Disability Connection

Executive Director, Marlene Sallo, joins Walter Noons to discuss the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census amd how important it is for persons with disabilities to be counted.

Kristen McCosh, City of Boston Disability Commissioner & ADA Title II Coordinator, and host, Walter Noons, discuss Boston’s ten-year plan to make the city and its services accessible for residents and visitors with disabilities.

Host, Walter Noons, discusses Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) with Enid Watson, FASD State Coordinator from the Institute for Heath and Recovery,  Elaine “Laine” Elias, a parent of an young adult with FASD, and her son, Sasha Paterson, a young adult with FASD.

DLC Attorney Hillary Dunn Stanisz discusses the importance of clients being served at Day Habilitation programs having access to the community as a way to achieve greater independence  with host, Walter Noons.

Evan George, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at the MA Office on Disability joined DLC attorney Svetlana Uimenkova to talk about Emergency Preparedness as it applied to Persons with Disabilities or Individuals Requiring Additional Assistance.  Discussion centered around the available resources to overcome the most common barriers faced by persons with disabilities in emergency situations.  Evan described how to organize a “Go to Bag”  - an emergency preparedness tool that may be prepared by individuals and their families.  

Patrick Gleason and Nathanial Trull of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMASS Medical School discuss Emergency Preparedness for persons with disabilities with host, Walter Noons.

Maura K. Sullivan, Director of Government Affairs at the Arc of Massachusetts, joins Walter Noons to discuss House Bill H. 4026, also known as “Nicky’s Law”. The bill is currently before the Massachusetts House of Representatives and if signed into law would establish a registry of caretakers found to have substantiated claims of abuse against a person with an intellectual or developmental disability.  

David Correia, Advocacy Director and Ashley Starr, Community Transition Coordinator of the MetroWest Center for Independent Living discuss barriers to employment for persons with disabilities.

Discussion of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission’s (DPPC) Sexual Assault Response Unit (SARU) with Attorney Susan Vickers, Director, and Peer Support Leaders, Patricia Quatieri, and, Leigh-Ann Barry.

DLC Staff Attorney Caitlin Parton talks about the challenges facing persons who are deaf or hard of hearing in accessing services from medical providers, in public accommodations and in housing.

Host, Walter Noons, is joined by DLC's new Executive Director, Marlene Sallo. Marlene talks about her background, what brought her to DLC, and her vision for the organization.

Host, Walter Noons interviews Jamie Sabino, Staff Attorney at Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) and Co-Manager of the Civil Legal Aid to Victims of Crime (CLAVC) Initiative. They discuss how persons who have been victims of crime may receive free legal assistance in civil matters, such as eviction, divorce, etc., when the civil matter arises from the crime.

Host, Walter Noons interviews Interim Executive Director, Florette Willis and Advocate, Daniela Depina of the Multicultural Independent Living Center of Boston. They discuss the services MILCB provides to the community in the areas of Housing, Special Education, Health Care, Employment and Peer Support.   They also talk about the upcoming Holiday Toy Drive.

Host, Walter Noons, interviews DLC Senior Attorney Svetlana Uimenkova to discuss PABSS (Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security) program. Svetlana explains Work Incentives such as the Ticket to Work program which can help SSI and SSDI beneficiaries return to work while maintaining their benefits.

Host Walter Noons is joined by Disability Law Center's Senior Staff Attorney, Linda Landry to discuss ABLE savings plans (Achieving a Better Life Experience).  These plans can offer an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses.

Host Walter Noons interviews Skadden Fellow and DLC Attorney Colleen Shea to discuss “zero tolerance” in schools, the “school to prison pipeline” and how this negatively impacts students with special needs.

Host, Walter Noons is joined by Desi Forte, Youth Services Manager at Easter Seals of Massachusetts. They discuss her role as overseer of Youth Services Programs for young people with disabilities ages 16 to 21 and the opportunities that they are provided to develop leadership and advocacy skills.

Host Walter Noons welcomes DLC Attorney and Pike Fellow Caitlyn Byers. They discuss housing laws in Massachusetts and the rights of tenants with disabilities. Topics covered include eviction and reasonable accommodation.

Host Christine Griffin interviews Sue Rorke, Information Specialist at the MetroWest Center for Independent Living.  They discuss the importance of voting for persons with disabilities, and the REV UP Campaign.  http://revupma.org/wp/  

Guests Jonathan O’Dell and Stefanie Farrell from the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing demonstrate various Assistive Technology devices designed to help individuals remain independent and safe in their homes.