Please see the NDRN Protect ADA Website - you can use our description section.

The ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 620) introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), would seriously weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA is the signature law protecting the civil rights of people with disabilities.

It requires a person with a disability to give a business owner who has barriers to access a written notice, and 60 days to even acknowledge that there is a problem-and then another 120 days to begin to fix it. No other civil rights group is forced to wait 180 days to enforce their civil rights.

The ADA was enacted in 1990 as a compromise between the disability and business community. Unfortunately, even after 26 years, there are still organizations, businesses, and companies who have yet to comply. H.R. 620 would make it easier for businesses to continue to ignore the ADA.

We believe that it is important for Congress to hear the voices of many who oppose this legislation. It is imperative that your Representative be told to oppose H.R. 620 ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017.

See letter signed by over 200 disability, civil, human rights and faith based organizations in opposition of the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 620). [Letter of Opposition for ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 H.R. 620 - March 2017]

Overview of concerns with H.R. 620

See this video #NoAccessAZ - from AZ Center for Disability Law - explaining the importance of the ADA and accessibility!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVz9GlQwyDI

Thanks,
Dara Baldwin

Hi everyone,

The MBTA is in its budget preparation cycle for Fiscal Year 2018 that begins July 1 2017. This process is moving very quickly and will be finalized by mid-April.

The MBTA will close Fiscal Year 2017 with a 50 million dollar "structural" deficit. The MBTA Finance and Management Control Board (FMCB) has been directed to consider and approve only balanced budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2018.

On last Monday, the MBTA management announced to the FMCB and Audit and Finance Committee that the major means to close this budget gap is the Susoension of Premium Service on The RIDE and the elimination of weekend service on the Commuter Rail. Privatization of certain services is also being considered.

THE RIDE defines Premium Service as any origin or destination address that is outside the core service area. The core service area, as defined by the ADA, is a ¾ mile corridor from the closest fixed route service (buses, subways but excluding the commuter rail) during the operating hours of that fixed route service. Patrons of The RIDE pay a Premium Fare of $5.25 versus the ADA Fare of $3.15. The MBTA has always defined the service area for The RIDE by cities and towns and this practice predated the ADA.

Life decisions have been made based on the existence of this service. Premium Service is the only transportation option for a significant number of The RIDE Patrons. Suspending/eliminating Premium Service without viable alternatives that work for everyone would have tragic results.

There is no legal basis to fight the elimination of Premium Service with regards to the ADA. The ADA is crystal clear on the minimum standard for paratransit service, i.e. Paratransit is required to be provided within ¾ mile of the fixed route (bus, subway - excluding commuter rail).

BSCB has been participating in a Task Force within the MBTA that includes Boston Center for Independent Living, Disability Policy Consortium, Massachusetts Senior Action Council, and the Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA. This Task Force has been very engaged in projects such as the Uber/Lyft/Taxi projects whose clear objectives are to improve customer service and have economic benefit to the MBTA. We are very mindful that services like Uber and Lyft, while they are game changers, they do not work for everyone. The community cannot afford any service elimination without viable alternatives.

This is a call to action for each of you to make your voice heard. You can do so by attending the weekly meetings of the MBTA FMCB and speaking during the public comment period at the very beginning of each meeting. Letters and phone calls to the Governor, Secretary of Transportation, and MBTA GM are also in order.

It is extremely important that there be a significant presence from the blindness community at every FMCB meeting from here forward. These Board Meetings are held each Monday at noon at 10 Park Plaza, the Transportation Building, in Boston. Public testimony makes a big difference and the lack of such testimony also is very telling to the Board. The meeting on Monday, March 20 is especially important - it is when the details of the MBTA's proposals regarding Premium Service will be presented to the FMCB.

The board needs to hear the impacts this decision would have on you, members of your family, and friends. 

Now is the time to make your voice heard!!!

Thank you!!

Brian Charlson,
President
Bay State Counci of the Blind

The blog of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had an editorial this weekend by Ari Ne'eman.  Ari   previously served as one of President Obama's appointees to the National Council on Disability and as the President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. He currently advises the ACLU on disability policy and Medicaid.

Secretary Price and President Trump this week suspended new regulations which sets standards for Home and Community Based Services.  Without standards each state will be able to pick and choose which services to provide and will also monitor themselves.

You can read the blog here.  

Word is the House will vote on the disaster known as the American Health Care Act (ACHA) this Thursday.  Late word is they may move to speed up the cuts to Medicaid.  If you have contacts in other states please contact them.  Also, please participate in the events in our calendar section this week.   

When: Tuesday, March 21, 7 PM EST

Drop by to talk one-on-one with MassHealth, and Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA),  representatives about One Care.

Thursday, March 23, 2017
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Friends of the Homeless Resource Center/Shelter
755 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01105

See the enclosed " How to Get There" flyer for directions, or in Spanish to the information sessions.  For more information about these events, call Maggie at 617-886-8246 or email us at: OneCare@state.ma.us

Calendar:  American Sign Language Classes 

When:  Wednesday evenings, April 12, 2017 to June 14, 2017 (10 weeks), 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

Class is ASL Level I