Many of those with challenges developing social competencies struggle with far more than learning social skills. Author and founder of Social Thinking®, Michelle Garcia Winner presented her new evidence based Social Competency Model at the 2018 John Pratt Memorial Lecture held on September 20 at the Whitehead Institute in Cambridge. Michelle who is a specialist in the treatment of individuals with social learning challenges engaged the audience with her four step developmental process to help students evolve in their social competencies. . 

The evening included moving tributes to John Pratt by Susan Whitehead, Vice Chair of the Whitehead Institute, Michael Widmer from MAB Community Services Board of Directors, and Ian Pratt, John's grandson. Ron Suskind, the 2017 John Pratt Lecture keynote speaker, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Life, Animated , introduced Michelle. Susan Whitehead, inspired everyone into action when she said “I have come to appreciate that John was one of the most important mentors in my life. It has to do with the character of his being.” Susan finished by introducing a $150,000 challenge grant to complete the endowment for the John Pratt Memorial Lecture designed to fund exploration and experimentation at the Ivy Street School” Thank you, Susan, for making sure John’s legacy lives on in the students at the Ivy Street School. For 25 years John was responsible for finances, operations, and endowment at the biomedical research institute in Cambridge, a place he helped build. Prior to that he was the Welfare Commissioner for the Commonwealth of MA. Although John Pratt passed away over 6 years ago his legacy continues today. We thank Susan Whitehead, his many friends, and his loving family including his wife Suzanne.

Friday, September 28, MABVI is cutting the ribbon at the the Ellebogen Assistive Technology Center at the Natick Community-Senior Center. The latest assistive technology center will provide blind and visually impaired seniors with supportive training on how to use assistive technology including apps and devices that help them to complete tasks and increase their independence. For individuals experiencing vision loss, technology can play a significant role in providing access and fostering independence by opening access to printed and digital text, shopping, social media, healthcare information, transportation and navigation services, and banking. The grand opening will occur on Friday, September 28, 2018 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Natick Community -- Senior Center, 117 East Central Street, Natick Mass. For more information please call 888-613-2777.

In addition to the Natick location, MABVI provides assistive technology training in locations at the Brookline Senior Center, Worcester Senior Center, Brookes Free Library (Harwich), and satellite locations at the Watertown Free Public Library and the Fitchburg Senior Center. Support for MABVI’s Assistive Technology Center in Natick is possible thanks to partnerships with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging, Executive Office of Elder Affairs and with additional funding provided by the Arthur F. Blanchard Trust, managed by BNY Mellon, The Highland Street Foundation, The Leonard Morse Grants Panel of the MetroWest Health Foundation, Cognex Corporation, and MathWorks. 

MAB Community Services Annual Meeting will take place on Thursday, October 24, at in the Metcalf Hall at Boston University's George Sherman Union. Titled Brain Injury Services in Massachusetts: A Life Worth Living, this years meeting will review the state of services ten years the landmark class-action settlement (Hutchinson v. Patrick) was reached that qualified thousands of individuals with brain injuries to move out of nursing facilities and into the community. A panel discussion moderated by former Assistant Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Jean McGuire, will discuss where are we today, recognize our successes and examine the gaps that still need to be addressed. Panelists will include Kathryn Rucker, Center for Public Representation, the lead lawyer in the Hutchinson case; Amy Bernstein, MassHealth, Director of Community Based Waivers; and Dr. Leigh Hochberg, Massachusetts General Hospital, Director, Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery.

Please join us. RSVP HERE

Event details:

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Boston University | George Sherman Union | Metcalf Hall, 2nd Floor

775 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Registration and Reception Please call 617-972-9100 with questions or for information.

The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is now accepting applications for our 2019 Team With A Vision Boston Marathon Team Do you know of anyone who wants to run the Boston Marathon, or do you feel passionate about our mission and want to run? We are looking to increase our fundraising within our 4 charity bib slots. Our fundraising runners on average raise between $10K-$12K— we are looking for runners who can rise to this challenge. Apply today! Applications are due Friday, October 26th 2018 5 PM EST.

After 38 years as an optometrist, Dr. Richard Jamara is retiring. Dr. Jamara is retiring as a member of the Board of Directors of MAB Community Services and also from the New England College of Optometry as a tenured professor, the Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, New England Sinai Hospital, and Rehabilitation Center, The New England Rehabilitation Hospital, The New England Eye Institute, and many more institutions and organizations. Thank you Dr. Jamara for your years of service and for putting low vision at the front and center for so many people.

Dr. Jamara always wanted to be an optometrist. He wanted a job where he could help people. If you count all of Dr. Jamara’s patients, all of his students at the New England College of Optometry, and all the people connected to the nonprofit organizations Dr. Jamara supported, he helped a lot of people.  

Although Dr. Jamara is retiring, he isn’t going to stop working. He will be relocating to Virginia and continue his research which focuses on the quality of life for patients with end-stage vision loss. We wish him all the best in his next chapter. We are happy to announce Dr. Alexis Malkin from the New England College of Optometry will be joining the Board of Directors of MAB Community Servings and serving on the Committee of the Massachusetts Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Congratulations to Ashley Root, who is the latest MAB Adult Disabilities employee to be awarded a Recruitment and Retention Scholarship.  During the Board of Directors meeting on September 12 Ashley Root was awarded the Feldman Family Scholarship named after long time Board of Director David Feldman and his wife Sidney. Ashley is an LPN and has worked for MAB Community Services for 3 years playing a key role in the acquired brain injury program. Ashley will use the scholarship to attain her RN degree to prepare her for a position of greater leadership at MAB.scholarship to pursue her degree as a registered nurse. Ashley is the 3 ^rd ADS employee to receive a scholarship since 2016. John Griffith received the Emello Family Scholarship in 2016, and Teo Evans received the Craig Pfannensteil scholarship in 2017. The latest scholarship was named in honor of long time board of director David Feldman and his wife Sydney

MABVI's North Shore Volunteer Appreciation event at Notch Brewery in Salem was a great event. Thanks to everyone who came out. More appreciation events will be happening soon, with on October 17th in Worcester and in Boston on November 8th. The volunteer program is now hosting new volunteer trainings in Peabody every other month for those who can't make it to Brookline. If you know anyone who is interested in volunteering and lives on the North Shore, please spread the word. Please contact Jen Buchanan jbuchanan@mabcommunity.org for more information.

Meet Amanda Smart of asmartboston.com

Boston Voyager Magazine - September 18, 2018

The school's name is Ivy Street in Brookline, Mass. At first, I did not want to be at Ivy Street at all. I hated what had happened to me, and did not want to be with others who were in similar situations....looking back on if I can now see that it was the absolute best thing for me!

New Natick Center a "big help"

MetroWest Daily News - September 6, 2018

A Natick resident is thankful he has access to a new program in town. It’s helping him, and others, improve their quality of life...I t's one of several Assistive Technology Centers run by the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired....

MAB Disability Services holding a Job Fair

Looking for a rewarding career in human services? MAB's Adult Disability division is holding a Job Fair on Friday, October 12TH | 11AM – 2PM, 29 at 29 Denby Rd, Allston, MA 02134. Full-time, Part-time and Relief positions available for our day programs in Allston & our statewide vocational program with locations in Metro Boston, Watertown, Belmont, Framingham, Springfield, Waban and many more. More information on all MAB job openings here .

MAB Community Services welcomes Alison Abdu, as new Director of Human Resources

Alison Abdu, has been appointed as the new Director of Human Resources Strategy and Operations. “We are thrilled to have Alison joining our team,” said Barbara Salisbury, Chief Executive Officer of Mab Community Services. “Having the best staff is at the core of providing the highest quality service. Recruiting and retaining staff who are mission driven and are motivated to make their best contribution is key to creating a high-performance team. Alison will bring a new perspective and approach to our human resources operation and help us get to where we want to be”