[Massachusetts-NFB] Summer Newsletter from MCB

[Massachusetts Commission for the Blind]

Learn about our community, check out the latest news, and mark your calendar for upcoming events.  A Message From Acting Commissioner Oliveira Hello, I want to take a moment to introduce myself. I am John Oliveira, Acting Commissioner at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB). I have had the honor to be serving in this role since April, however I am no stranger to the agency. I have worked at MCB for more than 35 years and most recently served as the Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Services. This week marked the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990. July is Disability Pride Month to commemorate the landmark civil rights law which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.3 billion people – or 16% of the global population – experience a significant disability today. Despite being the largest minority group, much work still needs to be done to achieve equality. Massive barriers exist between gainful employment, sustainable housing, and sufficient healthcare. Every day, people with disabilities are challenging society’s boundaries and kicking in their own doors to success. We see this every day with our consumers. Disability Pride Month celebrates the accomplishments, diversity, and incredible spectrum of people with disabilities, while calling out society's need for real and permanent change. MCB was pleased to host a resource table at the City of Boston’s ADA Day on City Hall Plaza on July 18. Please connect with your counselor if you have any questions or email us at mcbinfo at mass.gov. We look forward to working with you to make your individual experience with MCB positive and effective. Have a safe and happy summer! Sincerely, Acting Commissioner Oliveira Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Establishing Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board  In the spirit of Disability Pride Month and on the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Governor Maura Healey signed an Executive Order, creating the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board to strengthen and advance digital accessibility and equity within the Commonwealth. The Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind will be a Board member. Read the press release, which includes statements of support from Acting Commissioner Oliveira and Kim Charlson, Executive Director of the Perkins Library. Summer Internship Program This year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of our Summer Internship Program. This program began in 2003 with only two interns. This year, 60 consumers are participating in our program, joining a group of approximately 800 interns who have been a part of the program since it began. The virtual opening ceremony in June featured a moving keynote speech from Kerlyne Pacombe, a Field Education Coordinator at Boston University, and included a panel discussion with employers and interns from our community who answered questions from current interns. We announced our Reach for the Stars contest which prompted interns to write a cover letter for a chance to win prizes. During our closing ceremony in August, the winners of the contest will be announced, along with our 2023 Employer Partnership Award.  Visions of Employment Webinar Virtual Reverse Job Fair Our Employment Services team is hosting our annual Visions of Employment Webinar on Thursday, September 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Employers are invited to join us virtually to learn about the support we provide before, during and after the hiring process. From initial recruitment through workplace accommodations - they will hear from employers who have successfully hired qualified candidates who are blind and visually impaired. Employers will then join us for our Virtual Reverse Job Fair on Friday, September 29, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and Friday, October 6, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Vetted job seekers who are blind and visually impaired will give a short pitch to introduce themselves and present how they can apply their skills and experiences in your workplace. Attendance on both dates is highly recommended as different job seekers will be present each day. Certificates of Blindness MCB Identification Cards To request a Certificate of Blindness or MCB Identification Card: Call our Blindness Registry: 617-626-7415 Email our Blindness Registry: BlindnessRegistry at mass.gov Submit the Online Certificate of Blindness and MCB Identification Card Request Form Contact your MCB counselor We are currently processing requests within five to seven business days.  New Staff Please join us in welcoming these new staff members who joined our team in recent months:   Andrea Crommett Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Western Massachusetts) Nathan Empey Budget Director Amanda Hanson Rehabilitation Teacher (Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod & the Islands) Daniel Martin Employment Services Specialist Michela Meaney Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (Central Massachusetts) Karen Nagle Children’s Services Worker (MetroWest) Mary O’Sullivan Rehabilitation Teacher (Greater Boston) Kris Wanat Vocational Rehabilitation & Children’s Services Supervisor (Western Massachusetts) What's Your Vision You may have seen or heard our “What’s Your Vision?” advertisements which will run through October during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. These ads have increased engagement with employer partners in the Commonwealth who are committed to inclusion and accessibility. The campaign also includes successful members of our community and serves to motivate peers to conceive employment as an achievable goal.  White Cane Day We are excited to announce our annual White Cane Day celebration will be held in-person for the first time in four years. The event was held virtually the last three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Date: Friday, October 13, 2023 Time: 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. Location: Massachusetts State House – Great Hall, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 On October 15, 1964, White Cane Day became a national observation in the United States to celebrate the abilities and achievements of people who are blind and visually impaired. White Cane Day also brings awareness to drivers to identify and yield to pedestrians using a white cane or dog guide. The Governor issues a proclamation every year to commemorate the observance of White Cane Day in Massachusetts. We will announce the winners of the 3rd Annual Meg Robertson Mobility Award which recognizes people who demonstrate mobility skills at their level and incorporate the white cane into their lives to increase independence. If you would like to attend, we will be emailing an invitation in the coming weeks with a link to register for the event.  Community Calendar MCB has launched a Community Calendar to highlight events for the blind and visually impaired community. If you're a stakeholder or community partner and would like to list an event on our Community Calendar, please email the details to mcbinfo at mass.gov Upcoming Events August 8: Information Day at The Carroll Center for the Blind September 30: Everybody In! Walk/Move for Perkins October 3: “Focus” on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Vision Loss  October 13: MCB White Cane Day Celebration DeafBlind Awareness Week MCB celebrated DeafBlind Awareness Week the last week of June. Governor Healey issued a proclamation and Acting Commissioner Oliveira shared a video to commemorate the week-long observance. We also digitized a history of MCB write-up former Commissioner David Govostes prepared in 2006 for MCB’s one-hundredth anniversary. We also posted three new Spotlight stories: Staff Spotlight: Peggy Feldmann-Firinne Community Spotlight: Aspire Living & Learning Consumer Spotlight: Lori Siedman Consumer Survey Thank you to everyone who participated in our Consumer Survey. We received more than 3,000 responses. We are working with MassINC to finalize the survey report, which will be reviewed internally, before we share the results.  Assistive Technology This year our assistive technology vendors have started to introduce new and updated technologies. Our Assistive Technology team recently met in-person with a vendor to review new products launched since the start of the pandemic. We expect to see an increase in these opportunities to re-engage with our vendors and hope to bring new technologies to our consumers in the coming months. MBTA Blind Access CharlieCard Consumers can now apply online for a new, renewal, or replacement Blind Access CharlieCard. People who are legally blind, as well as an accompanying guide, can ride most MBTA services for free with a Blind Access CharlieCard. These cards are valid for five years. The RIDE is the exception - fares remain at regular cost and Blind Access CharlieCards cannot be used. Service animals are always allowed on the MBTA. Riders can contact their MCB counselor or visit the MBTA Mobility Center for online application support. MCB MBTA Mobility Center Virtual Town Hall In March, MCB hosted a Virtual Town Hall to highlight the services offered by our Orientation & Mobility Department and the MBTA Mobility Center. MCB MBTA Mobility Center Virtual Town Hall Recap, Recording, and Resources Carroll Society Awards Every year, The Carroll Center for the Blind and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind recognize outstanding employees who are blind and visually impaired through the annual Carroll Society Awards Ceremony. These Awards recognize employees who have made significant contributions to their companies by their outstanding ability and job performance. Employees are chosen because, despite vision loss, they are exemplary and contribute to the overall culture of both their business and community. Despite the employment barriers people with disabilities face, inductees have proven their commitment to making a difference by serving as both leaders and examples for others. Each new Carroll Society inductee demonstrates the passion, professionalism, and excellence to change the perception of what it means to be blind in the workplace. The following employees were recognized for 2023: Carroll Society Membership: Barbara Balsamo, Emergency Line Operator at The Baker Center for Children and Families Josh Pearson, Program Coordinator at Polus Center for Social & Economic Development, Inc. Karen Santiago, Community Outreach Coordinator at Easterseals Massachusetts Sarah Wiles, CAP Advocate at Massachusetts Office on Disability Thomas J. Carroll Award for Employment “Blind Employee of the Year” Erich Manser, Digital Accessibility Consultant at Harvard University Consumer Spotlight: Lavender Darcangelo Congratulations to Lavender Darcangelo of Fitchburg who received the Golden Buzzer from Heidi Klum during her audition on NBC’s America’s Got Talent (AGT). The 27-year-old told the judges she has been singing since the age of three. Her dazzling performance of "Out Here On My Own" by Irene Cara ended with a standing ovation from the audience. As Governor Healey said, Lavender is not only a talented singer, but she is a powerful advocate for people with disabilities in Massachusetts and around the country. We’re all cheering her on. Consumer Spotlight: Lavender Darcangelo Consumer Spotlight: Andrew Leland Congratulations to Andrew Leland of Northampton who published, “The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight.” “The Country of the Blind is about seeing—but also about marriage and family and the moral and emotional challenge of accommodating the parts of ourselves that scare us. A warm, profound, and unforgettable meditation on how we adjust to new ways of being in the world.” —Rachel Aviv, author of Strangers to Ourselves New York Times: What Does It Mean to be Blind? A Writer Chronicles the Loss of His Vision. The Boston Globe: In ‘The Country of the Blind,’ Andrew Leland explores blindness in America and comes to terms with losing his sight In The News Patch: Carroll Center Hosts First Blind Person To Summit Mount Everest WCVB: Bus accessibility advocates sound alarm about bike lanes Community Advocate: Blind Worcester-based engineer creates electric jet ski WCVB: 5 for Good: Newton nonprofit helps people with vision loss lead full lives Boston Herald: Blind sailors take on the Charles every Saturday morning WBZ-TV: State Department's Sara Minkara is challenging attitudes and assumptions about people with disabilities WCVB: The social impact of having a rare disease WBZ-TV: It Happens Here: Worcester radio station a reading service for visually impaired, disabled WBZ-TV: Massachusetts high school hockey goalie excels on ice despite being legally blind MassHealth Redeterminations If you are a MassHealth member, you will need to take action to maintain health coverage. From April 2023 to March 2024, MassHealth will be selecting members for renewal. Make sure MassHealth has your updated contact information by calling MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900 (TDD/TTY:711) and don’t forget to check all mail from MassHealth so that you don’t miss your renewal. You can also call MassHealth Customer Service to request materials in large print or Braille.   Received your renewal in the mail? Respond before the deadline or you could lose your coverage or be downgraded to a lesser benefit than you qualify for. If you need help with your renewal, call MassHealth Customer Service.  Calculations of Benefits for DTA Programs Last month, DTA launched the mass.gov/DTA/Calculations website to help individuals and families understand how their income is used to help calculate their monthly benefit amount. The website gives an overview on how DTA counts income for SNAP, TAFDC, and EAEDC clients. In addition to providing examples of which particular expenses can be claimed for each individual program, the calculator explains the rules governing the Earned Income Deduction, Standard Deduction, Dependent Care Deduction, Medical Deduction, Legally Obligated Child Support Deduction, and the Shelter Deduction.   Mission, Vision, Values Our Mission: Massachusetts Commission for the Blind serves approximately 30,000 residents of the Commonwealth who are legally blind by providing access to employment opportunities and social rehabilitation with the goal of increasing independence and full community participation. Our Vision: A world where people who are blind and visually impaired are empowered with opportunities to work and thrive Our Values: Perseverance, Adaptability, Respect, Resilience, Inclusion Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Website ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Massachusetts Commission for the Blind | 600 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111 Unsubscribe massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by mcbinfo at mass.gov
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