On December 18th, The Boston Globe had a story that the MBTA and Global Contact Services had "mutually agreed" to end their contract.  Global Contact was brought in to provide scheduling and dispatching services for the entire RIDE area.  They failed miserably and never took over services for the entire area.  You can read the article here.

Prisoners Legal Services (PLS) is seeking an outstanding part time paralegal to concentrate on working to combat staff-on-prisoner assault in Massachusetts jails and prisons. This position will work through PLS' excessive force projects to deter staff-on-prisoner assaults, advocate for impacted prisoners, support PLS' efforts to provide legal services to these prisoners and increase community awareness of this problem.

The paralegal will meet with injured prisoners, usually within 72 hours of report, to interview and photograph injuries, collect documents and give legal advice about the clients' rights. After the prison visit, this position will conduct follow-up advocacy, primarily regarding preservation of evidence and any unmet medical needs from the assault. In those cases that meet the criteria to be considered for litigation, the paralegal will also investigate the prisoners' claims by gathering records generated by the prison or jail in relation to the incident, as well as conducting witness interviews. With supervision, the paralegal and other PLS staff will evaluate completed investigations to determine whether there is sufficient proof to merit litigation. Meritorious cases are litigated, when resources allow, by PLS attorneys or, if possible, are referred to private attorneys. This position is three-fifths time and will share responsibilities with another paralegal, who is two-fifths time. Both project paralegals are supervised by a senior PLS staff member.

Other Qualifications

Must be comfortable having frequent contact with prisoner clients through visits, telephone and letter, and advocating for their needs.

Spanish speakers are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Excellent organizational, administrative, writing and communication skills are required.
• Travel to Massachusetts prisons and jails is required. Applicants must have a valid driver's license and regular access to a car.
• Ability to work cooperatively with a team is required.
• Ability to speak and write in Spanish strongly preferred.
• Bicultural, bilingual candidates and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Experience working with and advocating for marginalized populations preferred.
• Attention to detail required.
• Applicants will be asked to demonstrate professional writing skills by drafting a letter at the time of the interview.

Benefits and Salary

PLS offers salary competitive with the legal services field and commensurate with experience. PLS provides a comprehensive benefits package, including family medical and dental coverage which are pro-rated for this part-time position. Flex time or other alternative arrangements considered. PLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send a resume, cover letter and three professional references to Al Troisi at atroisi@plsma.org. No phone calls or mail inquiries please.

When:  Saturday, January 20, 2018, 10 A.M. - Noon

Where:   College of the Holy Cross, Hogan Center, Room 320. 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610.

MCDHH will hold a public hearing for MCD06, the new contract for American Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. 

This contract will replace MCD01 when it ends on June 30, 2018. 

This hearing will allow stakeholders an opportunity to comment on the proposed MCD06 contract. Comments and signed videos may also be submitted by email to: jane.sokol.shulman@massmail.state.ma.us  (deadline for comments: 5:00 p.m. on  Tuesday, February 13, 2018 .)

When:  Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Where:  Four Points by Sheraton

1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike

Norwood, MA 02062 

Save the Date

13th Annual "Focus" on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability & Vision Loss

● Registration Forms available now from "Training": www.focusonvisionandvisionloss.org/conferences--workshops.html

Meg Robertson COMS MA
Director Orientation and Mobility Department
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
600 Washington St. 3rd Floor
Boston MA 02111
617-626-7581
Meg.Robertson@massmail.state.ma.us