Disability-rights protesters rally ahead of voting

Ross, Hutchinson sought out

For the second day in a row, several hundred protesters filled sidewalks and streets outside Little Rock politicians' offices, seeking support for disability rights in Arkansas.

Members of the state and national chapters of ADAPT, a Texas-based organization dedicated to affecting disability law throughout the country, began their planned protest Monday at Gov. Mike Beebe's office. The group wants the Arkansas Legislature to adopt the Community First Choice Option, which was established under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often referred to as "Obamacare." The option, if adopted, would provide increased federal funding for state Medicaid programs for attendant services programs, which help disabled persons live more independently.

ADAPT spokesman Jerry Costley said Beebe greeted about 50-60 protesters outside his office Monday.

"We were fully prepared to be arrested, but the governor was very gracious," Costley said. "He agreed to support the option we've been advocating for. He said he'd recommend it to the Legislature that they take action.

"He gave us what we wanted -- it was over almost before it began," he said.

Although no arrests were made Monday at the Capitol building, more than 30 protesters were arrested later in the day on charges of loitering. The individuals were issued citations, but not taken into custody, Little Rock Police spokesman Cassandra Davis said.

Tuesday, protesters gathered outside the offices of the Republican and Democrat gubernatorial nominees, Asa Hutchinson and Mike Ross, respectively. Costley said police arrested about 25 protesters throughout the day.

"It's too bad the candidates weren't as open to listening to us as the governor was. It would've been a much more pleasant experience for all involved," Costley said.

After ADAPT members visited Ross' Little Rock campaign office, Ross said he wants to work with Arkansas ADAPT to empower Arkansans with disabilities so they have more choices, not fewer.

"My administration will do this by working with the Legislature to continue advancing the goals outlined in the Community First Choice Option in Arkansas," Ross said in a written statement.

After members of the disability-rights group visited near Hutchinson's campaign office in Little Rock, campaign manager Jon Gilmore said Hutchinson is still gathering information about the Community First Choice Option in Arkansas from both supporters and opponents of the program.

"We want to make sure that we have all the facts," said Gilmore. "Asa is reviewing those facts and will have a more definitive statement on it once he had a chance to review all those facts."

Arkansas Department of Human Services Director John Selig has told lawmakers the additional funding available under the Community First Choice Option would allow Arkansas to move 2,800 people with developmental disabilities off a waiting list for home-based services, But some lawmakers have expressed concern about the cost of the program and federal requirements that would come with the funding.

Costley said that although the Arkansas ADAPT chapter initiated the planning of the three-day protest, which is scheduled to conclude today, the vast majority of the 200 protesters who rallied for the event are from out of state.

Metro on 09/17/2014

Upcoming Events