-----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of ADAPT Press Releases Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 2:43 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: No More Business as Usual--ADAPT Demands Change FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact: November 2, 1999 Shona Eakin (419) 349-5483 Marsha Katz (406) 239-7485 Bob Kafka (512) 431-4085 Mike Auberger (303) 356-2273 No More Business as Usual--ADAPT Demands Change COLUMBUS, OH -- Despite a restraining order restricting five or more ADAPT activists from entering any Ohio state office building, today ADAPT will call upon Jackie Senski, the Director of the Ohio Department of Human Services. The 500 activists are directing Senski, whose office is responsible for administering the Medicaid program in Ohio, to implement the US Supreme Court decision known as Olmstead v. L.C & E.W. That decision, announced in June, upheld the Americans with Disabilities Act integration mandate, which says, " A public entity shall administer services, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities." Despite several requests by ADAPT of Ohio, Senski has refused to meet with the group. Today national ADAPT will pay her a visit in her Rhoades Tower office, 30 E. Broad Street in Columbus. They will bring a list of demands which include establishing a Ohio Community Integration Committee and appointing 5 ADAPT representatives to the committee, developing a comprehensive plan to identify people in nursing homes and other institutions, creating a timetable for getting those people who choose to receive services in the community out of institutions, and request funds in the budget to implement the plan. Yesterday ADAPT occupied the offices of Governor Bob Taft and House Speaker Joanne Davidson for 14 hours. "We sent a message to the administration and Ohio legislature that ADAPT will not settle for what is going on in this state," said ADAPT organizer Bob Kafka of Texas, "There are over 100,000 people in Ohio waiting for community services." 132 arrests were processed during the demonstration, including several arrests for criminal trespassing when activists attempted to use the bathroom of the state office building. ### -- FOR MORE INFORMATION on American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT) Please visit our website at http://www.adapt.org/ For direct inquiries regarding this press release please use the contact information at the beginning of this message or Email [log in to unmask] NATIONAL ADAPT MAILING LIST - Adapt MiCASA List of Adapt Organizers.