DPC News & Updates
Take the Survey About Medical Debt
Have you ever had medical bills you couldn't pay? Research is being conducted by the University of Washington, Seattle, WA on Navigating Uncovered Medical Expenses in the U.S Health System.
Hearing Thursday on Housing Bill!
The Affordable Housing Act is THE housing bill of the session. Governor Healey wrote it as an overarching bill that will touch all parts of the housing landscape in Massachusetts. We’re asking for improvements to the bill. Please consider writing testimony or signing up to testify in-person.
Survey: Becoming Disabled or Ill During the Pandemic
Senior and Disability Action is hosting a training program for people who are new to disability or chronic illness and want to connect with other people and/or change the way disabilities are created and treated in our society.
Help shape the future of Disability Equity at the Mass Cultural Council!
The Mass Cultural Council is working with Art-Reach and Open Door Arts to evaluate and plan for equitable services and programs for people with disabilities. By participating in this survey your will be considered in the present and future strategic plans for Disability Equity across Massachusetts.
Looking for Disabled People of Color Who Have Lived in Nursing Homes or Other Institutions to Share their Experiences
Are you a person with a disability who has lived in a nursing home or other institution? Are you now living in the community and receiving Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (or want to)? Are you a person of color? Are you 18 years of age or older? If you answered YES to each of the questions above, you may be eligible to participate.
National Disability Rights Network is Seeking Interview Participants with Disabilities in MA, NH, SC, and DC!
From the National Disability Rights Network: "We are seeking to speak with voters in MA, NH, SC, and the DC metro area for a project showcasing the power of our votes."
Testimony Guide: Supporting Affordable, Accessible Housing in the Affordable Homes Act
We’ve prepared a guide on how to provide testimony supporting affordable, accessible housing in the AHA. Use the details provided in the post, or download a PDF version for your records.
Long COVID Survey for People with HIV
Living with HIV and experiencing headaches, fatigue, or brain fog after COVID-19? Take this survey from Massachusetts General Hospital. Participants may receive up to $475!
Research Participants Needed in Spinal Cord Injury Exercise Program
Lakeshore Foundation is recruiting participants for a study to evaluate the effects of an exercise program on improving pain, fatigue, physical activity, and physical function with people with a spinal cord injury (SCI).
Research Participants Needed for Accessible and Inclusive Diabetes Management Study (Ai4DM)
Lakeshore Foundation is recruiting participants for a study to measure the impact of the first online diabetes management program for people with physical disabilities, conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Please help us get the word out!
Focus Group for People with Disabilities from Marginalized Communities
Apply to join this focus group, which will be held via Zoom on February 15, 2024, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Eligible participants with disabilities in Massachusetts must meet certain criteria and will be compensated with a $50 gift card.
Your Mental Health Matters: Invitation to Participate in a Mental Health Program for People with a Spinal Cord Injury
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an emerging, evidence-based, psychotherapy approach that can improve mental health through mindfulness, acceptance processes and behavior change. Lakeshore Foundation is helping to recruit for a remote, ACT study.
Maintain Funding for Personal Care Attendants (PCAs)
The Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program enables over 40,000 people with disabilities and elderly people to live in the community with dignity and independence. The proposed cut to the program in the governor’s budget will disrupt this for an estimated 6000 people and many PCAs will lose their jobs. We are advocating for an increase in the MassHealth budget by $114 million to reverse the cuts that the governor included in her budget.
Take the DLC Survey About Day Habilitation
The Disability Law Center (DLC) has been receiving complaints from day habilitation participants and their families who are unable to return to their day habilitation programs or return full time. Please help DLC gather information to address this problem.
Take the Disability Community Health Needs Assessment!
Disabled or chronically ill in Massachusetts? Tell Massachusetts Department of Public Health what you need to be healthy! Take the Disability Community Health Needs Assessment.
Help Fight for the Housing Bond Bill!
Our Housing Bond Bill advocacy is far from over. Governor Healey's version of the Affordable Homes Act has a lot of promising proposals for affordable and accessible housing, but we (along with our allies at CHAPA, the Boston Center for Independent Living, and Stavros) will be advocating for a few key changes.
Senate Vote Thursday on Wheelchair Repair!
As reported in the State House News, one of our priority bills, the Wheelchair Warranty Bill (now labeled S.2541), will be voted on by the Senate tomorrow, and we expect it to pass!
Pregnancy and Physical Disability: A discussion for people with physical disabilities who are pregnant or thinking about pregnancy
Join us for a Brandeis Lurie Center Virtual Event on Thursday, January 18, 2024. Nicole Lomerson and Laura Stout, both mothers with physical disabilities, will discuss their pregnancies and births. We will touch on the positives, the challenges, the lessons learned, and the unexpected aspects of our pregnancies. Register today!
4120-4001: Increase funding of MassAccess Registry to $300K
MassAccess is an online registry of affordable, accessible units, overseen by the Housing Navigator and MyMassHousing. Increased funding will help more low income people with disabilities find accessible units with up-to-date resources where they’re already looking.