Friday, September 16, 2005
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@greens.org
Cyndi Norwitz, Disability Caucus, 707-775-4475, cyndi@tikvah.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Disability Caucus of the
Green Party of the United States has launched a web site to aid
survivors of Hurricane Katrina who have disabilities.
The site, located at <http://immuneweb.org/katrina>,
includes guides for "Providing Shelter for People with Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity" and "Providing Shelter for People with
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia," as well as contact
information for Caucus members willing to provide housing for
survivors or consulting services for shelters and programs serving
survivors with disabilities.
"The intent of this site is not to duplicate
the fine work being done elsewhere, but rather to supplement it,"
said Cyndi Norwitz, California Green and founder of the Disability
Caucus. "There are several other pages on serving Katrina
survivors with disabilities but I was struck in particular by the lack
of information on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity -- my own disability
-- which can be hard to accommodate."
"We know from September 11th that when rescue
workers and residents are exposed to toxins during and following a
disaster, that even the healthy ones can be disabled for life,"
added Ms. Norwitz. "Far too many September 11th survivors still
have asthma or pain or neurological impairments because of the
chemicals in the air and dust, and many had to stop working. How many
Katrina survivors will suffer the same fate?"
Greens and numerous scientists have detailed the
toxicity of the New Orleans environment in the wake of Katrina.
Louisiana Greens have strongly criticized current plans for
detoxification, calling them inadequate to ensure a safe environment
and public health <http://www.gp.org/press/states/la_2005_09_08.shtml>.
But Greens called the toxic danger to residents,
rescue workers, and cleanup crews only one of many concerns for
Katrina survivors who have different kinds of disability.
"When I've talked to shelter workers they've
told me 'we don't have any people with disabilities here.' People with
obvious disabilities like serious mobility impairment or blindness
have probably gone to specialty shelters. But what about people with
less obvious or hidden disabilities? Are they too embarrassed to ask
for special help? Are they afraid of discrimination, such as someone
with AIDS might be subjected to? Are they just getting by and don't
want to be any trouble?" asked Ms. Norwitz.
"Mental and or emotional disabilities are
hidden disabilities. It is often difficult for people to speak out
honestly and ask for what they need," noted Judith Grant,
Disability Caucus member from California.
"For AIDS patients, relocation to the wrong
area could mean a death sentence, if patients must contend with poor
AIDS services, medication interruption, a need for new HIV cocktails,
or struggles with strain resistance," said David M. Silva, a
Disability Caucus member living with AIDS in California.
Disability Caucus members stressed the importance
of hurricane survivors, regardless of disability, continuing their
previous treatments, including alternative and complementary care, and
warned of insurance company and HMO obstructions to medical access.
"Medications need to be more readily made available for diabetes,
seizure disorders, mental health illness, and any other illnesses that
are visible or invisible disabilities," said Irene Martinez,
member of the D.C. Statehood Green Party and Disability Caucus member
who has worked on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"Katrina proves that the U.S. needs expanded
access to health care under a national health insurance plan more than
ever," said Jody Grage Haug, co-chair of the Green Party of the
United States.
The Disability Caucus, one of several identity
caucuses in the Green Party, is in the process of gaining formal
accreditation with the party, after which it will be given a vote in
the party's National Committee. The Black, Women's, and Lavender
Caucuses have already achieved accreditation.
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1711 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
Disability Caucus of the Green Party of the United
States
http://immuneweb.org/dg/
Resources for People with Disabilities Displaced by Hurrican Katrina http://immuneweb.org/katrina
Katrina Disaster Relief Information for People with Disabilities and
people who want to help them
http://katrinadisability.info
"Unnatural Disaster: Louisiana's Crisis in Policy and Planning:
The policy decisions we made that got us here, and the sustainable
alternative that can move us forward"
By Brian Azcona and Jason Neville (New Orleans native and Green Party
member)
http://www.gp.org/articles/azcona_neville_2005_09.shtml
OTHER RELIEF EFFORTS organized by Green Parties and Green Party
members:
Green Party web page with information on aid for victims of the
hurricane http://www.gp.org/katrina2005/
Web page with information on relief efforts, set up by New Orleans
Greens Andrea Garland and Jeffrey Holmes http://www.getyouracton.com/
Discussion list set up by Green Party member Bart Everson from New
Orleans, for exchange of information (advice, requests for help and
offers of direct material, other assistance) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/katrina-refugees/
Minnesota Coalition to Aid Hurricane Katrina Survivors, set up with
the participation of Minnesota and Wisconsin Greens http://www.mncahs.org/
Shelter for Katrina evacuees in Florida
Contact: Sarah "Echo" Steiner, 561-389-2844
Green Party of New Jersey Katrina Disaster Community Support http://gpnj.org/Katrina%20relief