I attended a "friend-raising" breakfast this morning for United Cerebral Palsy Association of Oregon & SW Washington.  I've always been impressed by UCP and their director, Bud Thoune, for their high standards and dedication to the lives of the people they serve.

This event did not change my opinion.  On the ticket for the event are listed five principles: Be Visible, Be Independent, Be Involved, Have Friends, Make a Difference.  What a clear expression of how people with disabilities, families and advocates can act to achieve inclusion!  Disability will never be accepted as a normal part of life unless people with disabilities are visible, independent and involved.

We at DRO have been doing our part to be more visible in promoting the rights of our clients and communicating a disability rights perspective to a widening community.  In that spirit, I'm letting you know that Bud reminded us breakfasters that we just marked the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision.  In Olmstead, the Court found that the ADA prohibits unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities in institutions.  That's right.  Congress said, and the Supreme Court agreed, that isolation, dependence and hopelessness must not be promoted by government policies. 

Everyone deserves the chance to lead a meaningful life.  With the love of his family and support from UCP, A.J. will have that opportunity.  But isn't it shameful that a school district would not do what it can to contribute to this simple, yet profound, goal?

Guest speaker Art Edwards brought home the message of inclusion.  Art is a new member of the UCP Board and a reporter for KOIN.  He told us about his family, including his teenage son A.J. who experiences CP and occasional seizures.  His family is about to move to Tigard because its schools have a more inclusive educational approach than their present school system in Beaverton.  Art talked about life with A.J. including A.J.'s strategic use of the horn on his power wheelchair, his love of baseball, and his delight in yelling "flugelhorn!"  The whole family -- Art, his wife and daughter -- are dedicated to A.J. and are willing to make the sacrifices required for him to thrive.  For example, Art's daughter is accepting the move to Tigard because "it will help A.J."

When DRO changed its name last year, we came up with three words that evoke our vision: Opportunity,  Access & Choice.  Above all, I think that Olmstead, the work of UCP and the hopes of A.J. and his family are about opportunity. 

Everyone deserves the chance to lead a meaningful life.  With the love of his family and support from UCP, A.J. will have that opportunity.  But isn't it shameful that a school district would not do what it can to contribute to this simple, yet profound, goal?

If you don't know, DRO is part of a national network of Protection and Advocacy organizations.  Our national organization is appropriately called the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and is based in Washington, DC.  Every year, the directors of all 57 P&As are called to Washington for a conference.  We hear from federal officials, talk shop, and see colleagues who, in some cases, we have known for decades.

Since Washington is on eastern time, it always turns out that I continue to do my west coast job when it's east coast quitting time.  Today was no exception.

This morning, our group heard from Jeff Crowley who is the Senior Advisory on Disability Policy person in the White House. He said that part of his job is to create a new major AIDS policy and to assist in health care reform efforts.  When asked what it was like to work in the Obama White House, he said that the President does not dictate to staff.  He lets them grapple with issues.  "Great leadership does not eliminate politics and money problems but this president is willing to follow the science in our areas."

After some other issue briefing, I headed off for "the hill" where I met with staff from the offices of Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden and Representatives Schrader and Wu.  Besides talking health reform policy, my major points were the need for more P&A resources, Congressional action to address seclusion and restrain in schools, and blocking a bill that Barney Frank introduced to stop P&As from suing institutions to seek improved conditions.  (I know that last one seems hard to believe, but it's true.)

Then it was moonlighting time.  I went back to the hotel and wrote testimony for two bills that were heard today in the Oregon legislature.  I sent them off via email and then was able to watch part of the hearings on my computer via the legislature's video service.

Finally, I attended a fundraiser for NDRN.  The highlight of the evening was hearing remarks from special guest Lois Curtis.  Ms. Curtis was one of the plaintiffs in the landmark case of L.C. v. Omstead.  That's the case that found that the ADA provides a right to be free of unnecessary institutionalization.  Ms. Curtis was clearly thrilled to be here.

Tomorrow, I have a 7:00 am flight back to Portland where more fun awaits.