Access Brookline: May 2023 News & Events

Did you know?

Periodically, Congress must renew authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This provides an opportunity to examine the airline industry and see if any reforms or updates need to be made. Current authorization expires at the end of September 2023, so Congress is preparing to write a new five-year authorization bill and vote on it in the coming months. (See https://www.faa.gov/about/reauthorization) Advocates for improving accessibility in air travel are supporting the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (H.R. 1267/S. 545), which calls for changes to help those with mobility impairments, through enacting new standards for safe and effective boarding and deplaning, seating accommodations, accessible lavatories, and stowage for wheelchairs and assistive devices. To find out more, contact your disability-specific advocacy organization, or the US Senators and Representative for Brookline: https://www.brooklinema.gov/135/State-and-Federal-Elected-Officials

Spotlight Organization

The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired https://www.mabvi.org/ is located right here in Brookline! A few months ago, the Patch announced “Brookline Nonprofit Receives $45K Grant To Help Blind Residents” https://patch.com/massachusetts/brookline/brookline-nonprofit-receives-45k-grant-help-blind-residents The new funding will “expand comprehensive vision rehabilitation services to ensure that older adults living with blindness or low vision remain healthy and independent.” MABVI collaborates with the Brookline Senior Center and offers a suite of information and services for those with low vision or blindness, ranging from technology, to home help, to medical referrals, to counseling.

News & Events

Quarterly Tea with M.O.D.: Service Animals in Public Settings

A lot of misinformation about service animals is swirling nowadays, such as where they are allowed to go, what questions can be asked about them, and what to do if they are not behaving well. This Quarterly Tea with Massachusetts Office on Disability staff will describe the rights and obligations of service animal users in public places, such as restaurants, stores, and libraries. The intended audience of this session includes owners and staff of public places. Register here.

Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 1:00 pm

Adaptive Sailing with Community Boating

Registration for this popular program beginning July 6 is now open! Youth ages 7-18 with a visual or mobility impairment are invited to enroll. It takes place on the Charles River near the Esplanade on Thursday afternoons. https://adaptivesportsne.org/sailing/

After a harrowing life journey, Boston entrepreneur looks to build a ‘Waze for accessibility’

This recent article in the Boston Globe https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/04/29/business/after-harrowing-life-journey-boston-entrepreneur-looks-build-waze-accessibility/ highlights a new locally-grown Smartphone app called Ahoi that enables those with disabilities and their supporters to rate public venues like restaurants for the accessibility features that matter. It’s free to download!

An Overview of Disability Resources from Benefits.gov

Benefits.gov now offers a concise summary article, An Overview of Disability Resources, highlighting healthcare benefits, disability insurance, and where to find other resources on Benefits.gov. The article discusses Parts A, B, and D of Medicare and how Medicare differs from Medicaid. It also provides information on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and discusses how use the Benefit Finder questionnaire to find other programs.

Join Us!

BCOD meets monthly, typically on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm. The public is always welcome! Check the town calendar 48 hours in advance to see the agenda and info on how to participate: www.brooklinema.gov/calendar.aspx.