Heather Watkins’ Post

Here in MA..... "The Department of Children and Families is ending a controversial practice that diverted to the state millions in federal Social Security benefits meant for foster children. In recent years, DCF withheld about $5.5 million annually, or roughly 90 percent of the survivor and disability benefits intended for foster children who lost a parent or have a disability, and instead redirected the money to the state’s general treasury. The practice, which affected about 600 youth annually, was legal but controversial, with child advocates calling it exploitative; that it amounted to making kids pay for their own care, advocates said."

Please share with networks and folks who may be interested. I'm one of the peer researchers for this study. More study info here: https://lnkd.in/eDbuysYv image descript: Tell us your birth story. Brandeis is conducting a research study about pregnancy experiences of Black people and Latinx/as with physical disabilities. Participants must be between 21 - 55 years old and have given birth in the past ten years. Interested in participating? Please contact Janelle Mills. Phone: 781-736-3928. Email: pregnancystudy@brandeis.edu Scan the QR code to learn more: (QR code), right side is graphic of wheelchair-user of color with one hand atop pregnant belly, in lower rt hand corner reads: "Brandeis, The Heller School For Social Policy And Management, Lurie Instititute for Disability Policy

From Malaysia..... "Our voices reflect the diversity of our lived OKU experiences and insights. Amongst us are individuals with expertise in research, advocacy, training, and policy development in sectors ranging from law, human rights, media, community building, self-empowerment, education, healthcare, and public health, to gender equality, ICT, the arts and beyond. This is an open letter on our collective thoughts in response to issues and to views that you expressed from your formal position as a senator in our Dewan Negara, mandated to represent the voices of the orang kurang upaya (OKU) community; this is not about you as an individual."

FYI.....*deadline to apply is May 14th* [The David Brown Scholarship for visually impaired journalists] "The scholarship: $3,000 for a blind or low vision journalist enrolled in a current (or upcoming) post secondary program. It can be used however the recipient sees fit. The money you receive does not have to be put toward tuition fees or school; we understand that cost of living is higher than ever." More info and how to apply: https://lnkd.in/e4rnVtyB https://lnkd.in/e4rnVtyB

FYI.....*neurodivergent writers and illustrators* "Join this 3-night/4-day in-community retreat thoughtfully hosted by Sona Charaipotra, Lyn Miller-Lachmann, and Katie Mazeika, with special guest Meg Eden Kuyatt. Connect with storytellers and make progress on your own work. You’ll have time to create and retreat in a supportive and empowering community that embraces the power of neurodivergent voices. The program includes: •Daily frameworks from hosts Sona Charaipotra, Lyn Miller-Lachmann, and Katie Mazeika. •Opportunities for group discussion and peer-to-peer connections. •Writing sprints, drawing activities, and goal setting. •Community at mealtimes & fireside •Time to get work done, or rest & relax. " More info and how to apply: https://lnkd.in/eFFZQ2Zr https://lnkd.in/eFFZQ2Zr

"Census disability data is important because local, state and federal governments use it when allocating funding for programs that offer support and services for people with disabilities, such as housing assistance. “We know there are some very specific programs that we could actually see would be affected, like some transportation funding for older adults and people with disabilities,” Popkin told The Nation’s Health. “It would have real-world impacts and would affect the amount of resources that are available.” The Census Bureau must also do a better job at counting the number of people with disabilities in rural areas, Popkin said. As of 2021, less than 20% of the U.S. population lived in rural areas, but people who did were more likely to have a disability than people living in urban areas, according to census data."

From Illinois..... "Over six years, Access Living repeatedly proposed a comprehensive settlement framework to resolve the litigation. Rather than engaging in that discussion, the city chose to spend roughly $4 million on private law firms to fight in court. The U.S. Department of Justice shared their support for the case in a legal brief filed in December 2023, and we hope the court is poised to deny the city’s summary judgment motion.' 'A trial will then likely be scheduled, and there will be a highly public airing of the city’s massive noncompliance with federal law. That will certainly provide a strong contrast to Chicago’s aspiration to be 'the most accessible city.'"