Please support me at the ADAPT Fun*Run this year:
http://adaptfunrun.org/runner.php?id=113

For those who do not know about ADAPT‘s mission is to be a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom.

Currently, ADAPT is going toWashingtonDCto say, “My Medicaid Matters”.  Since, our Medicaid is in danger.   Let me give you a little information about our current employment structure.

If we look at the US Department of Labor’s result of January 2012 (http://www.dol.gov/odep/)

Labor Force Participation:
People with disabilities: 20.0%
People without disabilities: 68.9%

Unemployment Rate:
People with disabilities: 12.9%
People without disabilities: 8.7%

These numbers show where the problem actually is. Currently, 80% of the disability people are not currently working.  At the same time 12.9% of them are seeking employment. This is higher inpact in the disability community than the others in the community.

These numbers includes many of the deaf and hard of hearing members as well.  Because, these people never had a source of income.  They will need to receive Medicaid to provide services to be integrated, inclusive and their civil rights in our Country.

For those who are confused with Medicare and Medicaid, a person who had a job in past will qualify for Medicare.  While a person who never had a good source of income in their lifetime will get Medicaid.

Today, the Government would want to cut the Medicaid of those who never had an income.  And, there are very little or no cuts in Medicare.  Why would the government rather cut someone who have little or no income?  For this reason, those who have limited income can not afford to go to speak up face to face with the Government.  This country is democracy and equal opportunities should be given to all people who are rich and poor.

In the past and present, our ADAPTers found proof and been showing the Government that Institutional biased environment will cost the Government more money and they will save more money if they switch to Home Care biased environment.  Still, the government prefers to cut the home care service that saves them money.  Both of these services depend on Medicaid.

This often happens because those on Medicaid CAN NOT afford to get their voice in the Government.  They need our help.  In past, our local ADAPTers saved about $400 a year just to get involved with the activities.  They usually have little or no funds to support themselves for these trips, but they know it is important to go on these trips.

They are not looking for an easy solution.  These funds were always used to find affordable ways to get them all to arrive inWashingtonDCin the cheapest way as possible.  For one, they travel in groups on a bus that is cheaper and their wheelchairs are loaded on the bus.  Sometimes, it looks like a circus act.  But, all funds that we raise will subsidize the costs associated with these trips as reasonable as possible.

Your donations will help us bring these individuals on Medicaid to Washington DCto show the Government not to support cuts, but a reform in the current system.  Because, any cuts will force to close programs like Home Care biased environments that will save the government money in the long term.  This is not right!

Please help donate to help these people go to the legislator and explain their story face to face.  How can you help?  A donation to the ADAPT Fun*Run will help us raise funds for these individuals.  Yes, any donation of small or large funds would be helpful.  And, one way is by supporting me at below link:
http://adaptfunrun.org/runner.php?id=113

You can register at the above link easily.  If you would prefer to give me cash in person, I would be happy to accept the funds in person.

You can also help by forwarding this message to people who you know might be interested.  At the same time, all donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE.  I hope you can support this cause to help the grass-roots communities speak up to the legislators.  Again, it’s easy to register online at this tinyurl link at http://bit.ly/zrm9yG.

Also, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call, email or contact me with the below contact information.

Thank you,

Dean DeRusso
Deaf Systems Advocate
Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL)
Advocacy and Independent Living Services for Individuals
497 State Street
Rochester, NY 14608

VP/Voice: (585) 598-4862
Other VP: (585) 286-2725
TTY: (888) 202-1055
Fax: 585.546.7577
E-Mail: dd******@rc**.org