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INCITEMENT

Volume 22 No. 7
A Publication of ADAPT
Winter 2008

[Headline] ADAPT Celebrates 25 Years of Disability Rights Activism

[image mash-up of the words adapt, twenty-five years, the ADAPT logo, and Wade Blank]
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In 1983, Rev. Wade Blank, and Mike Auberger, Co-Directors of the Atlantis Community, a Denver Center for Independent Living, proclaimed their intent to take their local activisim, which used direct action to bring about positive changes in the Denver community, to a national level.

Looking at the rag-tag group of two dozen people with disabilities that had shown up for a protest to make Denver mainline buses accessible, nationally renown ordganizer Shel Trapp shook his head and said "It will never happen." Yet, over the next 7 years, these three men and that ragtag group, along with dozens more that came to join with them each year, achieved exactly that outcome by forming ADAPT, then known as Americans Disabled for Accessible Public Transit.

Over the next 25 years ADAPT's humble beginnings grew into a national grassroots activist movement that has changed the face of the disability rights movement.

From April 26 to May 2, 2007, hundreds of members of ADAPT from all over the country and their and supporters participated in a variety of events to remember ADAPT's humble beginnings, celebrate the growth and progress of the disability rights movement during the ensuing years, and set the stage for continuing activism for the future.

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Incitement is produced from the offices of Topeka Independent Living Resource Center (TILRC). Articles, letters, compositions, displays and photos are encouraged. Please contact Kevin Siek for deadlines for submission of materials. The Editor reserves the right to edit or omit any material that is submitted. For more information, contact Kevin Siek at:

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ADAPT kicked things off, on Sunday April 27th, with the ADAPT FUN RUN. Over 500 activists in bright orange vests lit the drizzly, grey Washington, DC, day as ADAPT members from across America did fundraising laps around Upper Senate Park.

The next morning, Monday, April 28, 2008, the rainy weather did not deter 500 ADAPT activists from their mission to close off all access to the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, headquarters for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and keep it closed until HHS Sec. Michael Leavitt agreed to meet with ADAPT on the multiple policies that force people into nursing homes and other institutions, and prevent them from moving back to their own homes and communities.

Energized by the morining's victory at HHS, ADAPT marched to the plaza of the Hall of the States building, which is home to the National Governors Association (NGA), on Monday, April 28, 2008. At the press conference ADAPT announced the 2008 Ten Best and Ten Worst States in the delievry of home and community services to people with disabilities and older Americans. (read the complete list online at: http://www.adapt.orgadaptpr/index.php?mode=A&id=268;&sort=D)

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[image caption] ADAPTers enjoy the FUN*RUN. Photo by Kevin Seik

On Tuesday, April 29, 2008, DAPT paid a visit to the offices of Sen. John McCain and the Republican National Committee (RNC) to garner their support for the Community Choice Act (S799, HR1621, which would give people on Medicaid the choice of getting the long term services and supports they need in their own homes, instead of a nursing facility or similar institution.

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[image caption] Philo Hall, Counselor to Sec. Leavitt, addresses the crown in the pouring rain. Photo by Kevin Siek

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About 250 ADAPT activists filled Sen. McCain's and the halls just outside, but rather than listen to ADAPT's demands McCain's staff summoned the police who arrested over 50 activists. Simultaneously, a few blocks away another 250 ADAPT activists stormed the offices of the Republican National Committee (RNC) where a nine hour standoff into the night ensued.

ADAPT took their campaign to drum up support for the Community Choice Act to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, May 01, 2008. ADAPT members paid a visit to the offices of every member of Congress to thank the Senators and Representatives who were current co-sponsors of the bill for their support and to encourage those who weren't yet co-sponsors to sign on the CCA.

Thursday, May 02, 2008, was a day of celebration. To commemorate ADAPT's 25th Anniversary the staff of the Capitol Holiday Inn hosted a barbecue luncheon in the hotel's courtyard. Various organization were honored for their support of ADAPT

[image] Randy Alexander & LaTonya Reeves address the crowd. Photo by Kevin Seik

and inside the hotel ADAPT memorabilia was on display along with "I Was There" personal accounts documenting everyone national ADAPT action for the past 25 years. ADAPT members spent the afternoon relaxing and reminiscing in anticipation of the evening's festivities.

A dinner banquet that evening was followed by the "I Am ADAPT" Ceremony were members of the ADAPT family shared personal reflections of their experiences over 25 years of grassroots disability rights advocacy. Many memories and remembrances, both humorous and poignant, were shared including the original "Gang of Nineteen" (who blocked the first buses in Denver), the children of ADAPT, Gremie, Wade Blank and our attendants. The event climaxed with a "balloon drop" of beach balls with the 25th Anniversary logo imprinted on them. Additional coverage of ADAPT's 25th Anniversary activities can be seen online at: http://www.adapt.org/freeourpeople/adapt25/.

[two images]

[first caption] Capitol Police struggle to extricate ADAPT activists from the RNC. Photo by Kevin Siek]

[second caption] The ceremony was hosted by Philadelphia's own, Jimmi Shrode, who gave what many will recall as the quintessential impersonation of the great Bette Davis. Photo by Kevin Siek.]

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