• Vol. 9 No. 1 FALL 2002 - Randy Alexander Editor

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.

Inside this issue:
	MiCASSA Rally Memphis Style Fall Festival 2003 Computer Lab Update Donations Let SSA Help You Get Back to Work TICKET TO WORK UPDATE NOT ON MY WATCH! Editorial By Randy Alexander A New “Soldier’s” Viewpoint ILP Do you like to shop? Shelby County VOTE Campaign Updates New Peer Outreach Coordinator

MiCASSA Rally Memphis Style

The Memphis Center for Independent Living (MCIL) and ADAPT of Tennessee showed their support for the MiCASSA March and Rally by holding a press conference and rally at the Mid-America Mall in front of the Clifford Davis Federal Building in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The press conference included comments from Executive Director of MCIL Deborah Cunningham, Community Organizer (MCIL) Randy Alexander, Freedom Fighter Lisa Spence, Independent Living Specialist (MCIL) Sam Ware and Nursing Home Prisoner Harry Calder.

Going through all the appropriate channels for this rally, MCIL secured a permit to hold the event, yet was met by state troopers and tactical teams when they arrived. “We had to make a promise to officers that we were there only for a press conference and rally and nothing else. We had to promise there would be no civil disobedience and that we wouldn’t enter the secured perimeter around the federal building,” commented Randy Alexander. 

Picture of several ADAPT of Tennessee Supporters at MiCASSA Rally.

The press conference was also attended by some local media including two television stations and the Memphis Flyer. With nearly twenty participants, a ten foot Free Our People Banner, and some local media, MCIL and ADAPT of Tennessee wished to show their support to their brothers and sisters that had Marched into Washington. 

For several days prior to the press conference and rally MCIL and ADAPT of Tennessee worked together to collect over 60 letters to be faxed to each Senator Lamar Alexander and Senator Bill Frist requesting their support for MiCASSA. “We continue doing everything we can do, and we will continue, until MiCASSA is passed and it will!” said Chris Colsey. 

The Free Our People March was a 144 mile March from the Liberty Bell to Washington D.C., ending up at a Rally in Upper Senate Park at the nations capitol and in cities across the country. The purpose was to call attention to the dire need for ending the institutional bias in long-term services and supports, and the need for Congress to pass MiCASSA.

MiCASSA, Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act, is legislation that will free many of our brothers and sisters from institutions. When an individual needs long term care in Tennessee, the only choice they have is nursing home placement. When did one ‘option’, become a choice!

Randy Alexander, speaking at the Memphis, MiCASSA Support Rally

“Two hundred of our brother and sisters have marched for our freedoms,” said Randy Alexander, “and on September 17th those of us from the Mid-South who were unable to join the rally in Washington D.C. were here in Memphis. This press conference and rally allowed the press and the community to hear our stories and understand the freedoms we seek.”

Randy Alexander

Fall Festival 2003

The MCIL parking lot was the site for the 2nd annual Fall Festival on October 3rd. Consumers feasted on hamburgers and hot dogs prepared by Carolyn and Martha, cooks and volunteers extraordinaire. 

Beans, chips, fruit and cookies rounded out the meal with games to work off the calories. As it was a little early for pumpkin seeds this year we used sunflower seeds for spitting contests. The water balloon toss anointed several participants with an extra shower that afternoon. Game prizes and door prizes were collected by many of our guests and ranged from beautiful mums to goody bags full of “good stuff”. The threat of rain early in the day may have explained some absences but those that attended enjoyed a fantastic afternoon. 

Thanks to everyone who made this event a rousing success. We hope those who missed it will make a point of joining us next year for a great time.

Sandi Klink

Computer Lab Update

The computer resource lab is up and running with full force. There are four computer stations open daily. It is open the hours the hours the center is open. By appointment individuals can come by and use the Internet or the word processing program to type a document. 

We also offer basic computer skills, such as Internet, and word processing. We have teachers and volunteers to do one on one personalized instruction on the computer. We have accessible programs for individuals who need them such as Dragon Naturally Speaking and Zoom Text. Now, we offer classes in Excel for the individuals who want advanced classes. Please call Suzanne Colsey at 726-6404 to set up your appointment today or email her at suzanne@mcil.org. 

Also, volunteers are needed in the computer resource lab. Volunteers must have good basic computer skills and the desire to help others. They can set their own schedule with the instructor. If you are interested in helping people expand their horizons through computer technology, please call Suzanne Colsey at 726-6404 or email her at suzanne@mcil.org. 

Suzanne Colsey

Donations

MCIL is currently accepting donations for the Silent Auction on December 5th, items must be new or unused preferably in original packaging. Please plan on attending this annual party and fundraiser. MCIL is a 501c3 agency so your donations are tax deductible. 

Let SSA Help You Get Back to Work

Do you have a specific work goal, but need to purchase items, equipment, employment services, training, etc.? Did you know that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has a work incentive that helps you get these things? It’s called PASS – Plan for Achieving Self-Support.

PASS is a work incentive that has been around since the 1970’s, but very few people know anything about it. Here’s the way it works: You can set aside money to pay expenses for getting an education, starting your own business, purchasing equipment or items, and getting specialized training. The expenses must be related to achieving your work goal.

SSA does not count the income or resources that you set aside under your PASS when figuring your SSI check amount. If you have income that is reducing your SSI check, such as earnings from a job or SSDI check, you can have some or all of that income disregarded. That means that SSA will not count that money, and the result is an increase in your SSI check. The money that you set aside is then used for your work goal.

A typical example involves Mary, who was getting $552 per month in SSI. When she went to work and started earning $800 a month, her SSI check was reduced to $194. Mary wrote a PASS plan to pursue her work goal of being a Certified Nursing Assistant. The costs involved were tuition, school fees, transportation, uniforms, and specialized equipment related to her disability. She used $350 per month of her earnings from her job to pay for these expenses. In return, SSA did not count all of her earnings, and increased her SSI check to $544. Now she gets $800 at her job plus $544 in SSI. She uses the extra $350 per month to reach her work goal. As you can see, it really pays to work and use a PASS!

You may request a BPQY (Benefits Planning Query Report) at SSA to check your current benefit status. If you are interested in learning more about PASS, would like to request a BPQY, or would like to meet with a benefits planner to get ideas on returning to work, contact Hope or Pamela at (901) 726-6404.

TICKET TO WORK UPDATE

Did you know that you can “un-assign” your Ticket for ANY reason if you are unhappy with your current Employment Network (EN)? If your EN does not provide the employment services you need, do not hesitate to switch to another. Call MCIL at (901) 726-6404 to learn more about the many options available to you under the Ticket to Work program.

Pam Alexis & Hope Johnson 

NOT ON MY WATCH!

Editorial By Randy Alexander

In general, Americans see the ADA as a success. I mean there has been a lot of progress in the private sector. Everyone can see the curb cuts, see the accessible parking all over, see ramps into businesses left and right and constantly love using those extra big restroom stalls. However, when examining the technical side of the ADA, one can see that much of what has been done, needs improvement and there is still plenty that has not been done at all. Even with all the room for improvement, the private sector is not our greatest challenge, states are the greatest discriminators. 

States are becoming subversive in their discrimination towards people with disabilities. The state of Tennessee is a great example of how the talking heads of the state profess their belief in our rights and the ADA yet continue their bigotry towards us. They accomplish their discrimination through silence and misdirection.

The state of Tennessee is working hard to take another slice out of our American pie. The U.S. Supreme Court has accepted to hear arguments in the Tennessee vs. Lane and Jones case. Put simply; if the state wins their case, that if the state discriminates against you based on your disability, you personally cannot sue for compensation. 

In a meeting with ADAPT of Tennessee, Deputy to the Governor David Cooley said, “The Governor believes in the ADA, but will not speak out on this issue.” You have heard that, silence is golden; Governor Bredesen’s silence is a direct affront to our civil liberties. His Silence speaks volumes; he obviously does not see or believe that the ADA is our Civil Rights legislation. I do not know which is worse an ableist that comes right out and says he is an ableist, or a person who through silence allows discrimination to continue. 

ADAPT of Tennessee and supporters also met with Attorney General Paul “George Wallace” Summers and his cronies. This case is politically motivated over the issue of states rights. The Tennessee Attorney General office is being used by Michael Moore and Paul Summers in this appeal, to push their right wing, states rights political agenda.

During the meeting the discussion came about to how only state, county, and local municipalities could be sued for compensation by individuals, not the federal government and not corporate America. Although Summers tried to convince us that his office has no agenda, Michael Moore stated otherwise, “At the time the ADA was passed, it is obvious which [political] group was in control and I don’t think it is right that only state and local [municipalities] can be sued.” Michael Moore was adamant about his belief in states rights.

I have only been in Tennessee since August, but it is quickly becoming apparent just how much the state violates the rights of Tennesseans with disabilities. There is an overwhelming ableist attitude prevailing, from Governor Bredesen remaining silent as our civil liberties are threatened, to Attorney General Paul Summers allowing his office to be used to push a political agenda. 

I say, not on my watch! We must come together to convince Paul Summers to drop this appeal! If we work together we can succeed!

Randy Alexander

A New “Soldier’s” Viewpoint

(Reprinted with permission from Incitement)

May 11, 2003, As I stood lined up in front of the White House in Washington D.C. with several hundred other “protesters” I thought to myself, “Jeff are you SURE you’re ready to GO TO JAIL for this “cause”? As the police officers gave their third & FINAL warning for us to move away from the President’s residence I rather quickly decided to “do what I HAD to do”. 

The members of our organization, ADAPT had made it crystal clear that possible arrest MAY be a price I had to pay if I was “serious” about our mission. I stood ground with about 90 other people on the other side of the “arrest line” the cops had taped off. This time no one was actually taken to jail. The police decided to just do on-the-spot arrests/citations (to make it easier on THEMSELVES). In years past the cops HAD indeed taken ADAPT members directly to jail-Wheelchairs & ALL.

May 12, 2003, as I stood in front of the Department of Justice on a very dreary day in Washington D.C. my heart swelled with Sheer Pride! I stood there with at least 200 other people that had a variety of disabilities (many in wheelchairs) & I was an integral member of an “ARMY fighting a system” to ensure that our CIVIL RIGHTS would stop being Violated! I thought to myself “Man now THIS is POWER!” 

I was new to all this. I had only within the prior few months started working at an Independent Living Center which launched me on a new journey in life.

Jeffery Smith standing behind Will Hudson while holding a sign saying, “Whats a Mattar with Mata.

I had never BELONGED in any way such as this. I was a soldier in an “Army” of our times. This Army was NOT military in nature. No ITS “target” was a system which Unjustly imprisoned people that were “different”. 

I was hearing HORRIBLE stories from people who, could live INDEPENDENTLY, on their OWN, with relatively minor services from personal-care attendants, yet Medicaid, their primary means of health insurance would pay only for institutionalization. 

Some of these stories I was hearing involved cases of abuse, neglect, & varied other unfavorable elements. My understanding of the WORST part of this for the individuals was having NO CONTROL over their own lives. They were in JAIL for NO reason. They had committed NO “crimes” other than that of being “different/Abnormal”. I SO empathized with these people. Having myself, suffered 2 mild strokes since 1995 Yet I was fortunate to have Medicare which paid for ALL of my services. Had I only Medicaid, then I too could’ve been “relentlessly sucked into the same system”.

We had the Dept. of Justice blocked off almost ALL day. No one could come or go. We had major intersections surrounding the property barricaded to where commuter traffic was shut down. The citizens of DC were getting Highly Pissed at us “NUISANCES”. We passed out info to curious passers-by. 

The few that I spoke with agreed that the system HAD to change. We finally “forced” a meeting with Assistant Attorney General Ralph Boyd. He made certain “concessions” which at this point we aren’t really sure if his words were mere “lip service” just to get us OFF HIS BACK or not.

On May 13 & 14 we engaged in one last “blockade” the Nurses Association and met with various State legislators. On the 15th I traveled back to my home in Memphis, TN and I have pretty much been “on a high” since. People will talk of our Country’s “MILITARY Might” but OUR “soldiering missions” used not a Single GRAIN of gunpowder! 

I was never able to be accepted into any branch of the USA military do to my own medical “condition”. But I have been TOTALLY and unconditionally accepted into an army of a different kind. I am PROUD to be an ADAPT soldier waiting on my next “marching orders”.

Jeffery Smith

ILP

What does this acronym mean? Independent Living Plans are simply a Road map or goals you and one of MCIL’s Independent Living specialists set and work on. Would an ILP help you maintain your Independence? Call us today and plan for Tomorrow, 726-6404

Do you like to shop?

Or just want to avoid the rush and crowds of the Holidays?

The Memphis Center for Independent Living has tickets available for the Wolfchase Galleria Evening of Giving. This exciting evening of shopping, door prizes, discounts and entertainment will be for ticket holders only. Sunday, November 23rd from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the mall will be open exclusively to supporters of participating organizations. Tickets are available for $10 at MCIL. Beat the Holiday rush and join MCIL in this exciting evening of fun good deals! Call Renee at 726-6404 or come by our office to reserve your tickets today!

Shelby County VOTE Campaign Updates

Although the Memphis fall elections were held in several inaccessible locations the surveys are still underway and we hope to finish this up in plenty of time for the Presidential primary. Tennessee will hold the very first primary election in February, yes even before New Hampshire! Therefore it is critical that polling site surveys are completed and the election commission has time to make appropriate changes and accommodations. It is also vital that people with disabilities register to vote and participate in the election process. 

There are over one million citizens with disabilities of voting age in Tennessee alone, if every one casts their vote what a difference we will make! If you would like more information about joining the VOTE campaign, call Kevin at 726-6404.

New Peer Outreach Coordinator

Growing up in the South, I learned about being patient. Now, that isn’t always one of my better virtues, but I’m working on it. I’ve found it necessary when helping others, that patience is a necessity and not a luxury. 

I worked for more than five years as a counselor for the Lions Camp Mockingbird. So working with people is something I enjoy. I am many things, an aunt, sister, daughter, and the new Peer Outreach Program Coordinator at the Memphis Center For Independent Living. Taking over the reins of the Peer Outreach Program on August 13, 2003, I have instituted new ideas to expand and make the program better. 

Christina Clift hard at work while using her brailing machine.

Several new services are being added to the program to reach more people. One of the new services provided by the POP is a monthly women’s support group. This monthly meeting is for all former women’s support group members. It will allow the women who were involved an opportunity to socialize, discuss issues, and maintain friendships formed during previous support groups. 

The next MCIL Women’s support group will begin in the months ahead. If you are interested please contact MCIL. 

Another service that will soon be offered is a support group for people who are on the verge of entering nursing homes. The group will provide support and practical advice on how to maintain their independence. It is for anyone who is involved with the Get Out Keep Out campaign.

There are also several other ideas under consideration, including a self-defense class, yoga, and other possible classes. If you have any ideas about how to improve the Peer Outreach Program, please let me know.

Christina Clift 

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