Massachusetts Hosts Olmstead Plan Listening Sessions- June 22, 2017

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is updating the state’s Olmstead Plan, a comprehensive working plan for assisting people with disabilities so they may live and work in the community, and the state is asking for your input.

The Commonwealth’s current Olmstead Plan will be updated to highlight the important integration work that has been done over the past 8 years as well as plans to continue the work going forward. The state is holding community-based LISTENING SESSIONS, inviting broad-based stakeholder attendance to provide state agency leadership with opportunities to hear directly from constituents. Sessions will be held in Boston and Springfield. The Listening Sessions will be held, as follows:

BOSTON
Monday June 26th at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
EOHHS, One Ashburton Place, 21st Floor

SPRINGFIELD
Wednesday June 28th at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Springfield State Offices, 436 Dwight Street

The locations are accessible and CART and ASL Interpreters will be available.

During these initial set of Listening Sessions, the state hopes you will consider commenting on all or some of the questions below. Can’t make these sessions? You can send written comments to the Committee. For more information, see http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/commissions-and-initiatives/commonwealth-….

Questions fior which the Commonwealth Seeks Input:

1. How do the current housing and services systems best help individuals with disabilities to integrate into and live successfully in the communities of their choice?
2. What types of services and supports best allow or assist individuals with disabilities to participate in daily activities and employment settings that are integrated into the community?
3. Are there barriers that prevent or limit some individuals with disabilities from integrating into and living successfully in the communities of their choice?
4. Should service and support systems in the Commonwealth be changed in order to promote, and increase opportunities for, community inclusion for people with disabilities? If so, how, and if you had to prioritize, which would be the most important?
5. Bullying poses a problem for vulnerable tenants in some public and subsidized, multi-family housing. What are some policies, practices or other solutions the Commonwealth should consider in order to address this issue?

For a flyer on the Listening Sessions, please click here.