|
|
Hey everyone, how are you doing today? We wish you nothing but joy this April and happy birthday to all the April babies out there, hope you have an incredible day!!!
Check out what M.A.S.S. has coming up and read more below in this edition of the MASS Flash!
|
|
YOUR IDEAS COUNT
Annual Self-Advocacy Conference
|
When:
Sat., October 19, 2019
Where:
More details coming soon!
|
|
Ladies and gentlemen I am so happy to announce that I am officially on the road to college!! How you may ask?
On Wednesday February 27
th
2019 I received a fantastic email stating that my accommodation request has been approved!!!!! It means I can start taking the proper tests I would need in order to graduate and go to college!!!! This was something I have been waiting for and that it’s finally here it feels UNREAL!!!
This is opening a lot of doors for me, I can’t wait!!!! All I have to do now is stay focused, keep practicing, and sign up for my first test!!! The first two that I will be taking are Reading and Writing!! The accommodations that got approved for me to take the tests are more time and breaks. The test accommodations are based on your disability and what you might need in order for you successfully take the tests.
Roads like this have not been easy for me but as long as I believe in myself, have a positive mindset, and have my support systems behind me, nothing can stop me!!!!!
|
|
 |
Andre Williams (SALS Lead Trainer to the left) seated with Bobby Long, Patrick Birmingham and Rebecca Fillmore to the right all became certified SALS trainers with MDDC on March 13th.
Congratulations!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Southeast Regional Coordinator, Gail Delgado, represented M.A.S.S. at the Brockton CAB Legislative Breakfast that was held at Bridgewater State University.
|
|
|
|
What Southeast did in March:
- The southeast regional group met on March 14th, with several new faces including a visit from our Statewide Coordinator Brian Kremer (click here for Brian's letter).
- Fourteen self advocates from the southeast attend the Annual Arc Mass and MDDC Legislative reception on March 6th.
- Susan Harrington and Nate Hoover will be offering ISP trainings for Self Advocates quarterly, with the first training held last month on March 8th. Gail the Southeast Region Coordinator looks forward to the next training to connect with self advocates and their support staff.
What Southeast is planning:
- The Southeast is planning a fundraiser dance social for July as their summer activity.
- Delta Projects Murder Mystery Play is being held 4/4/19 5pm $5 each person in Dedham at their main office.
|
|
What Northeast did in March:
- Members were glad to take part in the annual Arcmass/MDDC Day at the State House on March 6th.
- It was great to visit Nicole D's group in Merrimac and hear about the interests of the group to advocate for more customized work and transportation options.
- March 20th was a lively meeting with visits from Becky Christie and our new Statewide Coordinator (click here to learn more about our Statewide Coordinator).
What Northeast is planning:
- Pull out your neon colors and parachute pants for our regional Back to the 80's Dance on April 26th!
- We've been busy scouting locations for our Regional Retreat, which will be June 26th. Now on to the fun of planning a fun and empowering experience!
- Members will be part of ISP training for the region to make sure you know your rights and are ready for your meeting.
|
|
What Central did in March:
- March was a good month here in Central Mass - One of our favorite advisors just had a baby girl named Cora Rock!
- We attended a public forum on transportation and we got to speak up about how things can be better.
- We also attended meetings about self-direction and participated in conference calls planning the October 19th "YOUR IDEAS COUNT" M.A.S.S. Conference.

What Central is planning:
- The work-team signed up to have a table at the “Light It Up Blue” celebration in April at UMASS Medical.
- Some of us will also attend the April transportation conference.
- On April 9th, Frances Nwajei, Human Rights Director will come to our regional meeting. What a busy month!
- We enjoyed having Teka, our Human Rights Specialist at our March Central meeting, and we're planning to have her come and speak about guardianship soon.
- We hope to have a new Rainbow Support Group (RSG) starting up in North Central, and we are excited about the RSG 15 year celebration that will be happening later this year (more about that in coming months)!
|
|
What Metro did in March:
- Self-Advocates in the region have been very busy with legislative activity in March. Arc of Mass and MDDC legislative reception was attended by the Minute Man Advocacy Group, MASS Self-Advocates, and Watch City.
- Matthew Bander and Reggie Clark have been around to many meetings and forums regarding Transportation in the city and around the state.
- On March 20th, Gail and self-advocates attended the DDS Day at the State House.
What Metro is planning:
- Save the Date - Metro region Self Advocate group is moving full steam ahead with the plans for a Summer Dance on July 19th! More information to follow next month on the location.
- Metro region has an opening on the board due to a member stepping down, would like to fill position as soon as possible. If interested reach out to either Marie D’Aoust in the main office or Metro’s Coordinator Gail Delgado.
|
|
Want to attend a regional self-advocacy meeting with other self-advocates?
|
|
Mark your calendars for M.A.S.S. Regional Meeting Dates and Locations in April!
Northeast Meeting
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Time:
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Seven Hills, 261 N. Main St, Middleton, MA
Southeast Meeting
Date: Thursday, April 11, 2019
Where: Lakeville Public Library Lakeville, MA
Central Meeting
*
Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Time:
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Autism Resource Central, 712 Plantation St., Worcester, MA
*Special Topic: We will have a guest speaker: Frances Nwajei, Human Rights Director at DDS! Please come meet and welcome Frances! (Soft drinks will be served.)
Metro Meeting
Date: Thursday, April 18, 2019
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Where:
Beaverbrook STEP, 85 Main Street, Watertown, MA
|
|

It has been a busy winter for Rainbow Support Group (RSG) Project Coordinator Pauline Bosma. In addition to her Rainbow and A&A responsibilities, she has been an active member of two separate grant teams. The first is called Mass Rights for Change. This a partnership between MASS, Pathways for Change and the Victim's Rights Law Center of Boston to improve access to people with disabilities. Several team members recently presented an overview to the Board at the February meeting. The other grant is a partnership with Worcester Polytechnic Institute and DDS to create a phone app to make reporting abuse easier.
On top of that Pauline is busy planning the 15 Year Anniversary celebration for RSG. More details to follow!
|
|
OTHER FUN EVENTS GOING ON WITH OUR FRIENDS
|
|
It's Conference Time in the West!
|
|
The 16
th
Annual West Region Self-Advocacy Conference
DATE: May 18, 2019
TIME: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
WHERE: Sheraton Hotel
1 Monarch Place, Springfield, MA
For more information or to request a registration brochure contact Ness (413) 887-4205 or
nbellini@wmtcinfo.org
.
|
|
The Greater Framingham Self-Advocates Together would like to invite you to our group! We are located at 1881 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA and we are meeting Thursday, April 11th from 6:30 - 8:00 P.M.
|
|
Other Upcoming Conferences to Check Out.
|
April 9 & 10, 2019 • DCU Center, Worcester, MA
Check out the latest state of the art technology, interactive displays, and the chance to share ideas with peers in related fields. The annual conference put on by MassDOT is the largest transportation innovation conference in Massachusetts.
Read more
www.umasstransportationcent...
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation Conference Website:
|
|
Check out the Disability Scoop article on the Marriage Penalty. There's a federal bill to end the Marriage Penalty!
|
Bill Would Protect SSI Benefits
U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., unveiled a proposal this month to eliminate barriers to marriage for people with disabilities.
Read more
www.disabilityscoop.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
Check out the the Accessibility Improvements They Have Made at the State House.
|
Accessibility Initiatives
This Massachusetts General Court and the Bureau of State Office Buildings (BSB) is proud to work together in a collaborative effort to ensure that all of the State House's many programs, services, and activities are fully accessible.
Read more
malegislature.gov
|
|
|
|
|
|
M.A.S.S. 2nd Wednesday Legislative Education Day Visits at the State House
“ Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
|
|
We continue to focus on transportation issues. What are your challenges with transportation in MA? Fill out this survey and e-mail it back to
Marie@ma-advocates.org
.
2019 M.A.S.S. State House Meeting Dates:
April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11,
No October Meeting,
November 13 and December 11
We meet 10:00 AM on the second floor of the State House at the foot of the Grande Staircase to the right of the wooden benches. If this is your first time visiting please contact Marie at the M.A.S.S office by emailing info@ma-advocates.org or calling 617-624-7549.
|
|
Do You Want to Be in the MASS FLASH?
|
Attention Everyone!
Is there anything exciting happening in your life that you are just itching to talk about? Want to share it with the world?!
If so, great because I, Kamisha Heriveaux, am always on the look out for interesting events, your hobbies, and topics that interest you - so please don't hesitate to reach out!
I can't wait to hear from all of YOU! Have a great day!

~
Kamisha
|
|
Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
‌ 
‌