Message from the Executive Director | |
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As a new year begins, MOD is hard at work continuing the progress we made last year while looking forward to our future initiatives.
This month marks Braille Literacy Month, as recently proclaimed by Governor Maura Healey. In Massachusetts, adults and school-age children who are legally blind have the right to learn braille. And under the ADA, all people with disabilities have the right to effective communication.
At MOD, we provide information, guidance, and training to make sure you understand where you fit in the maze of disability-related civil rights laws, architectural accessibility regulations, and services. Check out some of our upcoming trainings and latest resources below to keep yourself informed.
We hope to see you at MOD's Disability Connections event on April 10th to celebrate our community's work toward accessibility and join together for a morning of networking. Stay tuned for the registration link next month.
Thank you for being a part of the MOD community, and warm wishes for 2024!
Mary Mahon McCauley
Executive Director
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Quarterly Tea with MOD: Architectural Access Updates
Join the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) for an online discussion about architectural access.
Hear the latest news about:
- The Massachusetts Architectural Access Board's (MAAB) work updating access regulations,
- Current trends in federal architectural access regulation changes, and
- MDDC's priority legislation to improve architectural accessibility across the Commonwealth
This discussion will include a live Q&A. Please bring your questions!
Tuesday, February 13
1 - 2 PM
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Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications in Housing
If you can't equally enjoy your housing because of a disability-related obstacle, what do you do?
Join MOD for an interactive virtual workshop on the reasonable accommodation (RA) and modification (RM) request process in housing. This workshop provides information and examples to help you understand the process from start to finish and tips to avoid common pitfalls.
This workshop is designed for residents with disabilities (or their advocates), whether they live in rented accommodation or are owners in a housing/condo association.
This workshop will be held on two dates:
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Disability Connections: A Massachusetts Office on Disability Networking Event for the Disability Community | |
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Join the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) for Disability Connections, a networking event for the Massachusetts disability community. Hear about MOD's latest work promoting accessibility across the Commonwealth, and connect with leaders from local and state government, nonprofit disability services, advocacy groups, and all who make up the vibrant Massachusetts disability community.
This event will be livestreamed on Zoom. It is free and open to the public. Registration will open in February. ASL interpretation and CART services will be provided.
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MOD FY23 annual report
In FY23, MOD continued to “answer the call” from individuals, municipalities, housing providers, employers, our fellow Commonwealth agencies, and more to provide the information, guidance, and training needed to make our laws effective. We expanded our training offerings and online resources, provided almost $3 million in funding directly to cities and towns for accessibility improvements, and laid the groundwork for an unprecedented expansion of digital accessibility initiatives at the state level.
| MOD featured in Quincy Public Access TV's "In the Know" segment | MOD was featured on Quincy Public Access Television's "In the Know" segment in December. MOD Executive Director Mary Mahon McCauley and Communications and Training Manager Lilia Melikechi shared information about MOD's vital role within state government to promote accessibility and inform Massachusetts residents of their disability-related rights and obligations. |
Disability Community Health Needs Assessment
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is conducting the Massachusetts Disability Community Health Needs Assessment to help identify and address the needs of people with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth. The online survey is available in 12 languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).
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MOD funds accessible gangway at Scituate marina
In October, MOD had the honor of attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Town of Scituate's Cole Parkway Municipal Marina improvement project. Part of that project included a new, accessible gangway. MOD provided Scituate with a $27,000 ADA Improvement Project Grant to help fund the purchase of the gangway. With help from MOD and additional funding support from local and state agencies, Scituate residents and visitors can now more safely access boats that are docked at the marina and enjoy Scituate's scenic waterways and downtown area.
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Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Leadership Academy
Applications for the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network's 2024 Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Leadership Academy are now open. ACI helps autistic college students learn about making student groups, understanding disability policy, and talking to people in power. The deadline to apply is midnight on March 3rd.
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Commissions on Disability: Contact information and resources
MOD provides information and guidance to help local Commissions on Disability (CODs) get started, understand their role and responsibilities, and reach their goals. Our new Commissions on Disability webpage includes valuable information for people looking to contact their local COD, start a new COD, or further develop an existing COD in their community.
| Disability rights in government services | |
There are federal and state laws to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in government programs, services, and facilities. Our new disability rights in government services page outlines civil rights obligations for government entities and ways to address obstacles to participation in government programs. | |
Reasonable accommodations for state employees
If you are a state employee with a disability working in an Executive Branch agency and you need a reasonable accommodation, MOD can offer information and technical guidance on navigating the process. Check out our new reasonable accommodations for state employees page for more information.
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Apply for an iPhone 13 from MassEDP
The Massachusetts Equipment Distribution Program (MassEDP) is now offering free iPhone 13s to eligible applicants. The iPhones come pre-programmed with applications based on the applicant’s disability. Applicants must live in Massachusetts, have a permanent disability that affects the use of a phone, and have access to a land line or cellular data service. MassEDP does not provide the cellular data plan. For information and to apply, contact MassEDP at 1-800-300-5658.
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Aimee Ott, Emergency Preparedness Program Coordinator
Welcome to Aimee Ott, MOD's new Emergency Preparedness Program Coordinator! In their role, Aimee gets to travel throughout the Commonwealth to give presentations on emergency preparedness to people with disabilities, seniors, care attendants, and more. Aimee is passionate about emergency preparedness and making sure people with disabilities are not left out of the conversation. At home, Aimee is an herbalist and a death and grief companion. They have three cats and hope to one day have garden space to grow their own herbs and food.
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Accessibility statement
MOD does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing accessible documents and services. To request an accessible version of any documents on our website, or if you otherwise need a reasonable modification to access MOD’s programs, services, or facilities or to file a grievance, please contact MOD General Counsel Julia O'Leary at Julia.E.OLeary@mass.gov or 857-214-1081.
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