Upcoming Hearings on the proposed Three Year Plan for Independent Living

This update for independent living providers is courtesy of Karen Bureau, Chairperson of the Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council.

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter (30A.s.11a), and with the Regulation implementing Chapter 1 of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (34 CFR 364.20(g), The Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) will conduct three public hearings to invite comment and consider adoption of the proposed Three Year Plan for Independent Living, for 2011-2013.

The first hearing will be held on January 27, 2010:
AdLib CIL, 215 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The second hearing will be held on February 3, 2010:
Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The third will be held on March 18, 2010
Moorse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick, MA 01760
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

All buildings are wheelchair accessible. CART will be provided and ASL Interpreters have been requested. Persons desiring to present testimony may appear at this time; written comments on the proposed State Plan may be filed with SILC at 280 Irving Street, Framingham, MA 01702 through March 25, 2010.

Copies of the current State Plan and background information will be available at the hearing or may be obtained by contacting the SILC by telephone at 1-866-662-7452 (Voice/TTY), by email at steveh@masilc.org, on the SILC web page, www.masilc.org, or by writing to the SILC office in Framingham.

Although SILC Appointees & Nominees are encouraged to participate in the process, it is not necessary for you to attend all three hearings. If you are planning on testifying in person choose the hearing that is closest to your home.

Transportation to and from the public hearings is available for current SILC Appointees & Nominees wishing to attend. Please call the SILC office at 508-620-7452. Centers for Independent Living and others wishing to attend are responsible for their own transportation costs.

Please contact the SILC office for any reasonable accommodation request (Braille, Large Print, Electronic Format) no later than 1 week prior to the hearing you will be attending, to allow ample time for your request to be processed.

We ask all attending to refrain from wearing scented materials in respect to others who have sensitivities which would otherwise prevent them from participating fully.

For more information, contact:
Steven S. Higgins, Coordinator
Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council
280 Irving Street
Framingham, MA. 01702
508-620-7452 (V/TTY)
508-620-7450 (Fax)
www.masilc.org (Web Site)