While George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore debated on national TV at Boston University, back in Washington, D.C. there was no debate about Bush's disregard for the disability community. After months of numerous phone calls and written requests, and a five hour sit-in at Republican National Headquarters, George W. Bush still refuses to meet with ADAPTor any other national organization which is controlled by and represents persons with disabilities. In effect, he has thumbed his nose at 54 million Americans who represent a significant voting block.

Rather than negotiate in good faith and end the sit-in quickly, the Republican National Committee called in a fire truck, about 50 police officers, a score of police vehicles, and 3 empty Metro-buses to move 10 people with disabilities from one doorway at the Capitol Hill Club so the building could be emptied of Republican staffers and guests.

" Bush's continued failure to meet with the disability community makes Al Gore and Ralph Nader look better and better," said Mark Johnson ADAPT Organizer from Georgia. "While Gore still has some room to improve, when we confronted him in June, he met with us, assured us a speaking spot at the Democratic Convention, and put some solid language in the Democratic Party Platform. Bush won't even give persons with disabilities the time of day."

In addition to seeking a meeting with Governor Bush, ADAPTalso wanted him to sign a pledge in support of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the disability civil rights legislation signed into law by former President George Bush, the governor's father . Passed in 1990, the ADA is currently under attack by the state of Alabama in the Alabama v. Garrett case being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on October 11. Former President Bush has submitted a pro-ADA amicus brief in the Garrett case which says, in part, "July 26, 1990 was a landmark occasion for me and for all Americans because, with the signing of the ADA, our country made an unequivocal statement to the world that Americans will not accept, will not excuse, and will not tolerate discrimination against persons with disabilities."

"It seems odd that Gov. Bush won't sign a pledge to support this legislation which meant and continues to mean so much to his father," said Pennsylvania ADAPTOrganizer, Linda Anthony. "It seems even more odd that, as an elected official, he won't sign a pledge supporting a law that he has sworn to uphold. His lack of attention to us as citizens, and to our issues, is bound to be reflected in the results on Election Day."

FOR MORE INFORMATION on American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today (ADAPT) Please visit our website at http://www.adapt.org/

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