Supporters of attendants, consumers of attendant services and supports, friends and allies are holding a 24 hour vigil in front of the US Capitol to call attention to the critical need to fund these services better. These services as well as truly affordable, accessible housing are on the chopping block as Congress debates a compromise for the bill. Vigil participants are reading stories from folks affected by the current crisis in attendant services who could not travel to DC, sharing their own personal stories, songs and more.
The vigil is being live streamed on Facebook here: https://fb.me/e/3WaL3atkg
Thurs, Oct 7 from 6-7 pm Eastern time (5 – 6 pm central/Austin time and 4-5 pm mountain/El Paso time) there is a closing ceremony.
The event is co-hosted by ACLU, ADAPT, The Arc of the United States, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, AAPD, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Be A Hero, Care Can’t Wait Coalition, Caring Across Generations, Little Lobbyists, Justice in Aging, National Council on Independent Living, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Council on Aging, National Health Law Program, and SEIU.
13 Texas ADAPT activists joined hundreds of activists from around the country in Washington DC to highlight the need for the BCBJ Act to include the $400 billion for Home and Community Services and accessible affordable integrated housing .
Yesterday (10/6/21) ADAPT of Texas and other ADAPT members were arrested at the Hart Building trying to get meeting with Senators Manchin and Sinema.
Back here in Texas, our legislature is back in another special session to decide how to send federal dollars sent to the states to help in these crisis times. Of course the critical lack of attendants appears to be invisible to them. Their budget committees held one day of hearings each (with minimal notice). They seem to not believe their is a need for attendants, that attendants need to make a living wage, and that these issues impact Texans with disabilities. You can help by contacting your state Senator and state Representative click here to find out who they are and how to reach them.
People are spending the night in their wheelchairs, and getting bedsores from it. They are being forced to think about moving into nursing homes, and worse. Why? The critical shortage of attendants! One of the main causes is the piss poor wages our stingy state allows. When you can make almost twice the hourly wage flipping burgers at fast food joints, packing boxes at Amazon, and similar jobs, and when attendant wages won’t pay the rent or put food on the table, why does anyone stay in this job? More and more, they don’t.
So add your voice to the call for better wages for our attendants, so we can keep having community attendant services programs in this state. And do it today.
For a great article with quotes from folks who use attendant services at the Care Can’t Wait Rally click here