Tag Archives: PACT

Building support for BBB

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ADAPT took to the streets on November 8th to call for Senator Cornyn’s support for the BBB, Build Back Better, bill currently going through Congress. National ADAPT has gone to Washington DC twice now and is headed there for a third trip to support this important legislation, and ADAPT of Texas members have gone each time. Locally however, we went to Cornyn’s office building and picketed and leafletted over 400 flyers outside. One of the building staff came out to talk with us and arranged a meeting with his staff so three of our members went in to talk with Cornyn’s staff for about 45 minutes asking for his support of the bill.
Build Back Better includes increased funding for community services, it includes:
• making Money Follows the Person permanent (right now it has to be reauthorized again and again),
• better wages for attendants,
• addressing the SUBminimum wage wages many people with disabilities work for,
• increased funding for very affordable housing,
• along with a host of other import human infrastructure.
IF you haven’t already, please contact your US Senators and tell them you want them to support disability supportive legislation like this. Not sure how to get in touch? No problem! Click here.
We will be returning soon to see what progress his staff have made on his support for any of these issues. For more information on the terrific national actions in DC go to:

click here for national ADAPT’s facebook page

click here for National ADAPT’s website (lots of great stuff here!)

and here for the ADAPT of Texas Facebook page

Then on December 9th, with many of our members again joining National ADAPT in DC, ADAPT of Texas returned to picket Senator Cruz’s office when his staff refused to talk with us. Then they marched across downtown back to Senator Cornyn’s office to face another set of cold shoulders; his staff also refused to meet. But the action was not a bust as media came to cover the action (click here to see one story we got) and both offices knew why we were there, leaflets were passed out and our call for their support of Build Back Better was heard across downtown Austin.

Shows the signs for the BBB action in front of ADAPT's giant 10 foot wheelchair.

ADAPT continued the push for BBB in Austin as well as DC!

Bob and Ron display Build Back Better signs
Above: Ron and Bob holding BBB signs for the Austin Action

Left: BBB action signs displayed in front of ADAPT’s newly rebuilt 10 foot wheelchair.

Update on RESPECT and MORE Rally for Community Attendants

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On March 8, 2017 over 100 people attended the RESPECT and MORE Rally/legislative briefing. Advocates, attendants, people with disabilities, representation of Texas Independent Living Centers and many other organizations were present. We had a great time at the luncheon even though the plight of the attendant is very serious.

National disability rights attorney Steve Gold addressed the group and a video “An Indecent Arrangement: Texas Attendant Services” was seen. Mark C. spoke about his inabilities to find an attendant that led to three hospitalizations and rehabilitation due to a pressure sore. These are real lives, real people that are dealing with this issue daily. Texas’ State Legislators continue neglecting the need in addressing the difficulty in recruiting and retaining Community Attendants. With competition from stores like Buc-ees and Dairy Queen (who start their employees at $12/per hour), the Medicaid and state funded home and community based attendant programs (which start and often keep attendants at $8/per hour)  can’t meet the needs of Texans that rely on attendant services.

After the luncheon/briefing, we marched over to the Capitol for a brief rally and then legislative visits.  The group delivered copies of petitions signed by thousands of Texans who support a $13/hour base wage for the Community Attendants.

 

All Night Vigil for the Death of Disability Rights

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we are here at 11th and Congress in downtown Austin for an all night vigil. The state budget bills have ignored the call to raise attendant wages from $8 an hour to $13. Despite the fact fast food workers grocery baggers and gas station workers make more Texas thinks it’s unnecessary to raise the wages of these critical workers.  To see a video on this issue click here

The state is completely defunding the relocation services that help people in nursing homes move back into their own homes.

The state is also completely defunding In-Home and Family Support program, on of the most cost effective ones we have.  People on that program will just be out of luck.

The state is doing nothing about the over 100,000 people on waiting lists for community services.  Some of these folks have been waiting over a decade and now can just wait 2 more years.

We have folks here from El Paso, Austin, Kileen, Conroe, Corpus Christi and the Valley.  IMG_2579

Earlier we held a funeral in the Rotunda of the Capitol and a funeral march through the first floor.

 

PACT 6th ANNUAL ATTENDANT APPRECIATION BBQ & PARTY

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Please join the Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas (PACT) to recognize your work with persons with disabilities in our community.

Community Attendants  Equal Independence   Nominate someone today!

WHAT:  BBQ, Music by “J and J”  and gifts for attendants

WHEN:    Saturday October 15, 2016  4-6pm

WHERE:  Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1206 E. 9th  (Metro Bus Route 2 )

 *IMPORTANT*:     RSVP  At ADAPT/PACT: 512-442-0252 to register for this free event.

2016_pact_bbq_press_release

 PACT 6th BBQ Anual de APRECIACION DE ASISTENTES PERSONALES

Únase a la Coalición de Asistentes Personales de Texas – PACT – para reconocer su trabajo con personas en nuestra comunidad.

QUÉ:         BBQ, Música de “J and J”,  Regalos de Asistentes Personales 

CUÁNDO:   sábado, 15 de octobre  4-6pm

DÓNDE:    Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, 1206 E. 9th Street

Rutas de Autobús:    #2

IMPORTANTE:  RSVP antes de 15 de octobre  En ADAPT / PACT: 512-442-0252  para registrarse. Gratis!