Road to Freedom ADA Bus at HCBS Conference

Washington, DC.   Tom Olin drove the ADA Bus back to our nation's capitol on September 1 and 2 for the Home and Community Based Services 2015 conference hosted by NSAUD.  Many of our friends were there including Merrill Friedman, Liz Weintraub, and Kathleen Kleinmann. This is a key resource for information and networking with others who want people with disabilities to live in their own homes and communities rather than nursing homes and other institutions.   Some are from HMO's, some are medical model professionals, and some are advocates with the independent living perspective.  It is a stellar opportunity for all of us to pull together so no one has to be institutionalized because of a disability. Tom Olin reports he had a great 2 days talking policy with top experts and visiting with old and new friends.

Advocates are calling for enforcement of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision (Olmstead v. LC, decided June 1999).  The Court said that, under the ADA, people with disabilities had the right and should have the choice to live in the "least restrictive environment."  That means we can choose living in our own home with the services and supports we need to go about our lives.

ADAPT is calling for the Community Integration Act, which would codify Olmstead.  A separate title VI of the ADA would outline the right to live in our own homes and designate the government agencies responsible for regulations and enforcement of the amendment.  Many have worried that "opening up the ADA" would allow Congress to decimate our civil rights.  However this is a separate title and does not "open up"ADA.

ADAPT will be holding a training with hands on sessions later this month.

The HCBS conference is a great reminder to push for the Community Living Act. ADA is 25 years old...time to grow a few more teeth!

Huge Kudos to those that brought the Road to Freedom ADA Bus Tour to the HCBS Conference.  Tom's spending so much time in the wonderful South that he says "Thanks Y'all."

Photo 1: Road to Freedom ADA Bus parked at the Washington Hilton. Bus says "Keeping the Promise of the ADA and shows classic Olin photos of disability rights pre 1990 history.

Photo 2: Head shot of Tom Olin taken at his photo exhibit at the conference.

Disability Rights ARE Civil Rights!  

http://www.nasuad.org/community-opportunities/events/2015-hcbs-conference