Williamstown Father to Speak at Advocacy Day in Boston

from iBerkshires.com: 
BOSTON — Williamstown resident Stephen Narey will be a featured speaker at the first MDSC Down Syndrome Advocacy Day at the State House on Tuesday, May 27.

The event is hosted by the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress and aims to encourage lawmakers to support critical policies and funding to ensure that all people with Down syndrome have opportunities to lead meaningful fulfilling lives in the community. At the top of the list is the National Background Check Bill (H.1674), a piece of legislation that would finally close a gaping loophole that puts people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at risk of abuse. Under current law, those hired to work with people with developmental disabilities are required to have a state criminal background check, but not a national check.

Hundreds of members of the Down syndrome community will gather for a luncheon reception followed by individual meetings with their legislators. They will walk the halls to share their stories and lobby our legislators to pass key legislation.

Narey, an attorney, is chairman of the MDSC Board of Directors and father to Cole, who has Down syndrome.

Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo of Winthrop will be given the MDSC’s first “Legislative Champion of the Year Award.” Other invited guests include Senate President Therese Murray, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (primary sponsor of National Background Check Bill when he was a state rep.), EOHHS Assistant Secretary Rosalie Edes, DDS Commissioner Elin Howe, State Rep. Tom Sannicandro, and others. FOX25 weekend news anchor Heather Hegedus will emcee the event. Registration is free at www.mdsc.kintera.org/advocacyday.

Conquering the Hill

by Kendall Hatch from MetroWest Daily News:

If there were a list of the most dedicated people at the Massachusetts State House, chances are you'd find John Anton and Melissa Reilly on it.

Anton and Reilly, both adults with Down syndrome, are part-time aides in the offices of a pair of local legislators – Anton works in the office of state Rep. Tom Sannicandro, D-Ashland, and Reilly works for state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton. During a joint interview this month in Boston, the pair was eager to talk about their work, both on and off Beacon Hill, and how they got involved in public service.

"I like the work that I'm doing," Anton, a 48-year-old Haverhill resident said. "I live and breathe work and I'm a workaholic when it comes to the work that I do."

State apologizes to Man With Down Syndrome Fired From Job Because of Budget Cuts

more from WCVB the Boston Channel:
Two state officials have apologized to a man with Down syndrome who was fired from his $12 per week job, according to his mother.

The termination letter sent to Mark Stanganelli "should never have gone out," executives from the Massachusetts Health and Human Services Department told his parents.

For 15 years, Stanganelli has been working at Andover's Wyndham Hotel. He received a letter of termination last month.  He was paid $24 every other week, a symbolic payment for his efforts.

The Greater Lawrence Educational Collaborative, which placed and supervised Stanganelli, 45, at his job, had written that the Wyndham Hotel setting was "no longer an appropriate option for Mark."

Department of Development Services Commissioner Elin Howe and Christine Griffin, Asst. Secretary for Disabilities Programs, met with the family for two hours Wednesday afternoon.

“We all have Mark’s best interests at heart, and after meeting with his family today we arrived at a resolution that will allow Mark to stay in a position at the Wyndham while we work with the family. We will continue our discussions with Mark’s family to determine the appropriate supports and services that fit his current needs,” said spokesman Alec Loftus.

Stanganelli's mother said while there was no promise of a long-term job at the Wyndham, she is satisfied, for now.

"Gerry (his father) and I both feel they heard our concerns. Even though we hoped to have a commitment for Mark to stay at the Wyndham with job training, they heard our concerns and are willing to work with us. We hope it works well," said Beverly Stanganelli.

The Wyndham Hotel had no involvement in the hiring or firing of Stanganelli. The Greater Lawrence Educational Collaborative placed him there as part of an on-site program.

Beverly Stanganelli said their phone has been "ringing off the hook" with offers of help for Mark since WCVB-TV and wcvb.com first reported their story Tuesday.

One woman offered to underwrite a program specifically for Mark, she said.

In a statement Tuesday, GLEC spokeswoman Kim Oliveira said, "The Greater Lawrence Educational Collaborative provides quality programming for individuals with special abilities. While we can't comment on individual cases, we assure you that all programming decisions are made in partnership with collateral agencies and with the intent to bring joy and fulfillment to the individual. Enhancing the quality of life for those we serve is our primary goal."

Read more: http://www.wcvb.com/health/State-apologizes-to-man-with-Down-syndrome-fired-from-job/-/9848730/16021244/-/cf9p34/-/index.html#ixzz2345lPfhf