ADAPT Action Reports

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The ADAPT Community’s FUN*RUN for Disability Rights to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Olmstead decision

ADAPT Action Report: Sunday, April 26, 2009

By Tim Wheat

Lois Curtis(WASHINGTON DC) There were clear skies and brilliant sunlight in Upper Senate Park for the ADAPT Fun*Run for Disability Rights. The fundraiser has become an annual event to kick off the National ADAPT Action and to raise money for the important grassroots direct action of ADAPT. Each local chapter of the ADAPT Community is constantly involved in fundraising for local and national advocacy. The organization as a whole included the Fun*Run in 2007 to recognize the important role that fundraising has become in the success of truly grassroots work.

The goal of getting the Community Choice Act (S 683 and HR 1670) passed by the US Congress is ADAPT's objective. All of the money is used to subsidize expenses to get ADAPT activists to the action. Many ADAPT members have spent years in institutions, isolated from the community and job opportunities, the subsidy is essential to get the real grassroots message of people with disabilities to lawmakers that may have no interaction with the disability community.

This year’s National Fun*Runner was Lois Curtis one of the plaintiff’s in the famous Olmstead Supreme Court case. She spent the day running her laps around the park and socializing in the shade with others dressed in the yellow ADAPT tee-shirt. Marca Bristo was the National Fun*Runner last year and Mark Johnson held the title in 2006.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Ms. Curtis spent her adolescent and adult life as a resident in various state-run institutions. After her repeated requests to be allowed to live in the community were denied, Ms. Curtis sued the state of Georgia. In 1999, her case came before the U.S. Supreme Court. Victorious, the landmark decision declared “unnecessary institutionalization amounts to segregation and is a violation of individual civil rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.” Ms. Curtis’ case became a national mandate to free tens of thousands of people with disabilities from unnecessary and unjust institutionalization.

The morning was used for training and organizing, various groups discussed possible targets and tactics while activists new to ADAPT attended training on non-violence and civil disobedience. Just after noon, ADAPT split into smaller groups to make their way to Upper Senate Park for the Fun*Run. From Upper Senate Park, the Capitol dome is a powerful reminder that the Fun*Run for Disability Rights has the ultimate purpose to change the direction of the national Medicaid policy.

Johnny Crescendo was the event DJ, selecting music for the Fun*Runners, while Bob Kafka did most of the "master of ceremony" work. Local volunteers showed their support by providing healthy snacks and cold water, volunteer’s came from around the country to run and raise money for ADAPT.Yoshiko Dart

"The Fun*Run for Disability Rights is a way that disability rights activists can raise bucks for both national and their local chapters," said Bob Kafka.

The open grassy area of Upper Senate Park acted as the infield and the concrete walkway around was the approximately quarter-mile track. Large deep green trees lined the path, providing welcome shade to the runners. The Fun*Run was organized so that not everyone was on the track at the same time, yet hundreds ran and finished throughout the afternoon.

FUN*RUN for Disability Rights - Champions

The ADAPT Community wants to thank the following sponsors for their generous support of disability rights:

Platinum — Free Our People!

Center for Disability Rights - Rochester, NY

Emerald — Community Integration Now!

AMERIGROUP - Community Care
Centene Corporation
Liberty Resources - Philadelphia, Pa.
Topeka Independent Living Resource Center

Diamond — Our Homes not Institutions!

Disability Options Network - New Castle, Pa (In Memory of Robert Steffee)

Gold — Attendant Services Now!

In-Home Attendant Services, Houston, Tx

Silver — Nothing About Us Without Us!

1199C/AFSCME, Natl Union of Hosp and Health Care Employees
Access Living - Chicago, IL
American Health Care Association
America's Health Insurance Plans
Castro Enterprises - McDonalds - El Paso
Community Drive Inc.
Georgia Independent Living Network
OPTIMETRA, Inc, Monument, Colorado
Personal Assistance Services of Colorado
Pride Mobility Corp
Tri-County Patriots for Independent

Bronze — Independence First!

Abilities Expo
Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania
Healthcare Georgia Foundation
United Access of Kansas City
Yoshiko Dart

Donations to the Fun*Run for Disability Rights are still being accepted by mail at:
The ADAPT Community,
1640A East 2nd St
Austin, Texas 78702