Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
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Our Day – February 23, 2010 – TOMORROW!!!
Our Day, for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind is being held at the State House TOMORROW. Registration is at 9am, continental breakfast will be available on the 4th floor. Additional information on this exciting event is available at http://www.dpcma.org/News/tabid/716/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/95/Deaf-Hard-of-Hearing-and-DeafBlind-Day.aspx.
Keep an Eye on MassHealth: Take the MassHealth Watch Survey: Margolis & Bloom
In our own practice and as reported to us by other elder law attorneys and clients, the experience of applicants for MassHealth benefits is far from ideal. The process takes far too long, and caseworkers are inconsistent in their approach to the law, the information they require, and even whether they are polite or rude.
All of this information, however, is anecdotal. Therefore, we are launching an ongoing survey to collect sufficient information to demonstrate patterns that can be used to improve the experience of applicants for benefits. This is all about accountability.
While we will keep your identity and your specific answers to questions, we do intend to publicize the overall results and to share them with members of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
To take the MassHealth Watch Survey, click http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2q3va3vg5jr08nl/a00rg5r6quw2/greeting
Work Without Limits Hiring
We here at the Work Without Limits Initiative have three job openings for which we are currently seeking applicants.
We are committed to advertising/distributing these job opportunities within the disability community as widely as possible and ask for your assistance in this effort. If you could distribute this email to the entire Employment NOW Coalition and to any other groups or individuals that you believe might be interested, we would really appreciate it.
Thank you for your assistance and please let me know if you have any questions. Interested candidates should apply through the UMMS web site as indicated in the links. Individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Project Director II (Req. #16980)
https://www.hrapply.com/umm/IntlJobView.jsp?link=16980&page=IntlJobList.jsp&op=reset
Project Coordinator (Community Work Incentives Coordinator – CWIC) (Req. #17245)
https://www.hrapply.com/umm/AppJobView.jsp?link=17245&page=AppJobList.jsp&op=reset
Administrator Coordinator (Req. #17004)
https://www.hrapply.com/umm/IntlJobView.jsp?link=17004&page=IntlJobList.jsp&op=reset
Survey on the need for Deaf Studies and ASL Programs
From: Heidi L. Reed, Commissioner, MA Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The William Hoy Council of Deaf Studies and Workforce Development was established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2009 with the task of developing guidelines for a grant program, financial assistance, and marketing and outreach to further advance Deaf Studies and American Sign Language (ASL) training and interpreter programs throughout the Commonwealth's postsecondary schools. The Council has been working tirelessly to collect information and data that can be used in the report which will be presented to the State Legislature.
This is where we need your assistance. We are working to identify where the need for Deaf Studies and ASL Programs exist. Attached is a link to a brief survey to identify those agencies which serve/work with people who are Deaf and/or hard of hearing.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K36YKNX
We would appreciate your participation in this survey.
Deaf-Blind Awareness Day
Date: March 16th, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: State House – Grand Staircase
Description
The critical services of more than a dozen deaf-blind-related agencies and organizations will be on exhibit. A short program will include remarks by EOHHS Assistant Secretary Jean McGuire, MCB Commissioner Janet LaBreck, and MCDHH Commissioner Heidi Reed. Awards will be given to honor individuals whose contributions to the Deaf-Blind community are particularly noteworthy. The afternoon allows for visits with State Representatives and Senators.
Program
10:00–1:00 Exhibits
12:00 Presentations
1:00–3:00 Visits with Legislators
Communication Access Requests by MARCH 1: Please contact State House ADA Coordinator, Carl Richardson at carl.richardson@state.ma.us.
For more information please visit necdbp.org (website for the Massachusetts Deafblind Project) or call 617-972-7514 and leave a message.
Second Annual Blind Legislative Informational Networking Day
Date: April 5th, 2010
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: State House – Great Hall
Description
Advocating for the maintenance funding for vital blindness services from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and for the Massachusetts Talking Book Program libraries at the Worcester Talking Book Library and the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. Reinforcing the importance of specialized services for people who are blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind.
Program
11:30 Registration and technology demonstrations in the Great Hall
12:00 Lunch available
12:15 Speakers and Program
1:00 Legislative Issues Briefing
1:15-2:00 Afternoon visits with legislators
Communication Access Requests by MARCH 20: For all communication access requests, please contact State House ADA Coordinator, Carl Richardson at carl.richardson@state.ma.us.
Budget Update
Secretary JudyAnn Bigby and DPH, DMH, MassHealth testimony from 2/17 is posted on the FY11 Budget page on DPC website.