The MASS Blog
April 2020
The Central Region has had a good month in March even though half of it was spent at home!
At our regional work team meeting in March we had a presentation by Jillian Berube about making DREAM BOARDS, and she shared her hopes and dreams using her own board. Deb Pierce has worked on emergency preparedness so she helped us discuss the Covid 19 virus and how to keep healthy, including safe travel and taking public transportation. Deb also sends cards to those in the group who are sick or have had surgery. We wish at least three members to get well soon…we miss you! Justin Bernard also presented about voting. It was a great meeting!
Several people attended The Arc of Mass and MDDC Day at the State House. Honorees were Rep Michlewicz and Sen Patrick O’Connor. Justin reports that :”The event was good with about 400 people. Also got a chance to meet with my local legislators/aides. Jillian and her mom were there too with about 6 from Center of Hope. Great keynote speaker.” And we love the take home flyer with tips for successful advocacy!
We plan to hold TWO regional meetings in April by zoom call: Tuesday, April 14th and Tuesday, April 28 from 1-3 PM. Click on this link to join the meeting: https://zoom.us/j/988205111
We will let you know when we are offering more call ins too, so stay tuned! THE GREAT NEWS is that we will be joined by some members who haven’t had rides to the meetings…now you can call into the meeting!!! We are learning so much about how to be creative and stay connected!
We want to thank all of our staff and supporters for helping us stay connected through this tough time!
Our OVW Mass Rights for Change grant project team has met a lot during the month. We are working on plans to improve access to needed services for survivors of sexual assault. Our Central Awareness and Action team held two trainings in March and we cannot wait to get out and do more! The team even had an interview with Fox 25 about how abuse is a big issue and how important our training is!
So what is ahead for Central? We can’t wait for spring flowers to appear and to be able to get out with our friends once again!!! We look forward to having a meet and greet to welcome new members who join us for our phone meetings…. including self-advocates from the THRIVE self-advocacy group and others we have met. We are working on an online presentation for Quinsigamond Community College students! We also look forward to getting out to host tables at events like ADA 29 in Worcester and to join the REDD Group and transportation meetings as soon as we can. Meanwhile, we are excited to connect with local self-advocacy groups and host zoom calls to keep self-advocates near and far in Central Mass connected!
Spring has finally arrived……Happy Spring everyone!
April 2020
“Hope is being able to see that there is light in spite of all the darkness.”—Desmond TutuDear Friends, I hope this message finds you healthy and finding ways to keep your spirits up. It is a different world than it was at the beginning of March, and none of us understood how much our lives would change so quickly. I am taking refuge in the music, comedy, and art offered by people from all over the world like this student performance: https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/03/23/coronavirus-berklee-virtual-orchestra-what-the-world-needs-now/ .
I am grateful for the good work of our friends and allies at SARTAC (The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center) who are sharing critical information about this crisis and how to stay safe and connected with each other. This link tells about different ways to use video calling to see our friends, family and co-workers: SARTAC Info on Using Technology to Meet .
In the Northeast we had our first Regional “Zoom” call on March 25th. It was wonderful to see everyone and hear how we’re coping with staying home. We will have these video calls weekly every Wednesday at 2PM. Here’s a video from Mike Rogers of SANYS showing how to use Zoom: Video on how to use Zoom. Here’s the information to join our weekly Zoom check-ins.
April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 MASS NE REGIONAL WEEKLY CHECK INS
Join Zoom Meeting by video:
Meeting ID: 457 078 340
To join by phone only
Dial: 16468769923 and enter the Code: 457078340# US
Though technology will never replace seeing each other in person, I sure am glad we have ways to be together through this crisis.
Zoom allowed us to keep moving forward together on projects like Supported Decision Making -- task force members are finishing a draft Supported Decision making Agreement that we hope to share with all of you later in the spring. Supported Decision Making Task Force Members visited their legislators at the Arcmass/MDDC Legislative Reception to advocate for the SDM bills.
Derek, Cynthia, and Kamisha continue research on the topic of Transfer of Rights for students. At the beginning of the month Therese LaPorte spoke about her experiences and self-advocacy on a panel promoting Self-Determination at Lesley University. The All for One group met in Merrimac and talked about selling artwork to promote Autism Acceptance.
We also need strong self-advocates to share your stories so hospitals and our wider communities treat people with disabilities as a priority. Let’s keep our community strong, healthy and connected through this trying time. In the Northeast we are gathering messages of support to share on our Facebook Page – please contact bridget@ma-advocates.org if you want to submit a short video message, a note or drawing.
April 2020
Check out this link for some music and instruction about washing your hands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxOJ7hh3H-I&feature=youtu.be
Southeast Regional Meeting
Thursday, April 9⋅6:00 – 8:00pm
https://zoom.us/j/108541531 OR Join by phone +1 413-438-7148 PIN: 689 838 506#
ANY QUESTIONS CALL GAIL @ 339-832-2922 OR EMAIL gail@ma-advocates.org
ACTS OF KINDNESS by Delta Projects
During these trying times it is great to have caring staff, Cherita Miles Jackson and Kolby! Today they, and the people they support, made care packages of chicken and vegetable soup, biscuits, sugar-free brownies;. Then door dropped off at some of our other homes, that have medically challenged people living there. Great job AJ, Ashley, and Sara.
April 2020
Rainbow Corner
Hi from Pauline!
I hope everyone is doing well. I know it has been tough for some people. I want you all to know that I am available for support. I will be “live” on Facebook Monday’s at 11:00am & Friday evenings at 6:00pm Come Join me!
Please check our Rainbow Support Group Facebook page for updates and information.
Looking forward to hearing about other Rainbow Support Groups activities around Massachusetts.
Stay healthy…and remember its ok not to be ok!
Pauline Bosma
(508) 944-5797
https://www.facebook.com/Rainbow-Support-Group-119976291441557
**Looking for groups, members and others to write updates and articles of interest in the Rainbow Corner each month. Please contact Pauline rainbowbosma@gmail.com or (508) 944-5797
March 2020
The Central Region had a good month in February. We met with our REDD Group and we continue to work on transportation, thanks to Debbie Pierce, our transportation rep.
At our regional work team meeting in February we had a powerpoint presentation by Tess, a mobility specialist with the WRTA. We had a great discussion about safe travel and taking public transportation. JustinBernard also presented about voting. It was a great meeting!
On Feb 10th Janet spoke about self-advocacy at a Human Services class at Quinsigamond Community College. Great job Janet!
Our OVW Mass Rights for Change grant project team has met a lot during the month. We are working on plans to improve access to needed services for survivors of sexual assault. Our Central Awareness and Action team has hired a new trainer, Melissa Beauregard, and she attended her first training this month. Welcome Melissa! And…just in time….we have a busy month of training ahead!
The HMEA Hopedale Day Program (where we hold many grant project meetings)has moved to a beautiful new building in Franklin. An open house was held on Feb 26th.
So what is ahead for Central? We can’t wait for spring!! We look forward to having a meet and greet in March to welcome new members including self-advocates from the THRIVE self-advocacy group and others we have met. We also look forward to hosting tables at regional transition fairs and our legislative breakfast, attending events like “Light It Up Blue” and our regional self-direction support group, REDD Group and transportation meetings in March. We are also excited to connect with Building Bridges self-advocacy group on April 1st!
Spring is just around the corner……Happy Spring everyone!
March 2020
Save the Date!!!! Southeast Region Meeting
March 12, 2020 6pm - 7:30pm Lakeville Library Lakeville MA
Many self advocates from the southeast attended the Annual Arc Mass/MDDC Legislative Reception, thank you Arc Mass sharing pictures of our friends from the southeast.
2020 Youth Leadership Forum Information and Application Materials to Share:
Partners for Youth with Disabilities is proud to host the 2020 Massachusetts Youth Leadership Forum! The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is an overnight conference for youth and young adults with disabilities held annually in Massachusetts and other states across the country. YLF participants build leadership skills and leave better prepared for future employment, higher education, and independent living. This year's YLF will take place from June 23rd-June 25th, 2020 at Bridgewater State University. Below are links to the 2020 YLF information and flyer as well as the 2020 YLF Application which can be completed online.
Link to Online YLF 2020 Application: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YLF2020
Link to YLF 2020 Flyer: https://www.pyd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/YLF-2020-flyer-Final-2-13-20.pdf
Website: https://www.pyd.org/programs/youth-leadership-forum/
The YLF 2020 recommendation form can be found at this link:
March 2020
Save the Date!!!! Metro Region Meeting
March 19, 2020 6pm-7:30pm 85 Main St Watertown MA 2nd floor Beaverbrook STEP offices.
Many self advocates from the Metro Region attended the Annual Arc Mass/MDDC Legislative Reception, thank you Arc Mass sharing pictures of leaders in the Metro Region.
A big shout out to Kim Plaut, MASS Board Member and Janice Smith of Minute Man Arc for attending every year.
2020 Youth Leadership Forum Information and Application Materials to Share:
Partners for Youth with Disabilities is proud to host the 2020 Massachusetts Youth Leadership Forum! The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is an overnight conference for youth and young adults with disabilities held annually in Massachusetts and other states across the country. YLF participants build leadership skills and leave better prepared for future employment, higher education, and independent living. This year's YLF will take place from June 23rd-June 25th, 2020 at Bridgewater State University. Below are links to the 2020 YLF information and flyer as well as the 2020 YLF Application which can be completed online.
Link to Online YLF 2020 Application: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YLF2020
Link to YLF 2020 Flyer: https://www.pyd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/YLF-2020-flyer-Final-2-13-20.pdf
Website: https://www.pyd.org/programs/youth-leadership-forum/
The YLF 2020 recommendation form can be found at this link:
March 2020
This month we welcomed a couple of new members to our regional group. All are welcome to check out our meeting. The next one is March 25th from 6-8PM at 261 N Main St Middleton. Please note, this is one week later than usual. Thank you to Therese LaPorte, Sandra Jones and Anne Fracht for attending the February 6th meeting of MA21 at Arcmass in Waltham. The group focused on self-direction and looked at a new guide for planning your budget. Donna Jay presented to the NE Arc Self-Advocacy group in Danvers about the Marriage Penalty and how to advocate for change on this issue. Therese LaPorte shared her experiences and the importance of self-advocacy at a Transition Forum at Lesley University on a panel of self-advocates. It was a great discussion with students, teachers and self-advocates about increasing disability pride, understanding and self-determination. Presenter, Stel Gragoudas said, “Being self-determined doesn’t mean doing every task independently. I am self-determined and I need help to get dressed each day.” In other news, we are overjoyed to know that the FDA finally banned the use of electric-shock therapy! Thank you to our Regional Chairperson, Derek, for making this issue a priority in our region.
GATOR (Guardianship and the transfer of rights) news: Kamisha, Derek and Cynthia are working hard searching for information for students about Transfer of Rights. MASS Researchers learned about how to do a literature search with Cady Landa of ICI on February 7th along with Marie D’Aoust, Gail Delgado and Bridget Crowley. Kamisha also joined the first advisory board meeting for this project with transition experts from around the country. The full GATOR Team meets by video conference every other week.
The MA SDM Task Force met on February 8th and reviewed SDM Agreement forms from different States. Kim Plaut and Austin Carr prepared three interviews and recorded them with the help of the Institute for Community Inclusion on February 21st. Our task force hopes to turn these videos into webinars to help more self-advocates learn about supported decision making as an important alternative to guardianship! MA SDM Task Force members took part in meetings about the Supported Decision Making Bill, which is moving along. Members attending the Arcmass/MDDC Legislative reception advocated for support on this bill. The task force meets again at Harvard on March 14th from 11:30-3PM.
February 2020
SAVE THE DATE
FEBRUARY 13, 2020
6pm-7:30pm @ Lakeville Public Library
4 Precinct St, Lakeville, MA
Join other self advocates in the Southeast region, express your voice, and brainstorm with others regarding issues in your local community, regionally, and statewide. Your southeast region group will be discussing voting and doing your political homework. They will be working on connecting with legislators representing communities in the southeast.
OTHER NEWS
DDS Southeast recently held their Human Rights Forum, educating your human rights officers, sexuality education, and how to help self advocates have healthy relationships. Two self-advocates from the Foxboro Rainbow Support Group spoke to the audience of human rights coordinators and officers, Lisa Pedrotti and Tommy Pruvot.
Southeast Board members Alber Milne, 2nd year, AJ Caldron 3rd year, and newly reelected George Brown started a new year of Board meetings in January.
The region meeting in January guest speaker was Neil Stein, who shared his voting presentation he put together for a recent Public Speaking workshop series that he attended.
A small group of self advocates are saving their money to attend SABE National Conference October 2020 in Denver. They are getting excited to attend this conference and check out the conference at the following link: http://sabeconference.org/
Not involved with the southeast region yet, email or call Gail, gail@ma-advocates.org or 339-832-2922.
February 2020
Central region started off the new year with a look at the many activities and events we did in 2019 and those we plan to do in 2020!
We attended the self-direction support group and shared what we do at MASS with parents and young adults there. Some of us watched and videotaped the historic passing of Nikki’s Law.
Some of us have been very busy with the R3 and Mass Rights for Change grants. We also trained 24 DDS Service Coordinators in what MASS and self-advocacy are all about.
We attended the Worcester area transportation meetings and the REDD Group. The new theme for transportation advocacy is “Don’t Just Sit There!” Check out on Facebook the “Waiting For The Bus” page where you will find great news and discussions about transportation.
We look forward to guest speakers at our upcoming regional meetings, including a WRTA mobility specialist, an area legislator and ally who is interested in transportation, our DDS Regional Director, and others. We are also preparing to host tables at upcoming transition fairs. We will also be planning some activities about voting to prepare for the 2020 elections. What a busy year ahead!
February 2020
SAVE THE DATE
FEBRUARY 20, 2020
6pm to 7:30pm @ Beaverbrook STEP
85 Main Street Watertown, MA
Join other self advocates around the city of Boston, we are looking for new people to join us to discuss the issues facing self advocates.
Metro will be talking voting and doing your political homework. Bills in the state house that pertain to issues like camera’s in common areas of group homes and what now that Nicky’s Law has passed.
Many of the Metro region self-advocates are regular attendees of MASS Legislative Education Day at the State House.
Metro Region Human Rights Forum, 2019 Advocacy Through Art was well attended with over 100 people browsing art from some of our best in the region. Thank you to TILL Wave Gallery for holding the Art showing.
Jeffrey Paquette: “My painting represents the brave person that I am to face the challenges I am presented with due to my vision impairment.”
Emily Bill: “I make art to help people to get to know me and the things I am capable of doing.”
Are you interested in being a MASS Board member, reach out to Gail, gail@ma-advocates.org or call 339-832-2922. Let’s talk about the requirements and supports needed to be elected to the board. Metro region has one open position.
February 2020
Happy February Everyone! This month we’ve been making plans for the coming year and lining up dates to spread self-advocacy. Here’s what’s happening:
We held a holiday dance in December raising $381 to help with costs to attend the national Self Advocates Becoming Empowered Moving Mountains Conference in October. Our next event will be a Spring Fling. Stay tuned for more details.
Our regional elections for Treasurer and Secretary were held at our January meeting. Congratulations to Paula Mione on being re-elected to the role of Secretary and to Christina Kalafatis as our new Treasurer. We discussed registering to Vote and speaking up for transportation at the public meeting in Haverhill on January 23rd. We have rights and we have a responsibility to speak up. We do make a difference! Speaking of making a difference, MaryEllen Grelle represented self-advocates in the Merrimack Valley at a Legislative Forum with over 100 people in Lawrence on Transportation. MaryEllen raised the need for longer evening bus service hours and connections between areas so everyone can go to meetings, to work and see loved ones!
Merrimack Valley members attended a public meeting on The Five Year Transportation Plan on January 23rd. Thanks to new MASS Board Member, Sandy Jones, and Peer Support member, Nichelle Delgado, for raising the issues of extended service hours for busses and EZ Trans, and needing more flexible services. Their ideas will be part of the official five-year plan for the Merrimack Valley!
We will be presenting on Speaking Up with youth at Northern Essex Community College on January 30th. We will do this presentation again on February 26th at Opportunity Works.
We will give our Voting Rights Training at Communitas in Beverly on February 13th and Northeast Arc on September 24th.
Therese L is going to present to the Threshold Program at Lesley University on February 20th about the importance of self-advocacy.
NE Arc will have Donna Jay present about the marriage penalty to their self-advocacy group at their February Meeting.
January 2020
Thanks to everyone who came out to our SnowBall event on December 18th. It was great to celebrate with everyone and raise some funds to help members attend the upcoming Self Advocates Becoming Empowered Moving Mountains Conference! Stay tuned for more ways you can support leaders to attend this amazing conference. Thanks also to everyone who donated warm gloves and hats for the Merrimack Valley Hope Mission. We wish to salute the following businesses and individuals for donating food or gifts to our event: Edible Arrangements in Haverhill; Cedars Foods; Panera Bread Company; Emily’s Bakery; Gametime; DeLeo’s Brick Oven Pizza; The Wicked Big Café; The Tap Restaurant; Paula Mione; and Wanda Burns.
Our next meeting is our Annual Meeting at 261 N. Main Street, Middleton at 6PM on January 15th. We are holding elections for Treasurer and Secretary of our Region. These positions are two-year commitments and they require you to attend the monthly regional meeting and one officers’ meeting a month. For more information, please contact Bridget at 781-789-4274. Happy 2020 to everyone!
January 2020
The Central self-advocates had a fun and snowy December!
We celebrated the season at our regional meeting and get together in Worcester. We have some big plans for the new year but we took time out to watch a slide show of our year together, swap some cookies, play music, and enjoy being together!
The HMEA program that the self-advocates in Hopedale attended has moved to Franklin!
We continue to attend REDD and transportation group meetings in the region even as we dodged a LOT of snow in December! Deb Pierce is our transportation “rep”.
Jillian continues to surprise us …she recently made a video! And one of the members of the group talked about possibly moving someday! Justin generously continued his giving to help needy children at Christmas. His story was told in the Worcester Telegram newspaper!
The group is still talking about the MASS Conference, giving feedback and overall sharing what a good time they had!
Some of us are planning to attend the ADDP luncheon at the State House in January. We also talked about inviting a legislator to one of our regional meetings.
We were glad the weather cooperated with our December plans, and we are looking forward to the our next meeting in 2020. Happy New Year everyone!
