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IL Conference News

2025 IL Conference

The 2025 MA Independent Living Conference will be on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm at the Best Western 181 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, MA 01752

A Save the Date flyer is available here.

Agenda

  • 8:30 am: Registration, exhibitors, and breakfast
  • 9:30 am: Conference Welcome and Commissioner Presentations
  • 10:15 am: Workshop Session I
  • 11:30 am: Lunch & Keynote
  • 1:00 pm: Workshop Session II
  • 2:30 pm: Closing Session

Participants will have the opportunity to attend one workshop in each session.

Workshop Session I

  • Supporting People in Times of Mental Health Crisis
    • Jill Gichuhi, Compass Helpline Manager, NAMI Massachusetts
    • Supporting someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis can be challenging, especially when systems feel complex or disempowering. This presentation will explore ways to support people navigating mental health crisis – before, during, and after it happens – with a focus on autonomy and self-determination. We’ll start by unpacking what “crisis” can mean from different perspectives. We’ll also introduce tools that people can use before a crisis that can help them retain some control and communicate preferences, and then explore key supports that people can access during times of crisis. We’ll also share practical strategies for responding supportively in the moment.
  • Bridging the Gap: Tools, Perspectives, and Collaborative Solutions for Affordable & Accessible Housing in Massachusetts
    • Presenter: Victoria Decker, Community Manager, Housing Navigator MA
    • This engaging presentation and panel discussion will equip attendees with practical knowledge and foster collaborative solutions to the pressing issue of affordable and accessible housing in Massachusetts. The session will begin with an in-depth overview of Housing Navigator MA’s powerful search tool and essential website education resources. Participants will gain hands-on understanding of available resources and effective search strategies. Additionally, key findings from the Affordable + Accessible Renters 2024 report with the Independent Living Centers and their Data Opens Doors series will be shared, demonstrating how data can inform and drive solutions.
    • Following this, a panel discussion featuring members of the ILC housing working group will offer diverse perspectives on the current state of housing and the challenges individuals face in the search and access process. The panel will feature IL housing work group members and delve into topics such as: the human impact of the current renter experience, the broader housing landscape in Massachusetts, effective outreach and partnership strategies, the power of collective action and advocacy, and a forward-looking perspective on the future of housing in the Commonwealth.
  • Culturally Responsive Engagement for Authentic Connection with Families and Young Adults
    • Presenters: Rebecca Davis, Ivone Rego and Dara Sok, Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
    • Authentic engagement between families/young adults and the professionals supporting them is the key to positive life outcomes for young adults with disabilities. Bias, miscommunication, and lack of information about cultural differences can be obstacles to authentic engagement. FCSN, the MA Statewide Family Engagement Center, developed a Family Engagement Framework with the input and guidance of a 500 member coalition (including 11 state agencies, various sectors, and Education and Health and Human Services secretaries). Our outreach team members have lived experience as families of youth with disabilities and provide authentic voices on disability stigma in their communities.
    • Our presentation introduces some best practice approaches to build culturally responsive engagement with families and addresses culturally specific stigma about disability that support professionals may face when working with diverse families.
  • Dispelling Myths: SSI, SSDI and Work
    • Presenter: Brian Forsythe, Work Without Limits
    • This workshop will review the basics of disability benefits offered by the Social Security Administration for individuals with disabilities, such as SSI and SSDI, including eligibility requirements, major differences between the two programs, and the effect of work income on these benefits. We will also review and discuss some of the most common myths associated with working while receiving Social Security and other public benefits. Finally, we will establish that work is possible while receiving disability benefits, and review some of the community resources available to assist individuals to transition to work while successfully managing their benefits.

Workshop Session II

  • Preventing and Managing Workplace Stress
    • Presenter: Meghan Chapman, Federation for Children with Special Needs
    • Imagining that we can do the work of supporting people in crisis and not feeling stress is like believing we can walk through water and not get wet. Let’s explore ways we can better prevent and manage workplace stress: setting and maintaining boundaries with consumers and colleagues; using self-compassion and mindfulness practices; and knowing where you can turn for mental health support.
  • Successful transportation advocacy: working with Regional Transit Authorities
    • Presenters: Sally English, Executive Director, AdLib and Valerie Pease, Advocate, AdLib
    • During the planning process for the FY 2025-2027 State Plan for Independent Living, CIL leaders identified the need for more cross-state collaboration within the disability community on transportation advocacy goals to make systemic change in accessibility in MA’s fractured transportation system (a Boston-area system plus 15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs)). CIL leaders planned to increase the capacity of the CIL network to maximize transportation advocacy by forming a new statewide coalition focused on advancing accessible, affordable transportation.
    • As part of this coalition, advocates are developing a toolkit highlighting techniques for having influence on services when working with RTAs. The toolkit will become a resource for future advocates to learn about processes and procedures related to RTAs and have more successful advocacy initiatives. This workshop will review the toolkit and act as a train-the-trainer so that attendees are prepared to implement and train others in accessible transportation advocacy.
  • From Stigma to Strength: Supporting Youth in Disability Advocacy
    • Presenters: Elizabeth Walters, Youth Services Program Manager, BCIL and Sophie Korpics, Community Advocate, NILP
    • This workshop will cover the barriers to youth and young adults with disabilities engaging in disability advocacy as well as strategies to overcome these barriers and help students get involved in advocacy on a systemic level.
  • Navigating Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services
    • Presenters: Sarah Wiles and Naomi Goldberg, Client Assistance Program at Massachusetts Office on Disability
    • CAP functions as an independent, confidential voice in the delivery of vocational rehabilitation and independent living (VR-IL) services. CAP is a resource for individuals and families navigating transition to gain knowledge about these services, learn how these services complement each other, and to maximize the potential of these services to secure and maintain competitive integrated employment and economic independence.
    • In this workshop we will focus on the VR – Consumer relationship throughout the process of transition. What are the core VR services? What is the role of each party in implementing these services to reach an employment goal? What are the unwritten expectations of the consumer and the VR agency? How does each party recognize when something is going wrong with VR services? Are there any steps to take to keep the services from getting off track? How do you get services back on track when they derail? The workshop will address these questions as we walk attendees through an abbreviated simulation of a VR case, emphasizing the importance of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and methods of problem-solving through self-advocacy and CAP.

Categories
ADA Celebration News

RSVP for ADA Day

https://masilc.formstack.com/forms/2025adaday

Celebrate 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act! Hike, kayak, swim, listen to music and hang out with friends. Light lunch and drinks provided.

Friday, August 1, 2025
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Dunn Pond State Park
289 Pearl St, Gardner, MA 01440

Accessible hiking and kayaking will be hosted by DCR’s Universal Access Program.

ASL will be provided for assistance accessing accessible activities and for the short speaking program.

Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged!

Please RSVP by July 17th!

https://masilc.formstack.com/forms/2025adaday

Download the flyer for ADA Day

Thank you to the sponsors who make this event possible! My Ombudsman, Tempus Unlimited, Easter Seals, 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers East, Independence Associates, the Institute for Human Centered Design, Bay State Wheelers, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability

Categories
SILC Training

MASILC Training: SILC Duties and Responsibilities

Download the SILC Duties and Responsibilities Training slides (PDF)

The captions are auto-generated by Vimeo.

Categories
IL Ed Day News

Independent Living Education Day 2025

Independent Living Education Day was held on Wednesday, April 2nd in the Great Hall at the State House.

Speakers included:

  • MCs: Nancy Garr-Colzie and Desi Forte, Chair and Vice Chair of the SILC 
  • Jessica Podesva, NCIL
  • Senator Robyn Kennedy
  • Representative Christine Barber
  • Jim Wice, Boston Self Help Center 
  • Representative Lindsay Sabadosa
  • Destiny Maxam of the Disability Policy Consortium
  • Representative Jim O’Day
  • Representative Mindy Domb 
  • Andrea Freeman, Transportation for Massachusetts
  • Nataly Barrato, Easter Seals
  • Rosa Rodriguez, Director of Home and Community Life at Mass Ability
  • Steve Higgins, Independence Associates and Clerk of the SILC

Photos by Jason Montgomery from STAVROS (with some contributions by Sadie Simone).

Categories
News Policy

Accessible Affordable Housing Report

In the summer and fall of 2024, MASILC gathered stories from consumers and staff from the Massachusetts Independent Living Centers about accessible affordable housing in the State.

These stories, along with data from the Housing Navigator, were gathered into a report called “A Crisis Within A Crisis: Stories of the Accessible Affordable Housing Shortage in Massachusetts.”

Categories
ADA Celebration News

ADA Day 2021

July 26, 2021 marks 31 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  MASILC marked the anniversary of signing of this landmark Civil Rights legislation with a virtual celebration on July 23. The 2021 Celebration was online only.

Agenda

Hosts: Maya Evohr and Cody Rooney

  • Welcome – Sadie Simone MASILC Coordinator
  • ADA Top 10 Video: Jake Quinn
  • Past Present and Future Interview: Austin Carr and Executive, Director of Mass Office on Disability Mary Mahon McCauley
  • Dance video: Katlyn Flaherty
  • Therapy Animals video: Emily Pacheco
  • CIL Panel Discussion on Anti- Racism: Taciana Ribeiro-Saab and Cecilia Nuñez
  • Visual Art: Erin McWalters
  • Poetry: Gigi Joseph
  • Closing remarks

Music Submission: Leon Legacy featuring Trevor Huntly

Learn More about the Teach Disability History Campaign: Easter Seals Teach Disability History

Download ADA31-Program (pdf)

Video

A recording of the entire zoom-based online celebration:

Thank You!

Thank you to the Massachusetts Centers for Independent Living and Easter Seals for helping to make this program possible.

Information about the ADA

Reflections from an ADA Generation- Rebecca Cokley Tedx

ADA in the Arts Series

https://www.lincolncenter.org/lincoln-center-at-home/series/ada-in-the-arts

ADA in the Arts Series

https://www.lincolncenter.org/lincoln-center-at-home/show/alice-sheppard-and-kinetic-light-making-where-good-souls-fear-543

Categories
News

In memory of Nanette Goodwin

With heavy hearts, MASILC shares the sad news that  Nanette Goodwin passed away on September 14th.

Nanette was a longtime SILC member, and was active in the Massachusetts Independent Living movement for close to 40 years. You can read more about Nanette in her obituary.

Nanette will be very missed by the whole MA IL community. 

Categories
IL Conference News

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

Categories
News

The State Plan draft is here — give your input!

This fall we listened to the input of people with disabilities (along with their families, friends, and service providers) from across Massachusetts to develop the new State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

The SPIL is a plan for how the state’s independent living programs and services will meet the independent living needs of people with disabilities in the state for the next three years. 

This winter, we drafted the SPIL, and this spring, we’re sharing our work and receiving comments. There are two opportunities to comment:

  1. Join the virtual public hearing on April 25, 2024 at 1:30 pm. Meeting information is available here.
  2. We are accepting written comments on the draft 2025-2027 State Plan here. Please submit your comments by May 13, 2024: https://masilc.formstack.com/forms/spil_public_comments

Categories
ADA Celebration News

ADA Day 2024

Our celebration of the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act was August 2, 2024 at Dunn Pond State Park in Gardner. We had not celebrated here since 2019. Even though it was another hot day, everyone had a great time!

Waypoint Adventure (hiking), All Out Adventures (kayaking) and DCR Universal Access Program partnered to supply accessible chairs and guides for hiking, as well as kayaking for anyone who wanted to go. Look at the smile on Tammy’s face in the photos if you want to know what that means.

Tommy Filiault Band entertained us all afternoon! We have enjoyed their music in Gardner since at least 2011!

Photos

There are many more photos at MetroWest Center for Independent Living.