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Weekly Upate - September 6, 2011

September 06, 2011

September 6, 2011 Calendar of Events

Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update

Greetings!

How many people really, really love the Labor Day holiday. Not many of us because it signals the traditional end of summer. Again, this all goes back to the days when we were all farmer and the kids had to be home for the summer months to help with harvesting the crops.

The best argument for All Year Round School is that it may let the rest of us remember that September is a beautiful month (with a 1 day exception), the waters are warm, and if works right, DCR will hire adults for life guards so there's no excuse to close the beaches because they have to go back to college.

There! I've just added a month to your summer.

Bill Allan

Disability Policy Consortium

wfallan@dpcma.org| 617-542-3822

Editorial: More Prep Necessary

Irene blew away without leaving too many bad stories, or at least ones that we've heard.

The Governor did have interpreters for the storm. As one wag put it, if "the interpreter was any closer, they could have worn the same trousers". The results from monitoring the TV stations were mixed. WBZ Channel 4 did a great job after a shaky start. WCVB, Channel 5, was mixed as was Channel 7, WHDH. The jury is still out on whether NECN had any closed captioning at all.

One person reported calling local EMS about being oxygen-dependent and without power for hours and not getting a call back. Still waiting for confirmation on that.

The was a quick shot of DPH's Dr. Alfred DiMaria annoucing the first EEE case. He had an interpeter, but Ch 4 broke away quickly so the message was lost to the Deaf community. More work to be done

Advocates Corner: Medicaid Rally

Medicaid Rally Graphic

Disability, aging and civil rights organizations have banded together to organize a national rally on Capitol Hill to show Congress that My Medicaid Matters! This rally will highlight that:

o Medicaid provides vital home and community-based services that allow seniors and people with disabilities to live independently in the community.

o Medicaid provides services that support families in caring for their children who have significant disabilities.

o Medicaid provides vital jobs for direct care workers who support their families.

Arbitrary cuts to Medicaid will mean the loss of home and community-based services that allow people to live independently, cuts to medical care that will put lives at risk, and the loss of jobs for thousands of direct care workers. The rally will begin at noon on September 21stand will kick off organizing efforts in all 50 states to show that My Medicaid Matters!

Calendar: ParaTransit Commission

Commission for the Reform of Community,

Social Service and Paratransit Transportation Services

Executive Order No. 530

The general public is invited to Six listening / comment sessions which have been scheduled across the Commonwealth to seek input from the public.

Executive Order 530 charges the Commission members to examine and offer suggestions to improve/reform community, social service and paratransit transportation.

ALL MEETINGS SCHEDULED

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Sept 13, 2011 Lawrence

Tuesday Lawrence Public Library, 51 Lawrence St

Sept 21, 2011 West Barnstable

Wednesday Cape Cod Community College, 2240 Iyannough Rd

Tilden Arts Center

Oct 4, 2011 Worcester

Tuesday Union Station, 34 Washington Square

Union Hall

Oct 12, 1011 Springfield

Wednesday Pioneer Valley Planning Commission,

60 Congress St

Oct 27, 2011 Pittsfield

Thursday BRTA Intermodal Center,

1 Columbus Ave

Nov 7, 2011 Boston

Monday State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza

If you are unable to attend a Public Comment and Dialogue session in person,

Please submit an email to:execorder@mbta.com,

Call the comment line (617) 222-6260 or (617) 222-5415 TTY,

Or send mail to MBTA, EO530, 45 High Street, 5th Floor, and Boston, MA 02110.

Calendar: TECH Expo

It's time to reserve your spot at the upcoming "Products and Technologies that Change People's Lives" conference and expo, a one-day universal design and assistive technology showcase that will bring together leaders in these fields on Friday September 23rd, 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center.

Link to conference registration is here: Please Register Here Today!

Conference Agenda

8.00 AM Registration

8.30 - 6.00 PM Free Exhibition Open to the public

9.30 - 10.30 AM Conference Sessions : Simultaneous Sessions 1 (Home, Work, Learning, Fitness)

Home Panel

Moderator: Barbara Knecht, architect and writer

Leonard Florence Center & integrated technology - PEAC Technology

Strategies for cost-effective accessible renovation - IHCD studio

Wounded Warrior Model Home - Adam M. Owens, LEED AP, Clark Realty Capital, L.L.C.

Work Panel

Moderator: Neeta Fogg, Ph.D. , workforce economist

Microsoft - Universal Design & Trustworthy Computing, Daniel Hubbell

Telecommunications for everyone - Jonathan O'Dell, MCDHH

Paul Parravano - MIT, Co-Director, Government & Community Relations

Ergonomics -- Kimball Office, Kent Reyling

Learning Panel

Moderator: Susan Cusack , Lesley University

Apple - Chris Coyle

CAST - Massachusetts creator of Universal Design for Learning, Patti Ralabate, Ed.D.

Research - Autism Spectrum Disorder & Technology - (soon to be announced)

Massachusetts Manufacturer - Nuance, (soon to be announced)

Fitness Panel

Moderator - Eli Wolff, former soccer paralympian, Brown U. Fellow, IHCD Director of Inclusive Sport

DCR - Universal Access Program (Marcy Marchello, AM Session/Heidi Marie Peterson PM Session)

Power Wrestler & coach - Anderson Wise (invited)

High School Ski and Track Competitor - Christina Kouros

Snowsports Director at New England Disabled Sports - Geoff Krill

Net News: Recovery Learning

Communities

From MNIP News via e-mail

Recovery Learning Communities (RLC) are consumer-run networks of peer support which offers self-help, information and referral, advocacy, and training activities for individuals with serious mental illness. Training in recovery concepts and tools, advocacy forums, social and recreational events are all part of what goes on in a recovery learning community. RLCs operates in all six Department of Mental Health areas.

Peer Warm Line is a non-crisis line for troubled callers. The operators provide a supportive ear to callers who want to share their thoughts and feelings about life and its challenges with a person who also has lived experience. Operators are able to suggest various community resources to each caller that may provide additional services and support. Warm Line is (877) 733-7563. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday from 4pm-8pm.

Locate RLC by area or town

In This Issue

Editorial: More Prep Necessary

Advocate's Corner: Medicaid Rally

Calendar: ParaTransit Meetings

Calendar: Tech Expos

Calendar: Recovery Learning Communities

Donate!

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
59 Temple Place, Suite 669
Boston, MA 02111

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