days and times almost everyone has to work. So very few of us have family with the time to be able to help maintain a disabled family member at home. The more disabled the person is, the more help they need, the less likely it is that enough family help is available to help that person stay at home.
So, bing! Mom, Pop, Aunt Sally winds up in a nursing home. And we don’t want to think about it. But. The truth is, Mom, Pop, Aunt Sally could get the services they need at home. Cheaper than in a nursing home. Much cheaper.
Those of us who survived the polio epidemics of the 50s, who survived the spinal injuries of WWII, the car wrecks and diving accidents since then, those of us diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and MD, those of us with cerebral palsy, cognitive disabilities—all of us who’ve benefited from improved medical technologies which have kept us alive (but just a tad short of the Greek ideal of physical perfection)—we’ve all decided that we want to live life to the fullest. We want to work, we want to run for office, we want to shop, travel, vote and—for damned sure—not live in a nursing home.
So, for the last twenty years and more, we gimps have been hammering away at the federal system for financing long term care, trying to open it up so that we all will have opportunities for remaining in our homes, with our neighbors, near our churches and schools. When I worked for the Memphis Center for Independent Living in the mid 80s, there were no meaningful alternatives to nursing homes at the federal level. Now Home and Community Based Services is an established part of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Listen closely to this. States only have to ask the feds to let them provide long term care in the home, outside of nursing homes. Only gotta ask. The governor can ask. The legislator can ask. Either one. Or both. Feds don’t care.
If you would like to make a donation to MCIL please check the box below, tear off this page and send in today! Although sponsors are recognized in the Declaration any donation from $1.00 up can help MCIL do the vital work needed for the civil rights of people with disabilities.
I have enclosed my check to the Memphis Center for Independent Living for: $500(benefactor)____$100(sponsor) $50__________$10_____$other______
If you would like to make a donation using Visa or Mastercard please come by and visit us or call Renee at 726-6404.
MCIL would like to recognize several donors: Sponsors are individuals or companies who have donated at least $100.00, Benefactors have donated $500.00 or more. A great big thank you to all these generous donors!
Mr. Stephen Kinstler with United Access, Inc.
Ms. Carole Dugan
If you plan to attend a MCIL event and/or you need materials in an alternative format or interpreter services please notify us at least five working days in advance of the event. For TTY users please use TN Relay Services at 800-848-0298 Thank you!
Coalition for Accessible Transportation (CAT)-If you ride public transportation including MATA mainline, MATAplus, Trolleys, cabs, or other forms of public transportation and YOU would like to work towards a better and more equitable system for all, be at a CAT meeting. May 1st 1pm AT MCIL June 5th 1pm AT MCIL July 3rd 1pm AT MCIL
Barrier Free Memphis Society (BFMS)– Let’s work towards Total Accessibility For All Citizens Of Our Community! May 1st 3pm AT MCIL June 5th 3pm AT MCIL July 3rd 3pm AT MCIL
Board of Director for MCIL- MCIL’s Board of Directors oversees and guides MCIL and its future. The Board of Directors general meetings are open to the public. All Meetings at MCIL. May 24th 5:30pm June 28th 5:30pm July26th 5:30pm
ADAPT 5:30 at MCIL May 1st AT MCIL June 5th AT MCIL July 3rd AT MCIL
Return to the Index of Volume 12 Number 2
Wednesday 10th 4pm Vocational Rehabilitation State Plan Consumer Input Thursday 11th 10-12 Budget Planning Friday 19th 5pm Volunteer Recognition Party Saturday 20th 10-2 May Fair Friday 26th 1-2 How to use public transportation. For more info call Betty @ 726-6404
Thursday 8th 9:30-12:30 STEP Basics! Introduction to Parents & Students Rights under IDEAS. Contact Christina Clift to register 726-6404 or christna@mcil.org Thursday 15th—Sunday 18th MEGA CONFERENCE
Return to the Index of Volume 12 Number 2
Monday 1st 12:00 Almost Independence Day Cookout RSVP with Randy 726-6404 or randy@mcil.org Thursday 13th 10:00
MATA Transportation Services Wednesday 26th 11:00-1:00 ADA Celebration Picnic & March @ Court Square Park 9 N. 2nd
Friday 28th 1-2 How to use public transportation. For more info call Betty @ 726-6404 or betty@mcil.org
All of the letter writing, phone calling, talking to folks and direct action has brought forth a VICTORY! Take a moment and realize that every action folks took, whether it was writing a letter, helping with fundraising, making phone calls or getting arrested, everyone’s hard work has helped move the system forward and it is time to take a moment and CELEBRATE!
Celebrate the fact that because of all the hard work more people will be staying in their OWN homes, NOT nursing homes. You have helped change how the state provides Home and Community Based Services for the better! Instead of there being several different waivers providing services in the home, all the different waivers are being combined into one waiver with MORE services and MORE hours. Which means MORE OPTIONS!
With this VICTORY, Tennessee has made an important step forward towards providing integrated, consumer controlled services. It’s time to celebrate and then organize even more as we demand our right to choose where we receive those services.
After celebrating, we must continue forward. Tennessee is still a long ways from providing a full range of choices for people with disabilities and those that are aging who need assistance with daily
living. These are things everybody else does at home like bathing, dressing, using the toilet
etc. Why shouldn’t we, if we need help doing those things, get that help at home too?
Some services are currently provided in the community while others are only provided in the institution. This forces some people with disabilities and older Tennesseans into nursing homes and other institutions. If state and federal money is being spent for these supports, how can we, as people with disabilities and older Tennesseans, allow some of these services only to be provided in a segregated setting like a nursing home? Even as we celebrate, we must continue the fight.
Plus, whether you live, in your home or a nursing home, is still tied to the amount of hours of support you
need. Currently Tennessee provides different amounts of supports for those who live in the community versus the
institution. You can’t get much, in the way of support services if you want to live at home. That is not equality! That is segregation!
Finally, we will continue until the services are consumer controlled from the top down. We will not only control our day to day services, but the state will work with consumers in designing those services.
So, CELEBRATE today, and be ready to carry onward tomorrow!
The state of Tennessee has made an important step towards better Home and Community Based Services, HCBS, by consolidating several waivers. TennCare has announced plans to bring all HCBS waiver services under one statewide organization operated by the Commission on Aging and Disability. This does not include the DMRS waiver.
This consolidation will take two waivers run by Senior Services and combine them into the Statewide waiver thereby possibly expanding services for those who transition from the Senior Services managed waiver into the Statewide waiver. These plans have been submitted to the federal offices of CMS, and TennCare is awaiting for approval of the plans.
"Our primary goal after CMS approval will be to create a seamless transition for HCBS TennCare participants by asking Senior Services HCBS providers to contract directly with the Commission on Aging and Disability," said Nancy Peace, Executive Director for the Commission on Aging and Disability. "We will also invite Senior Services to contract with our organization to continue to provide essential case management services for the consolidated HCBS program."
What does this Mean to Me?
The people who will experience the effects of this change most directly will be those receiving Senior Services waiver services. This transition process could effect you in several ways.
If you receive waiver services through Senior Services, TennCare will be working with your current service provider agencies to attempt to sign them up as a provider for the Commission on Aging and Disability. If this happens you may not even notice a difference except signing some paperwork and possibly more types of services and more hours if needed. If your agency does not sign up TennCare has said they will work with you to help you find another agency.
Keep in mind these are your services and if you are having problems, receiving any threats to be cut or want someone to talk to about the change there are lots of resources available to you.
Places to call: MCIL – 901/726-6404 TennCare HCBS Help Line 877-224-0219 Websites: www.mcil.org www.state.tn.us/tenncare http://www.tennessee.gov/tenncare/ltcare/LTC_HCBS.html
Through an amazing advocacy campaign spear headed by Betty Anderson and Christina Clift riders of the Memphis Area Transit Authority can affect change.
Time and again we have heard from riders, “What good does it do to say anything,” or “Even if I do file a complaint nothing changes.” Betty, Christina and others from the Coalition for Accessible Transportation (CAT) challenged that idea and proved things can be changed. They have been teaching riders of their rights, how to file complaints, talking about the issues, coming up with solutions and meeting with MATA officials.
Their assumption was correct. By teaching riders their rights and advocacy skills you can make a difference. MATA has decreased hold times for callers making reservations for MATAplus because of a new phone system at MATA. MATA officials are now more aware of issues that riders are having. Also, more riders with mobility impairments are riding mainline, and more riders are calling in complaints when they have issues. These are only three of the noticeable changes at MATA.
This is just the beginning. While small changes have been implemented by MATA, systematically MATA is an entity that is not RESPONSIVE to its riders and is not RESPONSIBLE to its riders or the community at large. It’s time to take the next step!
That is why through a lot of deliberation and consensus building we have come up with four critical changes we feel must be implemented at MATA. We believe that with these changes riders can completely bridge the gap that currently leaves them disconnected, will institute good customer service and, through community building, create a better transit system for all Memphians.
The four fundamental changes we feel must be implemented at MATA are:
To work towards the four part plan there are smaller goals we will all work towards. First of we will work hard to have a more informed consumer base by teaching riders skills to better use MATA services, riders rights and responsibilities, self advocacy skills, systems change advocacy skills and organizing skills.
The first set of goals we are seeking is an updated complete Policy and Procedures manual by 08/01/2006, a meeting with the City Council Transportation Committee to discuss our transit agenda and seek commitments from them to our agenda. We are also wanting to see at least one more current and frequent MATA rider on their board by years end.
To learn more about trainings and/or to join us in changing MATA for a better Memphis, call in, come by or better yet check out the calendar and join us for a CAT or BFMS meeting.
People First of Tennessee is Tennessee’s only statewide self-advocacy, disability rights organization run by and for people with disabilities. People First started in Tennessee in 1981 after some advocates had seen the success of People First in another state. They saw what could be done with a loud enough voice.
In Tennessee we have approximately 1,000 members of all ages. We are a united voice against housing people in institutions and in sheltered workshops. We know that with the right supports, people with disabilities can live a full life in the community.
People First of Tennessee offers training to individuals with disabilities to address disability related issues and concerns. We are collaborating with the Microboard Association in training on community employment. Through this training people who thought that they could never work in the community meet others who are actually working in the community with supports. Also, we are doing training on navigating the Medicaid waiver for individuals and their families. Most importantly I organize monthly chapter meetings in Memphis, Arlington, and Jackson for individuals to come together to talk about disability issues. For more information call Suzanne Colsey at 901-272-0059 or email me at pftennwest@aol.com.
Here are the dates to up and coming trainings on self determination:
MCIL celebrated and honored its wonderful volunteers on May 19th with dinner donated by Corkey’s Barbeque and thoughtful gifts, awards and certificates presented to committee members and volunteers with recorded hours between June 2005 and April 2006. Birds and bugs were the themes used and with quotes from notable activists, awards remind each volunteer that they make every hour count. Every volunteer with recorded hours received a certificate that quoted Marian Wright Edelman, American Lawyer and Social Activist “ We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.” Every hour donated makes a big difference to MCIL. Additional recognition went to 5 individuals who had more than 50-recorded hours: Bobby Brooks, Angela Von Maurer, Sophia King, Teresa Anderson and Maryclaire Giffin were each presented with Awards of Achievement. These volunteers served in vital support roles for MCIL from Computer Lab mentor to Fundraising and Board membership to working with the Drama group, Center Stage. Maryclaire Giffin has been working with the Center Stage group for several years giving many, many hours to write, direct, produce and encourage the actors to not only study lines but to study the issues they are acting out. She was presented with the 2006 Celebrity Award. The Energetic Spirit Award for most hours served at 525.05 hours went to Sarah Edwards who participates everywhere, the front desk, Program and Fundraising Committees, Rockers & Rollers, CAT, BFMS and ADAPT. This outstanding volunteer was also the clear winner of MCIL 2006 Advocate of the Year for her growth, determination and standing strong. The final award of the evening was the most difficult to decide as several outstanding volunteers were nominated by MCIL staff and committee members. The winner clearly does epitomize the qualities of leadership, vision and strength. She offers MCIL these qualities daily through her work and collaboration with MCIL staff on issues affecting her consumers and ours. She also shares her vision and leadership with both the Program Committee and the new Outreach Committee. For her leadership, vision and strength in working with staff daily and on the Program and Outreach Committees, Hope Johnson received the 2005 Volunteer of Excellence Award. As the volunteer program at MCIL evolves and grows, we hope that you will consider thoughtfully in what ways you could contribute to the programs, committees and services of the Center. For more information about volunteer opportunities at MCIL contact Renee or Christina at 726-6404.
When making a complaint, ALWAYS get a confirmation number and ask for a written response. You may have to ask for a confirmation number because they are not always given voluntarily but be sure to get a number.
Filing a complaint regarding problems with MATAplus: -Give your name and the date of the incident. -State the nature of the problem. -State the time a problem occurred if needed, such as when a bus is running late; quote your pickup time and the time the bus arrived. -If a bus is involved in the complaint, give the bus number and/or operator number, if known. -If office personnel is involved, state the name of the person the complaint is against. -If complaining about hold time while trying to make reservations, give your name, the date you were on hold for a long time and how long you were on hold.
Filing a complaint regarding problems with fixed route buses. -Give your name and the date of the incident. -State the nature of the problem and the time and location of the incident. -Give the bus number and the route number of the bus
MCIL is collecting these complaints. To help with the process, email or write your complaint down along with the confirmation number and send to Randy Alexander at transit@mcil.org or through the mail at the MCIL address.. If you do not have e-mail, you may also call Randy at 726-6404 or Betty Anderson at 274-2247.
As we celebrate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th it is time to pause and rejoice in our disability rights movement. We should not only celebrate our achievements and those that worked so hard to get us where we are today but we should look into the future.
That is why we are working to build a county wide, cross disability, multi cultural and multi organizational coalition to address disability issues with Memphis and Shelby County and to come up with a plan that all of us will put into action.
Priority one will be city and county issues such as employment, physical access to new city buildings, public projects, existing structures, attitudinal barriers and more.
We need your input, your commitment and your time to work for a better Memphis and Shelby County. Come to the next BFMS meeting or contact Randy @ 726-6404 or randy@mcil.org for more information.
As many of you know we worked hard during the last legislative session trying to pass a state money follows the person bill named the Community Choices Act. The main part of the bill was money follows the person. Money follows the person would have helped people with disabilities and the aging, to move out of nursing homes by using the money that paid for institutionalized care to then be used to pay for services in the community. There was a lot of great work by folks from all over Tennessee working to pass the bill. Too many legislators sided with the cash cow nursing home industry over our rights, and the bill failed to pass in its original form.
However, our movement has grown with a bill that everyone can focus on. The Bill was sponsored by Senators Cohen, Person, Curtis, Bowers, Finney, Cooper, Crutchfield, Burks, Jackson, Black, McLeary and Harper and Representatives Kernell, DeBerry L and West. On the Senate floor, Senator Steve Cohen and Kathryn Bowers gave impassioned speeches on the necessity of changing the system.
So we are working to build up towards the next session. There is plenty to do and work to spread around so, DON'T MOURN, ORGANIZE!
Our Congress has passed federal Money Follows the Person, MFP! This is a huge Victory! This is different from a state Money Follows the Person. At the federal level passage of MFP means there will be more money for states to do Money Follows the Person, IF THEY, the state’s administration, CHOOSE TO.
The federal MFP will provide $1.75 BILLION dollars to states over the next 5 years. Estimates are that over 100,000 people will gain their freedom! Federal MFP is one of the parts to MiCASSA which is still being fought hard for. Call your Congressperson today! Ask if they are not already a co-sponsor on MiCASSA, Senate Bill 401, House Bill 910, ask them to sign on.
There is something I want to discuss here on the Back Page. It’s not a new idea by any means, but I wanted to open up the discussion about Disability Pride.
I want to discuss changing the meaning of the word disabled from something with a negative context to a positive one. You see, to everyone else disabled or disability has primarily negative meanings. I’m talking about stealing the word back, I’m talking about redefining the idea of what disabled means.
It’s our word, why let everyone else define it?
Let’s bring power to the word disability. I’m disabled and proud! Say it. Now scream it with some feeling, “I’M DISABLED AND PROUD!” Feels good doesn’t it.
It’s time to stop listening to the lie from able-bodied folks that disability is bad and that being disabled leaves you less then everyone else. It’s not true, and you know it.
I’m not “physically challenged.” I just need some help with things that everyone else can do for themselves. I’m not “handicapped.” I’m held back by a city that fights becoming accessible. Kids don’t have “special needs” They need accommodation so they can have equal access to education.
That’s why I’m in complete agreement with others who say we must take what has historically been used against us to stigmatize us, “disabled” and turn it around to become a positive.
We all know that disability is part of the human existence. Becoming disabled doesn’t shame us. Quite the opposite. Disability adds another layer of richness and context to our lives. We have experience and knowledge no able-bodied person can ever have. So don’t bow down to an able-bodied person’s belief or paternalism. We have something. We’re DISABLED AND PROUD!
MCIL AdvertisementCookout, Fun and Education.
Have a personal story you would like to share about how one of the staff helped you help yourself? Please send this to Sandi by September 29th.
If you are going to attend a MCIL event and you need materials in either an alternative format or interpreter services please notify us at least five working days in advance of the event. Thank you!
NOTICE: CAT & BFMS meetings will be held at new times and locations. Check for time, date & locations below. Whether these meetings are being held at MCIL or another site everyone is still invited. So join us in making a difference in Memphis.
Coalition for Accessible Transportation (CAT)-If you ride public transportation including MATA mainline, MATAplus, Trolleys, cabs, or other forms of public transportation and YOU would like to work towards a better and more equitable system for all, be at a CAT meeting. August 21st 2pm at Welsh Manor 2900 Coleman Rd September 11th 1pm at MCIL October 2nd 1pm at MCIL
Barrier Free Memphis Society (BFMS)– Let’s work towards Total Accessibility For All Citizens Of Our Community! August 7th 2pm at MCIL September 11th 3pm at MCIL October 2nd 3pm at MCIL
Board of Director for MCIL-MCIL’s Board of Directors oversees and guides MCIL and its future. The Board of Directors general meetings are open to the public. All Meetings at MCIL at 5:30 pm. August 23rd September 27th October 25th
ADAPT 5:30 at MCIL August 7th September 11th October 2nd 3pm National Action September 11th—16th
August: Thursday 10th, 10am Health & Fitness September: Monday 4th, Office Closed for Labor Day Friday 29th, 1:00pm Learn the Ins & Outs of riding MATA Mainline buses October: Friday 6th, 5:00pm-7:00pm Fall Festival Thursday 12th, 10:30am-12:00pm Navigating The VR Maze
This project is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education & United Way of the Mid-South.
Yes, change is in the air, and I’m not talking about the fact that Fall is here. I’m talking about changes in our long term care system. CMS, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has sent out a request for proposals for Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration Grants to all of the state Medicaid offices. Yep. That includes TennCare. CMS is asking states to draw up plans to “rebalance” their long term care systems. This is a HUGE victory for ADAPT!
Simply put, CMS is asking state Medicaid offices how they are going to change their system to give people an opportunity to get the assistance they need in their own homes and communities and not just in nursing homes or other institutions.
“Our homes not nursing homes!” In case you didn’t know, for many years if you needed assistance getting dressed, bathing, eating, and the like, because of a disability, no matter what your age, and if you didn’t have the money to pay for that assistance yourself (most of us don’t) or family to assist you (usually requiring a family member to quit his/her job in order to help you for free), you almost always ended up, powerless, in a nursing home or other institution.
Advocacy groups and DMRS, Division Mental Retardation Services, have been working on helping the State write a plan and an application for this Money Follows Person grant. What does this mean for Tennesseans? We don’t know yet. What we do know is that TennCare has said they are going to submit a grant proposal, but we do not know if they're going to use all or just part of what the working group has put together.
The application process is just the beginning. If the State does receive the extra CMS dollars to change its system, the first-year is going to be a very important year for individuals, advocates and advocacy groups to work together to try and have the State put together what's called the “operational protocol.” Basically that's fancy words for the actual rules and regulations TennCare will use as it rebalances its long-term care system. During the writing of these rules, it will be a very important for consumers, advocates and all interested parties to take an active role in writing these policies. This will be the time that TennCare will need to work with people and groups in order to write policies that ensure consumer choice. We as consumers and advocates need to be very involved during this time to also make sure that the state writes policies that provide those consumer choices.
So what does that mean for you? It means that all of us must work to ensure that the state moves forward during this process to provide choices. To ensure that the state does this we need to make sure that the state seeks our input and uses the information, ideas and experience that we all have.
Free Our People!
Celebrate the Holiday season by joining MCIL for our annual Open House and fundraiser Friday, December 1st from 4 to 8pm. The silent auction is shaping up nicely with items such as an oriental rug from Zaven Kish, gift packages from Harrah’s and Fitzgerald’s casinos, jewelry, local artwork and much more. The MCIL Holiday Gift Shoppe will be open for shoppers with a more limited budget; once again all items in the Shoppe will be $10 or less. Bring your friends, family and neighbors, checkbook, credit card or penny jar. With live music, great appetizers and the opportunity to support MCIL and Christmas shop all in one, this will be a great evening. Many thanks to the Friends of MCIL for all their hard work on this event. If you would like to find out how to help with this or other fundraising projects please call MCIL at 726-6404. We look forward to celebrating with you on Dec.1st!
MCIL Annual
Holiday Open House
Friday, December 1, 2006
4:00 till 8:00pm
Silent Auction
Great items including an oriental rug, getaways to Harrah’s,
Fitzgerald’s, jewelry & more!
MCIL Gift Shoppe
All items under $10
PLUS Live Music! Appetizers!
It has come to my attention many MATAPlus riders are fearful about scheduling rides for doctor’s appointments and/or going to the polls to vote. Many riders do not know about unscheduled trips and the purpose of this article to inform riders of how this works.
I have spoken to Mr. James Anglin, MATAPlus Director, to confirm how unscheduled trips might be of help to riders for trips to doctor’s appointments, voting, late arrivals or unexpected problems where extra time may be needed to complete a person’s business.
First, the MATAPlus rider would set up a ride with the reservationists as usual giving an estimated time for a return trip.
Then, if the rider sees that his/her business is not going to be completed by the pickup time, the rider must call the dispatcher preferably within an hour but no less than 30 minutes before his/her scheduled pickup time. The rider should explain to the dispatcher the reason for the need for extra time and ask to be put on the unscheduled pickup list.
Finally, riders should understand when they are put on the unscheduled list, they must again call the dispatcher when they have completed their business and must wait until a bus is available to pick them up. The wait time might be a short or lengthy period of time. For more information contact Betty Anderson at (901) 726-6404 or e-mail betty@mcil.org.
Recently Phyllis Phillips from MIFA Emergency Services came by MCIL to explain services available and necessary qualifications for assistance. MIFA can help with food, rent, utilities, clothing, and prescription assistance, in limited quantities, for those who qualify. These services are not designed for those persons with chronic difficulties; they are for emergency use only.
MIFA has authorized MCIL to help our consumers by providing vouchers with the necessary authorization numbers in our offices on Madison Ave. We may also be able to arrange for transportation to the food distribution points.
We are also gathering information on other resources for food and clothing in our community. Most of these resources, however, are not available as quickly as MIFA’s. Days and hours of operation vary with the source, as do any necessary qualifications. Information on these resources will be forthcoming in future newsletters.
The Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC) is a group of MATA riders and MATA representatives who get input from community groups who work with people with disabilities to improve the services of MATA as a whole. MATA is looking at making the guidelines to ride MATAplus stricter in order to make the system more cost effective. Please come to our next meeting on November 10th at 10:30am at MCIL to give your input. For more information contact STAC chairperson, Christina Clift, at 726-6404.
I had a bit of a shock today from Deborah, our fearless leader, having talked to a couple of longtime friends who are disabled. Although they have lived independently with severe disabilities for quite a while, they are moving into a nursing home—one that is waaaay out in the suburbs, isolated from such amenities as Memphis has to offer.
I hope that a few thoughts might help others of us to be able to preserve our independence for a longer time.
I have been listening to Carol Coletta’s “Smart City” radio program on WKNO for sometime. Her program has frequent discussions of “New Urbanism” and the concept of “walkable cities.” It’s a notion that I think has special relevance for persons with disabilities.
Virtually any of the suburbs outside of Midtown in Memphis are designed purely for car owners and drivers. Restaurants, grocery stores, theatres and other entertainment venues, retail of any kind and even churches are typically confined to areas that are miles apart. Residential neighborhoods are usually miles and miles away from areas where you can do business of any kind.
The idea of a “walkable city” is to decrease the distance that a person has to travel so that community services are within range of a person walking. Transportation is one of the biggest problems for a person with a disability. Very few of us can afford vans if we use a wheelchair; very few of us can afford a driver or taxi service is we are visually impaired.
If you don’t live close to stores, restaurants and a community church, move! Find housing that doesn’t require you to have a car or van—or to rely on MATAPlus. The more easily you can shop and entertain yourself and attend community events, the more motivated you will be to maintain your independence, and the easier it will be for you to do so.
If you don’t live close to a busline, move near one! Most of MATA’s buses are now accessible. Using public transit greatly increases your range of travel. You can easily learn to use the system. Using MATA will also get you downtown where there are good entertainment options and access to city, county, state and federal services.
If you have trouble walking less than a mile, get a scooter or electric wheelchair. Either has a range of several miles. You don’t have to move onto a major thoroughfare next door to stores. “Walk!” Get out and be seen in your neighborhood. Just being active in your community counteracts more stereotypes about disabled folk than almost anything.
Make sure that the sidewalks in your neighborhood are in good repair and have curb cuts! Using the streets can be quite dangerous. If the sidewalks or lack of curb cuts are a problem for you, please let MCIL know so that we can help you talk with city officials who can help remedy the situation.
If you’re having trouble maintaining your independence in the community, please don’t wait until the stress of dealing with those problems is about to drive you into a nursing home! Give MCIL a call. Let us try to work with you to develop housing, transportation, personal care and other options.
MCIL has established an Outreach Committee to reach disabled consumers in underserved communities and to increase their participation in MCIL as consumers, advocates and leaders, and as future MCIL board and staff members as well.
We are formulating plans and strategies for reaching out into the community. Thanks to recent changes in Tennessee’s Home and Community Based waiver services that should enable us to help many inviduals get out of nursing homes and return to their communities, one phase of our outreach will focus on finding individuals who are interested in receiving services in the community. We are also particularly interested in enhancing our ties with the African American and Hispanic/Latino communities.
The Outreach Committee is looking for individuals to assist us in our outreach efforts. Since the main thrust of our efforts is nursing home transition, the committee seeks to inform individuals in nursing homes and other such institutions about alternatives to institutionalization, as well as informing social workers, discharge planners, and other key individuals in these facilities. We are currently looking for volunteers with and without disabilities to assist us in visiting these places to get the word out regarding MCIL and our mission. We also need volunteers who speak Spanish and would be available to serve as translators for our Spanish speaking consumers and other visitors.
If you would like more information or to volunteer for the Outreach Committee, Please call Kevin at; (901) 726-6404 or contact him by email at; Kevin@mcil.org
Lonnie has been part of the center for several years and was wanting to share some of his story, which made us think that this could be an important part of the newsletter. This new space in the Declaration will be an opportunity for us to share some the stories of the people we work with. So if you have something you want to share, please let us know, and we will work with you in putting your story together for the newsletter.
Here is what Lonnie wanted to say about MCIL:
I have a lot to be thankful for and I am glad that MCIL is here. They help me with a lot of different issues such as housing, transportation, voting rights, how to advocate for myself and how to voice my opinion without being violent. I learned a lot about my benefits to work and my rights under vocational rehabilitation. I have also learned some Independent living skills such as how to work up a budget and live by it, how to live independently and how to use the bus system. I have met a lot of friends in the Rockers & Rollers. I really see myself as a person with a purpose instead of one with a disability, and I have really learned that I am a person with value. I have even become a mentor through the POP program and now I’m helping others.
If you would like to share your story or help someone write theirs please contact Randy at 726-6404 or Randy@MCIL.org.
“No More Excuses!” was the message hundreds of activists from across the nation brought to DC ADAPT was in Washington to remind the Congress, the Administration and US states that Americans prefer the community and expect action not excuses to end the institutional bias.
“We want Kaiser!” echoed throughout the Hyatt on Capitol Hill as over 400 activists took over the hotel lobby and elevators demanding a meeting with the Executive Director of The Public Housing Authorities Directors Association. Many ADAPT members held a long banner that read: affordable, accessible, integrated housing. The banner was so long, it had to meander through the crowd and wind around the escalator. Metro Police stepped in to negotiate with PHADA, and before noon Timothy G. Kaiser and Policy Analyst Jim Armstrong of PHADA agreed to a September 25 meeting with ADAPT.
ADAPT took over the lobby of a Washington DC hotel and demanded that national managed care groups meet with them and consider essential principals for people with disabilities.
ADAPT asked Karen Ignagni, the President and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) to develop a national proposal that will respect the principles of community integration, consumer direction and Independent Living. Ms Ignagni agreed to present the ADAPT principles to the governing board and will meet again with ADAPT in 30 days on the issues.
ADAPT’s “No More Excuses” campaign continued the dazzling success Thursday with two traditionally stubborn organizations. ADAPT won a meeting with the chairperson of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Thomas Josefiak of the RNC was able to sign a letter making the important commitment for a meeting with Chairperson Ken Mehlman. ADAPT had success this legislative term with the passage of Money Follows the Person which was a bill to assist people to avoid expensive and undesirable institutionalization, and the RNC meeting with ADAPT will include ways that this legislation can be implemented. The introduction and passage of MiCASSA in the 2007 legislative session will also be on the agenda.
After Three days of successful direct action, ADAPT visited all Congressional offices with updates on MiCASSA in order to get ready for its re-introduction during the next Congressional session.
Become a Transition Navigator!
Learn the process of assisting
individuals in transitioning out of
nursing homes and other institutions and back into their community.
December 6th 9-4
December 7th 9-1
Lunch will be provided so RSVP because space is limited & you must be willing to join our transition team.
For more information or to RSVP contact Randy, by phone 726-6404 or email at randy@mcil.org.
Free Our People!
We are looking for writers. If you would like to help write articles for the declaration, interview individuals for stories or make comments or letters to the editor please let us know. For more information Randy at 726-6404 or by e-mail at Randy@MCIL.org.
How long has it been since you read the Constitution of the United States of America? Oh, come on now; you can be honest. It has been a long time, hasn’t it. If you’re like most folks, the last time you read it was probably back in high school. How many of you remember the Preamble? You know, “We the people…” Well here it is:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty, to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
“We the people…” Pretty amazing isn’t it. In all of its simplicity it’s saying that the Constitution is the framework by which to establish a free and just society that promotes and protects the general welfare of its citizenry. The writing of the Preamble is generally credited to Gouverneur Morris, who represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Gouverneur Morris was a person with a disability. He lost most of the use of one arm when he was a child and at 28 had a leg amputated after a carriage accident.
Stop and think about that for a moment. The person who wrote, “We the people”, was written by a person with a DISABILITY! Do you think he would not mean “We the People” including himself a person with a disability? Of course he did.
With that in mind, read the Preamble again. It screams of inclusion! Keep in mind that a person with a disability wrote “We” in the Preamble. Gouverneur Morris then uses the Preamble to declare that the Constitution will be a road map in establishing justice, ensuring tranquility, promoting the general welfare and securing liberty of all our people, for all posterity. So I have to ask again, if a person with a disability wrote that, would he not be including himself? To me the answer is yes!
You see, a person with a disability wrote the most empowering words I know: “We the people.” So when we, as people with disabilities, face injustice based on our disability, whether it be a bureaucrat hiding behind some regulation, a politico saying that they are doing all that they can, but you know they aren’t, some do-gooder advocate who says you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar or any other clichéd attempt to defer justice, tell them you don’t have to ask for equality. The Preamble of the Constitution declares your right to equality. Never ask for equality. Demand it!
Sponsors are individuals or companies who have donated at least $100.00, Benefactors have donated $500.00 or more. A great big thank you to all these generous donors! If you would like to make a donation to MCIL please contact Renee at 726-6404. Although Sponsors and Benefactors are recognized in the Declaration any, donation can help MCIL do the vital work needed for the civil rights of people with disabilities.
Sponsors:
Marshall & Carol Morris
Jim & Marge Kasperbauer
Ms. Jill Collier
Mr. George Rutschman, Jr.
Stanley & Daphne Perry
Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Kirkland
Donors:
George and Sarah Edwards
Once again, thanks to ALL of you that have donated your hard earned Dollars!
THANK YOU!
If you are going to attend a MCIL event and/or you need materials in an alternative format or interpreter services please notify us at least five working days in advance of the event. Thank you!
ADAPT, CAT, BFMS & MORE
Coalition for Accessible Transportation (CAT)-If you ride public transportation including MATA mainline, MATAplus, Trolleys, cabs, or other forms of public transportation and YOU would like to work towards a better and more equitable system for all, be at a CAT meeting.
Barrier Free Memphis Society (BFMS)– Let’s work towards Total Accessibility For All Citizens Of Our Community!
Board of Director for MCIL- MCIL’s Board of Directors oversees and guides MCIL and its future. The Board of Directors general meetings are open to the public. All Meetings at MCIL.
ADAPT 5:30 at MCIL
This project is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education & United Way of the Mid-South