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ADAPT targets SF offices of Presidential candidates

Disabled activists say they'll shut down the offices of the two U.S. Presidential candidates in San Francisco this October unless the two announce that they will publicly support a national attendant services program.

The activists, members of the Denver-based ADAPT, will be in San Francisco Oct. l7-22 to stage protests outside the convention of The American Health Care Association (AHCA), the chief lobbying group of the nursing home industry.

ADAPT also plans to hit the Regional Health and Human Services of fice, the California Medical Association, and California Gov. Pete Wilson's local office (he is cutting attendant services in the state).

The protest outside the AHCA convention is an annual affair with ADAPT which is trying to get a fourth of money allocated to nursing homes redirected into attendant care programs.

ADAPT argues that too many disabled people are being warehoused in nursing homes when they could be leading more fulfilling lives outside the homes. Such attendant care could be provided at a lower cost than the care given in nursing homes.

The Clinton and Bush campaigns are being targeted at the same time, partly because each candidate has received major support from the nursing home industry.

When ADAPT took on the transit industry a few years back and won the battle to make wheelchair lifts mandatory on all public buses, the Bush White House met with the militants and said it would support their demands.

Such support has not been forthcoming in the attendant care program.

The Clinton campaign recently issued a one page statement on disability issues:

"Bill Clinton has long recognized that people with disabilities are some of our nation's greatest untapped resources. He believes that all persons with disabilities must be fully integrated into mainstream American society, so they can live fulfilling and rewarding lives.

As Governor, Bill Clinton has compiled a strong record of supporting public and private initiatives to enhance the independence and productivity of persons with disabilities. As President, he will continue his efforts.

A Clinton Administration will ensure that children with disabilities receive a first-rate education that suits their needs. People with disabilities will be able to live in their own homes, in their own communities. Adults with disabilities will work alongside their non—disabled peers. And people with disabilities will have access to comprehensive health care and consumer-driven personal assistance services."

Wade Blank of ADAPT acknowledged that Clinton had hit all the buzz words.

"There was a time when I would be out on the street working for a candidate who made that kind of statement," he said. "But I'm tired of platitudes. I want to hear some specifics.

"It doesn't say anything about nursing homes or that he will guarantee the right of disabled people to live in their own homes.“

Unless Blank and his fellow militants hear those specifics, he said they will make good on their threat to shut down Clinton's office.

"Don't threaten us, they tell me, " Blank added. " But I'm just like the weatherman. I'm just letting you know what the weather is going to be tomorrow. If you want to take that as a threat, well...."

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Created on

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Posted on

Tuesday 10 September 2019

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