Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
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Save the Dates – More Details to Follow!
Deaf Day at the State House – February 23, 2010
DeafBlind Day at the State House – March 16, 2010
Cross-Disability Gubernatorial Election Event at Perkins – May 5, 2010
It’s in Your Hands
This year it’s time to Be Counted as part of the US Census!
The Census Bureau will mail everyone a short Census questionnaire in March. The hope is that everyone immediately takes the time to respond to the questions and mails the form back as soon as possible after receiving it.
People with disabilities have a major stake in a complete census count. An accurate count impacts several important programs and services, such as MassHealth, Medicare, SSI, programs funded by the Rehabilitation Act, housing, Vocational Rehabilitation, accessible transit, and special education for children ages 3 through 5.
Census officials believe that people with disabilities have been under-reported in past Census counts and have taken steps to increase the count. The Disability Policy Consortium is prepared to help by providing information to people with disabilities. In the coming month, the DPC will have information on our web site (www.dpcma.org) on how to participate in the Census, with specific details for people who are Deaf, Blind, and Deaf-Blind. The DPC also urges consumers of Personal Care Attendants to encourage their PCAs to respond to the Census, as they are also often under-reported in the Census. The Census Bureau cannot share questionnaire responses with any other entity or government agency, including immigration status.
Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) will be available to assist those unable to read or understand the census form. For those with visual impairments, Language Assistance Guides will be available in large print and Braille. Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons who do not have access to Video Relay Service (VRS) can call 1-866-783-2010 via FedRelay, a free and confidential federal government communications service. In addition to these options, Language Assistance Guides also will be available in 59 languages at all QAC locations.
For more information, please contact Robyn Powell at rpowell@dpcma.org or 617-542-3522.
Equal Access for Political Candidates
DPC Board Member Bob Hachey urges members to read this article on a candidate with a disability: http://nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_26dbe565-d750-5c01-a474-8f75149f76b1.html. As Hachey states, “Not only do we need access for voters, but we also need it for political candidates.”
Power Wheelchairs on Ice
We’d love to have you join us in Revere at the Cronin Rink more fun on the ice on January 25. We need your thoughts and experience to help us take “power chairs on ice” to the next level. I will bring a stop watch so we can do some timed activities. I’d also like to see if we can shoot some goals using a ball. Sound good?
We’ve got ice time from 1:30 to 3:30. Please RSVP and pass this on to any other power chair users you know who might like to join in.
Marcy Marchello
Universal Access Program Coordinator
Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation
PO Box 484 Amherst, MA 01004
413-545-5758
fax: 413-545-5995
marcy.marchello@state.ma.us