|
Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
Greetings!
As you may know, this is my last week at the DPC. Recently, I was thinking back to my first day at the DPC. On my walk (roll) to the office, a bird flew by and "christened" me. Completely horrified, I arrived at the office where I was assured that this was apparently good luck (of course, I didn't buy it for a minute). However, I now wonder if it was in fact good luck. My time at DPC has been amazing and I feel so honored to be a part of such an important and hard-working organization. In my opinion, DPC is truly one of the best kept secrets. I look forward to watching the organization grow and become even stronger. I will miss you all very much but please know that I will take all that I have learned here with me as I embark on my next adventure. Again, a big thank you to the incredibly committed and talented staff, Board, and members, such as yourself!
Be well!
Sincerely,
Robyn Powell
Assistant Director, Disability Policy Consortium
rpowell@dpcma.org| 617-542-3522 |
Getting Real: FEMA Conference Report on Inclusion
 Bright Hope at the Top!
Baltimore, MD, September 24, 2010: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate used people first language in his discussion of changing the culture of FEMA to one of inclusiveness and planning for Real. Fugate's positive message was enthusiastically received by over 600 people (200-300 online at any given time) representing advocates, state emergency management personnel, first responders and representatives from 10 FEMA Regional Offices.
Marcie Roth, Director of FEMA's Office of Disability Integration and Coordination and a well known to disability advocate from her work at the Nation Council on Independent Living, hosted the conference. For Marcie, who only started with FEMA in February 2010, the Getting Real conference was a major accomplishment that is being followed-up with a commitment to hire disability coordinators in every region whose job description will not be "disabilities" but rather to ensure inclusion in all aspects of FEMA's work.
Deputy Administrator Jason McNamara echoed his boss's commitment to inclusion throughout FEMA's work and discussed needing to develop 'incentives' to bring their state partners into the inclusionary world. McNamara put details into Fugate's story about recent planning for stockpiling food in Massachusetts in anticipation of Hurricane Earl. Fugate and McNamara asked logistics staff whether food for infants and children was included in the shipment.
"No, only MREs."
"Why not?"
"No one requested them."
"But no one requested the MREs either. Let's Get Real!" replied Administrator Fugate
Other FEMA officials discussed what Getting Real meant for them. Housing staff told of going to shelters in Tennessee to take applications rather then waiting for people to find communications centers to apply. Others talked of meeting communication access requirements of the ADA.
A participant in the conference raised the issue that local FEMA personnel refused to pay for interpreters to accompany a home inspector to a deaf homeowner's location. Administrator Fugate started to ask an aid in the audience for a report on the incidence then he stopped himself: "We don't need a report - that's covered by the ADA".
When asked by this participant if the inclusionary model would extend to other FEMA meetings with state and local officials and how FEMA intended to infuse the rest of the emergency management system with that ethos, McNamara responded candidly that the partnerships with states could not be overly "directed" but ways of persuading and showing the advantages would have to be used.
Other aspects of the inclusionary changes are also dramatic. Going forward a representative of the National Council of Independent Living will have a desk within the FEMA "bunker" during national emergencies to represent disability issues. Delegates from each region met to and planned 6 and 12 month objectives all of which included meeting in the region within 3 months. And of course all the delegates opted for another Inclusion Conference in the future.
Bill Allan, September 24, 2010
|
Email to the Department of Justice
September 25, 2010
William Lynch
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington DC
Re: 331216
Dear Mr. Lynch:
I asked you a question at the September 22 Getting Real FEMA 2010 Inclusive Emergency Management conference in Baltimore about the timing of acknowledgements and responses from the DOJ on Title II complaints. You said we'd talk about it later. I couldn't find you after the session so let me re-phrase the question here.
We filed a DOJ complaint on May 20, 2010 regarding the Boil Water crisis in the Massachusetts Water Resources Agency distribution area. The indictment listed many governments agencies from the Office of the governor on down. We had to call to get a complaint reference number. On August 3 we followed up with an inquiry on the status in a letter to Assistant Secretary Perez.
To date, we have not had an answer from anyo9ne in DOJ as to the question of status or time table that we or the other complainants can expect to be followed. In the sense of "Getting Real" we are not naive enough to expect the Obama Administration to launch an investigation of the Patrick Administration in the middle of an election year. Yet, we also think the principle of "justice delayed is justice denied" should apply to administrative law as well as the judicial system.
I look forward to a timely response from you or someone more directly involved with our complaint.
Yours truly,
William F. Allan
Executive Director
Disability Policy Consortium, Inc.
|
|
Take the Act FRESH Survey and Enter to Win!
Momentum is on our side! MPHA and public health have had tremendous victories in the last two years. From School Nutrition to the Healthy Transportation Compact, from new and stronger coalitions in Worcester and Springfield to new federal public health funds - serious change is underway. But that doesn't mean all is well. State funding for public health has been decimated. Health inequities plague our state and our communities. Obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases continue to trend upwards.
In order to seize the opportunity to make lasting change, theAct FRESH Campaign - FResh Environments Support Health - is working hard to develop a state policy platform for 2011 and 2012 that will increase access to healthy affordable food and public space for physical activity for everyone. We can't do this without you. We need your input to make this campaign successful, so we are asking your help to fill out the Act FRESH survey. This survey will help us identify the most pressing issues and the most promising solutions so that our policy platform reflects the realities on the ground all across the state.
Take the Survey Today!
Everyone who participates will be entered into a chance drawing for some fabulous prizes! They include:
$100 gift card to Barnes and Noble
$50 gift card to Amazon
Gift basket from Trader Joe's
A year's subscription to the journal Health Affairs
A backpack from REI
Working together, we can build on our successes to have a stronger and more lasting impact on the health of Massachusetts! Thank you so much for being a member and taking the time to share your priorities with us.
For more information about Act FRESH contact Maddie Ribble at mribble@mphaweb.org or 617-524-6696 x111.
|
The 2011 Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship
The deadline to submit applications for the 2011 Fellowship is 5:00pm on Friday, October 15th, 2010.
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network Programs:
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC)
Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (ICI)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
Disability Law Center (DLC)
Overview of the Gopen Fellowship
Founded in 2001, the Barbara Wilensky Gopen Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for a person with a developmental disability or a family member to gain valuable knowledge and experience by working with members of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network Programs.
The selected fellow will design and implement a project of their choice to gain expertise in their field of interest. Activities are based on the fellow's interest and may include but are not limited to grassroots advocacy, public policy analysis, research and leadership development.
Concurrent with their project work, Gopen Fellows learn about public policy and disabilities, the legislative process and the role of disability agencies in Massachusetts. Fellows attend local and national public policy forums to broaden their knowledge on current disability topics.
The Fellowship offers an educational and supportive environment designed for an individual who has personal advocacy experience to start working in the professional disability field. As fellows choose their project design, develop their work plan, and research and create their final product, they are mentored by Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) and Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) staff to develop the skills they need, understand how the system works, and learn how they can create change.
The Gopen Fellow works 20 hours per week. The one-year award includes a stipend of $20,000 plus fringe benefits.
The deadline to submit applications for the 2011 Fellowship is 5:00pm on Friday, October 15th, 2010.
Background
The Fellowship was established to honor lifelong disability advocate Barbara Wilensky Gopen. Barbara was a person with a disability who made a lifetime commitment to advocating on behalf of people with developmental disabilities. She was a longtime member of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, where she served as a leader for many years.
Eligibility
The Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship is open to individuals with developmental disabilities or family members living in Massachusetts. The Fellowship is designed for individuals who seek to increase their knowledge and skills in developmental disabilities. Eligible applicants do not have professional work experience in the disability field, nor do they have advanced degrees or professional training in related fields. Gopen Fellowship applicants may have disability or advocacy experience on a personal or volunteer level.
Individuals with developmental disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Gopen Fellows and Their Accomplishments
The overall goal of the Gopen Fellowship is to foster the leadership capability of an individual by supporting their development of an original project. The Fellowship provides a general understanding of how the system of services works both in the Commonwealth and on the federal level. It also builds the capacity of the Fellow's personal advocacy and leadership skills.
Over the past decade Gopen Fellows have designed unique projects in their areas of interest, including youth recreation, legislative advocacy, self-advocate leadership development, positive behavioral supports, accessible community technology, sibling support, multicultural outreach, transportation, disability awareness and cultural accessibility.
Former Gopen Fellows continue to use the expertise gained from their Fellowship to help people with disabilities. They have attended graduate school, pursued other Fellowships, obtained employment in their area of interest and continued their disability advocacy by serving on boards and committees.
Basic Requirements for the Gopen Fellowship
Gopen Fellows are motivated learners and enthusiastic about their Fellowship experience. They have good communication skills and take the initiative to maximize their Fellowship experience. They are able to work well independently and collaboratively with colleagues and groups.
The 2011 Gopen Fellow will:
Work a minimum of 20 hours per week for a period of 12 months.
Design and implement a unique project conceived by the selected Fellow.
Initiate contacts and meet with professionals in the chosen topic area.
Develop and distribute a final product.
Create a project work plan and write quarterly status reports. Spend at least two days per week working at ICI's Park Plaza office in Boston and one day per month at the MDDC's office in Quincy.
Attend MDDC quarterly Council meetings and Public Policy Team meetings.
Attend Friday morning LEND Fellowship classes in Boston (no summer session).
Participate in training and other leadership activities at ICI.
Attend conferences, trainings and other events on disability advocacy and public policy.
Present the accomplishments of the Fellowship at an ICI staff meeting and the MDDC's December quarterly meeting.
If applicable, give a presentation at a regional or national meeting in conjunction with other individuals or colleagues (paper, poster, or oral presentation).
Timeline
Mid-August, 2010: Application period begins
Friday, October 15th at 5pm: Deadline to submit applications
Friday, November 12th: Applicants notified of finalist status
Week of November 21st: Finalist interviews
Tuesday, November 30th: Finalists notified of committee's decision
January 1, 2011: Fellowship begins
Applying for the Fellowship
The application will consist of a brief written proposal, applicant's resume and three letters of reference. Refer to the attached "Application Instructions" for details on completing and submitting the application.
Applicants will be judged on the originality and feasibility of their proposed project, their ability to implement the proposed project and their potential to benefit from the Fellowship experience.
The review committee will interview all finalists. ICI staff can answer questions about preparing the application materials.
For more information please contact David Helm at ICI by email (David.helm@childrens.harvard.edu) or phone at 857.218.4327 (voice).
************************************************************************This information is posted on the ICI and MDDC websites:
www.communityinclusion.org
www.mass.gov/mddc
Application Instructions
The 2011 Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship
1. Write a detailed narrative (2-3 pages):
a) Describe your background, including your personal disability experience.
b) Why do you want to be the Gopen Fellow? What do you hope to gain?
c) If you are selected, what do you see yourself doing after the Fellowship ends?
2. Provide information about your original proposed project:
a) What is the goal of the project?
The project goal is a concise statement of the project's purpose and the specific result expected from it.
b) Specify the major objectives:
Objectives are outcomes or results to be achieved within the project period which directly contribute to achievement of the project goal.
Why did you choose this particular project?
How will the project benefit people with developmental disabilities and/or their family members?
3. Attach your resume.
Send your application by mail or email to:
David T. Helm, Ph.D.
Institute for Community Inclusion
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
David.helm@childrens.harvard.edu
4. Submit three letters of reference with your application. If your contacts send their letters of reference by email, ask them to put "Gopen LOR - (your name)" on the subject line.
The deadline to submit applications for the 2011 Gopen Fellowship is 5:00pm on Friday, October 15th, 2010.
|
Vote No, No, No!
In this time of deep and continuing Recession, another BIG threat to our communities and families looms in November, and we as a sector need to do everything we can to ensure that it does not happen.
The threats are the questions on November's ballot. Question 1 would eliminate the sales tax on alcoholic beverages, costing the state $110 million in tax revenue that's now dedicated to drug and alcohol treatment programs. Question 2 would repeal Chapter 40B, which allows developers to circumvent exclusionary zoning laws to build affordable housing in communities where there is none or very few units available. Question 3 would cut the state sales tax to 3%, thereby costing the state $2.5 billion in tax revenue which would mean even more huge state and local budget cuts.
All of these questions have a negative impact on poor and working people. We already had $1 billion in budget cuts last year and we had $1.6 billion again this year. On top of that because stimulus funds are used up, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation predicts a $1.5-$2 billion budget deficit for next year's budget that again could force more big budget cuts. If on top of these two years of cuts and possibly a third year of cuts, we have an additional $2.5+ billion in state revenue loss forcing more cuts, what will be left of programs and services we care about?
|
Career exploration program-Beyond Stocks and Bonds: Career Options at Fidelity
This program is open to middle, high school and college students who are blind and visually impaired and the professionals who work with these students.
Did you know that you could work in the library?
Did you know that you could work in catering?
Did you know that you could produce a video?
Did you know that you could design an accessible website?
Did you know that you could aid someone to invest his/her money?
Join us for an interactive afternoon listening and talking with employees at Fidelity. Hear from current Fidelity employees about their career paths, their educational backgrounds, and their work experiences at Fidelity
Date: Thursday October 14, 2010
Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Fidelity, 245 Summer Street, 14th Flr, Boston MA.
Panelist:
* Don Messier - VP of Fidelity Images
* Alicia Cahill-Watts - VP, General Management
* Kim Reilly - Senior Manager, Event Marketing
* Leah Malin - Director of Catering, Seaport and World Trade Center
* Zineb Marchoudi - Public Relations Manager
Register for this program
Call (617) 459-4084
Visit our website and click on the link "Beyond Stocks and Bonds: career options at Fidelity" at:
www.ourspaceourplace.org.
|
|
| |
|
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 |
|