LAS VEGAS

VOL. 45 / NO. 103 LAS VEGAS SUN
P.M. STREET WEEKEND
SUN
FRI/SAT/SUN, SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 2, 1994

[Headline] Metro gears up for protest
By Bob Shemeligian

Metro Police are bracing for planned demonstrations by disabled people at next week's American Health Care Association convention.

The convention runs Sunday through Thursday at the Las Vegas Hilton.

In terms of strength of conviction, the demonstrators are no different from animal rights and environmental activists.

But in other ways, these demonstrators - members of American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today- are special.

Many don't walk. They use wheelchairs. Others use respirators.

In other cities, ADAPT activists have chained themselves to buildings and thrown themselves from their wheelchairs onto the pavement to draw
attention to the issue of how money is spent in nursing homes.

Disabled demonstrators have been arrested during AHCA conventions in cities such as San Francisco, Orlando, Fla., and Nashville, Tenn.

Metro officers have been planning for months on how to maintain public safety during the planned demonstrations.

"We're working closely with the fire department, paramedics, the staff of Clark County detention and others to make sure there's adequate medical and support personnel on the scene and that our transportation vehicles are equipped," Lt Carl Fruge said.

Members of ADAPT say they have nothing against the Las Vegas Hilton, which is hosting the 45th annual AHCA convention.

Nor do they bear any grudges against the Las Vegas community.

"We didn't come to this city to interfere with the lives of the residents," said Mike Auberger, ADAPT national organizer.

Auberger, who uses a wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury, co-founded ADAPT 12 years ago. He lives in Denver.

During the past 10 years, ADAPT activists have been arrested and jailed numerous times during demonstrations. They have battled for accessible
public transit now required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Four years ago, the group began to focus its attention on the nation's nursing home system.

ADAPT wants Congress to redirect 25 percent of $23 billion in nursing home funds to home care for the disabled. Activists argue that more than 1.6 million
disabled Americans are being cared for in nursing homes, many against their will, and that this shift in funding is more practical and more humane.

"We're talking about a $60 billion industry, and Medicaid dollars pay for the lion's share of nursing care," Auberger said. "If you redirect some of that
money into the community, it would allow some individuals in nursing homes a path home."

Auberger acknowledges the demonstrations could get a little hectic and could cause disturbances to area motor and pedestrian traffic.

"Bear with us," Auberger said. "We have a reason for doing this."

Auberger said as baby boomers get older, many of them will develop age-acquired disabilities. He fears many will be placed in nursing homes against their will.

Moreover, Auberger said many young Americans received spinal cord injuries in traffic and sports accidents. They also deserve a choice about what type of care they will receive.

"We're talking about 500,000 people with spinal cord injuries," Auberger said. "They could fill a city almost as big as Las Vegas."

Not only Metro has prepared for the demonstrators. Kathy Shepard, director of Communications for Hilton's gaming division, said hotel security officers will take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of guests and employees during the demonstrations.

The Hilton is not taking a position.

AHCA officials are not planning any demonstrations.

"We don't have a quarrel with their position on the need for a tenant care program," said Dave Long, AHCA spokesman. 'But we're not the right audience. They probably need to talk to Congress and other folks about that."

Long said AHCA officials have met with representatives of ADAPT several times in recent months.

"We continue to try to have a dialogue with the group, to see if we can help bring about a resolution," Long said.

Fruge believes the department has accomplished at least one thing with ADAPT.

The department has asked each demonstrator to carry a "Vial of Life," which is a small plastic bottle containing a slip of paper with crucial medical information such as medical history, allergies and
other specific conditions.

Fruge explained that if one of the demonstrators loses consciousness or is unable to communicate with officers, the information could save his life.

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