Last week, we received several emails asking why we had no update on the PCA Overtime issue.  The simple answer, there were no new updates.  

But this week there are.

PCA users started receiving official notices this week.  If you need a PCA to work more than forty hours a week, you should contact your PCA Management Agency, ASAP, to request a waiver.  We are told that all requests this time around are going to be approved for two months.  Let us know what your experience is. We suspect the agencies are going to be swamped as they try to complete an impossible task imposed by the state.

We are continuing our efforts to get this ill-advised policy reversed.  Please call the Governor's Office at 617-725-4005.  Ask for this regulation, eliminating most PCA overtime, to be rescinded.

We also have some good news for you.  On Saturday, November 5th, there will be the first conference in New England on Disability and Intersectionality.  I am pleased to announce that the DPC will be the lead sponsor of the conference.

The planning committee announced this week that Heather Watkins will be a keynote speaker at the Conference.  

Thursday, the Boston Globe reported on a new law, passed two weeks ago, regulating transportation network companies (TNC's).  The article noted that the legislature tasked the Department of Public Utilities with developing specific regulations.  The law calls for the establishment of a task force.  Christine Griffin, Executive Director of the Disability Law Center, will serve on this task force.  You can read the article here.

On Friday, USA Today reported that a new study by Lisa Schur and Douglas Kruse, of Rutgers University, which projects that more than 35.4 million eligible voters with disabilities will participate in this years election.  If these numbers are correct the disability vote will exceed voters who are African American or Latino.  You can find the article here. 

When:  Tuesday, August 16, 2016, 6 :00 P.M. (doors open) 6:30 P.M. (screening)

Where:  Kendall Square Cinema, One Kendall Square at 355 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA

You are invited to a screening of HEALING VOICES, featuring a dialogue after the film with: 

PJ Moynihan (Writer/Director) 

Oryx Cohen (Subject/Co-Producer)

Chris Griffin (Executive Director of the Disability Law Center)

Officials from the Massachusetts Public Health Community and additional guests.

** This event is free and open to the public but space is limited. You must RSVP to attend this event **

RSVP and request accommodations by August 14, 2016

Register Online, or contact Amanda if you have any questions.

[email protected] or 617-723-8455 x 123

Communication Access Realtime Translation will be provided.

Please Note: Out of consideration for people with environmental illness and/or multiple chemical sensitivity, please refrain from using perfume or other scented products.

Where:  Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Hall of Fame Avenue, Sprinfield, MA 01105

Presenters:

Nancy Murphy, Staff Attorney, Disability Law Center
Walter Noons, Staff Attorney, Disability Law Center
Nathan Frommer, Staff Attorney, Committee for Public Counsel Services

Moderator:

Christine Griffin, Executive Director, Disability Law Center

Registration: 9:30 am
Training on Fundamental Rights: 10:00 - 12:30 pm
Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Input from the Community: 1:30 - 3:00 pm

Join us for a training on the six fundamental rights and mental health laws in Massachusetts. This will be followed by a Community Feedback Forum.

We are looking for your input on the issues you face as a person or family member of a person with lived experiences of a mental health diagnosis.

Please Note:

Out of consideration for people with environmental illness and/or multiple chemical sensitivity, please refrain from using perfume or other scented products.

This event is free and open to the public but you must RSVP to attend.

RSVP by August 12, 2016

Register here or contact Amanda at [email protected] or 617-723-8455 x 123