Community Choice in National Healthcare Reform
ADAPT Gets it Right
As part of a national campaign advocating for the inclusion of community choice in upcoming healthcare reform legislation, Austin members of ADAPT, supported by CTD, held a 30-hour demonstration at the state headquarters of the Texas Democratic Party. Clad in bright red t-shirts sporting the slogan Free Our People!, the disability rights activists occupied the building for six hours, before beginning an overnight vigil outside the Party headquarters. Simultaneous demonstrations occurred at Democratic headquarters across the country, sending a unified message.
Community choice is founded on the principle that people who require daily assistance, should not be separated from their families and isolated from their communities. Community choice provides autonomy, community participation and quality of life for people with disabilities at a much reduced cost to taxpayers. The goals of national healthcare reform include improving access for the underserved and better cost effectiveness. Community choice not only meets these policy goals, but is also the right thing to do in human terms.
Current Medicaid policies favor placing people with disabilities in nursing homes and other institutions, and the proposed healthcare reform legislation does not support freedom of choice for people with disabilities who want to live and receive services in their communities. Tens of thousands of Texans with disabilities are on waiting lists for community-based-care.
CTD Director Recognized by National Council
The National Council for Independent Living (NCIL), recognized Dennis Borel, Executive Director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD), for his innovative and strategic accomplishments in removing legal, regulatory, and social barriers that deny people with disabilities full participation in their communities.
Borel affirmed, “We must tear down barriers and truly clear the way for people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the community. Systems advocacy is the key to making all of this a reality. I accept this high honor on behalf of all who take on the challenge of systems advocacy.”
The National Council on Independent Living, is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization by and for people with disabilities. NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals nationwide.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Six years ago, CTD designed the Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival and Short Film Competition to raise awareness about disabilities through film.
This year we are excited to announce that the film competition has been expanded to include independent filmmakers. Categories are Scholastic (grades 6-12) and College/ Independent. First prize in each category is $500.Participants are encouraged to submit original and creative short films portraying people with disabilities. It is our hope that these films will illustrate how people with disabilities lead both ordinary and extraordinary lives.
CTD’s 6th Annual Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival will be held November 6th and 7th at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, Austin. Film competition winners and a terrific program of features will be screened. Admission is free and sponsorship opportunities, starting at $100, are still available.
Visit www.ctdfilmfest.org for more information.
The CTD Messenger is a monthly publication of the Coalition of Texas with Disabilities, a 501 c(3) non-profit corporation.
Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
316 W. 12th Street Ste. 405
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: (512) 478-3366 Fax: (512) 478-3370 e-mail: cotwd@cotwd.org website: www.cotwd.org