info@sciboston.org                    www.sciboston.org

Advocacy

Hello current and future grassroots advocates!

Do you find that you’re itching to get involved in disability civil rights and helpful legislation but you don’t know where to turn? 

Sign up for United Spinal’s District Mobilization Initiative by filling out the brief survey to become a disability rights grassroots advocate.

We now have 83 out of 435 Congressional districts that have at least one United Spinal advocate signed up. 29 out of 50 states have at least one advocate signed up. Our message carries more weight with every person who sends in the survey. So please sign up.

In signing up you will be helping to accomplish two very important things:

1. Make sure we have consistent grassroots engagement on our action alerts from every Congressional district in the country. The most important factor as to whether or not a Congressional office decides to support the issues that we care about is whether or not they have heard about the issues from their constituents back home. They will respond to us because we are the people who vote to keep them in office!

2. Ensure that we have SCI/D ambassadors that can connect with every member of Congress and their staff. If a Representative, Senator, or a member of their staff is looking to talk to a member or our community about a particular issue or bill, whether it’s CRT (money allocated for our wheelchairs, shower chairs, etc.), or ride-hailing apps, or the importance of PCAs, it’s important that they know they have a constituent who is impacted by these issues and can share their story with them. 

Map: The orange indicates where we have ambassadors and blue/grey indicates where we still need them.

If anyone has any questions about this initiative or would like to see a map of their state or a particular part of their state, please email Pam Daly.

To get our full monthly advocacy update from our advocacy committee click here!

A Good Read, Listen, and Watch

We would like to continue our celebration of the ADA 30 by sharing selected Boston audio, video, and print publicity. Thank you to Abby Swaine for putting together this amazing list of Boston-area coverage of the ADA anniversary!

Boston Globe

Wanted: allies in the fight for disability rights

In her Aug 5 column, Joan Vennochi takes a look at progress in accessibility in Massachusetts through the eyes of dedicated local advocate Carol Steinberg.

Let’s celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by reforming it

In this Aug 4 opinion piece, the CEO of the New England Council urges changes to the ADA to foster employment and a decent standard of living among those with disabilities.

Commonwealth Magazine

COVID-19 poses unnecessary risk for people with disabilities

This opinion piece explains that the Northeast lags behind other areas of the country in accessible housing, requiring new rules for rehabbing existing buildings.

WBUR Radio Boston

Reflecting on the ADA's 30th Anniversary

Where are we on disability rights and equality? And what are the next frontiers? Interviewees are Courtland Townes III, deputy director of the Boston Center for Independent Living, and Dr. Cheri Blauwet, who the Kelley Adaptive Sports Research Institute at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

WBUR On the Media

The Summer Camp That Inspired the Disability Rights Movement

Crip Camp, a critically acclaimed Netflix documentary, tells the story of a groundbreaking summer camp that galvanized a group of teens with disabilities to help build a national movement. Judy Heumann, a Jened camper who became a Special Advisor for International Disability Rights for the Obama administration, is interviewed.

Body Meets World

As the pandemic forces us renegotiate our relationship with the built world, we can find lessons in the disability movement, which has over the past half century yielded infrastructure accommodations now so ubiquitous we take them for granted.

WGBH Radio Boston

Journalists Need to Improve Coverage of People with Disabilities

How are journalists covering disability news, and has that changed in the last 30 years? That about 1 in 4 adults live with a disability in the U.S. is rarely reflected in news coverage. When there are stories about people with disabilities, they can sometimes do more harm than good, often perpetuating stereotypes.

30 Years After Passing Of The ADA, Art Caplan Says US Still Has 'A Long Way To Go'

A medical ethicist explains why he believes the U.S. still has “a long way to go” when it comes to treating disabled citizens equitably. He cites disparities in health care and a persisting argument from some that COVID-19 deaths among the elderly and disabled aren’t as meaningful as those among the younger or more able-bodied.

WGBH Celebrates Accessibility

A collection of pieces examining developments in accessible media formats, and stories about real-world progress in accessibility.

The Americans With Disabilities Act At 30

An interview with Judy Heumann, Alice Wong, and Britney Wilson on what did the ADA has accomplished, and what work is left to be done.

Boston Disability Commission

Includes addresses by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, MA Attorney General Maura Healey, MA Governor Charlie Baker, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.

MBTA

General Manager’s Update with statements by Taramatti Doucette (Greater Boston Legal Services, Laura Brelsford (Assistant GM, Systemwide Accessibility, MBTA), and Joanne Daniels-Feingold (plaintiff in GBLS lawsuit against the MBTA in 2002), on the 30th Anniversary of the ADA

MBTA Rider Testimonials on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the ADA.

For Sale and Donation!

Do you have Durable Medical Equipment, Assitive Technology, Adapted Vehicles or an Accessible Home for sale? Send us pictures and information about the item(s) to info@sciboston.org and we will post it on our website and social media. *PLEASE NOTE WE ARE NOT THE SELLER AND DO NOT HAVE POSSESSION OF THE ITEMS. WE PURELY POST ITEMS TO CONNECT SELLERS WITH INTERESTED BUYERS.

2016 Subaru Crosstrek

Very good condition - 50,400 miles
Personal Vehicle - one owner 
Everything works - no mechanical issues since purchased new in 2016

No accidents, clean title 

Had left-sided hand controls and spinner knob installed in 2016 just after purchase

-AWD

-Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
-Leather Seats
-Heated Seats

-Remote start

-Rearview Camera
-Sunroof
-Winter Package 
-Auto-dim side mirrors and rearview mirror
-Bluetooth - AM/FM/CD/USB
-A/C with Auto-climate
-Power windows and locks 
-Recently purchased 4 new ires
-Winter mats

Please email us with your contact information and we will share it with the seller.

Donated Ramp 

Hand made. Dimensions are 10 inches high, 35 1/2 inches wide plus 1/2 inch sides, 80 inches long. Very well built. Not "portable" as it requires two people to carry it. Currently in Sudbury available for pickup.  Please email us with your contact information and we will share it with the owner.

"It's a Duet Basic Bicycle (without power assist) for sale. I'm asking $2000 firm for it, and it retails between $6000 and $8000. I just put new tires on it. Pickup is in Boston or Brookline." Please email us with your contact information and we will share it with the seller.

2014 MV-1 LX Great wheelchair SUV! More storage room, head room, and maneuverability than mini-vans. Short and long ramp options. Buttons for ramp are accessible from both inside and outside. Luxury edition, black leather interior, new radio with Bluetooth. ONLY TWO OWNERS, selling in order to get a van with hand controls. Low miles, 23,500. Driven in Boston and Connecticut. Serviced at Herb Chambers Burlington, records available. Oil changes every 5k. Comfortable bench seat for three additional passengers besides driver and wheelchair. Lots of storage space, including tow hitch. Please email us with your contact information and we will share it with the seller.

Tom's Permobil chair C-500 Permobil wheelchair 21" front to back 19" side to side. He wants to donate. Interested party needs to pick it up from donor's house. All it needs is batteries. Please email us with your contact information and we will share it with the seller.

Donated Jazzy scooter with charger. Please email us with your contact information and we will share it with the owner.

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