February 2023 Advocacy Update
The Department of Systemwide Accessibility at the MBTA is looking to hire a Deputy Director of Accessibility Analytics.
They seek someone who is not only comfortable with data crunching and communication, but oriented toward social justice and disability rights. The MBTA is trying hard to get to the next level of monitoring & analyzing how well they and their contractors do in serving their customers on the fixed-route system (bus, train, etc) as well as paratransit, in order to improve service. They’ve reached out to the Chapter to help find the right candidate! Learn more at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mbta/jobs/3739163/deputy-director-accessibility-analytics-innovation?keywords=Accessibility&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
The Riders’ Transportation Access Group (RTAG) is still looking to hire a Community Organizer/Facilitator.
RTAG advises the MBTA on concerns of customers with disabilities and seniors, focusing on accessibility of “fixed-route” (bus, subway, commuter rail) and paratransit (RIDE) services. The group is composed of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and representatives of disability and senior advocacy organizations. It was formed to carry on the critical advocacy for equal access led by plaintiffs in the accessibility lawsuit Joanne Daniels-Feingold, et al. v. MBTA. To find out more and apply, see the job posting on the Boston Center for Independent Living website: https://bostoncil.org/job/community-organizer-facilitator-riders-transportation-access-group/
The Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD) IHCD Seeks a Director of ADA Training and Technical Assistance for the New England ADA Center.
The New England ADA Center, a project of the Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD), seeks a "deeply expert" individual in all federal accessibility standards and regulations. The position will direct the ADA Center’s technical assistance (TA) on the ADA, provide expertise as needed to IHCD’s design and consulting team, and provide advanced trainings on the ADA Title II, Title III, the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and related New England state and federal disability rights laws (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act). This is a hybrid position and residence must be located within commuting distance from our Boston, Massachusetts office. To learn more and apply, follow this link: https://www.humancentereddesign.org/news-events/ihcd-seeks-director-ada-training-and-technical-assistance-ihcds-new-england-ada-center
From United Spinal National
Wheelchair Repair
The current situation that all wheelchair users have to face when it comes to wheelchair repairs is unacceptable.
United Spinal Association understands that having a functioning wheelchair repair system for both power wheelchair users and manual wheelchair users is fundamental to a free and fair society in which all can participate. Our advocates are focused on this issue across the nation.
United Spinal is working in coalition with disability advocacy and provider groups to drive change for commonsense bills including core provisions to protect wheelchair users. Among the issues we are focused on are guaranteed routine maintenance coverage; (including the option of empowering wheelchair users being able to repair certain wheelchair components such as tire tubes); guardrails around the use of loaner chairs; and advocating for the use of telehealth for practitioners such as physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants as in the Expanded Telehealth Access Act, H.R.
The Expanded Telehealth Access Act would enable clinicians to assist wheelchair users virtually for those individuals who are not able to get to a clinic for a wheelchair evaluation appointment.
Take action below. Read the article in full.
New Care Support Working Group Starting In January 2023
Thank you to all those who attended last month’s Advocacy Live which focused on the critical shortage across the country of personal care attendants and nursing care for our community of wheelchair users and individuals with SCI/D.
Starting in January 2023, the Government Relations and Advocacy teams will establish a Care Support Working Group so we can come together on policy and advocacy initiatives to improve care support services across the country.
You can help us work on common sense, practical solutions, including raising personal care attendant and nursing wages; creating professional improvement opportunities for them; and, allowing family members (including spouses and parents) to participate in paid care support programs, all of which would improve access to a reliable, accountable and professional care support team. Visit here for more information.
If you or your members would like to participate in the new Care Support Working Group to help us drive change, please contact United Spinal’s Government Relations Coordinator, Rebecca MacTaggart at rmactaggart@unitedspinal.org or Grassroots Advocacy Manager, Annie Streit, at astreit@unitedspinal.org.
Advocacy Live
You're invited to our next Advocacy Live session.
These sessions provide an opportunity for advocates to share what they're up to, hear from others, talk about successes and strategies, and inspire new ideas for advocacy projects at the local, state, and federal levels.
You can register for the February 21 Advocacy Live session, which will take place at 1 PM ET (10 AM PT).
Communication Access
United Spinal signed onto legislation known as the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA) introduced at the end of last year by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) will ensure that people with disabilities have full access to the range of mainstream communication products and services that are necessary to participate equally in professional, educational, recreational, and civic contexts, and to ensure accessibility regulations for emerging technologies. View press release for more information.
Share Your Story: Got Wheelchair and Mobility Device Issues?
Our community knows how important the right wheelchair is and we know about the challenges you face in getting the features that you need to be able to fully participate in your community. United Spinal is amplifying our community’s voices so that everyone hears about the challenges you face.
Please share your story about your wheelchair denials and help us make change.