Sporting signs reading "Don't tread on the ADA" about 10 members of ADAPT demonstrated in front of the Federal Building in Dayton on April 27. On the same day, representatives of a coalition of states and cities argued before the Supreme Court that the Americans with Disabilities Act allows states to provide care to people with disabilities in institutional rather than community settings, if the states choose to do so. But activists argue that such a position guts the meaning of ADA, violates the civil rights of people with disabilities and can lead to imprisoning them against their will in nursing homes and other institutions. If the Supreme court allows the states to prevail, said demonstrator Roger Godsey, "it will set the disability movement back 30 years." Demonstrators called on the state and federal government to pass OPASA and MiCASSA, legislation that will allow people with disabilities to control spending on their own behalf.
- Jeff Epton
