6
THE DAILY TEXAN FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1999
STATE AND LOCAL

[Headline] ADAPT lauds decision, slams state officials

Shana Gibbs
Daily Texan Staff

Local supporters of the Texas disabled rights advocacy group ADAPT gathered at the Federal Courthouse Thursday to criticize Texas officials for their participation m an Americans with Disabilities Act appeal and to celebrate the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the provision.

The controversy stemmed from a court case in Georgia in which two institutionalized women charged that a state hospital was a violation of Title 11 of the ADA. Title II requires that public entities administer services, programs and activities for the •disabled in an integrated community setting.

The court ruled against the slates eventually leading to a Supreme Court appeal, to which several other states including Texas — signed on.

The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision to create a high level of community integration for individuals in long term care, according to an ADAPT statement.

Lee Redmond, of the Coalition of Texas with Disabilities, said the ruling will help individuals with disabilities participate and contribute to community life.

"The Supreme Court ruled this week that institution constitute a serious and pervasive form of discrimination based on disability and unjustifiably isolate individuals with disabilities," Redmond said.

Redmond criticized Coy. George W. Bush (or signing onto the ADA provision appeal.

"Gov. Bush must make it his business to see that those people who do not want to live in institutions are moved back into the community," Redmond said.

But Bush commended the Georgia court ruling, saying in a statement that
the Supreme Court rendered a balanced decision.

It both recognizes the importance of helping those with disabilities who are able to live in a community or home setting to do so and give states flexibility in budgeting to best address the needs of all its citizens with disabilities," Bush said.

According to his office, Bush has been a 'strong and consistent advocate for increasing funds to expand community" and funding for community-based we has increased by $1.7 billion since he has been in office.

Despite this increase, Penny. Kendall, a policy analyst for the the Disability Policy Contortion, said Texas needs to put more money into disability set.

'Texas Legislators will pay for of things, but not for services,' Kendall said. "I think [Texas] needs to refocus the investment."

Jennifer McPhail, an ADAPT staff maximizes individual member, said integration into the community would be las expensive for the state than the option of state institutions and nursing homes.

Karen Greenbaum, who spent 12 years in a nursing home, talked about her experience in an institution. describing a life of being "told what to do, and what to ear and feeling that she had no choices.

"Your life in an institution is not your own," Greenbaum said.

President Clinton spoke Tuesday in support of the decision upheld by the Supreme Court.

In a statement, Clinton urged state and federal governments to find "cost-effective ways to make high quality community based services available to people with disabilities."

Clinton said the ultimate goal is a nation that integrates people with disabilities into the social mainstream, promotes equality of opportunity and maximizes individual choice.

[image]
[image caption] Members of ADAPT speak to members of the media at a press conference in response to a Supreme Court case which upheld the Americans with Disabilities Act. The case, which involved discrimination against disabled people, we appealed to the Supreme Court by seven states, including Texas.

Created on

Thursday 18 July 2013

Posted on

Friday 6 December 2019

Albums

• Washington DC, Spring 1999 - 30th National Action

Visits

284

Rating score

no rate

Rate this photo