Special points of interest:
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AU Bi-monthly
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Keep the Promise Awards Ceremony
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Graduations
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Advocates' Retreat
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Letters to the Editor
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Andrea Yates
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Judge Rotenberg Center
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Inside this issue:
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Letters to the Editor
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Page 2
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Events, Updates, and Announcements
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Page 3
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CVH Pages
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Page 4
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Advocate's Connection
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Page 5
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"Wish List" for DMHAS
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Page 6
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Andrea Yates
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Page 7
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MA State Senator opposes Rotenberg Center
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Page 8
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CDAC Disability Convention
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Page 9
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Message from the Executive Director
On July 26, AU and advocates across the nation celebrated the 16th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This year the Papaniko Center for Excellence held a celebration where they presented AU, and other groups that work to empower people with psychiatric disabilities, "Spirit of the ADA" awards. It was quite an honor to be acknowledged with so many powerful advocates. But I'm not writing about the ADA just to brag. Those of you that know me understand that the ADA is one of my major passions in life. I spent the thirteen years before I came to AU doing ADA training and consulting. It is hard to believe that the ADA is 16 years old. I can't even begin to address how much the world has changed for people with psychiatric and other disabilities.
This is the part where I'm supposed to acknowledge that we have a long way to go in terms of protecting and advancing our rights, but with effort we will get there. I'm comfortable recognizing that we have a long way to go. People with disabilities are still being unnecessarily institutionalized (see page 4) and tortured (see page 8). It is the reassuring you that everything will be alright part that I can't write with a straight face. The reality is that with conservative appointments that have been made to the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court, the ADA is in grave danger. As a movement we will have to not only redouble our efforts, but we will have to do this with twice as much wisdom. In other words, we will have to advocate hard AND smart. It isn't enough that we vote. We must vote with sophistication. We must ask hard questions of our candidates, such as "What civil rights values will court appointees and others have?" and "What will they do to make Connecticut a stronger protector of the rights of people with disabilities?" Then we must demand clear, thoughtful answers, not platitudes.
In that spirit I'd like to encourage all of you to come to the Disability Advocacy Collaborative Convention at the Connecticut Expo Center in Hartford on September 16th (see page 9).
Hope that you enjoy the rest of the summer. I hope to see you at the Bi-monthly Meeting on the 26th and on the 16th at the Convention!
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