Project 1: Advocacy and Activism Campaign – The Abolition Movement
The focal point of this campaign is to Abolish the Involuntary Institutionalizations of our people [IDD, Elderly, and Mentally ill]. The so called “Nursing Home Care” entitlement – was not envisioned as an entitlement for a “Medicaid Institutional Care” – It is an entitlement for “Nursing Care in your Home”. This is what it was meant to be and this is what we need to restore. We shall come out against the institutional care both in “the congregate settings” as well as in “the community settings”.
As a part of this campaign we shall request that transition to “Home Care Settings” begins immediately and in earnest and we shall request that at the same time all the residential facilities [Boarding Homes, DDA Group Homes, Intermediate Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, and other similar residential options] establish Governance Committees or similar power sharing arrangement by the Residents.
As a part of this campaign we shall also request the restoration of Family Rights [no familial exclusions and decent pay for serving their own]. We shall also request that “Money Follows Person” is replaced by “Money Goes to Person” which must be administered nationwide in a universal manner and without delay.
We shall denounce the practice of Guardianship as a vehicle to involuntary institutionalization. We must not shy away from naming what this practice is – a form of Slavery! Our slogans shall be – “Down with Guardianship and Institutionalization”, “Return our Freedom!”, and “Return our Rights!“. The aftermath of pandemic will bring special scrutiny to this sector of our Health Industry questioning its legal foundations and machinery – and we must make sure to be vocal and to address [through public campaign and active advocacy] both its illegitimacy as well as its tragic effects on people [not only in Coronavirus time]. This is the time when we should address the “Involuntary Institutionalization” and its underlying legal structure head on!
As a part of this campaign we shall also request desegregation in education [full inclusion and “no more-no less” policy], demonetization of ABA, redirection of funds in the CARES Act [instead of seeking cure and prevention these funds should be used to research ways of transitioning people in institutions to their gradual integration into society], and the immediate transition from sheltered workshops [the sheltered workshops and subminimum wage can’t continue for another 10 years]. We should push for “Instrumentality” nationwide agents to implement federal legislation in regard to services and housing in community [ABLEnow model].
The Advocacy campaign would be carried out by Autistic and Disability community and our allies. This year 2020 is an election year and we should put pressure on all the incumbents and candidates at every level of the government. This can be done with the tools already used by Arc, ASAN, and others [emails, phone calls, twitter, etc.]. See links ASAN, Arc, Twitter. Following in ADAPT footsteps [and hopefully with their participation and leadership] we shall organize ‘actions’ in DC and other States. We need you all!
This project is in a state of definition and recruitment. For participation and to contribute useful resources contact echolaliaproduction@gmail.com
