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Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
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We begin this week by drawing your attention to two big events on Thursday. First is Independent Living Education Day at the State House. It is always a great event and a good time to meet your legislator. he DPC is pleased to sponsor this important day once again.
Secondly, DPC has an educational event at the Boston Foundation on Thursday with some fantastic panelist and our own Colin Killick. It will focus on preparing young people with disabilities for a successful future. Needless to say, our staff will be spread a little thin on Thursday.
We also feature a job opening at the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Program at the Center for Living and Working in Worcester.
We also have five very good news stories for you this week.
Until next week, happy reading.
John Winske
Disability Policy Consortium
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Calendar: I.L. Education Day at the State House
When
: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 10:30 A.M, - 3 P.M.
Where
: Massachusetts State House, Great Hall
Join Massachusetts State Independent Living Council (MASILC) Members, Independent Living Center members and staff along with community allies for a day of Independent Living Education with legislators.
2019 Legislative Priorities
- Align MA AAB regulations with the ADA
- Support Independent Living Centers
- Services and supports for Youth
- Access to Housing for People with Disabilities
- Access to Assistive Technology and Durable Medical Equipment
- Access to Health Care
Schedule
10:30 a.m. - Registration
11:00 a.m. - Speakers
12:00 p.m. - Lunch
1-3 p.m. - Legislative Visits
Accommodations
To request or confirm communication access or other reasonable accommodations for the speaking event:
call 508-620-7452
To request communication access for visits with legislators contact State House ADA Coordinator Carl Richardson:
call: (617) 727-1100 x35502
Fax: (617) 727-7700
This event is sponsored by the SILC Public Education and Information Committee, Massachusetts 11 Independent Living Centers, MRC State Rehab Council and Disability Policy Consortium.
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DPC News: Ensuring Long-Term Success for Young People with Disabilities
When: Thursday, March 14, 2019, Noon - 1:30 P.M.
Where: The Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington Street, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02116.
We're honored that
Social Innovation Forum (SIF) has selected DPC for the 2019 Social Innovator Accelerator cohort. SIF is a Boston-based connector and catalyst for social change. DPC was selected for this honor from a pool of 164 applicants and we are receiving over $150,000 in grants and consulting services to expand our efforts to empower the post-ADA generation of disability leaders and advocates.
We're excited that the Social Innovation Forum is partnering with DPC to host a Social Issue Talk at The Boston Foundation (75 Arlington Street) on Thursday, March 14th from 12 - 1:30 pm. Our Social Issue Talk will explore the vital work that DPC and innovative organizations like the Ruderman Family Foundation are working to Ensure Long-Term Success for People with Disabilities, with a particular focus on supporting young people with disabilities and developing the next generation of disability leaders.
Please join us for a light lunch and an engaging conversation that will feature Colin Killick, DPC's Deputy Director, and the following distinguished guests:
* Kirk Joslin, President Emeritus, Easterseals Massachusetts
* Dr. Monika Mitra, Nancy Lurie Marks Associate Professor of Disability Policy and Director of the
Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University
* Rinat Kisin, Program Officer at Ruderman Family Foundation and Facilitator of the LINK20 Leadership Network
You can reserve your
seat for the Social Issue Talk here.
Thank you for supporting DPC's mission! We will look forward to seeing you at The Boston Foundation on March 14th!
Sincerely,
John Winske
Executive Director
Disability Policy Consortium
[email protected]
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Employment Opportunity: Administrative Assistant DHIL Program - CLW
Administrative Assistant Position
Center for Living & Working, Inc.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing IL Program
Part-time (20 hours per week)
Duties: Work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Program in Worcester office. Applicant must be fluent in American Sign Language. Assignments will include: filing; copying; proofreading; word processing; database and spreadsheet entry (using Microsoft office programs); answering calls pertaining to information and referrals; acquiring new consumer referrals through calls or walk-ins; keeping the general office files updated and organized; and other duties as assigned by the DHILS Director. Applicants must have at least 1-3 years related experience. Applicants also should be knowledgeable and sensitive to the needs and culture of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
If you want to view the job description for this positon, please contact
Debra Ethier to receive a copy.
Send resume to:
Debra Ethier
Human Resources Assistant
484 Main Street, Suite 345
Worcester, MA 01608
[email protected]
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Net News: Snow Clogged Sidewalks Create Challenge for People with Disabilities
CBS, in Boston, had a story about the barriers to accessibility created by un-shoveled snow on sidewalks, curb cuts and cross-walks in Boston. I will note that Mayor Walsh of Boston needs a reminder that cross-walks are the purview of the city. Although the city can mandate that individuals and businesses clear sidewalks and curb ramps, the street and cross-walks still fall under the city's control. The story can be found here.
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Net News: Senators Look to Expand ABLE Program
The DisabilityScoop is reporting that a bi-partisan group of Senators has introduced a bill to raise the age by which a person must become disabled to qualify for an ABLE account. ABLE accounts allow a person with a disability to save money without endangering benefits. When ABLE accounts were created they were limited to people who became disabled before the age of 26. The bill ABLE Age Adjustment Act, S. 651, would raise the age to 46. You
can read more here.
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Net News: School on a Farm at the Vanguard
Although we usually do not cover stories about schools that segregate children with disabilities, this program seems very unique and interesting. Personally I am fascinated by the potential of animals and pets to foster healing environments. This story was in the
New York Times and you can read it here.
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Net News: Disability Rights California Finds ICE Detention Dangerous for PwD's
An investigation by Disability Rights California (DRC) finds conditions at Adelanto Detention Center pose serious risks to people with mental illness and other disabilities. The center is
one of the largest privately operated immigration detention facilities in the United States.
The findings are contained in a report released today, "
There Is No Safety Here: The Dangers for People with Mental Illness and Other Disabilities in Immigration Detention at GEO Groups Adelanto ICE Processing Center." The report follows an in-depth yearlong investigation.
[Editor's Note]: We apologize that the report currently is only available to us in Adobe pdf format. If/when we can find a link in a more accessible format we will publish it.
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Net News: Mom and Child Removed from Flight for Skin Condition
This is from the you cannot make this stuff up department. A mom and her one year old son were asked to leave an American Airlines flight. Both mom and the son have Ichthyosis, a rare genetic skin condition. It is ironic that the day, on which they we not allowed to fly, was Rare Disease Day. You can read about it here.
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Calendar: ReelAbilities Film Festival
When: March 26, 2019 - April 3, 2019
Where: Various venues in and around Boston
The ReelAbilities Film Series is returning to Boston again. This year the series will feature 11 films. The DPC is proud to serve as a copresenter of the film series. You can
learn more about the Boston films here.
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Calendar: Career Fair for Job Seekers with Disabilities
When: Friday, April 5, 2019, 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Where: Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Second Floor, Conference Rooms 1, 2, & 3, Boston, MA 02116
Save the date for an upcoming opportunity to explore a career in public service within Massachusetts state government!
The 2019 State Employment Career Fair is a chance for jobseekers with disabilities to learn about jobs within state government. The career fair will be hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), in partnership with the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD), the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) and the Human Resources Division (HRD).
Description:
The 2019 State Employment Career Fair is an opportunity to meet Massachusetts state government recruitment and human resources representatives in an informative and engaging setting where you can explore a career field that interest you.
Reasons to Attend:
-Opportunity for "face time" with employers
-A chance to consider multiple industries, in one location, on the same day
-Ability to ask questions
-Make a positive first impression by selling your relevant skills and experience to each employer
Reasonable accommodation requests to:
Rita DiNunzio at
[email protected] or
857-368-8738, as soon as possible, no later than March 22, 2019
For general questions about the event, please contact
[email protected] or call 617-727-7440, extension 27319
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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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