(Nashville) ADAPT delivered a message to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) office in Tennessee that ADAPT demands the federal housing department make housing vouchers available to get people out of Nursing Homes. Gathering two miles north, however, ADAPT’s presence in the city caused the Capitol to be closed to the public.
“We are going to pursue Alphonso Jackson everyplace he goes and find him wherever he is,” said Cassie James of ADAPT. “For sixty-seven hundred in Tennessee and thousands upon thousands around the country who cannot get out of institutions lets make April a month that Alphonso Jackson will never forget.”
Before gathering at the HUD office, the ADAPT activists marched to the front door of the TennCare Bureau on Great Circle Road and were greeted at the entrance by a line of state troopers. Activists from Tennessee led the group up to the officers but stopped short of passing through the line. The ADAPT line continued past the entrance, leaving the Tennessee group facing off with the State Troopers.
A large cardboard sign pushed right up to the officers that read: “Dear Steve Hopper: 6,700 disabled people want out of nursing homes. Support Money Follows the Person, -ADAPT.” The Tennessee group that led the procession confronted the officers for about ten minutes as the long line of activists passed, rejoining the end of the column and leaving the note at the State Troopers feet.
Although ADAPT was nowhere near the Tennessee State Capitol today, the complex was shutdown to all but scheduled business. The move was likely to make the offices less of a target for ADAPT but the extreme measure shows the extent of the governor’s fear of light being shined on the typically veiled plight of people in institutions. The state of Tennessee has chosen to fund almost exclusively expensive and undesirable facilities to provide long-term care. The costly state dependence on inefficient and immoral long-term service delivery clashes with Governor Bredesen’s self-proclaimed reformer status.
“For the safety of the people who are there and safety of the public in general, we've got it closed at this time," said Col. Mike Walker, commander of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
At the HUD office ADAPT gathered at the entrance but did not block access. The group packed the small concrete apron outside the door and chanted “our homes not nursing homes.” Just before 2:00 pm, Cassie James spoke to the crowd, and asked to speak with the Director of the HUD office.
“For the people of Tennessee it has taken a long time,” said Deborah Cunningham, Executive Director of the Memphis Center for Independent Living. “For the past twenty-years we have been working to get people out of nursing homes and into affordable, accessible, integrated housing. Today proves we are serious and that we are committed to this struggle for however long it may take.”
Following the speeches and a MacDonald’s lunch, Deborah Cunningham, Cassie James and Sher Stewart of ADAPT, went into the office to speak with the local HUD director. In less than ten minutes they returned and announced that William H. Dirl had agreed to all the demands and would like to address ADAPT.
“I came down here to listen to you, I will hear what you have to say. I have been given a letter that I assure you that will get to Secretary Jackson.” Said Mr. Dirl. “I understand that the major concern as it relates to HUD is vouchers. That is a concern that we are worried about also. We will certainly make sure that your wishes and your concerns make it to the highest levels, which is Secretary Jackson.”
“He agreed with us and was very concerned about the vouchers,” said Ms. Cunningham. “I believe that he understands the need.”
