2024 Independent Living Conference

The conference was held on September 17 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center in Marlborough.

All of the photos are posted at MetroWest Center for Independent Living, however, most are also shown below.

Speakers

The welcoming presentations were by MA state disability commissioners.

• Commissioner John Oliveira, MA Comm for the Blind (MCB)
• Commissioner Opeoluwa Sotonwa, MA Comm for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
• General Counsel Molly Karp for MassAbility

The lunchtime Keynote speaker was Carmen Rosado from Stavros CIL.

The closing speaker, Dominque Dunford, ED from ENDependence Center Northern VA (ECNV) spoke about “A CIL’s Journey Toward Greater Equity and Inclusion.”

Dominique shared why ECNV uses an equity and justice lens to guide its work serving people with disabilities throughout the Northern Virginia region and how it has embarked on setting a new path forward in its three-plus-year journey toward that mission. She shared best practices, insights, and pitfalls on their tough but rewarding journey.

Workshops

Participants attended one workshop per session

Workshop Session I

• From Awareness to Action: Addressing Disability Stigma in Youth Engagement
  • Presenters: Danielle Daughtry, Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) Transition Coordinator, Maddie Evans, FCSN’s Youth Engagement Coordinator, and Matthew Tricca, FCSN Youth Advisory Board member
  • This presentation will address the topic of disability disclosure – a very personal decision that can vary depending on the environment and an individual’s need for support.  We will talk about the pros and cons of disability disclosure, how to approach disclosing a disability, and how to address challenges that may arise afterwards.
• Transportation Advocacy Roundtable
  • Presenters:
    • Jen Healy, Quaboag Connector
    • Tara Lynne Southard and Kay Schoucair, Boston Center for Independent Living
    • Carmen Rosado, Stavros
    • Alexis Walls, MA Public Health Association
  • Advocates for affordable and accessible transportation will share advocacy victories and ongoing campaigns. Learn how you can be part of systems change for more accessible and affordable transportation in Massachusetts.
• Peer Support for Mental Health Well-being
  • Presenters: Gabriel Fonseca, Director and Rachely Ramos, Operations Manager, Northeast Independent Living Program’s Recovery Learning Center
  • This presentation will dive into the importance of peer support and how it impacts meaningful connections that lead to mental well-being. An overview of peer support will be discussed, along with the resources available to promote such practices with the end goal of incorporating such benefits into the workforce.
• Nuts & Bolts of Housing Search
  • Presenters: Andy Forman, Independent Living Public Benefits Advocate, Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) and Gabriella Lukas, Consumer Records Specialist, BCIL
  • Limited access to adequate housing especially impacts persons with disabilities who are often low-income and in need of specific accommodations. BCIL’s monthly Housing Workshop hosted by Andy Forman and Gabriella Lukas is designed to educate consumers on how to conduct their own searches for affordable and accessible housing. Come to this session to learn about the structure of the BCIL Housing Workshop and review the nuts and bolts of housing search for ILC consumers including:
    • The types of affordable and accessible housing available in Massachusetts (including state and federal voucher programs)
    • Tips for communicating with housing authorities and landlords
    • How to request reasonable accommodations for disabilities

Workshop Session II

• Storytelling for the Independent Living Movement
  • Presenter: Benji Kemper, Community Organizer, Center for Living  & Working
  • Experience the power of personal storytelling as a tool to connect with others and for advocacy in your community. Practice telling your personal story and learn about your colleagues as you share what motivates you to be part of the independent living movement during this interactive session.
• Mindfulness for Everyday Living
  • Presenters: Lori-Ann Tessier, BA, Sociology, MA, Child Life & Susan Buchholz, BS, Human Services, Executive Director, HeartWell Institute
  • Mindfulness bridges the practices of meditation and compassion by fostering awareness and nurturing a deep sense of empathy towards oneself and others. Research underscores the capacity and transformative power of mindfulness to not only manage stress and enhance job satisfaction but also to cultivate a proactive, resilient and adaptive approach to the stressors of everyday life.
• Disaster Preparedness for the Disability Community
  • Presenter: Jamie Barry, Survivor Assistance Coordinator, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
  • This presentation will dive into what hazards we face from natural and man-made disasters, how to prepare ourselves, and how to help others in our community prepare.  This presentation will help those wanting to provide a preparedness presentation to others, including tools to create a plan and a kit.
• Resources for Transition Aged Youth: Panel Discussion
  • Presenters
    • Erin Basler, Youth Services Coordinator, MetroWest Center for Independent Living
    • Anne Marie Rivers and Brandy Eder, Department of Developmental Services
    • Steve Michelson, Northeast Independent Living Program
    • Mike Dolan and Ken Davol, School-Based Transition Aged Services (TAS) at Keefe Technical High School
    • ­­Yves Lamitie, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
  • Transition Age Youth (TAY) have A LOT going on. For disabled students facing a drastic shift in how they use support services, this is often described as a cliff. However, with preparation and practice, TAY gain tools to navigate the change and direct their path into adulthood. Join a panel of professionals to learn the differences between Youth and Adult services, specific transition resources, and discuss how CILs can facilitate a smooth journey from youth to adult services.

Conference Exhibitors

General Photos