The Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship

Co-sponsored by:

• Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
• Institute for Community Inclusion, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
• Disability Law Center

What is the Gopen Fellowship?

Barbara Wilensky Gopen was a person with a disability who made a lifetime commitment to advocating on behalf of people with developmental disabilities. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience by working with members of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network programs. The one-year award includes a stipend of up to $20,000 plus fringe benefits.

The fellowship provides an educational and support environment especially suited to people who want to move from extensive volunteer advocacy experience to the professional disability advocacy field. With their projects, fellows learn how the system works and how they can create change.

Who is eligible?

The Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship is open to any individual with a developmental disability or family member wishing to enhance their knowledge and skills in the developmental disabilities field. Gopen fellowship applicants may have disability or advocacy experience on a personal or volunteer level, but they do not have extensive professional experience in the disability field.

What will the fellow do?

The fellow will be required to develop and negotiate their fellowship project guided by their interest and prior experience. The fellow will be hosted at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) and supervised by staff at ICI and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC).

Fellowship activities may include public policy research and analysis, grassroots advocacy, and leadership development. Applicants may propose other activities relevant to their interest and experience, and are encouraged to discuss their ideas with ICI or MDDC staff prior to applying.

What have past fellows accomplished?

The fellowship program was founded in 2001.

• 2007 - Shannon McCue (self-advocate) - Researched and produced a guide to accessible Community Technology Centers.
• 2006 – Elisabetta Costantini (parent) - Developed integrated recreational opportunities for teens and young adults with disabilities.
• 2005 - John Anton (self-advocate) - Developed a legislative advocacy workshop for self-advocates
• 2004 - Donna Kulpa (parent) - Wrote a guide to accessible transportation in southeastern Massachusetts
• 2003 - Rebecca Goniwich (parent) - Created a workshop on Positive Behavior Supports for teachers and parents
• 2002 - Evelyn Milorin (parent) - Developed an informational audio and video tape for the Haitian community
• 2001 - Sandy Houghton (parent and self-advocate) - Developed a leadership curriculum for self-advocates

How do I apply?

Applications are usually due in mid-October. Interviews take place in November, and the fellowship begins on January 1 each year.

Please send applications to:

ICI/UMass Boston
Attention: David T. Helm, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125

Applicants must submit a brief written proposal of a project or study activity, a resume, and three references. Assistance in the development of these application materials is available. The review committee will interview all finalists, and all applicants will be notified of their status in person or by mail.

For more information please contact David Helm at ICI: 617-355-6209 (voice) or david.helm@childrens.harvard.edu. Information is also posted on the MDDC website ( http://www.mass.gov/mddc/gopen/index.htm) and ICI website (www.communityinclusion.org).

Basi c requirements for the Barbara Wilensky Gopen Fellowship

The following are the expectations that the fellowship committee feel are essential for a successful candidate for the Barbara Wilensky Gopen Fellowship:

• Develop and complete a fellowship project including distribution upon its completion.
• Make a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week for a period of 12 months.
• Work at least two days a week.
• Participate in training and other leadership activities at ICI. (These include but are not limited to the Core Curriculum on Friday mornings and a leadership seminar.)
• Give a presentation on your project at the December MDDC quarterly meeting.
• If appropriate, give a presentation at a regional or national meeting (meeting to be determined) in conjunction with other individuals or colleagues (paper, poster, or verbal presentation).