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A Message from Commissioner Oliveira | |
Today is International Dog Guide Day, which is celebrated the last Wednesday of April each year. Dog guides provide opportunities for social interaction and greater independence for people who are blind or have low vision. International Dog Guide Day pays tribute to the dogs who do this impressive work. Dog guides help their owners make their way through the world while offering love and comfort in so many ways. Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training is an essential part of preparing people to be successfully partnered with a dog guide. MCB does not provide dog guides, but our counselors can assist with connecting interested consumers with resources. After a consumer is paired with a dog guide, Certified O&M Specialists (COMS) are available to provide route orientation.
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On March 22nd, MCB hosted our annual Visions of Collaboration Conference in Norwood. We welcomed approximately 140 professionals who are currently working with students who are legally blind on post-secondary employment and education options. Thank you to our planning committee, presenters, and community partners who made this event a great success!
Summer is almost here which means we are excited to welcome another class of interns for our 21st annual Summer Internship Program. 60 interns will join more than 800 of their peers who have participated in this program since the start in 2003.
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Last month, I attended the 39th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference in Anaheim, California with our Assistive Technology Director Alexander Pooler. The conference has been the foremost forum on technology for people with disabilities. Sponsored by California State University's Northridge’s Center on Disabilities, CSUN provides a global platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors, and other to share the latest on assistive technology and inclusion. I caught up with Stevie Wonder at the conference who joined me to try on a smart harness designed to help people with vision loss avoid obstacles.
Budget season continues! On March 12, I testified before the Joint Committee on Ways and Means in support of the Administration's budget recommendation. On April 10th, the House Committee on Ways and Means released it's budget recommendation. This week, the full body of the House of Representatives will begin considering amendments to the recommendations and debate their inclusion in the bill. Learn more about the Massachusetts budget process.
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Lastly, I would like to take a moment to remember Marie “Sandy” Matava, who served as Commissioner of MCB from 1975 to 1979. She passed away peacefully on March 19th, according to her obituary. Under Commissioner Matava’s leadership, MCB restructured to the regional service delivery approach we still use today in an effort to make the agency’s services more accessible to residents in all corners of the Commonwealth. In addition to MCB, Ms. Matava also served as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services from 1983 to 1991. After “retiring” from state government, she embarked on a second career in academia in the 1990s, returning to the Suffolk University Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program. In addition to her faculty role, she served as the Director of the Moakley Center for Public Management. In 2021, she received national honors for her contributions to public service. Our thoughts are with Ms. Matava's family.
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Last year, MCB contracted with MassINC Polling Group to conduct an all-consumer survey with the purpose of gathering data to develop and improve programs and services that align with our mission of life-long independence and full community participation for the people we serve. | |
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March's episode of the MCB Community Update is now live!
The MCB Community Update is a monthly webinar and podcast produced by Audible Local Ledger Executive Director Eric Joseph who interviews staff members about the latest happenings at MCB.
The webinar version is posted on YouTube. The podcast version is distributed to the Massachusetts Audio Information Network member radio stations for broadcast and is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
A new episode is posted on the last Friday of each month.
April's Guest: Alexander Pooler, Director of Assistive Technology
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Blindness & Low Vision Resource Guide | |
Navigating the world of blindness and vision loss can be overwhelming and often involves lifestyle changes and emotional adjustment. Over the past year, our MetroWest Regional Advisory Council and The Polus Center for Social and Economic Development, Inc. have developed a resource guide to offer an overview of the public, private, and non-profit organizations that provide information, services, and products to people with vision loss, their families, and support networks. | |
Spring 2024 Adaptive Recreation Program Schedule | |
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Discover:
- Rowing in Holyoke
- Hiking at Walden Pond
- Tandem Cycling at Nashua River Rail Trail in Groton & Wompatuck State Park in Hingham
- Kayaking at Farnam’s Crossing, Cheshire Reservoir
- Cycling at Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in Chesire, Backstone River Greenway in Blackstone, and Norwottuck Rail Trail in Hadley
Explore programs offered by UAP’s Supported Partners:
- Sailing on the Charles River in Boston
- Golfing at Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton and Leo J. Martin Memorial Golf Course in Weston
- Kayaking, paddleboarding, yoga, and yard games will be starting at the McGraw Center for Adaptive Sports at Nickerson State Park in Brewster
Don’t wait! These outdoor adventures will be ending soon!
Questions? Contact the partner providers for specific program information and to register. For general questions, contact UAP at 413-461-7126 or DCR.UniversalAccess@mass.gov.
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Our Shared Community:
Stories from the 2024 Boston Marathon
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Kyle Robidoux is legally blind. He ran the 2024 Boston Marathon with some help from his runner guide, Taylor Slesinksi
Kyle Robidoux, a visually impaired runner, and Taylor Slesinski, his sighted guide, ran the Boston Marathon together for the third time.
A visually impaired former Marine who has finished 30 marathons completed the Boston Marathon, his first with his daughter as a guide.
The challenges have been many, and so have the successes for Grafton native Chaz Davis.
Nēv Schulman, TV host and producer of MTV series, “Catfish,” completed the Boston Marathon as a guide runner for Francesco Magisano, a blind athlete.
Community Partners
The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and National Braille Press were among our community partners included in the Boston Marathon Official Charity Program. The Boston Athletic Association provides invitational entries to the Boston Marathon to select non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations use these entries to recruit athletes who pledge to raise funds for their cause.
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Meg Robertson Mobility Award | |
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In recognition of retired Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Director Meg Robertson's more than 30 years of service to the Commonwealth, MCB established the Meg Robertson Mobility Award to be presented annually at the agency's White Cane Awareness Day Celebration in October. This award highlights Meg’s hard work, dedication, and advocacy in the blindness community.
Motivated long cane users of all ages and abilities are eligible to receive this award. We are specifically looking for people who demonstrate mobility skills at their level and incorporate the cane into their lives to increase independence.
The nomination form must be completed by a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS). There are three categories: Youth, Adult, and DeafBlind Extended Supports (DBES)
Nominations should include the following:
- How has the person's travel ability with a white cane improved since the beginning of O&M instruction to their current level?
- Where does the person travel with a white cane?
- How has O&M made a difference in the person's life?
Submit a Nomination for the 2024 Meg Robertson Mobility Award
All nominations must be submitted by August 9, 2024.
A committee assembled by MCB will review the nominations and vote on the winners. The winners will be announced at MCB's Annual White Cane Awareness Day Celebration on Friday, October 18, 2024. Stay tuned for more information!
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Beyond Mobility, the Massachusetts 2050 Transportation Plan, is a planning process that will result in a blueprint for guiding transportation decision-making and investments in Massachusetts in a way that advances MassDOT’s goals and maximizes the equity and resiliency of the transportation system. The process for developing Beyond Mobility is underway and your input is needed. The public comment will end on May 31st, 2024. | |
2024 Braille Red Sox Calendar | |
April is National Deaf History Month | |
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National Deaf History Month celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of people who are deaf and hard of hearing and raises awareness of the Deaf community.
One historical factoid:
April 15, 1817 — The American School for the Deaf, the first public permanent school for children who are deaf in the United States, was opened. Located in West Hartford, Connecticut, the school is a nationally renowned leader in providing comprehensive educational programs and services for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.
The Commonwealth serves residents who are deaf and hard of hearing through the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
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Please join us in welcoming these new staff members who joined our team in recent months:
- Randilynn Costa
- Rehabilitation Teacher- Region 5 (Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands)
- Lisa Miller
- Rehabilitation Teacher- Region 4 (MetroWest)
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Join a mission-driven team and build community relationships to empower people who are legally blind. View our current job postings and learn about the benefits of working at MCB:
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Add an Event
MCB maintains a Community Calendar to highlight events for the blindness community. If you're a stakeholder or community partner and would like to list an event on our Community Calendar, please email the details to mcbinfo@mass.gov
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Save the Date: "Focus" Conference | |
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16th Annual “Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference
Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Loss
Date: October 1, 2024
Time: 8 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Location: Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood, MA
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Certificate of Blindness & MCB Identification Card | |
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To request a Certificate of Blindness or MCB Identification Card:
We are currently processing requests within five to seven business days.
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From the Executive Office of Elder Affairs | |
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Community Resources for Caregivers: Caring for Loved Ones Living with Dementia
An education program presented by the Liberty Alzheimer’s Partnership
Join us for a lunch and learn! Find local community resources and hear from a panel of experts about a variety of topics related to caring for someone with dementia.
Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Time: 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.
Acton Senior Center
30 Sudbury Road, Rear
Acton, MA 01720
(the third driveway on your left on Sudbury Road)
We will end with a Q&A session, so come prepared with your questions!
11:30 A.M.: Visit resource tables
12:00 P.M.: Lunch
12:15 P.M.: Panel Presentation
1:00 P.M.: Q&A
To register, call 978-929-6652 or email seniorcenter@actonma.gov
Limited seating is available.
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Save money on prescriptions and other healthcare costs with a Medicare Savings Program.
Massachusetts residents on Medicare may be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program, a program run by MassHealth to help pay some or all of their Medicare costs.
As of March 1, 2024, there is no asset limit for eligibility. This means MassHealth will not ask about assets, such as home ownership or savings, when applying.
Residents who are on Medicare and have income at or below the levels listed below are eligible for the program and could save up to $3,000 a year.
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$2,824 per month for single individuals
- $3,833 per month for married couples
Learn more or apply today!
By Phone: To request an application or to learn more, call the MassHealth Customer Service Center at 800-841-2900, TDD/TTY: 711
MassHealth representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M, to 5:00 P.M.
Online: Visit mass.gov/MedicareSavings to learn more and download an application.
To find a SHINE counselor near you, call MassOptions at 800-243-4636.
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Our Mission: To provide individualized training, education, and empowerment to people who are legally blind, and advocate for inclusive policies across the Commonwealth, with the goal of life-long independence and full community participation
Our Vision: All residents of the Commonwealth who are legally blind are empowered to live a fulfilling and independent life, with opportunities to work and thrive
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Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
600 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111
1-800-392-6450
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