Internship Opportunity For Students With Disabilities

AAPD 2008 SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

For the seventh year in a row, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) are offering a Congressional internship program for undergraduate students with disabilities.

The MEAF-AAPD Congressional Internship Program provides an opportunity for students with disabilities to work on Capitol Hill for eight weeks (or in some cases with a Federal agency) and acquire valuable work experience that will enrich their academic studies.

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, December 14, 2007. For further information, guidelines, and application, visit Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-AAPD Congressional Internship Program

UMass To Screen Documentary "Including Samuel"

Photojournalist Dan Habib rarely thought about inclusion before he had his son Samuel seven years ago. Now he thinks about inclusion every day. Habib’s documentary film, "Including Samuel," examines the educational and social inclusion of youth with disabilities as a civil rights issue.

The Boston movie premiere of "Including Samuel" will be followed by a reception and panel discussion with the filmmaker and special guests. I will be attending this event to write a review for my e-Magazine, Solutions. This event is sold out.

The Boston Premiere Includes A Panel Discussion With:

• Dan Habib (Filmmaker)


• Keith Jones (Inclusive education activist; featured in the film)


• Joe Petner (Former Cambridge School Principal; featured in the film)


• Rich Robison (Executive Director of the Federation for Children with Special Needs)


• Maria Paiewonsky (Education and Transition team, Institute for Community Inclusion/UMass Boston)
  

Moderated by Bill Kiernan,

Director of the Institute for Community Inclusion
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
UMass Boston Ballroom • Campus Center

100 Morrissey Boulevard • Boston, MA
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Light refreshments will be served.
This ballroom is fully accessible.

Upcoming Event - Benefits Conference, November 28, 2007

Employment and Benefits Conference
A Free Training About Work for People with Disabilities

Learn About:

• Avoiding problems with SSI/SSDI if you go back to work
• Your rights when applying for a job
• Getting the accommodations you need at work

Also, Sign up for: Individual sessions on your Social Security and work issues. Everything discussed in these sessions will be kept confidential.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007
9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Brockton Public Library
304 Main Street
Brockton, MA 02301

Library Web Site and Directions

Presented by Attorneys from the Disability Law Center and

South Coastal Counties Legal Services

Sponsored by:

This training is funded in part by the Medicaid Infrastructure and Comprehensive Employment Opportunities Grant (Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services CFDA #93-768)

In Spanish and English

Please tell us if special accommodations are needed.

CART and ASL will be provided. Advance notice required.

Portuguese Language Interpretation will be provided.
Registration by mail, email, fax, phone or TTY

Mail:
DLC, 11 Beacon Street, Ste 925 Boston, MA 02108
Email:
mail@dlc-ma.org
Telephone: (800) 872-9992
Fax: (617) 723-9125
TTY: (800) 381-0577

Stepping Forward - Staying Informed, 3rd Annual SCI Research Conference

I attended the 3rd Annual SCI Research Conference sponsored by Boston Medical Center today at the Massachusetts Convention Center in Boston. This year's "Stepping Forward - Staying Informed" conference had presentations on stem cell research, weight management, emergency preparedness, and sexuality for people living with SCI. It was very informative, as usual.

Check our www.bmc.org/rehab for information on the conference.

Recommended Reading...

Check out this informative, interactive website...

We are the CareCure Community!

SCI Care - The art and science of managing therapies, routines, medication, supplies, equipment and everything else needed to maintain the spinal injured person in top health.

• Ask our SCI-Nurses questions in the Care Forum, New SCI Forum, Relationships and Sexuality Forum, Transverse Myelitis & Atraumatic SCI, and other forums.
• Visit our Caregiving, Equipment and Exercise Forums.
• SCI Cure - Therapies that restore function in spinal cord injury and related conditions. The Cure Forum contains comprehensive and up-to-date news on curing spinal cord injury.
• The Research Forums lists abstracts of the latest scientific articles on brain injury & stroke, neurodegeneration, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, spinal cord injury, stem cells, and tranverse myelitis.
• Exchange information about Clinical Trials, Equipment & Services, Doctors & Clinics.
• CareCure has over 70 forums where we discuss everything from Life to Legislation & Advocacy, from Sports and Travel to Pain, from Computers to Politics.

We discuss it all! Please come join us! Follow any of the above highlighted links...

Stem Cell Summit Scholarship Award

I was notified today that I have been chosen to receive a scholarship award from Boston Medical Center to attend the Stem Cell Summit at the Hynes Convention Center on October 2 & 3.

I will also get to meet Michael J Fox Tuesday evening at the Stem Cell Awards dinner!

The climate is changing for stem cell research -- for the better!

Stem cell research represents the universal hope for healing and the political climate is changing for those seeking cures through revolutionary medicine. New rules are being written and public and private funding for research is becoming available. Genetics Policy Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Burrill Life Science Media Group have joined together to produce The Stem Cell Summit. This unique event will gather the global community of stakeholders to learn what's new, share ideas, search for solutions and focus on advancing stem cell research from "the bench to the bedside."

Meet top innovators, researchers from around the world, clinicians, government officials, business leaders, political strategists, bioethicists, legal experts and advocates to celebrate scientific achievements, confront challenges and chart the future of regenerative medicine. Learn how cutting-edge biomedical research might impact your health and the health of your family and loved ones.

RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, FUNDING, LAW, COMMERCE, PHILANTHROPY, FINANCE, BIOPHARMA, ETHICS, POLITICS, HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVES, PATIENT INFORMATION

I will write a synopsis for my blog on the information I receive at the conference next week. In the meantime, check out The Stem Cell Summit for more information.

Upcoming Appearance - Raytheon Speaking Engagement, October 10, 2007

Part of my role as Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts is to speak to the business community about the accomplishments and abilities of people who use wheelchairs. I will have an opportunity to do this at Raytheon on Wednesday, October 10, 2007.

Raytheon is an 80+ year-old, native Massachusetts company that values diversity and honors persons with disabilities in October, during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

My audience will include any Raytheon employee who wishes to attend, but specifically the members of the Raytheon Women's Network (RWN) and members of the Raytheon Persons with Disabilities Association (RPDA) who work at the Andover Raytheon site. There may also be some senior leaders present.

I will spend 30-40 minutes sharing my story and then do Q&A for another 15-20 minutes or so. I'm really looking forward to my first corporate speaking engaement to support the recruitment, hiring, and retention of people with disabilities.


Learn more about Raytheon...

Raytheon: A History of Global Technology Leadership

Two former college roommates Laurence K. Marshall and Vannevar Bush, along with scientist Charles G. Smith, founded Raytheon Company in Cambridge, Mass., as the American Appliance Company in 1922.

Throughout its more than 80-year history, Raytheon Company has been a leader in developing defense technologies and in converting those technologies for use in commercial markets. From its early days as a maker of radio tubes, its adaptation of World War II radar technology to invent microwave cooking, and its development of the first guided missile, Raytheon has successfully built upon its pioneering tradition to become a global technology leader.

Upcoming Event - September 17, 2007

In celebration of National Rehabilitation Week at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, September 16-22, 2007, come out and listen to guest speaker:

Marty Ball
Wheelchair Sports Hall of Fame Member
September 17, 2007
12:15-1:00p.m.
Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital
250 Pond Street
Braintree, MA 02184


BRAINTREE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL

Since Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital's founding in 1975, they have gained recognition as a world-class healthcare provider. Their resources include acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital in Braintree, MA, a satellite rehabilitation unit located at Metrowest Medical Center in Natick, MA and multiple community-based outpatient clinics offering a wide variety of specialty services. Patients benefit from over 30 years of clinical and medical experience, innovative services and commitment to excellence.

From admission through discharge, the same team of interdisciplinary specialists follows each patient in a program that deals with immediate needs and long-term goals. By beginning treatment as soon after injury or illness as possible, patients are treated every day to vital therapy. At Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, patients and family members can expect to find the support, caring and skill they need, from an organization of physicians and specialists.

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission is a state agency that promotes dignity for individuals with disabilities through employment and independent living in the community. MRC is responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Services, and eligibility determination for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Primarily, MRC helps disabled people obtain employment through counseling, training, education, and transportation.


Mission:

MRC promotes equality, empowerment and productive independence of individuals with disabilities by enhancing and encouraging personal choice and risk-taking for independence and employment.

Services:

MRC provides comprehensive services to people with disabilities that maximizes their quality of life and economic self-sufficiency in the community. Multiple programs offered by MRC work together to help individuals with disabilities, such as:

- The Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program
- The Community Services Program
- The Disability Determination Services Program.

Upcoming Event - Stem Cell Summit, October 2 & 3, 2007

The Stem Cell Summit promises to be a veritable cornucopia of scientific and political information for people with spinal cord injuries.

Produced by great friend of the movement, Bernard Siegel of the Genetics Policy Institute (GPI), the Summit brings together GPI, The Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and the same Burrill and Company who put on an outstanding Stem Cell Meeting earlier this year.

The Stem Cell Summit will take place at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Attendees will have unprecedented access to the stem cell world's leading thinkers and decision-makers. The topmost tier of guests includes scientists Ian Wilmut, George Daley, and Kevin Eggan, along with warrior patient advocates such as Tricia Brooks and Don Reed.

Please join us for this one of a kind Summit!

Email me for more information...

More States Needed to Compete in Ms Wheelchair America Competition!

This year, 27 contestants competed for the title of Ms Wheelchair America. Next year, we are shooting for 50 contestants!!!

The following states did not send a representative this year:

Alaska
Connecticut
Delaware
Hawaii
Idaho
Louisiana
Maine
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
New Mexico
Nevada
North Dakota
Oaklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

If anyone reading my blog has friends or relatives living in one of these states, or if you happen to live in any of these states yourself, and you are (or know someone else who is) a disabled woman between age 21-60, consider getting involved!

Also, of you're a Massachusetts resident, think about entering the 2008 Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts Program, competition to be held next April.

These programs offer women with disabilities a wonderful opportunity to showecase their personal accomplishments as well as an opportunity to advocate for others.

Email me for more information at: mswheelchairmass07@yahoo.com

Also, check out the following links:
Ms Wheelchair America
Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD)

The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) was created in 1981 to bring about full and equal participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. It works to assure the advancement of legal rights and for the promotion of maximum opportunities, supportive services, accommodations and accessibility in a manner which fosters dignity and self determination. MOD is the Commonwealth's Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinating Agency.

MOD has three main components that function to fulfill its priorities: the Government Services Program, the Client Services Program, and the Community Services Program. While each program is uniquely distinct, they intersect and interact with each other in order to effectively ensure that people with disabilities are treated fairly in the Commonwealth.

The Government Services program works to ensure that Massachusetts’ policies and practices are consistent with state and federal laws. This unit works with other facets of state government on behalf of the needs of people with disabilities to resolve problems before they turn to crises.

The Client Services Program is an extensive information and advocacy system for people with disabilities. Responding to over 10,000 requests a year, the program helps people, their families and friends, as well as professionals and government officials, learn about the government program that help citizens with disabilities live independently and about their civil rights. When consumers report that systems are not responsive to their individual or collective needs or that their civil rights have been violated, the Program investigates and advocates that legitimate problems be corrected. The Program also houses the federally mandated Client Assistance Program, which addresses similar information and advocacy concerns about the functioning of federally funded vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs.

The Community Services Program interacts with approximately 8,000 people per year through training and technical assistance to help ensure that people with disabilities learn of their rights and responsibilities and that state, local and private entities know how to comply with their non-discrimination responsibilities. This Unit developed and runs the nationally acclaimed and replicated Community Access Monitor (CAM) Program.


For more info, visit: www.mass.gov/mod

BCIL Needs Input From People With Disabilities!

Are you someone with a disability who has had trouble accessing healthcare in the Boston area?

Have you found that the equipment in your doctor’s office is not accessible to you?

Have you been improperly transferred onto an examining table?

Have you encountered architectural barriers such as narrow doors or hallways?

Have you been denied use of an accessible inpatient room?

Have you received poor quality of care because of your disability?

Have you encountered ANY other barriers to access to healthcare?

The Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL), in collaboration with Greater Boston Legal Services, have begun a project to address systemic barriers to healthcare access that exist for people with disabilities. We are interested in hearing from people with all disabilities about their experiences in Boston-area hospitals, as well as their affiliated medical centers, clinics and physician’s offices. Any interviews would be done in the strictest confidence and no information would be used without explicit permission from the individual interviewed.

If You Have Encountered Barriers to Health Care Access, We Want to Hear Your Story! For more information or to share your story contact:

Karen Schneiderman, (617) 338-6665 kschneiderman@bostoncil.org, or Dan Manning, (617) 603-1603 dmanning@gbls.org.

*BCIL works to promote the civil rights of all people with disabilities and to respond to the needs of persons with many disabilities.

*Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) is the primary provider of free, civil legal services to low-income residents of greater Boston.

Save the Date - Annual SCI Research Conference, November 3, 2007

Boston Medical Center's annual consumer research conference, Stepping Forward - Staying Informed, will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in South Boston on Saturday, November 3, 2007, from 10:30 - 4:30.

This year's conference will include information on:

- The latest updates on SCI research in the United States
- Emergency Preparedness for individuals with disabilities
- Health and wellness for those living with chronic SCI

The cost of the conference is $30 for consumers; $125 for students and professionals. Early registratio discounts are available before August 1, 2007.

For info or to register, go to www.bmc.org/rehab.

(Side note: I have attended this conference for the past two years, and found it to be a wonderful source of information and education.)

Stepping Forward - Staying Informed

Stepping Forward - Staying Informed
Consumer Education Program

The next lecture in this series will be presenting "An Evening with Mark S. Nash, Ph.D," who will be discussing:

Resistance Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury:
Cholesterol and Beyond

Monday August 6, 2007
6:30-8:00PM
Boston Medical Center
Boston University School of Medicine
14th Floor
Heibert Lounge
Boston MA 02118

Visit www.bmc.org for more information or to register.

Stepping Forward - Staying Informed

Boston Medical Center's New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center hosts a bi-monthly Consumer Education Program called, "Stepping Forward - Staying Informed." These workshops provide valuable information on different topics relevant to people living with SCI, as well as providing a forum for disabled people to network with peers.

The next lecture presents, "An Evening with Kim Anderson, Ph.D.," and will focus on:

Being A Woman and Living with Spinal Cord Injury: A Minority of Minorities

Monday May 7, 2007
6:30-8:00PM
Boston Medical Center
Menino Pavilion
2nd Floor, Conference Room C+D
Boston MA 02118

This is a great opportunity for women living with SCI to come together! Anyone interested can register at www.bmc.org/rehab