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Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
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I want to say thank you all of our readers. Colin and I heard from so many of you over the last week; your love and support for both of us was amazing. It reminded me why I love our community so much.
This week the DPC was part of a big budget victory at the State House. We share that success with you in a story written by Lenny Somervell. Lenny is our Lead Organizer and she is another one of the talented leaders on our staff.
We have updated our invitation to our annual meeting. There is a job available at the Carroll Center. Lastly, if you live in the MBTA area, I hope you will attend Judge King's meeting this week.
Until next week, happy reading.
John Winske
Disability Policy Consortium
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DPC News: Success in the Budget Process for AHVP
It is with great pride that we announce that the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) received the full $8 million of funding in the senate budget, which wrapped up this week. This is a 23% increase in funding from last year, and is enough money to fund 800 vouchers, restoring the program to what it supported when it was created in 1995. The Housing Advocacy Leadership Team (HALT) achieved an amazing increase in funding.
This will represent an increase of almost 400 new vouchers over the 5 years that HALT, Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) and DPC has been advocating for AHVP. We could not have achieved this massive victory, or secured housing for an additional 400 people, without the tireless work of community members, who have testified at hearings, visited with legislators, made dozens of phone calls and told their stories. This success would not have happened without our dedicated community partners and organizers.
A special thanks goes out to the all the past members of HALT, to CHAPA, BCIL, and to our legislative champions, Representative Decker and Senator Eldridge. Certainly, the fight is not over. The conference committee will be deciding between the senate's $8 million and the house's more modest increase of $7.55 million, and we will need to encourage the committee to accept the senate's number.
It is important to note, 800 vouchers will in no way meet the massive and ever-growing need for housing for people with disabilities. In five years, we took AHVP from a floundering and neglected program to a solid base for meeting the housing needs of our community.
What might we do in the next five?
Lenny Somervell,
Lead Organizer,
DPC
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DPC News: Join Us for the DPC Annual Meeting
When: Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 5:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Where: Non-Profit Center, 89 South Street, Boston, MA 02111.
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Keynote Speakers
Howard Trachtman, BS, CPS, CPRP, COAPS
Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community Executive Team
Anne Fracht and Brian Kremer
Mass Advocates Standing Strong
Business Meeting
Board Election
If you wish to attend or need reasonable accommodations, please contact Jeff Gentry at [email protected] or 617 542-3822, before June 12, 2019.
If you wish to be considered for the Board of the DPC, please contact [email protected].
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Employment Opportunity: Assistive Technology Instructor Carroll Center
Assistive Technology Instructor
(full-time)
The Carroll Center for the Blind empowers those who are blind and visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life. The Carroll Center serves all ages and stages of vision loss by providing campus-based rehabilitation, technology instruction, community orientation and mobility as well as itinerant education and mobility services to children.
We seek an Assistive Technology Instructor to teach blind and visually impaired consumers, as well as those who work with them, to use mainstream technology with assistive technology for employment and/or educational purposes. The Assistive Technology Instructor works with consumers and referral agencies to determine the most appropriate computer access product(s) and training goals. Incumbents will perform assistive technology assessments, work with consumers to help them achieve their goals, generate training and assessment reports on consumers; respond to questions submitted to Carroll Center for the Blind (CCB) Computer Training Alumni Google Group and perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications include:
- Bachelor's Degree in a related field and CATIS certification preferred, 2-3 years' experience as an Assistive Technology Instructor for the blind or 5+ years as a user who demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the software products required.
- Ability to self-teach or collaborate with co-workers when possible to learn new or unfamiliar technology.
- Demonstrated ability to trouble-shoot technical problems and identify support systems when necessary.
- Possess excellent interpersonal and strong written/oral communication skills.
- Capable of working autonomously or as part of a team.
- Advanced knowledge of the following: JAWS for Windows, ZoomText, Voiceover, Victor Reader Stream, Windows 10, Microsoft Word 2019/365, Microsoft PowerPoint 2019/365, Microsoft Outlook 2019/365, Web browsers for navigating websites, and Adobe Reader.
- Some in-state travel to consumers' jobsites and homes is required.
Qualified candidates should e-mail a cover letter and resume to
[email protected]
The Carroll Center for the Blind is a private, non-profit agency, located in Newton, Massachusetts, which serves persons of all ages and stages, who are blind or visually impaired.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Community News: 3 Guards Acquitted in Death at Bridgewater Reinstated Each with Back Pay Over 200K
Masslive.com is reporting that each of the security guards at Bridgewater State Hospital were acquitted in the death of Joshua Messier have been reinstated and received more than $200,000 in back pay. This is certainly a depressing end to a tragic death. You can
read more here.
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Calendar: Judge King Meeting on Accessibility at the MBTA
When: Wednesday, June 5, 2019, 5:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Location: The State Transportation Building, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, 02116 Transportation Board Room 2nd Floor
Hello Friends of the Department of System-Wide Accessibility,
Please join us to discuss accessibility at the T at Judge King's Semi-Annual Public Meeting on the MBTA/BCIL Settlement Agreement.
Learn more about ongoing improvements and important updates, including:
- Meet the new MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak
- Learn about our long-term plan for expanding accessibility system-wide (PATI)
- Reopening of Wollaston Station
- New Orange Line vehicles
- And much more!
Most importantly, come to share your feedback and suggestions.
All meeting rooms are fully accessible. ASL interpreters, CART and assistive listening devices will be available. Print materials will be provided in braille and large print.
If you need any additional accommodations, please contact the Department of System-Wide Accessibility.
Contact us:
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: 617-222-5254
Please visit:
https://www.mbta.com/events/2019-06-05/the-honorable-judge-patrick-king-semi-annual-public-meeting
Kindest Regards,
SWA Department
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Calendar: Help the Disability Law Center Set Priorities
The Disability Law Center (DLC) is looking for your expertise on the issues you face as a person or a family member of a person with a disability. We will be using the information you provide us for our annual priority setting process.
Thursday, June 6
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Edgartown Public Library
26 West Tisbury Road
Edgartown, MA 02539
Tuesday, June 11
11:30 am - 3:30 pm
Worcester City Hall
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Thursday, June 27
10 am - 3 pm
Suffolk University - Sargent Hall
120 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108
A light lunch will be provided **
Please submit any accommodation requests to Amanda at 617-315-4440 or
[email protected].
RSVPs are encouraged in order for us to have an accurate number for materials and food. You can RSVP by calling Amanda at 617-315-4440 or emailing her at
[email protected].
Visit our 2019 Priorities Page
Take our 2020 Priorities Survey
Disability Law Center
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Opportunity: Coding Camp July 15-19
Our Space Our Place invites students who are blind or low vision to participate in an exciting week-long computer learning experience.
- At Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT) in Cambridge.
- Time: 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
- Location: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Eligible for MCB pre-ETS support
Participants: students ages 11 - 21 years old
What you will do:
- Build your own website
- Meet coders, video game makers and other professionals in the tech sector and explore career options in high-tech!
As technology becomes part of all aspects of our life, it is important that as individuals who are blind or low vision we know how to both use and create technology.
Learn Today - Prepare for Your Future
To participate you must be a proficie
nt user of a screen reader and/or magnification tool.
There are 2 spaces for students who live outside of Boston or outside of Massachusetts, who would like to attend the Coding Camp.
To register click here.
For more information, to request accommodations and to ask about transportation options:
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Calendar: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Night at Fenway Park
When: Wednesday, September 4, 2019, 5:40 P.M.
Where: Fenway Park, of course
(Boston Red Sox vs Minnesota Twins
Tickets are now available.
To buy tickets; go to
https://groupmatics.events/event/Deafhoh2019
Deaf social at Sam Adam's Deck from 5:40 pm to 7 pm.
There will also be a pre-game ceremony honoring members of the Deaf community prior to first pitch.
ASL interpreting will be provided at the pre-ceremony, the National anthems and the 7th inning song by the Deaf community members.
If you need any reasonable accommodations, contact Gen Davidson at
[email protected]
or 617-226-6285
Each ticket bought via the link includes a $5 donation to be split between DEAF, Inc. and Our Deaf Survivors Center, Inc.!
Buy tickets and support ODSC, Inc and DEAF, Inc.
Thanks!!
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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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