------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NewsBank, inc. - The Commercial Appeal - 1998 - Article with Citation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Headline: DISABILITY GROUP ENDS CARE PROTEST Date: May 14, 1998 Section: Metro Page: B2 Edition: Final Length: 239 words Author: Staff Index Terms: DISABLED PROTEST Text: A disability-rights group concluded a four-day Memphis meeting Wednesday by surrounding the downtown Federal Building, repeating demands for more alternatives to nursing home care. About 200 protesters, many in wheelchairs, spent about four hours chanting and waving signs outside the Federal Building. There were no arrests. ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today) is pushing for a bill that would expand government funding for home and community based services, including personal aides. Wednesday's demonstration followed protests on Monday and Tuesday that closed the state office building at 170 N. Main. "States like Tennessee force us to go to the national level to get a guarantee that both young and old have a right to chose if they live in the community or a nursing home," said Michael Auberger of Denver. In 1983, Auberger helped launch ADAPT to push for improved transportation options. On Wednesday, demonstrators called on Vice President Gore to endorse the federal legislation. They also called on the Health Care Financing Administration, which oversees the Medicare and Medicaid programs, to complete a review of existing community programs for the disabled and elderly. Memo: METRO BRIEFS Copyright 1998 The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN Accession Number: 9805140168 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------