Independent Living, Indian Lands
Independent Living
Indian Lands – Notice that gap?
It is so incomprehensible to me that people with disabilities in the most dominant society that have secured the benefits of an Independent Living Center usually will not extend their service parameters to include American Indian people with disabilities when they reside on Indian Lands.
People with disabilities in the most dominant society understand, or I thought they did understand CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES. We have one minority population discriminating against another minority population – perhaps “discriminating” is not the correct word – “disregarding” may be even more appropriate – disability disregard.
I found on the ADAPT page something very interesting about people with disabilities in the most dominant society – it was in DENVER – If you read the HISTORY of the Independent Living Movement, you will see in 1986 ADAPT invited ROSA PARKS to lead a Detroit march.
They MUST HAVE REALIZED the same connection that I see here today - Civil Rights.
Civil Rights for people with disabilities in the most dominant society – If you’re on Indian Lands the same courtesies are not extended. There is a gap and I’m working on that gap.
Will the Independent Living Centers Administration kindly extend their services to American Indian people with disabilities when they reside on Indian lands?
If you cannot do that – tell me why.
If you have found a way to do that – tell me how.
Connie Lee Berg e-mail your response: redlake679@hotmail.com
