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Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
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This is a relatively short edition of the Weekly Update. as my computer chose this to go to that great trash pile in the sky or where ever dead motherboards go.
We do have a new editorial series beginning today, a petition for you to sign and
lots of events in our calendar section as well.
So until next week, a
s always
happy reading.
John Winske
Disability Policy Consortium
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Editorial: Building A Base
We, at the DPC, have been heavily involved in healthcare reform for the last eight years.
We advocated for quality Long Term Supports and Services (LTSS) to be woven throughout the Dual Eligible Initiative. This initiative would come to be known as One Care in Massachusetts.
We have studied One Care in research projects with the Mongan Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital.
All of our advocacy and research has shown one inescapable fact. LTSS is the cornerstone for people with disabilities to live a healthy life. Community based services, in which a strong bond exists between the provider and the person with a disability, enable us to stay out of the emergency room and out of in-patient settings.
In-patient settings (institutions, hospitals and mental health services) and emergency rooms are the most costly place to provide services. Ironically, through our research, these are the last places people with disabilities want to be. This finding applied to both people with severe physical disabilities and those who have been diagnosed with a mental health disability.
For people with severe physical disabilities, a trip to the emergency department represents a loss of control. It often means leaving mobility devices behind (such as wheelchairs, walkers and canes). It also requires interacting with professionals who are totally unfamiliar with our disabilities and the particular vagaries of our personal routines. And hospital floors are even worse. Stories abound of experienced PCA's performing tasks quicker and more effectively than a ward full of nurses.
For people with a lived history of mental illness, a trip to the ER can mean a complete loss of freedom. Many individuals have personal horror stories of reporting a physical ailment and professionals not believing them. Worse, the
decision by a physician to ignore the patients complaint can lead to involuntary commitment or imprisonment.
For some of you, this will not be new information. For others, this will come as a surprise. My goal with this column is to set a base line for a series of editorials to follow.
So tune in next week....
John Winske
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Advocacy Opportunity: Don't Tread on My ADA
The ADA is under attack. A bill before Congress would require people who are discriminated against under the ADA to notify offenders, tell them how to comply and give them 60 days to think about it.
The ADA is 27 years old. The time to think about compliance is over.
The opposition is in constant contact with the Hill and making contacts daily in the THOUSANDS!!
We have HUNDREDS and making little to no contact to the Hill! *Staff have told me this directly!!
Please get every staff member in your office, all of your family and friends and anyone else you know who supports civil and human rights to sign this petition!
I KNOW we can do better.
Share on social media!
Here is the Link:
Don't Tread on MY ADA
Thanks,
Dara Baldwin
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Calendar: Sixth Annual Reel Abilities Film Festival
When: March 29 - April 6, 2017
Where: Various Venues in the Boston area
I would like to invite the members of the Disability Task Force to the Sixth Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival Boston, which will be held between March 29-April 6, 2017. ReelAbilities strives for the inclusion of all people and is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different abilities from a variety of communities.
https://www.facebook.com/ReelAbilitiesBoston/.
www.reelboston.org
Thank you very much for your help,
Mara
Festival Director
ReelAbilities Film Festival
1001 Watertown Street
West Newton, MA 02465
p: 617.244.9899 x202
f: 617.244.9894
www.bjff.org
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Calendar: Six Fundamental Rights & Mental Health Laws in Massachusetts
When: Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Where: Lecture Hall, Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA
Registration: 9:30 am
Training on Fundamental Rights: 10:00 - 12:30 pm
Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Input from the Community: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Presenters:
Walter Noons, Senior Attorney, Disability Law Center
Alice Whitehill Wiseberg, Attorney in Charge, Committee for Public Counsel Services
Moderator:
Christine Griffin, Executive Director, Disability Law Center
Join us for a training on the six fundamental rights and mental health laws in Massachusetts. This will be followed by a Community Feedback Forum.
We are looking for your input on the issues you face as a person or family member of a person with lived experiences of a mental health diagnosis.
Please Note: Out of consideration for people with environmental illness and/or multiple chemical sensitivity, please refrain from using perfume or other scented products.
This event is free and open to the public but you must
RSVP to attend
RSVP by March 29, 2017
Fill out the registration form below, or contact Amanda if you have any questions.
mail@dlc-ma.org or 617-723-8455 x 123
Hosted by: Disability Law Center and
Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities
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Calendar: Senior Medicare Patrol Seventh Statewide Conference
Engaging Consumers to Prevent Healthcare Errors, Fraud and Abuse
When Friday, April 28, 2017, 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Where: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA
To register or for more information go to
www.masmp.org or contact Caroline Cole at 978 946-1256 or at
ccole@esmv.org.
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Calendar: Cocktail Reception DLC Honors
When: Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 5:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Where: Royal Sonesta Hotel, 40 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge, MA 02142
The Disability Law Center Honors
Frederick Wiseman
with the
Impact Award
Art that Changes Lives
50th Anniversary of Titicut Follies
Since 1967, Frederick Wiseman has directed 40 documentaries-dramatic, narrative films that seek to portray ordinary human experience in a wide variety of contemporary social institutions. His films include TITICUT FOLLIES, HIGH SCHOOL, WELFARE, JUVENILE COURT, BOXING GYM, LA DANSE, BALLET, CENTRAL PARK, BALLET, LA COMEDIE FRANCAISE, and CRAZY HORSE. He has directed a fiction film, THE LAST LETTER (2002). His films are distributed in theaters and broadcast on television in many countries.
For more information please visit http://www.dlc-ma.org/fw/
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Calendar: Boston Deaf and Hard of Hearing Assistive Technology Resource Fair
When: Wednesday May 3rd, 2017, 10:00 A.M. -2:00 P.M.
Where: Non Profit Center Community Room.
89 South Street, Boston, MA 02111
Vendors and advocates will be on hand to demonstrate and explain the latest devices and resources in the areas of Deafness & Hard of Hearing
This event is free and open to all!
Please RSVP and request accommodations by April 12. Contact Keri Chamberlain 617-226-2634 or
kchamberlain@eastersealsma.org
MassMATCH is funded by the Administration for Community Living of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and managed by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.
MassMATCH Assistive Technology Regional Center-Boston operated by Easter Seals MA provides device demonstrations and loans of the latest equipment to the general public.
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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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