The Disability Policy Consortium is excited to be sponsoring two great events this week, in honor of the Census. Both events will have great food and be lots of fun. All are welcome to attend! Please share with your networks. We hope to see everyone there!
Community Census Awareness Day
Saturday, March 20, 2010, 11am-3pm
Prince Hall Grand Lodge - 24 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA
Filled with music, food and family fun!
Come and bring your 2010 census form.
Census partners will be available to help you fill out your form.
A kids corner will be provided with lots of fun games.
ASL Interpreters will be present
DON’T MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!
Remember the United States Census 2010 is in OUR HANDS
B.Y.O.C. Party!
What: Bring Your Own Census Party!
When: Friday, March 19, 2010, 12:00pm-3:00pm
Where: DPC Office, 59 Temple Place, Suite 669, Boston
Snacks, many free giveaways, and much more!
Please bring your Census form (which you will soon receive), and we can help you fill it out!
For more information, call 617-542-3522 or email rpowell@dpcma.org.
For more information on the Disability Policy Consortium or the 2010 Census, visit www.dpcma.org
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Hello from Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts 2010
Hello Everyone!
First off, I wanted to introduce myself as the newest Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts for 2010, Santara Sen. I apologize for posting so late after my crowning but was undergoing some pretty big health issues during the holiday season-Thanksgiving, Christmas...all the way up to New Year's Eve...then I was good for a while and again back in the hospital the last week of January. Anyway, just wanted to explain that. I appreciate everyone's patience and support during this time, especially Autumn's, our state coordinator.
Well, I've done a few things already. I was interviewed by WBZ radio regarding Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts, which will be airing soon-she's going to let me know when. I wrote up a profile for the Spina Bifida Association of Massachusetts's Quarterly Newsletter regarding Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts, and I'm going to participate in the kick-off event in March for their First Annual Walk n Roll, which is on May 23, 2010. (For more information on that, go to their website (www.sbamass.org) and you can sign up on their volunteer page.
For my February event, I went to the Massachusetts State House for the first time ever, which was really exciting! It was for an event called "OUR Day" for the Disability Policy Consortium (www.dpcma.org) , advocating the needs for deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf/blind constituents. (FYI-please go to their website to join this group to help us change legislation for the millions of people with disabilities! You can also join their cause on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.) We started the day hearing from different senators and such from the State House about what they do, and thanking us for being there...and sending out the message that we need to be there often to remind our senators and representatives of our needs. After that we went off to lunch, and then the afternoon was all about meeting with our senators and legislators. So...off I went to find Senator Marian Walsh to speak with her about the needs of this population. She wasn't there actually, but we were told that if the person we needed to see wasn't there we could speak to whomever was there instead...so I spoke to one of the assistants. I spoke of many different subjects related to Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing/Deaf-blind awareness. I knew I wanted to advocate for many of the pressing issues such as the CART system (Communication Access Real Time), Independent Living, Emergency situations, and the overall need for more interpreters for American Sign Language. The woman I spoke to seemed pretty receptive and wanted to hear what I had to say. I have friends who are both deaf and blind and I know the challenges they face everyday due to lack of access so this was very important to me to be able to speak up for them, even though I do not fall into one of these categories myself. To me it doesn't matter because we all have needs that need to be addressed and changes that need to be made to legislation for the better.
So after Senator Walsh's office, my next stop was to Representative John H. Rogers, who again was unavailable to speak with me. (I knew at the beginning of the day that this was going to be the case because appointments were not scheduled with these two particular people for some reason--either I was the only one from my hometown of Norwood, MA or they just weren't available-not sure which...)...so again (after getting lost about eight times trying to find his office hehe), I found it! This time, however, I was simply asked if I had information for him to read, and I said yes and gave it to the woman at the desk. Something to definitely follow up on there!
Because my representative and senator were both unavailable, I had a good hour and a half or so at the end free. So I decided to tag along with one of the other groups who were not done with their meetings and participated in theirs. So off we went (once we found out how to get there--did I mention the State House is very confusing?) to Senator Montigny's office and a large group of us got to speak with the lawyer who works for him. There were some different issues brought up in this group such as After-Hours Emergency Interpreter Services at hospitals and such and the need for them. We also asked why it seems that they have a variety of other "spoken" language interpreters such as Spanish, but not American Sign Language in hospitals--it's not something they focus on but they should!
So, that ends my first official appearance as Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts 2010. Overall it was a very enjoyable day and it was interesting to be seeing American Sign Language again after not taking the courses for some time when I was in college. I'm looking forward to many other events in the future this year.
Thanks!
Santara
Hello Everyone!
First off, I wanted to introduce myself as the newest Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts for 2010, Santara Sen. I apologize for posting so late after my crowning but was undergoing some pretty big health issues during the holiday season-Thanksgiving, Christmas...all the way up to New Year's Eve...then I was good for a while and again back in the hospital the last week of January. Anyway, just wanted to explain that. I appreciate everyone's patience and support during this time, especially Autumn's, our state coordinator.
Well, I've done a few things already. I was interviewed by WBZ radio regarding Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts, which will be airing soon-she's going to let me know when. I wrote up a profile for the Spina Bifida Association of Massachusetts's Quarterly Newsletter regarding Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts, and I'm going to participate in the kick-off event in March for their First Annual Walk n Roll, which is on May 23, 2010. (For more information on that, go to their website (www.sbamass.org) and you can sign up on their volunteer page.
For my February event, I went to the Massachusetts State House for the first time ever, which was really exciting! It was for an event called "OUR Day" for the Disability Policy Consortium (www.dpcma.org) , advocating the needs for deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf/blind constituents. (FYI-please go to their website to join this group to help us change legislation for the millions of people with disabilities! You can also join their cause on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.) We started the day hearing from different senators and such from the State House about what they do, and thanking us for being there...and sending out the message that we need to be there often to remind our senators and representatives of our needs. After that we went off to lunch, and then the afternoon was all about meeting with our senators and legislators. So...off I went to find Senator Marian Walsh to speak with her about the needs of this population. She wasn't there actually, but we were told that if the person we needed to see wasn't there we could speak to whomever was there instead...so I spoke to one of the assistants. I spoke of many different subjects related to Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing/Deaf-blind awareness. I knew I wanted to advocate for many of the pressing issues such as the CART system (Communication Access Real Time), Independent Living, Emergency situations, and the overall need for more interpreters for American Sign Language. The woman I spoke to seemed pretty receptive and wanted to hear what I had to say. I have friends who are both deaf and blind and I know the challenges they face everyday due to lack of access so this was very important to me to be able to speak up for them, even though I do not fall into one of these categories myself. To me it doesn't matter because we all have needs that need to be addressed and changes that need to be made to legislation for the better.
So after Senator Walsh's office, my next stop was to Representative John H. Rogers, who again was unavailable to speak with me. (I knew at the beginning of the day that this was going to be the case because appointments were not scheduled with these two particular people for some reason--either I was the only one from my hometown of Norwood, MA or they just weren't available-not sure which...)...so again (after getting lost about eight times trying to find his office hehe), I found it! This time, however, I was simply asked if I had information for him to read, and I said yes and gave it to the woman at the desk. Something to definitely follow up on there!
Because my representative and senator were both unavailable, I had a good hour and a half or so at the end free. So I decided to tag along with one of the other groups who were not done with their meetings and participated in theirs. So off we went (once we found out how to get there--did I mention the State House is very confusing?) to Senator Montigny's office and a large group of us got to speak with the lawyer who works for him. There were some different issues brought up in this group such as After-Hours Emergency Interpreter Services at hospitals and such and the need for them. We also asked why it seems that they have a variety of other "spoken" language interpreters such as Spanish, but not American Sign Language in hospitals--it's not something they focus on but they should!
So, that ends my first official appearance as Ms.Wheelchair Massachusetts 2010. Overall it was a very enjoyable day and it was interesting to be seeing American Sign Language again after not taking the courses for some time when I was in college. I'm looking forward to many other events in the future this year.
Thanks!
Santara
Monday, November 23, 2009
Defend the PCA program
Defend the PCA program!
As many as 1,700 people are targeted to be cut from the PCA program. These medically-necessary services will be eliminated for people receiving less than 15 hours of services a month. People will lose assistance with bathing, dressing, and toileting. These are people with back injuries, diabetes, cancer, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, progressive diseases.
Speak out against PCA cuts!
Thursday, December 10, 12:00 noon
Governor Patrick’s Office, State House
Event sponsors include MWCIL, Stavros, Disability Policy Consortium, and ILCNSCA. Contact Boston Center for Independent Living at 617-338-6665, bhenning@bostoncil.org to sign on.
As many as 1,700 people are targeted to be cut from the PCA program. These medically-necessary services will be eliminated for people receiving less than 15 hours of services a month. People will lose assistance with bathing, dressing, and toileting. These are people with back injuries, diabetes, cancer, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, progressive diseases.
Speak out against PCA cuts!
Thursday, December 10, 12:00 noon
Governor Patrick’s Office, State House
Event sponsors include MWCIL, Stavros, Disability Policy Consortium, and ILCNSCA. Contact Boston Center for Independent Living at 617-338-6665, bhenning@bostoncil.org to sign on.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Join the fight for the rights of people with disabilities in Massachusetts – join the DPC today for FREE at www.dpcma.org
The Disability Policy Consortium (DPC) is the only non-profit, statewide, cross-disability organization that actively engages the lawmakers and policy-makers in the Massachusetts government to fight for people with disabilities. We are one of the best-kept secrets in the world of people with disabilities-working for our civil rights, dignity, equality, welfare, and freedom from discrimination.
Please add your voice to our efforts to impact state and local government. With your help, we can do more.
Please join today for FREE by visiting www.dpcma.org.
All of our efforts go into promoting inclusion, independence, and empowerment by guiding policies that ensure programs and services enable people with disabilities to participate in the political, economic, and social mainstream of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
All members will have access to:
• Legislative Advocacy Training - Understand how bills become laws and how you can influence public policy decisions that affect you.
• Lobbying Leadership - Learn new skills for communicating, sharing, and advocating for yourself and others.
• Legislative Alert Service (email and by phone) - Receive vital up-to-date information regarding legislative and budget issues.
• Information on Issues of Importance - Receive information on relevant topics such as healthcare reform, accessibility issues, emergency planning, long terms supports and Medicaid.
People may join—FREE—online at www.dpcma.org (click join DPCMA). Together, we can make a difference!
Please add your voice to our efforts to impact state and local government. With your help, we can do more.
Please join today for FREE by visiting www.dpcma.org.
All of our efforts go into promoting inclusion, independence, and empowerment by guiding policies that ensure programs and services enable people with disabilities to participate in the political, economic, and social mainstream of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
All members will have access to:
• Legislative Advocacy Training - Understand how bills become laws and how you can influence public policy decisions that affect you.
• Lobbying Leadership - Learn new skills for communicating, sharing, and advocating for yourself and others.
• Legislative Alert Service (email and by phone) - Receive vital up-to-date information regarding legislative and budget issues.
• Information on Issues of Importance - Receive information on relevant topics such as healthcare reform, accessibility issues, emergency planning, long terms supports and Medicaid.
People may join—FREE—online at www.dpcma.org (click join DPCMA). Together, we can make a difference!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts 2010 Schedule of Events
Please Join us for the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Crowning Gala and disAbility Expo on Sunday November 15th 2009 from 10:30 - 4:30
at Carson Place in the Bayside Expo Center Complex, 180 Mt. Vernon Street Boston , MA 02125
disAbility Expo from 10:30 am - 3:oo pm will feature
Invacare Corp
TiLite Wheelchairs
Rehab Marketing
Pride Mobility Products
Permobil Inc
Mariposa Press
Kathleen Johnson
Wheelchair Recycler
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
Disability Policy Consortium
disAbility Expo from 10:30 am - 3:oo pm will feature
Invacare Corp
TiLite Wheelchairs
Rehab Marketing
Pride Mobility Products
Permobil Inc
Mariposa Press
Kathleen Johnson
Wheelchair Recycler
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
Disability Policy Consortium
at 1pm we will have a very special presentation "Women of Strength" by Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2007, Ms. Wheelchair America 2008 Kristen McCosh
Crowning Gala
3:30 p.m.– 4:30 p.m.
PLATFORM SPEECHES
Each contestant will present a 2 minute platform speech.
ON STAGE JUDGING SESSION
Following the speeches the contestants will have a brief on stage interview with the judges.
FAREWELL ADDRESS
While the judges confer, Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2009 will give her final speech.
CROWNING CEREMONY
The runners-up will be named and the new titleholder crowned.
Crowning will be followed by desserts for the contestants, attendants, judges and guests.
Crowning Gala
3:30 p.m.– 4:30 p.m.
PLATFORM SPEECHES
Each contestant will present a 2 minute platform speech.
ON STAGE JUDGING SESSION
Following the speeches the contestants will have a brief on stage interview with the judges.
FAREWELL ADDRESS
While the judges confer, Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts 2009 will give her final speech.
CROWNING CEREMONY
The runners-up will be named and the new titleholder crowned.
Crowning will be followed by desserts for the contestants, attendants, judges and guests.
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