Updated on Friday, May 17th, this is the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Information Update, available on the MCB Voice Information System at 617-626-7660. And (800) 392-6450. You can say “tape” into the phone. This message is also available on "Newsline" the accessible newspaper service by pressing number 2, the local Channel and this message is in the "Mass. Commission for the Blind" section. This update is produced by Joe Weisse for MCB.
Help influence health care in Massachusetts! The Health and Disability Program, a part of the Office of Health Equity at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is conducting a health needs survey for people with disabilities in Massachusetts. The Office of Health Equity promotes the health and well being of minority populations, including people with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth. Results from the survey will be used to determine how best to address the current public health needs of the disability community. Take a few moments to complete the health needs survey yourself at www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1219419/Health-Needs-Assessment-2013B. Residents of Massachusetts, over the age of 18 who have disabilities, Caregivers or guardians of adults or children with disabilities, advocates, Staff at community based organizations, state or local government offices that serve people with disabilities and others are also urged to take the survey. the survey link will only remain active until May 31. This is a voluntary and anonymous survey.
The City of Boston Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities would like to invite you to a Forum on Disability Issues on Tuesday, May 21 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Boston City Hall, One City Hall Square in Boston. This is an open forum where community residents will be able to talk about their accessibility concerns and hear updates from Boston’s Disability Commissioner, department staff, and members of the Boston Disability Commission Advisory Board. Talk about the issues, share your concerns, meet others involved in the disability community, and have some refreshments. will have ASL, CART, wheelchair access, and large print materials. If you need individual accommodations, please contact Commissioner Kristen McCosh, Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities at 617-635-3682 617-635-2541 TTY or email her at kristen.mccosh@cityofboston.gov. Groups of 6 or more should contact her in advance to arrange logistics.
Students in high school and college and adults with disabilities who are looking for a job are invited to participate in a career exploration workshop: Learn the details of jobs in today’s workplaces, meet individuals who work in health care, education, engineering, social work, technology, research, fundraising, in politics and the private and public sector. Ask entrepreneurs about starting a business, gain information to plan for your own employment future. This will take place on Friday, May 24th from 9:30 to 12:30 at the Volpe Center, Department of Transportation, 55 Broadway in Cambridge. This career exploration workshop is where you will have 15 minutes to conduct an informational interview with a professional: at the end of the fifteen minutes a bell will sound and you now have another fifteen minutes to conduct another informational interview with a new professional until you break for lunch. A light Breakfast and lunch will be provided. To register for World of Careers go to the webpage: www.ourspaceourplace.org/eventdetails.php, phone: 617-459-4084
The Perkins alumni weekend will be held Friday to Sunday morning, June 14 to 16. This is a time to renew your connection with old and new friends and classmates from Perkins. Come for the whole weekend or just for some of the fun activities. They welcome new and past graduates, along with any other students who have attended Perkins for at least one academic year and left Perkins by graduating, receiving a certificate of accomplishment or left with a good record. To order tickets please use the Registration Form that is available. If you are a member of the Perkins Alumni Association or would like to join please send your yearly membership dues in the amount of $20.00 before May 24. Even if you are unable to attend this year's alumni weekend you are encouraged to join the Alumni Association to be kept informed of upcoming alumni weekends, social events and Perkins news. All requests for on campus overnight accommodations are $50.00, lunch: $5.00, banquet: $30.00 and annual dues: $20.00 MUST reach Treasurer Judi Cannon no later than Friday, May 24. Make all checks or money orders payable to the Perkins Alumni Association and send to Judi Cannon at 20 Riverside St., Unit 2-8, Watertown, MA 02472. Be sure to indicate how much of the check is designated to membership and the weekend. If you plan to stay on campus, go to both the banquet and lunch, and pay your annual dues, the total of your check would be $105.00. Refunds will NOT BE provided. Judi can be reached weekday evenings until 9:00 PM (EST) or during weekends at 617-924-6099 with any additional questions. Also be sure that the name of the alumni member is clearly written on the check. You may contact Marie Hennessy, Perkins Alumni Association President at 617-972-7873 or by email at cnppr@verizon.net. Please put your name and Perkins Alumni Association in the subject line.
The Museum of Fine Arts Feeling For Form program offers one on one guided tours for blind and low vision visitors and a trained Access Guide. On Sunday, June 2, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. Museum-trained guides will lead attendees on a tour with the theme “The Roman House.” If you are interested in how the Romans lived in antiquity, be sure to attend. Museum admission is free and the guided tour is free for blind and low vision visitors and a companion. Pre-registration is required by Friday, May 24. The sessions can also be scheduled at other times for those who cannot attend the regularly scheduled sessions. For more information or to pre-register, please contact Valarie Burrows vburrows@mfa.org 617-369-3302.
Thanks for reading this message and it will be updated again on Friday, May 24th.
This information is provided by the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.