Transcript Advocacy for American Indians - Disability Rights California

Advocacy for American Indians
with Disabilities
Phyllis Preston, Advocate
Native American Affairs
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
October 7, 2004
Disabilities in Indian Country
 At least 550,000 Indians live with disabilities
in United States. (2000 Census identify 2.5 million
as “Indian or Alaska Native”.)
 22% of the American Indian and Alaska
Native population has one or more
disabilities.
 Highest rate of disability when compared to
all other races in U.S.
Unique Legal Status
Government-to-Government relationship
with the United states that is based upon:
 Treaties
 The U.S. Constitution
 Federal Law
 Executive Orders
 Indian Country is disproportionately rural
 Posing logistical and resource challenges to
provision of and access to social, health and
support services.
 Ameican Indians tend to have less education
 Greater unemployment
 Higher rates of poverty
Barriers that May Exist in Indian Country
for People with Disabilities
 Attitude: Not being understood.
Disability may be seen but not the
person.
Emotional or mental health problems,
learning disabilities,
alcohol/drug dependence,
or deafness.
 Lack of Awareness: Need better protection,
advocacy, and assistance for people with
disabilities.
 Lack of Understanding: About the number of
Indians with disabilities, the types of
disabilities.
 Complex Federal programs: Federal and
State programs may having overlapping or
conflicting responsibilities.
 Housing:
Homes are not generally designed to
meet the needs of people with
disabilities. Limited funding to retrofit
tribal or private housing.
This housing barrier can mean the
difference between an individual with
disabilities living independently or
living under the care of others.
 No Sidewalks
 No Lighting
 No Elevators
 Lack of sufficient services for visually
and hearing impaired at local schools.
 No TDD or TTY machines for hearing
impaired.
 Support facilities or agencies more than 1
hour away from reservation.
 Lack of professional training regarding
care for children and adults with
disabilities.
 No Braille or Audio Equipment on
reservation.
 Access to Voting
 Recreational/Hunting/Fishing/
Horseback Riding
 Group Youth Activities
 Arts and Crafts
 Church
 Gambling at Casinos
 Going to Post Office
 Visiting Neighbors
 Housekeeping/Yard
Maintenance
 Medical Visits
 Going to Grocery Store
 Going to Movies
 Social Gatherings/Pow Wows
 Attending Tribal Meetings
 Travel out of State
 Going out to Dinner
 Softball Teams
 Ceremonies
 Gathering Traditional Herbs
 Dancing & Singing
 Weddings
 Funerals
 Having Children
Advocating Change
 Success lies in creativity, passion,
perseverance, commitment and respect.
 Consider the awareness of local tribal culture.
Programs must be culturally responsive, or
consumers will not patronize the services
offered.
 Design program services that fits the needs of
the consumers, rather than making the
consumer fit your program design.
 Most tribes have their tribal laws,
resolutions, or personnel policies and
procedures that protect the rights of
tribal members with disabilities.
 Increase the awareness of disability
rights.
Resources
 Feather River Tribal Health Organization
2145 5th Avenue Oroville, CA 95965
(530) 534-5394
 Intertribal Deaf Council
P.O. Box 7598 Salem, OR 97303
[email protected]
 American Indian Disability Technical Assistance Center
(AIDTAC)
The University of Montana Rural Institute
52 Corbin Hall
Missoula, MT 59812
(866) 424-3822
www.aidtac.org
 California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc.
4400 Auburn Blvd, 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916) 929-9761 www.crihb.org