News  2023-2024 Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship Project

The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network created the Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship in 2001. The fellowship honors disability advocate Barbara Wilensky Gopen.

The Gopen Fellowship is a 1 year opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities. As a Gopen Fellow, individuals come up with a project idea. Staff from the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) help with the project. During their time, fellows learn about leadership, disability policy, disability services, and disability advocacy. 

The Gopen Fellowship is funded by the Administration for Community Living and sponsored by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network:

• Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston
• E.K. Shriver Center, UMass Chan Medical School
• Disability Law Center
• Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council

Sophie Korpics is thrilled to be lending her unique voice and perspective as a disability advocate! Sophie holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and is very passionate about disability advocacy. Prior to being this year’s Gopen Fellow, she interned with the Disability Program Manager at Massachusetts General Hospital. As this year’s Gopen Fellow, she worked on a project about the lack of access to quality computer-based assistive technology and support in public schools. She also serves as co-chair for The Newburyport Commission on Disability. In addition to advocacy around improving the public school experience for students with disabilities, Sophie is also passionate about ensuring transportation accessibility, and authentic disability representation in the arts.   

Introduction: Without access to quality computer-based assistive technology (AT), many students with disabilities can spend 4–6 hours a day doing homework. This can prevent them from participating in extracurricular or other fun activities, which in turn, can negatively impact their overall happiness. The purpose of this brochure is to provide helpful basic resources to high school students, school personnel, and parents to help ensure that all students with disabilities in public schools throughout Massachusetts get the AT and support they need to succeed.