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Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
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It's Thanksgiving week. We at the DPC wish you a very happy holiday.
Since our calendar section has cleared greatly,
we're catching up on a bunch of news stories this week. We share three interesting ones
Please note in our calendar section that the Aversives Bill hearing scheduled for last week was moved to December 5, 2017. We apologize for the misprint in our last edition. We did not get news of the postponement until after our newsletter went to print. Hope you can attend.
As always happy reading.
John Winske
Disability Policy Consortium
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Net News: McDonald's, Kmart and others settle ADA Suits Over Website Access
The Chicago Tribune has reported that McDonald's, Kmart and Empire Today all settled lawsuits that alleged that their websites were not accessible to people who are blind and/or visually impaired.
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Net News: Open Enrollment Periods
The Affordable Care Act enrollment deadline is December 15, 2017. To sign up online applications go to
HealthCare.gov.
This is also the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage Plans.
You can learn more here.
The deadline for Medicare is December 7, 2017.
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Net News: CVS Opening Mock Stores to Train People with Disabilities
Disability Scoop is reporting that CVS Pharmacy is opening eight mock stores to train prospective employees with disabilities. Trainees who successfully complete training will be eligible to be hired at CVS stores.
You
can read more here
.
What do you think of this idea?
Should training be paid?
Should training programs be integrated or segregated?
Are we looking a gift horse in the mouth (as the saying goes)?
Our thanks to MetroWest Center for Independent Living for bringing this article to our attention.
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Net News: University of Texas Carpentry Shop Unveils Lecturn for Student Body President.
Some of you may remember that the University of Texas elected a new student body president. The new president is a Latina of short stature who uses a wheelchair for mobility. In a great move of acceptance and welcome, the carpentry shop built a custom lectern to meet the needs of the new president. For all of us who have beat things to fit to make them meet our needs, this is truly a remarkable step forward.
You can read more here.
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Employment Opportunity: Executive Director, DLC
The Disability Law Center of Massachusetts (DLC) is seeking an Executive Director to lead this non-profit organization responsible for providing legally-based protection and advocacy services that advance the rights of individuals with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
DLC's next Executive Director will continue to advance the high quality advocacy, legal representation and connection with the disability, civil rights and social justice communities in the state.
The complete job description and application process can be found on our
Careers Page.
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Calendar: Hearing on Aversives Bill (New Date
When: Tuesday, December 5, 2017, 1:00 P.M.
Where: Massachusetts State House, Room B-1
The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities will hold a hearing on
H93 "An Act Regarding the Use of Aversive Therapy"
This is the aversives bill which would ban the inhumane use of aversives in the form of electric shocks to autistic and other developmentally disabled people. We have been fighting this for over thirty years. Many of you have shown up at the state house time and time again to fight this. Unfortunately, we must do this once more.
To request reasonable accommodations email Carl Richardson, the ADA Coordinator at the state house, at least
one business day (and preferably more) prior to the hearing, at
carl.richardson@state.ma.us. Explain what bill you are testifying for and the reasonable acommodations you require.
If you cannot make it that day, please email your testimony. All testimony should include your full name, address and contact information, as well as any degrees you hold, affiliations, etc.
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Calendar: Carroll Center Technology Fair
When: Tuesday, November 21, 9:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Where: The Carroll Center for the Blind
Rachel E. Rosenbaum Technology Center
770 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02458
Join us at the Carroll Center's Annual Technology Fair 2017
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. New Low Vision Wearables: E-Sight, Jordy, IrisVision
11:45 to 12:45 p.m. Blindness Wearables & Portables: Aira, Or-Cam, Sunu
1:45 to 2:15 p.m. Living with Non-24 sleep/wake disorder
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Accessing College Portals-how to prepare your students!
Registration is not required to attend the Tech Fair,
however, pre-registered attendees will receive event updates. To register,
fill out the form
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Sponsored by Vanda Pharmaceuticals.
Current list of Vendors:
Adaptivision/Optelec
Ai Squared
BAUM USA
Carroll Store
Easter Seals
Eschenbach
Humanware
Logan Tech
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Mass Match Program
New England Low Vision
ORCAM
Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library
Vanda
VFO
WayAround
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Calendar: Transportation Speak Out
When: Tuesday, November 28, 1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.
Where: STAVROS, 227 Berkshire Ave, Springfield MA, 01109
Stavros and the Pioneer Valley Regional Coordinating Council are joining forces for this year's
Transportation Speak Out. Last year, over 75 community members, agencies, and advocates gathered to share their housing stories. This year, we're looking to hear from you about transportation. Have cuts to transportation impacted your community? Have you been impacted by cuts to transportation and wish to share your perspective? Are you passionate about generating more funding for transportation within the Pioneer Valley? Join us!
Come hear from Sandra Sheehan, Administrator PTVA, Mary L. Jenewin-Caplin, Director Greater Springfield Senior Services, Patrick Burke, Rider Representative PVTA Advisory Board, and more! For accommodations, more information or to rsvp please contact Jennifer Lee at 413-256-0473 x 213 or
jlee@stavros.org.
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Calendar: Audio Described Performance of the Nutcraker
When: Tuesday, December 19, 2017, 7:30 P.M.
Where: Boston Opera House, 539 Washington Street, Boston, MA, USA | 02111
Tickets are $35. Please mention the
All-Access Performance when you call the Box Office at 617 695-6955.
The Boston Ballet is performing one of the greatest ballets of all time, an American holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, live to jam packed audiences.
This spectacular production of The Nutcracker is easily the greatest and best known ballet in America. Introduced many years ago by George Balanchine, this ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, is a phenomenal ballet that features an excellent combination of dance, music and choreography resulting in a must see performance this holiday season for both adults and children.
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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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