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Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
Dear Bill,
I'm starting off this morning with a hearty pat on my back. After all, I spent Saturday and Sunday afternoons renewing my suntan on the beach. However, there won't be any further predictions of the weather.
This week we're responding to popular demand and returning to the linear format the DPC Update started with. No more two and three column versions. (And, to confirm how responsive we can be, there were 2 requests over the last month for this change.)
A final note. Two inches to the right of this text is an invitation to Donate to the DPC. I'm inviting you to add your financial support.
Bill Allan
Disability Policy Consortium
wfallan@dpcma.org| 617-542-3822
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Editorial: Occupy Boston
Where Are We?
I carved some time out of my schedule twice last week to visit Occupy Boston. I don't share the skeptic views that the youthful leaders haven't made it clear what they want. For me, the declaration of "We're the 99%"says it all and I agree that this movement parallels the beginnings of the anti-war movement of the 1960's.
During both visits I met a person with an obvious disability. Joanne was chatting with a stu
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| Joanne & Melanie at Occupy Boston |
dent from Suffolk, and was here to see what was happening, and like me, as an act of sympathy and support.
Which got me to
thinking. Here are some snatches from Sunday's N.Y. Times editorial: "income inequality is grinding down the middle class, increasing the ranks of the poor, and threatening to create a permanent underclass of able, willing but jobless people."
People with disabilities have been part of a permanent underclass for generations along with African-Americans, people in Appalachia, and other pockets of Americans in urban and rural settings across this land. (Full Disclosure: I formed my values during the War on Poverty and the Great Society, both of which never happened).
Yes, we know we have high unemployment, higher health disparities, lower educational levels, fewer opportunities...our stats are badder than most.
Let's all take some time to visit Occupy Boston this week in Solidarity. Unless, of course, you think you have something to lose.
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On the Calendar: More on Duals Today!
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Office of Medicaid (MassHealth) will host an open meeting regarding Integrating Medicare and Medicaid for Dual Eligible Individuals on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon at the State Transportation Building, Conference Rooms 2 & 3, Second Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA. Directions to the building are available at
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On the Calendar: Caregiver Survey
The Caregiver Survey developed by the Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Care Coalition is now available online until Wednesday, October 12. I know this is short notice, but the survey findings need to be compiled as they will be presented at the caregiver event, "One Voice for Caregivers", at the State House on November 9th.
https://www.keysurvey.com/survey/384569/29b1/
If people have any questions or need technical assistance, they can contact Joan Rafferty at 781-893-5156 or at macaregivers@yahoo.com.
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Calendar: Financial Workshops
hance to learn more about credit and how it works. We will review the definition of credit; explain the proper use of credit cards and discuss what makes up a credit score. We will also talk about how credit affects ones' ability to get a job, a loan or rent an apartment. In addition, participants will be given important information about how to obtain a free credit report and learn about different types of loans and how to guard against predatory lending practices.
Presented by: Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program, Easter Seals
Hosted by: Stavros Center for Independent Living
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Location: STAVROS Center for Independent Living 262 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA
Laurie Tougas or Emily Graves-Harrison at (413)781-5555 voice/TTY or (413)304-2411 VP
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Calendar: Call Sen. Kerry Day
TELL SENATOR JOHN KERRY
STAND STRONG AGAINST CUTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
1-800-998-0180
U.S. Senator John Kerry is 1 or 12 members of a very powerful Super Committee in Congress charged with deciding how to cut the federal budget by $1.5 Trillion.
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid may be on the chopping block if we don't stop it. These programs create countless jobs, and they have been crucial to the economic security of many generations of Americans. |
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Calendar: Lives Worth Living
LIVES WORTH LIVING
a film by Eric Neudel
Tuesday, October 18th 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
A special thank you to our hosts State Room, 60 State Street, 33rd Floor
5:00 - 5:30 p.m. Registration
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Film viewing
(Film will start promptly at 5:30 p.m. Late arrivals will not be admitted.)
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Panel discussion and Q & A
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Reception (cash bar and light hors d'oeuvres)
Due to limited space, this event is by invitation only. Security at the building requires RSVP for admittance.
Please RSVP to spauldingevents@partners.org or (617) 573-2291 by October 11th
There is a parking garage located at 60 State Street. PLEASE NOTE: you need to take a right into Merchant Row (look for Starbucks on your right). For a parking map of the area click here.
Lives Worth Living, a film by Eric Neudel, is a window into the rich history of the disability rights movement that led to the successful passage in 1990 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, one of the most transformative pieces of civil rights legislation in American history. Lives Worth Living premieres on the Emmy® Award-winning PBS series Independent Lens, on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 10 PM (check local listings). For more information on the film, click here.
Lives Worth Living is a co-production of Storyline Motion Pictures, LLC and The Independent Television Service (ITVS), with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and Spaulding Rehabilitation Network.
For accommodations or disability related requests please contact Betsy Pillsbury before October 14th, 2011 at epillsbury@partners.org or (617) 573-2344
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Calendar: Taking the Public's Pulse
| THERE IS STILL TIME TO JOIN US! |
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Taking the Public's Pulse on Health Care Affordability
Please join the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation for a breakfast forum featuring the results of a recent poll on consumer attitudes about health care costs presented by Robert Blendon of the Harvard School of Public Health, followed by a panel discussion on the policy and political implications for the next wave of health reform.
POLL RESULTS
Robert Blendon, Harvard School of Public Health
PANEL DISCUSSION
Moderator, Nancy Turnbull, Harvard School of Public Health
Martha Bebinger, WBUR
Susan Connolly, Mercer
Rev. Hurmon Hamilton, Greater Boston Interfaith Organization
John Marttila, Marttila Strategies
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EVENT DETAILS
Date Friday Oct 21, 2011
Registration 7:45 a.m.
Program 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Location
Boston Harbor Hotel
Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
A light breakfast will be served
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