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All people with intellectual disabilities have a right to live in communities of their choosing and be fully-included with people who do not have disabilities. They should be empowered to live in accessible and affordable housing similar to that of people without disabilities. Necessary individualized supports and adaptations should be of their choosing and under their control or the control of their substitute decision-maker.
People with intellectual disabilities must have access to public and private transportation to lead full, independent lives.
News
Arc of Massachusetts Urges "No on 2"
Question 2 on the Massachusetts ballot
this November 2 would repeal the state’s primary affordable housing
law. The Arc of Massachusetts has joined a growing coalition of
organizations and individuals urging citizens to vote “no” on 2
to protect the affordable housing.
The law has helped thousands throughout
the Commonwealth attain housing. Over the past decade, more than
58,000 homes have been created for working families, seniors, and
individuals with disabilities.
A repeal would immediately halt the
construction of 12,000 homes in the pipeline, and all of the jobs and
economic benefits those projects would bring.
The Vote No on 2 Campaign has come
together to ensure the law is not repealed. The campaign comprises a
coalition of more than 400 organizations and thousands of individuals
committed to protecting this law. All three major candidates for
governor agree we should all vote no on 2 and support affordable
housing in the Commonwealth.
For more info or to get involved, go to www.protectaffordablehousing.org, call 617-933-5275 or email info@protectaffordablehousing.org. And remember in November, Vote “NO
on 2” to protect the affordable housing law.
Publications
Building A Future
Building A Future was updated in 2006. It is a guide on residential options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)
A non-profit umbrella organization for affordable housing and community development activities throughout Massachusetts. Offers lots of online information and resources regarding housing development and programs available to Massachusetts residents.
Mass. Accessible Housing Registry
A free searchable database that helps people with disabilities find rental housing in Massachusetts, primarily accessible and barrier-free housing.
Architectural Access Board (AAB)
A regulatory agency within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety. Develops and enforces regulations designed to make public buildings accessible to, functional for, and safe for use by persons with disabilities.
Mass. Bay Transit Authority (MBTA)
The state’s largest public transportation provider, serving seventy-eight communities in eastern Massachusetts including Boston. For a listing of the state's other regional transit authorities with accompanying links and contact information, click here.
Funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Easter Seals Project ACTION promotes cooperation between the transportation industry and the disability community to increase mobility for people with disabilities under the ADA and beyond. In an effort to make the ADA work for everyone, every day, we offer training, technical assistance, and numerous resources, including:
National Accessible Travelers Database
To meet a need for more direct information about accessible services among users, travel agents, tour coordinators and tour guides, Easter Seals Project ACTION offers this database of accessible transportation services in the United States. This database of transit systems is supplemented with information on accessible tours and tour companies, accessible airport and other private shuttles, and accessible taxi services. The transportation database website allows the user to highlight the state and city they plan to visit, and view all transportation services available to them. The user is also able to view the travel agencies specializing in travel arrangements for persons with disabilities.
The Project ACTION Clearinghouse offers, free of charge, more than ninety print, video, audio, and multimedia products which cover virtually every aspect of accessible transportation.
Buses and Trains for Everyone curriculum for grades K-8
Targeted toward students with disabilities from kindergarten through eighth grade, this curriculum teaches concepts and skills needed to use public transportation. Topics covered include teaches safety, travel etiquette, manners, and life and problem-solving skills. Website offers resources for both students and teachers, and includes alternative assessment standards for children with severe disabilities.
A grassroots community-organizing effort aimed at bringing THE RIDE, the MBTA's transportation service for people with disabilities who cannot take the subway or bus, into compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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