In 1983 a collection of disability rights activists came together in Denver, Colorado to engage in nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience for the purpose of pressuring the local transit agency to make their buses accessible to wheelchair users. Their campaign was successful. These activist, known as "The Denver Nineteen," formed the core of an organization called ADAPT (originally American Disabled for Access to Public Transit, now American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today.) Although ADAPT activists were pleased with their initial success, they realized that people with disabilities don't have the choice to use public transportation if we can't first decide where and with whom we live. ADAPT turned its attention to the issue of the institutionalization of people with disabilities.
The founding members of Evergreen ADAPT celebrate National ADAPT for its rich history and commitment to advancing the human and civil rights of people with disabilities. We ally ourselves with the work and purpose of National ADAPT. Founding members are creating a Western Washington chapter of ADAPT that honors the spirit of our parent organization while reflecting the values and interests of local activists and organizers. Below are the values, organizing principles, and mission that our chapter supports.
* We support the work of National ADAPT.
* We support Independent Living as a philosophy and a movement.
* We do not support institutionalization (psychiatric or developmental disability)
or segregated living in any restrictive congregate care setting.
* We seek to advance community-based supports and services that honor the
dignity, self-determination, human, and civil rights of people with disabilities.
* We recognize our work as part of a disability rights movement and as part of a
larger effort led by all oppressed people for liberation.
* We recognize the value and potential of all people.
* Because we understand that people with disabilities may also have other rich
identities, we commit to examining our attitudes, our power, our privilege, and
our practices to challenge oppression.
* We are a multiracial group and commit to antiracist organizing.
* We know that people with disabilities living in the U.S., regardless of citizenship
status, risk placement in institutions or other restrictive settings. Our activism will
support liberation regardless of national origin or citizenship status. We will not
ask members to disclose citizenship status. We will not engage in anti-
immigrant rhetoric or practice to secure community-based services and
supports.
* We understand the spectrum of sexuality and gender. We welcome lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgendered activists. We commit to non-heterosexist,
and non-homophobic organizing strategies.
* We recognize and reject the internal stratification within our disability
community. We welcome all people with disabilities whether the disability is
visible, invisible, lifelong, or acquired.
* We understand that stereotypes about mental illness have led to the dismissal
and discrediting of people with psychiatric disabilities. We will not employ
those oppressive stereotypes in our organizing and we invite the leadership of
people with psychiatric disabilities.
* We welcome people living indoors and outdoors. We do not promote
homelessness as an alternative to institutionalization.
* We understand that disability is often the result of war. We welcome veterans
with disabilities. We understand that welcoming members who are veterans
does not necessarily mean that we support the war that contributed to their
circumstances.
* There are no membership fees to join our chapter. Members who want to travel
to national actions will be asked to contribute to their expenses within the
their means and to assist with fundraising efforts.
* A value about the relationship between organized labor and the disability
rights movement will be forthcoming.
* We organize to build relationships as well as our movement.
* We agree to collaborate with and support the work of other Washington
State ADAPT Chapters; we specifically want to develop a strong
relationship with Lilac City ADAPT in Spokane by sharing information and
resources whenever possible.
* Our organizing strategies will prioritize leadership development among
people with disabilities.
* We welcome members without disabilities who demonstrate a
commitment to centering the power and leadership of people with
disabilities, and who agree to support our values and organizing
principles.
* We will organize in a manner that demonstrates that how we treat one
another, and what we learn, is as important as what we accomplish.
* We will work to support all members in making informed choices about
participation.
* We will pursue multiple nonviolent strategies for achieving change
including but not limited to: critical dialogue, popular education, peer
mentoring, community organizing, legislative advocacy, litigation, direct
action, and civil disobedience.
* We will organize in a manner that recognizes personal risk and addresses
safety concerns to the best of our ability.
* We will embrace accessible organizing strategies and trust members to
work together to get our needs met.
* We agree to resolve conflict through direct communication.
independence, productivity, and human value. The understanding of disability as defect has shaped public policy and resource allocation.
One of the most egregious results of public policies informed by bias toward people with disabilities is the proliferation of institutions and other restrictive and segregated living settings that degrade the human and civil rights of people with disabilities. Few know that according to current Medicaid regulations, people with disabilities and older people are legally entitled to live in institutions or nursing homes but the state is not legally obligated to provide community-based supports and services to keep families and communities intact. Although many people with disabilities live in the community successfully, and many more have expressed desire to live in the community, the majority of federal and state funding allocated for services for people with disabilities continues to prioritize the segregation through institutionalization.
ADAPT unequivocally opposes the institutionalization of anyone with a disability. ADAPT is working tirelessly to end institutionalization through direct action and civil disobedience, advocating for policy reform, legislation, and litigation. Today, ADAPT is one of the nation's premier grass-roots disability organizations.
The United States has an extensive history of segregating people with disabilities from the general population. This segregation is justified by the arcane perception that disability is a manifestation of sin, a perception that evolved into the idea that disability is defect, and defect cannot be tolerated. This thinking continues to influence our society's understanding of concepts such as capability,
© Evergreen ADAPT
