May 22, 2017
Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update

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Hello everyone.  This week we will find out the results of the Congressional Budget Office's review of the American Health Care Act.

We have a couple of older articles about performing artists with disabilities.  I think you will find the articles interesting,

Our calendar section is loaded this week.

Hope you enjoy the upcoming long weekend.  We will be back with you on Tuesday next week because of the holiday.  As always happy reading.

John Winske
Disability Policy Consortium
Net News:  Gaelynn Lea: Tiny Desk Concert  

In 2016, NPR ran their 2nd Tiny Desk Contest.  The contest sought an original piece of music to be played behind a desk of the contestant's choice.  There were more than 6,000 applicants.  The winner was Gaelynn Lea of Duluth, Minnesota.  Ms. Lea is a person of short stature and a  wheelchair user .  Her music has a Celtic influence.  You learn more here.
Net News:  A Wheelchair on Broadway Isn't Exploitation.  It's Progress 

In March, there was an article in the New York Times about Madison Ferris who is starring opposite Sally Fields on Broadway in "The Glass Menagerie"  Ms. Ferris has Muscular Dystrophy.  You can read the story here.
Health Care Update:  CBO Score Expected Wednesday  

All indications are that this Wednesday the Congressional Budget Office will release the "score" of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which passed the House by four votes two weeks ago.  The "score" is a calculation of how much the bill will cost and how many people will be negatively impacted.
Calendar:  MBTA Access Advisory Committee Annual Summit

When:  Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 8:30 A.M. - Noon

Where:  Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Conference Rooms 1-3, Boston, MA 02116 

Panel Discussion:  The Future of Transit Accessibility

Remarks by: 

Stephanie Pollack- Secretary & CEO, MassDOT

Brian Shortsleeve- Chief Administrator & Acting General Manager, MBTA

David Scorey- Chief Executive Officer & General Manager, Keolis

AACT meeting to follow at 1:00 PM. All are welcome!

The last day to register will be May 12.

Please do not hesitate to contact Janie Guion, AACT Coordinator, at 857-702-3658 or by email at [email protected] for help with registration or questions related to the summit. 


We look forward to welcoming you!
Calendar: Nuts & Bolts of Captioning and Describing Online Video

When: May 25, 2017, 2:00 P.M.

Where:   Online here

Have you  ever wanted to know the mechanics behind captioning and audio description?

Besides attracting a more diverse audience and enhancing the user experience, captions and audio description have fascinating and important fundamentals that will be explored in this webinar. With the predominance of accessibility laws and the upcoming refresh of Section 508 (which requires organizations to comply with WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards by early 2018), it's the perfect time to become well-versed in captioning and audio description.

In this webinar, Owen Edwards, Senior Accessibility Consultant at SSB BART Group and contributor to the Video.js open-source web video player, and Lily Bond, Director of Marketing for 3Play Media, will deconstruct captioning and audio description down to its nuts and bolts. This webinar will explore the legal requirements, benefits, best practices, how-to's and more of captioning and audio description to ensure you can confidently proclaim yourself as an accessibility guru.

Register for this free webinar to learn about:
  • What are captions? What is audio description?
  • Why should we caption and describe videos?
  • How do you publish captions and audio description?
  • Who creates captions and audio description?
  • Where can you publish captions and audio description?
Calendar: Low Vision and Blindness Technology Fair

When: Friday, June 2, 2017

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Where: Easter Seals Technology Center, NPC Building Community Room,
89 South St. Boston, MA 02111

Cost: Free
Exhibitors will be on hand to show their latest devices in the area of low
vision and blindness. Here is a list of some of the companies and agencies
that will be participating.

* The Carroll Center Store 
  www.carroll.org

* New England Low Vision and Blindness -
www.nelowvision.com

* AdaptiVision

* Perkins Talking Book Library -
www.perkins.org/library

* BaumUSA, Inc 
 www.baumusa.com

* National Braille Press 
www.nbp.org

* MA Commission for the Blind
www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/mcb

* Sonzia.Inc 
www.sonzia.com

Please request accommodations by May 20.
For more information, please contact 
Catherine Bly 617-226-2634
[email protected]

RSVP: Appreciated - ALL ARE WELCOME!

MassMATCH is funded by the Administration for Community Living at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and 

Managed by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. MassMATCH Assistive Technology Regional Center-Boston 

Operated by Easter Seals MA provides device demonstrations and loans of the latest equipment to the public.
Calendar: DPC Annual Meeting
 
When:  Monday,  June 12, 2017,  5:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

Where:  Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, 101 Huntington Avenue, Prudential Complex, Boston

Join us for our annual meeting, dinner and a training on using Facebook, Twitter and Social Media for Advocacy.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying to serve of the Board of Directors of the DPC please send a resume and a one page statement of why you want to serve and your skills to [email protected].  

To register contact Amy at [email protected].  

Also please inform us of any reasonable accommodation or dietary needs no later than Tuesday, May 30th. 
Calendar:  Hold The Date!!!!!!!!!
A Movie Premiere of "The Wounds We Cannot See"  

When:  Thursday, June 29, 2017, 6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Where:  89 South Street, Boston, MA

We are proud to present the premiere of a new documentary directed and produced by Alexander Freeman of Newton.   "The Wounds We Cannot See" is about one woman's struggles with mental health disabilities induced by trauma and violence.  The movie has been honored with several awards including best documentary at the 2017 Long Beach Film Festival.

Alexander is a graduate of Emerson College and has cerebral palsy.  He will participate in a question and answer question session after the screening.
In This Issue
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