| Annual Report FY15 Released 
MAB Community Services has released its Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2015!
Learn about all the great accomplishments from MAB's three divisions: the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI), Ivy Street School, and Adult Disability Services.
View or download the
Annual Report
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Giving Tuesday
We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have
Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back.
Please mark your calendars for
December 1st to make a tax-deductible donation to MAB Community Services - any amount helps transform lives.
Below is the link to
our secure online donation form. Thank you for your support.
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Volunteer
Make a difference in someone's life by lending your sight for just a few hours each week or month. Sign up to be a one-on-one volunteer with MABVI!
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MAB's Annual Meeting 2015: Realizing the Vision of Deinstitutionalization
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| Linda Glenn was honored for her role in the deinstitutionalization movement |
MAB Community Services' 2015 Annual Meeting focused on deinstitionalization, how far we have come, and how much more still needs to be done to truly realize its vision.
Honorees
We honored
Linda Glenn, former Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services, in recognition of her leadership role in the state's decision in the 70's to begin to move individuals with intellectual disabilities out of poorly funded, overcrowded institutions and into the community.
While at the time a controversial decision, it is thanks to Linda's vision that so many individuals with disabilities today have the opportunity to live full, satisfying lives in the community through programs such as MAB's
Adult Disability Services (ADS).
Linda was presented her award by
Peter Goldmark, the former head of the Massachusetts Department of Human Services, along with a number of individuals in the ADS program who had formerly lived in institutions but currently reside in the community. Linda was met with a standing ovation by those in attendance.
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Shaun Kinsella presents Lisa DiBonaventura
with her award |
The night's other honoree demonstrates the work being done today to further empower those with disabilities - MAB recognized Orientation & Mobility expert Lisa DiBonaventura for all she has accomplished in her role as Massachusetts' Statewide Director for Vision and Vision Loss Services for the Department of Developmental Services.
MAB's Shaun Kinsella presented Lisa with a Community Partner Award for dedicating her career to helping individuals with disabilities live full, satisfying lives. She has been a leader in expanding services for individuals who have both visual impairment and intellectual disability.
Each year Lisa runs the
annual Focus on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference, which brings together professionals who work with individuals with vision loss and intellectual disability to discuss how to better meet the needs of those they serve.
Panel Discussion
The evening also featured an expert panel discussion that looked at what still needs to be done to realize the vision set forth by Linda Glenn and the deinstitutionalization movement and how individuals and organizations can continue moving in the right direction. Jeff Kielson, Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning at Advocates, Inc., moderated the panel.
Susan Senator, author of Making Peace with Autism and Autism Adulthood: Strategies and Insights for a Fulfilling Life, gave her insight as the parent of a son with autism and the various ways she has had to make her voice heard to ensure he is able to receive the services he needs. Senator stressed the importance of advocacy and the crucial role of the caregiver.
Gary Blumenthal, President and CEO of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Service Providers, talked about what providers are doing to meet the needs of individuals and how these efforts can be strengthened moving forward.
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| Susan Senator and Gary Blumenthal |
Barbara Salisbury, CEO of
MAB Community Services, outlined an innovative MAB initiative to recruit, develop, and retain highly skilled direct care staff, providing them with the support and career opportunities that will ensure that individuals with disabilities in MAB's programs are given high-quality, individualized care.
The evening was a reflection on how far we have come as well as an examination of what more needs to be done to ensure that individuals with disabilities are able to live full, satisfying lives in the community.
Thank you to all our speakers, honorees, and attendees, as well as to MassHousing for once again hosting this event.
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About Us:
MAB has been
creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities since 1903. Our experience allows us to forge strong community partnerships to meet the pressing need for high quality services and transform lives.
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