ADAPT's 25th Anniversary of Activism

For Immediate Release April 27, 2008

For information contact: Bob Kafka 512-431-4085
Marsha Katz 406-544-9504
http://www.adapt25.org/

ADAPT is in the House! 25th Anniversary of Activism Starts with Fundraising Run; Press Conference on Tuesday.

Washington, D.C.--- 500 bright orange vests lit the drizzly, grey Washington, DC, day as ADAPT members from nearly every state in the Union did fundraising laps around Upper Senate Park warming up for a week of activism and the celebration of ADAPT's 25th anniversary. The funds raised will support activists living on fixed disability and retirement incomes to participate at ADAPT actions confronting the people in power who makepolicy and law about their lives.

The national honorary runner for the fundraiser was Marca Bristo, award winning President and CEO of Access Living in Chicago, IL; a founder and former President of the National Council on Independent Living; and a former Chairperson of the National Council on Disability, appointed by President Bill Clinton. Donors interested in sponsoring Bristo's laps can still do so at http://www.adaptfunrun.org/.

ADAPT is in D.C. to advance the Community Choice Act (CCA), legislation that would allow older and disabled people to stay in their own homes with the supports and services they need instead of being forced into nursing homes and other institutions. The CCA (S. 799, H.R. 1621) is bipartisan legislation introduced simultaneously in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. ADAPT activities this week will target people and organizations that continue to create barriers preventing people with disabilities from living full, rich lives in their own homes and communities, near their families and friends.

On Tuesday, April 29, ADAPT will also hold a press conference announcing the country's "Ten Worst" and "Ten Best" states for community-based services. There will be an additional five "honorable" mentions for the best states and five dishonorable" mentions for the worst states. ADAPT's"Ten Worst" and "Ten Best" are announced every few years and represent a"snapshot" of how the states compare with one another in that year. All selections are made using easily available data from trusted public sources of information and one national survey.

ADAPT will conclude a week of activism with a 25th anniversary celebration on Thursday, May 1. Several rooms of historical displays will be open to the public at the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street, starting at 10 a.m.