I am truly thankful to live in Massachusetts.  With every election, I am reminded of how we live in our own political bubble.  Sometimes bad ideas from other states creep into our public policy discussions.  Usually they creep right back where they came from.  For the most part, we have our own little slice of heaven and reason for people with disabilities here in the Commonwealth.

I am thankful to the Board of the DPC for entrusting me with the reins of an organization that I cherish with all my heart.  I truly love what I do.  I work with people that I respect and adore.  Too many in our society never get to say they love what they do at work every day.

I am thankful for the young leaders that are emerging in our movement.  Our bench is very deep and these leaders are going to take our movement in new directions.  Directions we old dogs cannot even fathom.

I am thankful for the Disability and Intersectionality Summit and its leaders.  Each day I am having my old assumptions challenged.  If more people would open their eyes, brain and heart, they would experience a magical journey that would renew their faith in humanity.

Some will find this corny, but I am truly thankful to live in the United States.  We are going through a seismic, albeit temporary (in my opinion) political shift and not a shot has been fired.  In January, a peaceful transfer of power will occur.  Talk to someone who has lived in other countries and you realize what has been built here is truly rem arkable.

Lastly, I am thankful to those who have helped keep this old body of mine relatively healthy for another year.  My PCA's, health care providers and friends who keep an eye on me and have the courage to remind me that my health comes first.  I am a 54 year old man living with muscular dystrophy.  A generation ago it would have been impossible.

So what about you?  What are you thankful for?

John Winske

Dear Disabilities Caucus Members & Allies,

Last week I met with House Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey to discuss a Caucus priority, H.121 An Act affirming inclusion of individuals with disabilities within civil rights protections and nondiscrimination provisions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For those who are new to H.121, or those who simply need a refresher, the bill reaffirms that discrimination against people with disabilities is unacceptable in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and replaces the use of the term "handicapped person" in the laws of Massachusetts with the term "person with disabilities." https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H121

H.121 is one of the few pieces of legislation from the 2015-2016 legislative session that is still alive and has been sitting in Ways and Means since March. Following a very promising meeting with the Chairman, I have decided to issue the Caucus' first "Action Alert" to let you know that now is a good time to follow-up your support for this Caucus Priority by reaching out to Chairman Dempsey and the House Committee on Ways and Means to ask that H.121 be released by the committee and voted on in informal session before the start of the new term in January (at which time H.121 will die and need to start the legislative process again). The committee is still accepting written testimony, which can be sent to the chairman's legislative director at Christopher.Bennett@mahouse.gov.

I encourage everyone to submit written testimony or contact the committee https://malegislature.gov/Committees/House/H34. For a bill to move this late in the session, it's going to have to seem like there's a groundswell of public support. I know I can count on you. Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly at Denise.Provost@mahouse.gov or contact my office at 617-722-2263 ext. 2.

Very truly yours,

Denise

Denise Provost
State Representative, 27th Middlesex
State House, Room 473B
Boston, MA 02133
Tel. (617) 722-2263
Fax (617) 626-0561
denise.provost@mahouse.gov

The Disability Law Center and Disability Reframed:  A Community Film Series present:   Bottom Dollars

When:  Tuesday, December 6, 2016, 11 AM - 3 PM

Where:  The Cambridge Public Library, Lecture Hall

449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA

Registration: 11 - 11:30am

Lunch: 11:30am - 12:30pm

Film Screening: 12:30 - 1:30pm

Panel Discussion: 1:30 - 3pm

Free Admission. Advance RSVP Required

Bottom Dollars is an hour-long documentary that exposes the exploitation of people with disabilities through personal stories and expert interviews. It also presents clear employment alternatives with competitive wages and community inclusion. Do we want all people to have a shot at a job for fair pay in their own communities, or do we want some people to be separated, exploited and robbed of their chance to seize the American dream for themselves? 

Panel discussion following the screening, with film Director Jordan Melograna, Sara Frost (featured in film) and DLC Director of Advocacy, Rick Glassman.

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

Disability Reframed: A Community Film Series is a collaboration of the Boston Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Hosted by the Cambridge Public Library.

ASL Interpreters and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) have been requested.

Register & Request Accommodations by November 29, 2016

Fill out the registration form below, or contact Amanda if you have any questions.

To register go to:

http://www.dlc-ma.org/_conf/register.asp

mail@dlc-ma.org or 617-723-8455 x 123