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| 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 community life.
The Declaration! is the newsletter of The Memphis Center for Independent Living. We have listed on our website all the newsletters since the summer of 1996. The Declaration! is printed quarterly and is available in alternate format, either tape or disk, with all the news of MCIL events and issues of the various grass-roots organizations in contact with the center.
2004
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Inside this issue: |
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| Above: Map of MCIL’s new location. Between Avalon and Angelus on Madison, directly across the street from Piggly Wiggly. 1633 Madison Avenue. |
Eighteen years ago Easter Seal Society’s Center for Independent Living moved into its third location at 163 North Angelus. We were pretty excited about our new digs because it was almost accessible and even more exciting was the fact that we were going to be "on our own". No more Easter Seals, no more telethons. All of the staff (there were six of us then) and most of the board members felt exhilarated at the prospect of changing our image in the community.
Since our inception in 1981, when the Easter Seal society of West Tennessee applied for funding to create a Center for Independent Living we always felt that the philosophy of independent living was in direct conflict with the traditional charity model like the Easter Seal’s. They wanted us to ask our consumers to parade themselves on the telethons singing their praises of helping "special kids".
When I complained to our Director about feeling like an Uncle Tom, I was told not to bite the hand that fed me.
Not long after that the Easter Seals Society decided they would be cutting off the funding for the majority of their "programs" in West Tennessee. This of course meant the Center for Independent Living would lose roughly 12 percent of the funding which Easter Seal provided to us. More bad news came from the state who told us that without a local funding match we would not be eligible for the federal funding.
The executive director and the board burned the midnight oil trying to come up with a local source of funding so that our federal funds would still be available. Someone suggested that we talk with United Way so we did and the rest is history. We have been receiving funding from United Way since that time. United Way was our knight in shining armor and have been our staunch supporters and friends for the past 18 years.
And now we come to another major milestone for the Memphis Center for Independent Living, we are moving to a new home. We have outgrown this space. It is time to spread our wings and fly!
There are lots of things that we will miss about our old place, like the bullpen area where most of our staff workstations share a common area where ideas are shared and discussed with a passionate conviction that only good advocates understand and the spontaneous camaraderie of a shared story or joke sending up bursts of laughter throughout the office. We will miss the church next door with their electric gospel music and our noisy upstairs neighbors with their bowling alley sounds above our heads.
It's true and I must admit it, I have ambivalent feelings about leaving Angelus Street after all these years. The funny thing is that I am equally excited about the prospect of moving into our new space. Private offices with windows, a huge lobby and conference space along with the prospect of a real deck and garden at the back seduced us into saying yes we want this space
Volunteers will be needed and greatly appreciated in the moving process. If you're able to volunteer call Renee Ford and she will give you an assignment. This year our Spring Fling will be held at our new address, 1633 Madison Avenue (across from Piggly Wiggly supermarket). Watch for more information on this event soon.
On January 13th the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Tennessee v. Lane and Jones case. The Tennessee v. Lane case is seen a test case for Title II of the ADA (Title II cover state government) in which Tennessee is challenging the Constitutionality of the ADA.
In a show of support for the ADA and the civil liberties of people with disabilities MCIL and ADAPT of Tennessee held a rally at the Mid-America Mall in Downtown Memphis. “Stolen Lives: Songs of Freedom’ reverberated throughout the courtyard in front of the Clifford Davis Building while ralliers marched in front of the federal building.
While this was just a rally ADAPT has such a reputation in Memphis when ADAPT shows up to have a rally the local police have tactical teams parked down the street. During the rally supporters meandered too close to the building and immediately were faced with security drawing a line in the sand. Our permit only allowed us to city property not the “federal” property. Of course we all positioned ourselves with one toe over the line. Okay, so we decided we were here for a rally not an action so we made sure not to stand on the “federal” side of the sidewalk.
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| Above: Photo of several supporters of the ADA holding up signs at the rally in front of the Clifford Davis Federal Building in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. |
Wrapping up the rally supporters crawled up steps that lead to the Memphis Liberty (Bowl) Bell. Memphis’s replica of the Liberty Bell.
Now is the time to register to vote. In August 2004, Tennessee will hold its state primary and county general elections, and on November 2, 2004 we will elect the next President of the United States. Help us to eliminate barriers to voting and political participation for persons with disabilities and to make our voices heard this November.
The VOTE! Campaign is a non-partisan; statewide campaign that is organizing individuals with disabilities, their families, and friends to be an important force in the political and policy process. As citizens we have the right and the responsibility to cast our votes and to participate in the governing of our communities.
As Justin Dart, the father of the disability civil rights movement stated, “We need to vote like our lives depend on it, because they do.” With over one million people with disabilities of voting age in Tennessee, along with our many supporters, the disability community can be a powerful political force. The candidates will have to stand up and take notice when they see that we are involved in the political process and that we vote! Only then will our issues be addressed and our interests served.
What’s at stake? (1) Our civil rights, (2) many services that are vital to people with disabilities and their families including: access to health care, transportation, technology, and (3) the improvement of the quality of life through better education and employment opportunities and more.
For more information about how and where to register to vote in Shelby County or to volunteer for the Shelby County VOTE! Campaign call the Memphis Center for Independent Living at 901-726-6404 or email the VOTE! staff at
vote@tndisability.org. All VOTE! Campaign meetings and events are accessible and open to the public.
MCIL is planning another 5-week series for women with disabilities to discuss issues of their choosing. Topics from sexuality to how women with disabilities are portrayed in movies, no subjects are taboo but with a limited number of sessions the topics will have to be reached by consensus. This is your group so bring your list of concerns and join us on March 9th at 6:00pm.
Deborah Cunningham has agreed to facilitate this series and will assist participants to conduct their own group. Participants in previous groups have enjoyed themselves so much that they get together once a month for WSGII (Women’s Support Group 2). For more information or to register for this free series please call Christina at 726-6404.
Recently the Barrier Free Memphis Society, BFMS decided that the troubles with MATA were consuming all of BFMS time. In order to keep issues like fair housing and public access from taking a back seat, BFMS decided to start a new group solely dedicated to transportation issues hence CAT was born.
CAT, Coalition for Accessible Transportation is bringing people together from around Memphis, from all aspects of life. CAT is looking to hold transportation providers like MATA & MATAplus responsible. CAT meetings will be held at 1pm the first Monday of each month to hear your problems/issues you have had with transportation. YOUR INPUT IS VITAL
With a new year at hand BFMS has decided to focus on two issues, public access and housing. Everyone in BFMS faces huge discrimination in both areas, buy working together we look forward to making a difference. What we need is, YOU!
You can have an important role in what BFMS accomplishes this next year. BFMS wants to start cataloging everyplace you find inaccessible. We are looking for everything, from public rights of ways (sidewalks, curb cuts, etc.) to private businesses (parking, restrooms, etc.). As you encounter access issues just note the address and access issue. Then just bring that information to the next BFMS meeting or if you cannot make it call or email the center with that info. The BFMS will then work with you to correct these access issues.
Housing is a much bigger issue. Affordable accessible housing is in extremely short supply not only in the Memphis area but nationally. Locally we can work to hold builders to the Fair Housing Act Guidelines, increase awareness and bring this issue into the local dialogue. BFMS needs folks who can attend meetings, help check access at new apartments, write letters to seek changes in the Fair Housing Act and more.
UT Boling for Developmental Disabilities Interdisciplinary Leadership Training Series presents Kathie Snow and her presentation on Disability is Natural on March 18, 2004. Kathie will open your eyes and mind to a positive and human outlook towards disability. Also on the morning’s program will be Lana Kile and Dr. Randolph Dupont. Registration begins at 8:00 am. Disability is Natural begins at 8:30. Costs for this program are $20.00. For further information or to register please contact Levader Jones at 448-2660.
The United States Attorney’s Office in Memphis has filed an ADA complaint against the owners and operators of most of the McDonald’s Restaurants in Memphis, Jackson, and Dyersburg. The court complaint alleges that many of the older restaurants contain barriers to access which could be removed in a readily achievable manner as required by the law. Among other things it is believed that many of the restrooms in the older McDonald’s Restaurants cannot accommodate people using wheelchairs. The United States Attorney is interested in talking with anyone who has been hampered by barriers or who has been unable to use certain parts of a restaurant due to a barrier at any McDonald’s Restaurant. If you would like discuss such a situation with the U.S. Attorney, contact Gary Vanasek at (901) 544-4231 or gary.vanasek@usdoj.gov.
If you receive disability benefits through Social Security, you should be aware that several changes took place beginning January 1, 2004. Below are some of these changes:
For SSI folks:
The 2004 maximum for a single person is $564 per month. For a couple, the combined maximum benefit is $846 per month. The resource limits stayed the same for the new year, $2,000 for a single recipient and $3,000 for a couple. SSI student exclusion limits increased to $1,370 per month with a yearly maximum of $5,520. Only students under the age of 22 can use this work incentive. For SSI recipients who are working, the earnings limit for keeping Medicaid increased to $19,443 per year.
For SSDI folks:
The earnings limit for non-blind beneficiaries increased to $810 per month. For blind beneficiaries, the earnings limit is now $1,350 per month. The amount of trial work period for 2004 is $580 per month. The Medicare Part B Premium increased to $66.60 monthly.
If you have any questions about disabilities benefits and working, contact Pam or Hope at (901) 726-6404.
Although the winter holidays are over, I must recap the Open House and Silent Auction. If you missed it you missed an awesome party! As a farewell performance to our old location it was an excellent sendoff with great music provided by Nora’s trio, good food and lots of good company. The Silent Auction part of the evening far exceeded the year before and the Program committee truly made this a fundraiser with a bow on top! Over $1700 was raised for MCIL. Volunteers from the MCIL Program Committee worked for months pulling these contributions together, setting up food, and helping with the Silent Auction bidding. The Junior League of Memphis also contributed volunteers to this annual event allowing the staff to mingle, dance and have a good time. Thank you to everyone for making this a party to remember!
Business Donors:
Action Chemical Products, Bogies Delicatessen, Carolyn’s Hair Styling, Clean Rite, Cordova Cellars Inc Winery, Cupboard Restaurant, Cupboard Too Restaurant, Dabbles Beauty Salon, DeAngelis Jewelers Inc, Delta Lighting Products Inc, Genesis Variety Store, Germantown Community Theatre, Handicapped Unlimited, Hound Cake Bakery, India Palace, Mercury Valet, Message Institute of Memphis, Neil’s Restaurant, Orpheum Theatre, Pitter Patter, Playhouse on the Square, Pope Animal Clinic, R & W Gallery, Radio Shack, Walgreens Drug Store, 1910 Frame Works & Gallery
Individual Donors:
Randy Alexander, Pam Alexis, Betty Anderson, Martha Bartozkiewicz, Chris & Suzanne Colsey, Deborah Cunningham, Dr. Bob, Hazel Eskew, Grace Ford, Renee Ford, Pat Jessup, Deborah Sanders, William Skinner, Sher Stewart,
Sandi Klink.
What does this acronym mean?
Independent Living Plans are simply road maps or goals you and one of MCIL’s
Independent Living Specialist’s set and work on. Would an ILP help you gain and/or maintain your independence? Call us today and plan for tomorrow, 726-6404.
There are tons of new things coming from MCIL over the next few months. As you can see MCIL is making some changes; new location, new logo, new business cards, letterhead, and more. What will remain the same however is the straight forward go get’em style advocacy you have grown to know. We can’t do it all alone however, we need you. The Memphis Center for Independent Living is about you!
We all know that people with disabilities have the right to vote. I think most people would believe then that polling places, in a large part are accessible. Well, over the past few months we here at the Memphis Center for Independent Living, along with the Tennessee Disability Coalition’s VOTE Campaign and many volunteers have been surveying polling sites for their accessibility.
From the surveys that were completed I have drawn the conclusion that the right to vote does NOT mean your polling site will be accessible. Of the forty seven sites surveyed 95.7% had at least one parking issue, 82.9% had at least two parking issues. In the route of travel category 29.7% of the polling sites had issues. When it came to ramps or curb cuts 61.7% of the sites had problems.
Over the next couple of months MCIL will be holding meetings with election officials, city officials and others. If you have faced voter discrimination due to your disability due to access or otherwise please contact me (Randy) at 726-6404 or
randy@mcil.org.
Will never be defeated! I’m sure most folks have heard that chant. The people united, will never be defeated. It’s true too. Look at some of the most significant social changes in history. Groups that were able to unite the masses ended up creating change.
I just left a “planning” meeting and obviously that government agency knew the chant. This agency wanted to have input from consumers into what should be this agencies top priorities. This agency’s motto for the day was “divide and conquer” because the very first thing they did was divide us. “Everyone with or that works with the aged over in this corner, HIV/AIDS in that corner, physical disabilities over there, developmental disabilities over here”, You get the picture. The moment we all started walking to their designated place of slaughter, this agency had divided and conquered us.
We (I mean everyone in that meeting) should have stood our ground and developed our top five issues as a whole. I would bet that the priorities would have been slightly less disability specific and more community friendly. We need to be calling the meetings and having agencies like this one today have to listen to us as a whole.
The need to come together for issues and build goal specific coalitions is now! Times are about to get desperate. If we don’t come together and work towards goals like passing MiCASSA, Money Follows the Person, change the Nurse Practice Act, and maybe change the current federal administration then when block grants come down for Medicaid and other services we will all be in real trouble.
Randy Alexander
MCIL is a Not-for-profit organization seeking donations. Donations can come in many forms, cash, check, volunteer time or any of the items in the list below, please contact Renee for more information before donating. 726-6404
Toilet paper, Paper towels (rolls), Paper plates, Paper cups 8 oz. & 12 oz., Napkins, Straws (Flexible) (no Styrofoam, please)
Dishwashing liquid, Assorted Plastic silverware, Coffee, Sugar, Creamer, Salt, pepper
Side by Side refrigerator\freezer, Matching stove
Copy paper, Envelopes (window & plain), Quality Bonded Paper (Laser jet), Color paper stock, Business card stock
Bulletin Boards, Folding Chairs, Conference chairs, Lobby furniture, Plants
Color printer, State of the art AV /Stereo/DVD equipment
Fencing material, Deck material, Good gas grill, Picnic table (accessible) benches, Outdoor table with umbrella and chairs separate, Glass bricks, Window treatments,
Donation of carpentry/electrical work
Large custom neon sign
The Declaration is the Newsletter of the Memphis Center for Independent Living and is published quarterly. Please contact
MCIL to request the Declaration in alternative media such as; audio tape, large print or computer text files.
Phone: 901/726-6404
Email: mcil@mcil.org
Randy Alexander Editor
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By Randy Alexander
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ADAPT activists hold their line when Bartlett police show up. Photo by Michael Heinrich |
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Ronald Arrison, on the right, tells ADAPT activists “their transportation is not my concern.” Photo By Michael Heinrich |
With police and FOX news on hand Deborah Cunningham asked Mr. Arrison, “People in your nursing home will not have transportation to the community, to their friends, their families, other organizations, or to school. Is the home (KDSH) going to pay for the rise in transportation costs?”
Police office stands behind ADAPT activists Harry Calder, Randy Alexander and
Louis Patrick, in discussion with Ronald Arrison.
Mr. Arrison’s reply was, “No, I run a for-profit business, and I don’t care!”
“Will the Foundation pay the difference” he was asked.
“No!” was Arrison’s Reply.
After a stand off with police, when Capt Bob Owens arrived and gave the activists their final warning to move off the driveway and onto the sidewalk or be arrested the ADAPTers decided on this day, to yield.
Mr. Arrison is an example of the system that is not about our rights, needs, wants or desires. It is about his for-profit business which is about warehousing our brothers and sisters. We may have left, but we are not through.
By Sandi Klink
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| Winkles the clown entertaining the crowd on a beautiful day for our Grand Opening. |
April 2nd was the official opening festivities to the new offices of MCIL with very little pomp but a lot of fun and good food! Everyone that attended the event enjoyed a wide variety of events and entertainment.
Most guests were given individualized tours and offered lots of opportunities to sponsor or donate for items needed through out our new offices such as; new office door hardware, a 220 electrical outlet for our stove and many more opportunities.
While digging out the checkbooks guests were entertained by Memphis’s own Skinny White Chick’s awesome vocals and her friends, check out her web site at:
www.skinnywhitechick.com.
Other entertainment included Winkles the Clown who entertained children of all ages, Madame Natasha who read tarot cards for donations and a group of very talented belly dancers.
Besides hitting folks up for donations we also provided everyone an opportunity to sign letters to Senators Bill Frist and Lamar Alexander requesting them to attend a hearing on MiCASSA and Money Follows the Person Hearing that was held April 7th.
Let us not forget the food. Special thanks for delicious BBQ samiches and fixins. Patrick’s at 4698 Spottswood donated the slaw (thanks Karen), Lewis Bakeries 500 N. Fulton Avenue donated the buns and Pam Routh and Wyndell Robertson provided the BBQ. The delicious chocolaty goodness known as the Hot Fudge Brownie was provided by Jake Shore.
Yo Memphis volunteers were everywhere and provided much of the energy for the afternoon. The MCIL Program Committee did an awesome job planning and putting together an event that was truly a very GRAND opening! Many thanks go to these excellent planners and to all our guests who showed their support of MCIL.
By Hope Johnson
Did you know that if you are a working student and receive SSI disability benefits, you could earn up to $1,370 per month, with a maximum of $5,520 per year, with no change in your SSI. This means that you can work, earn some money (up to a certain amount), and not have your SSI check reduced.
Here’s an example: John attends school during the regular school year and gets $564 per month in SSI. He works at a lawn care service during the summer months and earns about $1,000 per month. He talked to his local Claims Rep at Social Security and she helped him claim the Student Earned Income Exclusion. When the $1,000 income was excluded, he continued to get $564 in SSI throughout the summer.
To claim the Student Earned Income Exclusion, you must be a student under the age of 22. So go ahead and take that summer job. When you report your work to Social Security, take proof that you are attending school. If you need assistance using this work incentive or have any other questions regarding working and disability benefits, please contact Hope or Pamela at 726-6404.
By Randy Alexander
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ADAPT starts the Emergency Finance Committee Meeting in the Senate Finance Committee Hearing room, Dirkson Building room 215. |
One hundred twenty-nine ADAPT activists arrested for holding an emergency hearing on MiCASSA and Money Follows the Person. On March 24, 2004 ADAPT activists took over the Senate Finance Committee Hearing Room and held their own emergency Finance Hearing. After holding their own Hearing and hours of chanting 129 of the ADAPT activists were arrested for unlawful assembly.
MiCASSA and Money Follows the person, Senate Bill 971 and 1394 respectively, were introduced this legislative session, and both are fundamental in ADAPT’s fight to end the institutional bias in the Medicaid system.
Although the bills were introduced a year ago by Senators Tom Harking (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), Senator Grassley Chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee has continued to not schedule any hearings on either of the two bills.
ADAPT activists began taking the room by 2:30, removing furniture and filing in. By 3:00 the activists had not only packed the room and the hall way outside they had control of the P.A system as well. Chants of, “Free Our People”, “We Want Grassley” and “Hold the Hearings Now,” thundered throughout the second floor.
As the crowd calmed for a moment Bob Liston, ADAPTer from Mazola, Montana moved for an Emergency Finance Committee Meeting; Steve Gold of Philadelphia seconded the motion, which was passed immediately by the crowd of activists.
With use of the PA system the crowd heard the testimonies of several activists their stories all demonstrated the struggle each faced for freedom from institutions.
At 4:00 police thought they would stop the group by turning off the PA system. While it stopped the Hearing, the crowd of activists broke out in an even louder set of chants and song. The room pulsated in deafening continual chanting for fifty-eight minutes. Business throughout the second floor was disrupted.
The rest of the afternoon and that evening the activists stayed, with non-stop singing and chants. Activists sang, “We who believe in freedom cannot rest, till MiCASSAs passed,” chanted “free our people” and more. As voices wavered activists found other ways to be heard from filling water bottles with change, to banging on trash-cans and tables.
By 10:30 you would have thought the noise level would have died down, not so. The crowd of activists stayed strong shoulder to shoulder. As police began making their arrests every person had their way to make sure that the arrest was on their terms through different non-compliant acts.
“I am willing to get arrested because I want out of a nursing home,” said Harry Calder who lives in a Memphis area nursing home, “but I’m doing this for other people that need to get out of the nursing home.”
Although we did not have our full demands met, a Committee Hearing on MiCASSA and Money Follows the Person, a small victory is a hearing held a few days later included MiCASSA and Money Follows the Person.
This was just one of several days of ADAPT in D.C. For more information on the D.C. actions or ADAPT don’t forget these web sites;
www.mcil.org & www.adapt.org.
If you don’t have internet access we have a library of magazines and information.
By Randy Alexander
Forty years ago, during the summer of 1964, Freedom Summer was the banner under which many worked for equality in the south. This summer, in recognition and celebration of the efforts of those who fought discrimination before us, Freedom Summer ’04 will be the banner under which we will work for equality this summer.
The state of Tennessee continues its discriminatory policy of institutionalizing its citizens with disabilities. The system is set up to oppress you, keep you down. A few of our brothers and sisters have escaped this system, some through our Underground Railroad to Colorado where people with disabilities have freedom. This freedom comes from choices, about where, how and from whom you receive the supports you need to live independently.
Ask yourself, which would be your choice, to live where you call home or in an institution. Would anyone choose a nursing home, if they or their family could receive the needed assistance at home! It is a myth that nursing homes do provide 24 hour care. The state average is just over four hours of care a day for each inmate and, knowing how those hours are documented, I believe that number is inflated.
Until we do the hiring and firing, until we regain control of our lives, we will continue to be the victims of abuse, rape, fire and murder. Nursing homes are unjust. The companies that spend millions on lobbyists for nursing homes are immoral, and we must question the morals of those who accept money from them.
That’s why MCIL has kicked off Freedom Summer ’04. We refuse to accept any longer that exile or institutionalizations are our only choices for the future! We, you, everyone we know, everyone, must organize to change this unjust system. Together, we have the power to change the system. Together we can!
We are calling on the Shelby county delegation, our state senators and representatives, to join us in demanding that the state of Tennessee seek and obtain a waiver of TennCare rules that will provide for consumer-controlled attendant care as a meaningful alternative to institutionalization.
To join this call for freedom, come by, volunteer, join a meeting, organize a meeting. Just get involved somehow.
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| Lawyers from the Office of Civil Rights listen to Memphians that live in area nursing homes. |
On March 25th MCIL hosted a meeting for the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the Department of Health and Human Services. Two attorneys from the OCR met with several nursing home inmates, some individuals who had filed complaints against the state of Tennessee and ADAPTers fresh of the plane from DC.
Traditionally, the state of Tennessee has had and continues to have a Medicaid system with an institutional bias. Over the past couple of years MCIL has assisted many individuals to file discrimination complaints against the state through the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Finally the complaints led to this meeting on March25th.
It was apparent to all that attended the meeting that attorneys for the OCR did not realize the gravity of the situation for those in this fight for freedom. Some very personal stories were told by different warriors about nursing homes retaliating and mistreating those who attempt to move out or even meet with people to discuss moving out. “They (the attorneys from OCR) don’t think retaliation happens,” commented Earl, “I was sent for psych evaluation and while I was gone I was moved to another nursing home, just because I am upset I can’t move out. I’m mad!”
Earl’s was just one of many stories of discrimination and retaliation our fellow warriors have faced. The attorneys agreed that this would be the beginning of meetings, in person, between the Office of Civil Rights and those of us who are continual discriminated against by the state simply because we have a disability.
The Office of Civil Rights is in the process of organizing meetings and more with consumers at MCIL this summer so be watching your mail and/or be ready for phone calls with more information soon.
The Coalition for Accessible Transportation (CAT) has been meeting on the first Monday of the month for a few months now. CAT is more then a group that only works on the physical aspect of transportation but the access of the people, the organization that provides transportation.
Some of the changes we have seen in MATA recently. MATA officials have told all drives that they must, by law, call out all connecting stops. MATA officials have also informed drivers on the mainline they must ask a person whom uses a wheelchair, scooter etc, if they need to be tied down but that it is NOT mandatory to strap down a wheelchair on the mainline busses.
There are still many concerns, and only together can we work towards a better public transit system for all.
CAT, is collecting your MATA & MATAPlus complaints. When you call MATA with your complaint don’t forget to write down your complaint confirmation number down. This is the only way, it seems, to make sure they take your complaint seriously. Then if you would like, email your complaint and confirmation number to
transit@mcil.org. If you don’t have email then call and ask for Betty or Randy.
Barrier Free Memphis Society is still going strong. BFMS is moving forward in writing letters to businesses who were found to have access issues and if the business owner does not want to comply with the law lawsuits will be filed shortly there after. Barrier Free Memphis Society wants you. BFMS is looking for people who want to take an active roll in increasing access in Memphis. If you know of businesses that have access issues bring the addresses of those businesses and your concerns to our BFMS meetings. Check your calendar. If you can’t attend the meeting but would like BFMS to take action call Betty or Randy at MCIL.
Unfortunately the state of Tennessee still locks to many mothers away into nursing homes. Instead of providing supports so we can keep our loved ones at home the state will gladly bow to the nursing home lobby and lock our moms away.
So to poke fun at the state, to shed light on the travesties of nursing homes and celebrate our mothers ADAPT of Tennessee will open the Home for People All Buggered Up and hold our first ever Free Yo Momma Day!
You can admit your mom into our nursing home for the day, then show her the love and support she deserves by raising bail money to set her free or you can admit yourself, especially if you’re a mom, and then call on your loved ones (family, friends anyone with a few bucks) to bring you bail money in order to set you free. All the bail money will go to ADAPT of Tennessee which continues the fight to end the nursing home bias.
The Home for People All Buggered Up, will be located at the Memphis Center for Independent Living (MCIL) at 1633 Madison Avenue. Special thanks to MCIL in their advocacy efforts and allowing us to use their facilities for the day.
For more information please call 726-6404 and ask for info on Free Yo Momma Day!
**Free Yo Momma Day, is a use of satire by ADAPT of Tennessee to shed light on a system that continues to segregate us from loved ones and to raise money to change that system. Free Our People! **
MCIL is a Not-for-profit organization seeking donations. Donations can come in many forms, cash, check, volunteer time or any of the items in the list below, please contact Renee for more information before donating. 726-6404.
Saturday Events
May 1st
2pm-4pm ADAPT is collecting donations for their rummage sale
May 15th
2pm-4pm ADAPT is collecting donations for their rummage sale
May 22nd
2pm-4pm ADAPT is collecting donations for their rummage sale
May 22nd
10am-1:30pm PALs Day Out:, Bowling at Cordova Bowling Center & lunch at Cici’s
June 19th
10:30am Polio Support Group
Monday 3rd
1pm CAT, Coalition for Accessible Transportation, A community wide discussion of problems with public transportation.
3pm BFMS, Barrier Free Memphis Society. Bring the locations of inaccessible businesses
and public places to the meeting.
6pm ADAPT, FREE OUR PEOPLE!
Thursday 6th
2PM IL history and philosophy Web cast, overview of independent living history and philosophy.
Friday 7th
10am Free Yo Momma Day!
Wednesday 12th
2pm Self Defense Class
Friday 14th
7pm PAL’s Night Out Dinner at El Chico, Poplar and Highland
Wednesday 19th
2 PM VOTE Campaign Meeting
Thursday 20th
5:30pm Board Meeting
Wednesday 26th
2pm Part I in a Three-Part Series: Title I of the ADA (Employment):
Pre-Employment & the ADA: Disability Questions and Medical Exams
Friday 28th
7am till Noon ADAPT Rummage Sale: Piggly Wiggly parking lot
7pm PALs Night Out: Redbirds Game
Thursday 3rd
2pm All about Family Support. Yolanda Austin and Karen McQueen, from SRVS will conduct a presentation on the Family Support Program.
Monday 7th
1pm CAT, Coalition for Accessible Transportation, A community wide discussion of problems with public transportation.
3pm BFMS, Barrier Free Memphis Society. Bring the locations of inaccessible businesses
and public places to the meeting.
6pm ADAPT, FREE OUR PEOPLE!
Wednesday 9th
2pm Accessible IT Series: Web cast
2pm Reading After Dark, Braille instruction
Tuesday 15th
2pm Fair Housing Training
Wednesday 16th
2pm Reading After Dark
Thursday 17th
5:30pm Board Meeting
Tuesday 22nd
2pm Memphis Housing Info Training
Wednesday 23rd
2pm Reading After Dark
Friday 25th
2pm VOTE Campaign Meeting
Wednesday 30th
2pm Part II in the Three-Part Series: Title I of the ADA (Employment):
Smart Disability--Related Employment Policies
2pm Reading After Dark
Friday 2nd
Pre-Independence Day: Every day the state forces people into nursing homes is another Pre-Independence Day. Be ready for an event!
Monday 5th
Most Americans will be celebrating their freedoms today. Not so for many Americans with disabilities. Office Closed
Thursday 8th
6pm PAL’s Training
Friday 9th
2pm Youth Leadership, IL NET Web cast
Monday 12th **Different day then usual**
1pm CAT, Coalition for Accessible Transportation, A community wide discussion of problems with public transportation.
3pm BFMS, Barrier Free Memphis Society. Bring the locations of inaccessible businesses
and public places to the meeting.
6pm ADAPT, FREE OUR PEOPLE!
Wednesday 14th
2pm VOTE Campaign Meeting
Thursday 15th
5:30pm Board Meeting
6pm Pals Training Series: IL History & Philosophy
Thursday 22nd
6pm PALS Training Series: IL History & Philosophy
Monday 26th
14th Anniversary of the signing of the ADA
We may be celebrating or we may be mourning, depending on the Supreme Court
Wednesday 28th
Part III in the Three-Part Series on Title I of the ADA (Employment)
Thursday 29th
6pm PALs Training Series: IL History & Philosophy
Randy Alexander Editor
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During the summer of 1964, hundreds of Americans from many parts of the country joined African American citizens of Mississippi and other parts of the south for what may yet be seen as one of the final battles of the Civil War—Freedom Summer.
Civil rights workers started Freedom Schools which came to serve as prototypes for Head Start and other educational programs. Later that year, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party challenged the legitimacy of the all-white Mississippi democratic delegation at the convention. But, above all things else—they registered voters. They registered African Americans with the intent of once and for all breaking the legal maneuverings, obfuscations, delays, circumlocutions, evasions—and sheer, simple, straight-forward terrorism—that southern whites had used for generations to deny the vote guaranteed to African Americans by the bloodshed of the Civil War and by the 15th amendment to the Constitution.
In honor of the fortieth anniversary of that tumultuous Freedom Summer, the Memphis Center for Independent Living is beginning an outreach program, Freedom Summer ’04.
MCIL is well known to many people in Memphis, especially professionals working with people with disabilities Most social workers know us. But we are long overdue getting out into the community at large. We need to make ourselves known to individuals throughout the neighborhoods of Memphis and Shelby County. We mean to begin introducing ourselves this summer.
MCIL’s by-laws require that half of our board of directors be persons with significant disabilities. That is because we believe that the Center should not just represent but be directed by the individuals whom we intend to serve. But we also need to expand our representation from other communities as well. Memphis, and its metropolitan area, is a large city and, like the rest of America, it is increasingly diverse.
It is absolutely critical that MCIL find and connect with disabled individuals in our African American, Hispanic, Muslim and other communities. We intend to reach out to those communities with Freedom Summer as our inspiration.
All of us, regardless of our background, as we age and acquire disabilities, want to provide for our families and ourselves in the manner that provides us the most freedom, the most choices. We want to stay in our homes, our communities, with our families. Black, brown or white. That’s in our bones.
Yet the federal government makes it relatively easy for us to put our loved ones in a nursing home. They make it hard for us to keep our family at home. We need to change that.
We need to demand that our state representatives and senators in the Shelby County delegation make our wishes clear to Governor Bredesen and his administration.
We will be contacting many of the neighborhood associations in Memphis over this summer. We’ll be visiting with as many of you as we can. But don’t wait for us to call. Pick up the phone. Call 726-6404 and ask to speak to one of our Freedom Summer 04 volunteers. We want to hear from you!
- Louis Patrick
Are you a person with a disability or know someone with a disability? If so, have you considered employment with a federal agency? Did you know that there’s a federal program that allows you to register as a person with a disability and receive a preference for federal jobs over those without a disability? This program is called “Selective Placement” and is accessible via the internet at
www.usajobs.opm.gov. You may complete the easy 3-step process and search for thousands of federal jobs on-line or by phone.
A federal program called CAP (Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program) is another resource available to people with disabilities while they are securing federal employment. This program focuses on reasonable accommodations. CAP allows for a needs assessment and actually pays for the accommodation solutions.
If you are interested in learning more about working within the federal government, please join us for an MCIL workshop on Selective Placement, CAP, and resume building. It will take place on Thursday, October 14, 2004, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Call Hope Johnson at (901) 726-6404 or send an e-mail to
Hope_J@tndisability.org
to reserve a seat. This free program will be at the MCIL office, located at 1633 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN.
- Hope Johnson
It is very important that people with disabilities become involved in transportation planning in their local communities in order to identify the various needs of the disability community and this in turn will help with making our nation’s transportation system fully accessible for everyone. Easter Seals Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation In Our Nation) sponsors the Mobility Planning Services Institute that promotes cooperation between the transportation industry and the disability community to identify problems and find solutions to improve and increase accessible, reliable transportation.
Twenty teams from across the United States will be selected to participate in the Project ACTION Mobility Planning Services Institute annual spring training that will be in Washington, D.C. March 5-8, 2005. Each team can consist of up to five individuals with a required minimum of three. One member of each team must be a representative from the public transportation provider, one must be a self-advocate, and one must be from a local organization. MCIL is currently working with MATA to put a team together with hopes of being one of the selected teams to participate in this training.
MCIL and MATA representatives are currently meeting monthly, working together to find ways of improving our local transportation system. The Project ACTION training would provide a great opportunity to gain information from transportation experts across the U.S. on what is working in other areas. The information obtained could be a valuable tool in creating an action plan to improve out local transportation system thus leading the way to a more accessible, reliable system for everyone.
- Betty Anderson
On June 25th, 2004,the Memphis Center for Independent Living held its annual Volunteer Recognition Party.
This year our volunteers decided to have a potluck dinner along with certificates honoring the center’s fabulous volunteers. Everything from the Memphis style barbecue with all the trimmings, spaghetti, lasagna, all sorts of casseroles and desserts to die for were all part of the incredible feast provided by our generous volunteers.
Approximately 43 of our fabulous supporters were honored this year with door prizes and individual recognition for their contributions to the center.
- Deborah Cunningham
I wanted to use this article to give you an update on the activities of the Shelby County VOTE Campaign. As you may know there are some local elections coming up on August 5th as well as a primary election. The presidential election in November is almost upon us as well.
The SC Vote Campaign has been very busy working in cooperation with the Shelby County Election Commission to train polling site officers, judges and other poll workers on people first language and other helpful hints when interacting with persons with disabilities. Some major points we are attempting to make with the pole workers are; people with disabilities need to be treated with respect because our vote counts as much as people without disabilities; pole workers should ask someone with a disability if he/she needs assistance rather than just assuming.
Another concept we are driving home during these short trainings is that alternatives such as early voting or absentee balloting are just temporary fixes while the community fixes their access issues and that voting is a civil right. Our state is asking all polling sites to check their own access for persons with disabilities. This must take place so that all cities and counties across our state can access funding mandated by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). We also plan voter registration drives at various
Walmart locations in the Memphis area in September in conjunction with the fall presidential election.
I think assistant Attorney General R. Alexander Acosta said it best when he said “The right to vote stands core of a properly functioning democracy. No one should be denied the franchise simply because they cannot access their poling site.”
We need your help to make equal access at the poles a reality in our community. If you would like more information, please call Kevin or Sandi at:
(901) 726-6404.
- Kevin Lofton
Do you agree with Governor Bredesen’s reform proposal for TennCare? Make your views known to the Governor, your state Senator, and your Representative.
Every Tennessean most likely has a friend or family member on TennCare. More than 1 in 5 Tennesseans are covered by TennCare, which is Tennessee’s Medicaid program. Do you agree with Governor Bredesen’s reform proposal? Do you think the Governor’s proposal will reform TennCare safely without harming people? Will it preserve the fiscal integrity of the TennCare program?
Many who have studied Governor Bredesen’s reform proposal agree that TennCare Reform is necessary, but do not agree with the Governor’s plan.
As one example, the growth in drug expenditures is a national problem. The Governor’s answer to this national problem is to limit the number of prescriptions to 6 per month and eliminate two classes of drugs from coverage entirely. Drug Utilization Review,
However, is a better way. DUR uses information technology to analyze pharmacy claims and identify inappropriate use. However, since 1993 Tennessee has failed to follow the Federal law that requires the state to analyze all electronic Rx claims even though it has the data and technology to do so. DUR is good medicine. An arbitrary limit on prescriptions is not.
Learn more. You owe it to yourself, your family, your friends and to the people of Tennessee to learn about the planned reforms to TennCare, and then make your views known.
Learn about TennCare Reform on the Web at http://www.tenncare.org. Then make your views know to at least three people: The Governor, your state Senator, and your state Representative.
Over two million people across this country are warehoused in nursing homes because of the lack of home and community based services. We are warehoused along with our brothers and sisters, moms and dads, friends and relatives including the young and old with physical and mental and/or cognitive disabilities all of which are institutionalized or imprisoned because of their disability.
Our governor’s could change that. Some states have begun the process of providing home and community based services. ADAPT has completed its survey of states and has found Tennessee to be the fourth worst in providing home and community based services, only to be topped by Mississippi, Nevada and Louisiana.
Tennessee Governor, Phil Bredesen knows what we want, home and community based services designed with consumer input and direction. Governor Bredesen believes in more governmental control, according to his comments on a PBS special. Which leaves us with one solution, to be locked away into institutions and locked away because, we have a disability.
Question that thought. To be locked away because of your disability. Our state, the fourth worst in the country, has chosen locking us away as if having a disability is a crime over providing us choices in how, where and from whom we receive those services.
You can do something to change that. You read the call for action earlier in this news letter (if not quickly turn to page 4 & 5). Every one of us can make that phone call, write a letter or send an email. If you are not sure what to say, or need help writing or calling come down to the center. It is together we have the power to make a difference.
MCIL would like to recognize the following 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 are recognized in the quarterly Declaration any donation from $1.00 up can help MCIL do the vital work needed for the civil rights of people with
disabilities.
Randy Alexander Editor
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“We need to vote like our lives depend on it, because they do.”Is it important to take part in our elections, I mean after all, does my vote really count? I’ve heard this question a lot lately. To me there is nothing more important than taking part in what makes this country great. I DO have a voice, and that voice is at its strongest when I use my right to vote.
I may talk to politicians, organize, join groups like ADAPT and fight for the rights of my fellow Americans with disabilities, but they all fail to compare with the power I possess when I step behind that curtain and VOTE. You see, my ability and right to advocate comes from my right to vote and the fact that I vote. While over time my efforts outside the voting booth will not be memorialized, (hell I forget half the stuff I do) but, once I vote, there it is: stamped, punched, printed out or however voting machines continue to record votes. Right next to my name is how I voted. My stance. My opinion. My voice, forever.
Every vote counts! In local elections, it is routine for winners to win by just a few votes. In larger elections, every vote counts. How can there be any doubt how important every vote is after the confusion of the 2000 Presidential Election. Every vote, your vote counts!
Individually it is not only my right, but my privilege to have my voice heard on election day. Election day is your opportunity to use your strongest voice; use it! Get out and VOTE!
November 2nd have your voice heard. Vote!
What’s at stake: our next President and Vice President, U.S. House of Representative, TN Senate (even #’d districts), TN House of Representatives
- Randy Alexander
Ho Ho Ho and Jingle, Jingle! Come celebrate the start of the Holiday season with the Memphis Center for Independent Living on Friday evening, December 3rd from 4 till 8 at 1633 Madison.
Fun, Food, Music and the 3rd annual Silent Auction are all part of the MCIL Holiday Open House. This annual event is one way that MCIL raises money to continue its advocacy efforts in Memphis for people with disabilities and celebrates with consumers, fellow advocates and the community.
A few of this year’s auction items include: Gift certificates for free massage from the Massage Institute of Memphis, a $250 gift certificate from Men’s Warehouse, Casino packages from Sam’s Town, Fitzgerald’s and Caesar’s Entertainment (Bally’s, Sheraton and Harrah’s), Pope Animal Clinic certificate for exam and vaccinations, an oriental rug from Zarven Kish and more. For a complete auction item listing or other information about this event, call 726-6404 or visit our website at www.mcil.org
Who has the BEST BOOKS IN TOWN? MCIL, that’s who! The coupon books are better than ever with more coupons and more savings! The proceeds from the sale of the Best Books will help to fund the Peer Outreach Program.
Last year we sold 50 books, and this year we are hoping to double that amount. Each book contains coupons that add up to a value of $2000.00 in savings. Restaurants participating in this year’s books include: India Palace, Sonic, IHOP, TCBY, Cancuns, Buntyn Cafe, Marena’s Gerani Italian Restaurant, Coletta’s, and more.
There are also coupons for entertainment such as the Civil Rights Museum, Stax Museum, Tunica Queen Riverboat, Putt Putt, Playhouse, Opera Memphis, and Children’s Museum. So stop spending all your money on eating out and purchase the Best Book in Town and keep your money in your pocket. And don’t forget they make great Christmas stocking stuffers.
I am gathering stories about you. I am looking for your experience in voting during the November, 2004 election. Write a brief story about what you experienced and how you felt. Was it your first time to vote? Did you face any access issues? Was your polling site fully accessible to you? Do you have a disability or not and, if so, how did it affect your voting experience?
I am looking for your personal story. You can make it short or you can make it long. You can email it to me or mail it via US Postal. If I use your story in the Declaration or any other publication, only your first name will be used. These stories will not be sold or given to any other publication without your personal permission.
So email your story to randy@mcil.org or mail it to:
MCIL
Randy Alexander
1633 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
If you receive SSI /SSDI benefits, you must report any change to the local Social Security Administration (SSA). You should call or visit the closest local SSA office to you. To find the nearest office, go to www.ssa.gov and click on “How to Contact Us,” then click on the SSA Office Locator and type in your zip code. The report should be made in a timely manner in order to not cause a disruption in your benefits. You can also get charged a penalty for not reporting your change.
Examples of changes to report include the following: change in the amount of earned or unearned income, change of residence, change in marital status, change in excess resources (over the SSI limit), absence from the U.S., improvement in medical condition, change in school attendance, and change in criminal justice status (go to jail). You risk being overpaid or underpaid when you don’t report changes to SSA.
You should always make your report in writing, even if you visit the SSA office in person and make sure you get the name of the person who assists you at SSA. Remember to keep copies of everything you give them. You should confirm any work incentives that you use. This includes the extended Medicaid benefits for people who are working and no longer receiving an SSI check because of high earnings.
You should seek out information about work incentives so you know exactly how these are supposed to be used. Please be aware that not all SSA staff understand these programs. You may want to find an advocate to help or give you advice.
If you need assistance in developing work incentives, such as IRWE and PASS, you may contact Hope Johnson at (901) 849-4866.
- Hope Johnson
Are you a person with a disability who’s looking for employment? If the answer to this question is yes, then I can help you. I am Earl Watkins with Vocational Rehabilitation, and I will be at the Memphis Center for Independent Living on Mondays between 9am –4:30pm. Now let me tell you what Vocational Rehabilitation can do for you. If an individual is certified eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation, he or she can receive skills training and/or job placement services to assist in obtaining suitable employment. Here’s how the VR process works:
If this program is for you, please contact me at (901) 543-6503 Tuesday-Friday between 8am-4: 30pm or you can email me at Earl.Watkins@state.tn.us so we can schedule an appointment to start the process.
Earlier this year Andrew Imparato, President and CEO of American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) wrote both President Bush and Senator Kerry and asked that they respond to eight questions. Thanks to AAPD, we have permission to reprint the candidate’s responses. Do to size restraints of the Declaration we have decided to show the candidates responses to the first two questions. If you would like to see all of the questions and their responses you are more then welcome to come by our office for a copy, or visit the AAPD’s web site at
www.aapd.com.
Q 1. What are your top three accomplishments on behalf of people with disabilities in your career to date as an elected official?
President Bush
My New Freedom Initiative builds on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to enhance opportunities for the 54 million Americans with disabilities. Many specific programs in the New Freedom Initiative benefit Americans with disabilities, including three that I believe are particularly noteworthy: the transportation, community life, and health care provisions.
I have proposed $884 million over six years to remove transportation barriers still faced by individuals with disabilities. Further, my Administration has completed the regulation process for installing platform lifts on public transportation and worked with the States to sponsor “United We Ride,” a five-part initiative to help States and communities coordinate human service transportation for older Americans, and people with disabilities.
To enhance community life for people with disabilities, I issued an Executive Order calling for swift implementation of the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision to expand community-based services and community living choices for individuals with disabilities regardless of age. Ten agencies submitted the first report agency efforts to meet the order, identifying barriers to full community integration that exist in Federal programs and proposing more than 400 solutions for removing these barriers. The report sets forth a summary of the actions that Federal agencies propose to take in several key areas such as health care structure and financing, employment, housing, education, and personal assistance services. As a result, the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded nearly $158 million for the "Real Choice Systems Change Grants for Community Living" – a program that will help states and territories enable people with disabilities to reside in their homes if they wish.
My budget proposes an increase of $2.2 billion over the next five years for the Department of Health and Human Services to fund demonstration projects that promote community-based services for people with disabilities. The Help America Vote Act includes $10 million to improve access to voting for people with disabilities and $5 million for protection and advocacy programs on behalf of people with disabilities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has funded grants to enable older individuals and individuals with disabilities to remain in their homes.
Of course, access to high-quality health care is vital to people with disabilities, and I have taken action to make health care more accessible and affordable. I have allocated $1.75 billion for a five-year initiative that would fund Medicaid services for individuals transitioning from institutions to the community. And I proposed strengthening Medicaid by allowing spouses of individuals with disabilities who return to work to keep their Medicaid coverage. I have allocated $102 million through fiscal year 2009 for this project.
My New Freedom Initiative represents a clear and ongoing commitment to ensure that Americans with disabilities have every opportunity to enjoy all the opportunities our Nation has to offer. A caring and compassionate society can offer no less.
Senator Kerry
One of my things that I am most proud of is having cosponsored the Americans with Disabilities Act, the most comprehensive nondiscrimination legislation enacted since the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In 1987, I drafted the Technology to Educate Children with Handicaps (TECH) Act, which created assistive device centers across the country to ensure all children with special needs have access to the assistive devices necessary to get an education. These centers train specialists, teachers, and therapists to identify students who could benefit from such technologies. These centers also inform parents, educators and therapists on how to support and incorporate these devices into children's educational experiences. I fought hard to enact this legislation so that children with disabilities could gain independence in the classroom and throughout their lives. The goals of my legislative proposal were later incorporated into the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988.
I have had a long-time commitment to protecting the rights of individuals disabled by mental illness. I was an original cosponsor of the landmark Mental Health Parity Act passed by Congress in 1996, which requires parity for annual and lifetime dollar limit coverage for mental health treatment. While its enactment marked an important step in the fight for providing greater mental health treatment benefits, it is time now to take another step toward the goal of mental health parity. Consequently, I strongly support the Senator Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act of 2003. This legislation will provide for equal coverage of mental health benefits with respect to health insurance coverage unless comparable limitations are imposed on medical and surgical benefits.In my work on the Small Business Committee, I was involved in achieving the landmark goal of assuring that veterans with disabilities have an opportunity to receive a three percent share of Federal Contracts. With federal contracts today worth $250 billion, small businesses owned by veterans with disabilities have access to $7.5 billion in business opportunities.
Q 2. If you are elected/re-elected what will be your top three priorities during your first 100 days in office to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities living in the U.S.?
President Bush
I will continue to pursue the policies I proposed in the New Freedom Initiative – the most comprehensive proposal since the ADA that is focused on removing barriers faced by people with disabilities – and I will remain open to new ideas to assist people with disabilities as technologies develop or new needs arise.
Senator Kerry
I will offer Americans with disabilities freedom, independence, and choices. I will appoint a national bipartisan Community First Commission made up of distinguished Americans, including people with disabilities who will identify short and long term policy reforms that could and should be pursued to:
Guarantee that all Americans with disabilities who can live in their community with affordable supports have equal opportunity to do so regardless of age, disability, state of residence, employment status, or necessary form of assistance.
Create a greater federal role in equitably financing and enhancing the quality and appropriateness of long-term services.
Eliminate the institutional bias in Medicaid and Medicare that robs millions of Americans of their most basic freedoms, dignity, and daily independence.
To make our system work and to offer real choices, we must ensure equal access to quality home and community services throughout our nation. I will work with the Community First Commission to determine how we can move MiCASSA forward. And I will work with states to fully implement the Olmstead Decision, as well as push Congress to finally pass the Family Opportunity Act.
I believe we need full mental health parity once and for all - not just mental health parity for certain benefits or certain mental health conditions or with unnecessary loopholes that allow insurers to skirt their responsibility. I will fight to pass full mental health parity legislation.
I will utilize the skills and wisdom of the disability community in shaping policy and programs that will benefit the entire country, and I will seek out qualified people with disabilities to serve throughout my administration.Americans with disabilities deserve independence and the opportunity to be economically self-sufficient. I will reinstate the executive order by President Bill Clinton to hire 100,000 qualified individuals with disabilities as federal employees over five years. I will crack down on employment discrimination and nominate an Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice and a Chair to the EEOC who will make enforcement of the ADA a top priority. And I will promote creative solutions to address the transportation, technology, and housing needs for individuals with disabilities.
To ensure that children with disabilities get the free, high quality education they deserve, I am committed to fully funding IDEA and working for strong enforcement and real compliance with the law. And to expand access to higher education, I will improve transitional planning, promote access and awareness in disability services, provide work-study alternatives, and collect data on students with disabilities to provide a true scientific understanding of the realities on the ground.
http://www.johnkerry.com
http://www.georgewbush.com
These are just the first two of eight questions asked of both candidates. Thanks again AAPD!
The Wolfchase Galleria Evening of Giving is a night of shopping like no other. With the purchase of a ticket, you gain ‘special’ admittance to Wolfchase Galleria, Sunday Evening, November 21st from 6:30 to 10pm. Many of the stores will offer discounts for ticket holders and give away door prizes.
In the Declaration, we try to have a good mix of happenings here at MCIL, facts on issues mixed in with opinion. Here on the back page especially I try to mix in a lot of opinion. In the area of voting, though, I cannot. Voting is such a personal issue that it would be inappropriate for me to use this space (funding has a little to do with that decision) to try to influence, one way or another, your vote.
“We need to vote like our lives depend on it because they do.” Justin Dart
Justin Dart was a patriot who fought long and hard for our freedoms, the freedoms all people with disabilities enjoy today. Our freedoms are in extreme danger! In this Presidential election much is at stake. Don’t kid yourself and think that both parties truly “get” our issues and have our civil rights in mind.
If the rights of people with disabilities, is a core issue to you, then before the November 2nd election I challenge you to educate yourself on the candidates stance on issues concerning us. From what I have read, I believe the differences between President Bush and Senator Kerry are vast. Thanks to AAPD for allowing us to reprint part of the questions they asked both candidates. I challenge you to dig deeper.
Look at their web sites, check out what they say about MiCASSA, Money Follows the Person, the ADA and other issues that pertain to our freedoms. You might draw the same conclusion I have.
Remember this, NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US! From information I gathered from the official Bush and Kerry websites I would recommend you try to answer these questions.
Which one of the candidates discusses implementing policies, that they think we want. Which candidate has been a long time supporter of policies brought forward by us, those that need services? Which candidate on their website, backs MiCASSA, Money Follows the Person type legislation and which candidate lists those and other programs as costing American taxpayers too much?
And above all else, your vote counts, so make a difference go out and vote, like your life depends on it, because it does.
- 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 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.
Sponsors:
Robert Christopher M.D.
Charles M. Weirich
Donald R. Threadgill
R. Sadler Bailey
Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Kirkland
Steven R. Shum
Joseph Carson
Benefactors:
Robert W. Greene, Jr., M.D.
Wanda Donati
MCIL Board Meetings 5:30pm
November 24th, December 22nd, 2004 and January 26th 2005
Monday,
November 1, December 6, 2004 and January 3, 2005:
1pm CAT, Coalition for Accessible Transportation.
A community wide discussion of problems
with public transportation.
3pm BFMS, Barrier Free Memphis Society.
Bring the locations of inaccessible
public places to the meeting.
5:30pm ADAPT, FREE OUR PEOPLE!
November 2004
2nd Election Day!
11th 10am Applying for SSI & SSDI
16th 3:30pm Cross Disability Support Group
19th 1pm Shelby County VOTE Campaign
24th & 25th Thanksgiving Break Office Closed
December 2004
3rd 4 to 8pm MCIL Holiday Open House
21st 3:30 Cross Disability Support Group
24th - January 2nd Office closed for the holidays
January 2005
3rd Office reopens
17th Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday: Office Closed
18th 3:30pm Cross Disability Support Group
27th 4pm Mentors Meeting
Memphis Center for Independent Living
Our Mission: 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 community life.
We work to achieve our mission through these four core services.
Information and Referral-- to resources for housing, transportation, travel, benefits, equipment, communication, education, personal assistant services & more.
Advocacy-- two types of advocacy, individual advocacy and systems advocacy.
Individual advocacy can involve intervention from a center staff person to address a concern of a consumer with another agency. Referral to legal assistance resources, both public and private can be made.
Systems Advocacy promotes changes from within the society. MCIL works to advance community attitudes and services.
Peer Support-- MCIL offers opportunities to persons with disabilities to give and receive support from other persons with disabilities. Support can include the sharing of information, feelings, frustrations, hopes, and dreams
Independent Living Skills
Training-- The center provides information on the basics of a topic concerning some aspect of independence.
The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue,
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org
MCIL is a United Way of the Mid-South member Agency
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