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Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
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Hope you had a very nice Father's Day with a special someone in your life.
We received news this week that the State has agreed to add a second hearing on the proposal to ban and/or cap PCA's from working overtime. Unfortunately, the state is moving quickly and the second hearing is a week from today. We need to rally! We need to fight this dreadful proposal.
Mobilize everyone you know otherwise our PCA's will be not be able to earn a living wage.
Fight as if your life depended on it, because it does.
The first story has information on the hearings and links to the proposal and an email address where you can send testimony.
We also have an opportunity for you to participate in a DPC research project, review an accessible nature trail and apply for a couple of jobs.
We also have a busy calendar section for you.
Have a good week and a
s always, happy
reading.
John Winske
Disability Policy Consortium
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Advocacy News: Second Hearing Added on Restricting PCA Work Hours
Hearings
When: Friday, June 24, 2016, 10:00 A.M.
Where: ASC Auditorium AS2.2102
Albert Sherman Center
UMass Medical School University Campus
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester
When: Monday, June 27, 2016, 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Where: 1 Ashburton Place, 21st Floor, Boston, MA
MassHealth has just proposed restricting overtime hours that PCAs can work. H
ere are some of the basic points around this:
- A cap on overtime usage is proposed to start September 1, with PCAs being limited to 40 hours/week work, though the state doesn't anticipate full compliance will be feasible by then.
- An exemption policy will be established.
- PCA overtime is costing the state in the range of $1 million/week.
- 7,300 consumers used PCAs who work over 40 hours/week.
- Approximately 6,000 PCAs are collecting overtime pay.
- The budget for the PCA program is now $704 million, of which half is reimbursed by the federal government.
If you have comments or concerns on the proposed changes-and especially if you can provide detail on how it might specifically impact you-please share with us for our advocacy efforts.
You also can submit formal comments on the proposed regulations to the Assistant Secretary for MassHealth, EOHHS, One Ashburton Place, Room 1109, Boston, Massachusetts 02108, or e-mail them to [email protected]. E-mailed comments should contain the sender's name, mailing address, and organization or affiliation, if any.
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DPC News: Research Opportunity
Are You a Member of Commonwealth Care Alliance?
Have You Used Ambulance or Paramedic Services?
Want to share about your experience?
If you are a member of Commonwealth Care Alliance and have received ambulance or paramedic services within the past 60 days, you may be eligible to participate in a study being conducted about people's experiences with ambulance and paramedic services.
This is for people who are part of One Care or SCO who received urgent care between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m.
The Disability Policy Consortium is conducting surveys about experience of CCA members who have received ambulance or paramedic services.
If you're eligible and complete the survey you will receive $50 for your time.
All the information you provide is confidential.
For more information and to find out if you're eligible, call Kimberley at the Disability Policy Consortium at 617-542-3822 or
[email protected].
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Volunteer Opportunity: Mass Audubon Seeks Testers for Accessible Trail in Belmont
I'm writing to invite you to participate in a testing session for an accessible interpretive trail being developed at Mass Audubon's Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Belmont, Massachusetts. This is Mass Audubon's 12th All Persons Trail, and you are included in this email because we want to invite you to be a tester or to invite others you know who may be able to help with this project.
On Thursday, June 30, we will be conducting this testing session at Habitat from 4-6pm.
Our planned schedule:
4:00 pm Welcome and introduction in Habitat's Visitor Center
4:30-5:30 pm Testers visit the trail to:
* Read the drafted interpretive text (or listen to the drafted audio script that will be read aloud) at the planned stops
* Use the drafted materials planned for trail users
* Follow the navigational instructions provided
5:30-6:00 pm Facilitated discussion/feedback session
We hope you will be able to join us and to provide your input on the drafted audio script, materials, and planned stops. We are very committed to creating a trail that is user-friendly and we welcome your honest feedback.
This testing session will have one added dimension. With funding from the national Institute of Museum and Library Services, we are also now producing guidelines and a short film about developing All Persons Trails. We will be filming this testing session, and hope to use some of the footage in the short film. We hope the testers who agree to help us this time will be comfortable with this (and if not, we will certainly not include you in the filming.)
Please let me know if you have any questions or ideas. Additional information, including directions for driving, public transportation, and a list of participants to support carpooling efforts, will be sent to all who let me know they are interested. Also, I need the contact information for anyone interested in case we have to make any last minute scheduling changes or cancellations. Additional project information is below.
Thank you,
Lucy Gertz
Statewide Education projects Manager
Massachusetts Audubon Society
208 South Great Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
Phone 781-259-2177
Fax 781-259-2377
Email
[email protected]
Accessible Trail Project
For 20 years, Mass Audubon has been steadfastly working to improve accessibility. Since 2008, we have established eleven All Persons Trails, designed with sensory-oriented interpretation for sanctuary visitors with a full range of physical, sensory, and brain-based functional abilities. These trails increase accessibility and inclusion at our wildlife sanctuaries, with content and experiences that are sensory-rich, tactile, universally-themed, and available in multiple formats, at the sites and on our website.
We are currently designing our 12th All Persons Trail.
With funding from the national Institute of Museum and Library Services, we are also now producing guidelines for developing All Persons Trails. This project includes a guidelines manual and a short film.
Our All Persons Trails generally include:
- A sensory-rich audio tour, including navigational instructions, accessible by personal cell phone (where adequate service is available) and/or a digital recording accessible on an audio player. The audio tours are available on our website, so visitors can listen or download them in advance of their visit.
- The interpretive tour script and map printed in a publication available for visually impaired visitors. This will include Brailled text and a tactile map of the trail.
- The interpretive tour script and map printed in a publication available for sighted visitors. This will be designed for high readability (clean designs with large, simple fonts) and it will be a useful resource for hearing impaired visitors. A printer-friendly version will also be available for download from our website.
- An area orientation map and information panel to be installed at the beginning of the trail.
- Signage along the trail containing the number and/or title of each stop in printed lettering and Braille.
- A hand rope guide will be included at some sites, where possible.
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Employment Opportunities: Office Manager and Family Law Attorney Needed
Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is hiring an Office Manager and a Family Law Attorney
Job descriptions and links to applications are at
http://www.vlpnet.org/about/item.6683-Employment_Opportunities_at_VLP. Please share with people who might be interested.
Thanks,
Barbara
Barbara L. Siegel, Esq.
VLP Deputy Director
Project Manager of Senior Partners for Justice
Volunteer Lawyers Project
99 Chauncy Street, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-423-0648, Ext. 123
[email protected]
Fax: 617-423-0061
www.vlpnet.org
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Calendar: Deaf Persons and Allies Retreat
When: Monday, June 20, 2016, 9:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Where: Edward's House, 1 Badger Road, Framingham, MA 01702
Help Grow Deaf Peer Support in Massachusetts
See DEAF Mental Health Recovery Videos
All videos in ASL. All discussion in ASL.
CART services confirmed. ASL Interpreters Requested.
Free - RSVP Please - Lunch Provided
For more information or to register
VP: 617 606-7508
Hearing: 617 442-4111
Sponsored by Transformation Center
with gratitude to the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health for support.
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Calendar: Judge King Hearing
When: Tuesday, June 28, 2016, 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Where: 10 Park Plaza. 2nd Floor, Boston, MA
On Tuesday June 28th, Judge King will be hosting his
semi-annual public meeting regarding the status of the
MBTA/BCIL Settlement agreement. This particular
meeting will be unique as we will be taking some time to
mark the 10 year anniversary of the settlement and
share some personal reflections on the past 10 years.
And there will be refreshments!
Please join us to mark the occasion, share feedback
and help shape future plans.
See you there,
Laura
Laura Brelsford
Assistant General Manager, System-Wide Accessibility
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Ten Park Plaza, Suite 4470
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-222-1688
Fax: 617-222-4394
Email:
[email protected]
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Calendar: Introduction to WRAP and WHAM
WHEN: Friday, July 8, 2016 -10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Registration starts at 9:30 am
WHERE: The Cambridge Public Library, Lecture Hall, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA
An Interactive Introduction to
WRAP and WHAM
Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP)
Copeland Center
Whole Health Action Management (WHAM)
The Center for Integrated Health Solutions
PRESENTER: Robert Rousseau, Director of Peer Recovery Services, FHR, Inc.
Advanced Level WRAP Facilitator
Senior WHAM Trainer
WRAP and WHAM are evidence based practices developed by individuals living with mental health challenges to confront the unacceptable statistic that people living with severe and persistent mental illness die 25 years sooner than the general population.
This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.
RSVP and Request Accommodations by July 1 at
www.dlc-ma.org or 617-723-8455 x 123
Please Note: Out of consideration for people with environmental illness and/or multiple chemical sensitivity, please refrain from using perfume or other scented products.
Due to extremely limited parking in Cambridge, we strongly recommend taking public transit or carpooling to this event. See calendar event at
www.cambridgema.gov/ccpd for transit & parking options.
This event is sponsored by the Disability Law Center, Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council.
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DPC Needs your Help!!!
The DPC uses the PayPal PayFast system for your tax deductible charitable donations. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use this system because credit card payments are also accepted.
The DPC also uses the Causes program for recurring donations (as well as one time donations). This is a great way to make a smaller monthly donation.
Donate by Mail
Make check or money order payable to:
Disability Policy Consortium
11 Dartmouth Street
Suite 301
Malden, MA 02148 |
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