BCIL Annual Meeting 2024
2024-11-20 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Immigrants’ Rights – A Critical Discussion at the 2024 BCIL Annual Meeting
At BCIL’s annual meeting on Wednesday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m., we will feature Laura Rotolo, the Field Director for the American Civil Liberties Union, who’ll discuss immigrants’ rights and their intersection with disability rights.
Why immigrants’ rights? Because BCIL provides services to many immigrants, and in a time where there’s significant immigrant bashing, we will note that many of our staff are immigrants and that much of the workforce in health care, especially the PCA program, includes high numbers of immigrants. It’s absolutely no stretch to say that immigrants are a critical part of the independent living picture.
The meeting will be held virtually this year. Along with the discussion on immigrants’ rights, we will review the past year and update you on current advocacy campaigns. We’ll also have video’s marking BCIL’s 50th anniversary.
To register for the Zoom link, click here.
CART and ASL will be provided.
ADA reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request, contact Austin O’Connor at aoconnor@bostoncil.org or (617) 338-6665. As part of your request, please include a description of the accommodation you will need and include as much detail as you can. Please provide your contact information in case we need more information. When possible, please allow at least seven days advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but may be difficult to fill.

Housing Workshop - In-Person & by Zoom
2024-11-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-08-21 10:00 - 12:00 | BCIL Offices, 60 Temple Place, 5th Floor, Boston Center for Independent Living, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
Housing Workshop – In-Person & by Zoom
Join3 us on the first and third Wednesday of every month to learn more about and how to apply for affordable housing options in your area. Our knowledgeable staff will answer all your questions and put you on the path to finding the housing that is right for you.
This workshop will teach you about:
• Types of housing available in the Boston area
• Navigating subsidized and affordable housing
• Conducting a housing search
• Communicating with housing authorities, agencies, and landlords
• Completing applications for state voucher programs
• How to request reasonable accommodations for your disability
Each workshop will include a period when you can ask questions.
To register: email Jackie at jmcglinchey@bostoncil.org with your full
name and phone number. You will receive a confirmation email from
Jackie that will include the Zoom webinar link and password.
To request reasonable accommodations, please let Jackie know when
you register.

Office closed
2024-11-11
The Boston Center for Independent Living will be closed Monday, November 11th, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

Housing Workshop - In-Person & by Zoom
2024-11-06 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-02 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-04 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-08-07 10:00 - 12:00 | BCIL Offices, 60 Temple Place, 5th Floor, Boston Center for Independent Living, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
Join us on the first and third Wednesday of every month to learn more about and how to apply for affordable housing options in your area. Our knowledgeable staff will answer all your questions and put you on the path to finding the housing that is right for you.
This workshop will teach you about:
• Types of housing available in the Boston area
• Navigating subsidized and affordable housing
• Conducting a housing search
• Communicating with housing authorities, agencies, and landlords
• Completing applications for state voucher programs
• How to request reasonable accommodations for your disability
Each workshop will include a period when you can ask questions.
To register: email Kat at kvilson@bostoncil.org with your full
name and phone number. You will receive a confirmation email from
Kat that will include the Zoom webinar link and password.
To request reasonable accommodations, please let Kat know when
you register.

RTAG General Meeting
2024-10-24 17:30 - 19:30
This is a forum where riders can provide input and feedback regarding accessible transportation. The group meets with the MBTA, Department of System-Wide Accessibility (SWA) and The RIDE.
Date: Thursday, October 24th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsf-6gpz0vHdGPiWCCOsLm7RoNabqd2WWH
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing Zoom access information about joining the meeting.
RTAG meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. American Sign Language (ASL) will be provided for this meeting. Other accessibility accommodations and language services will be provided free of charge, upon request, as available.
If you have any questions or to request a reasonable accommodation or language services, please contact Kat at rtagboston@bostoncil.org or by phone at 978-893-8100.

Office closed
2024-10-14
The Boston Center for Independent Living will be closed Monday, October 14th, in observance of the Indigenous People’s Day holiday.

Empowering Students through the IEP Process: A Workshop for Families and Students
2024-10-01 17:30 - 18:30
The Boston Center for Independent Living is hosting a virtual workshop to discuss the ways we can support youth and young adults with disabilities in their IEP process. We will discuss the changes to the IEP process due to Massachusetts’ IEP Improvement Project, ways students can participate in their IEP process, and how to prepare for an IEP meeting. There will also be time for questions at the end.
Date: Tuesday, October 1st 2024
Time: 5:30-6:30 PM
Virtual: On Zoom
Eligibility: Students, parents, family members, educators and friends of youth/young adults with disabilities are welcome to attend. The workshop will focus on transition aged youth (14-22).
To register, click here. Once registered, you will receive the Zoom link in your email.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Liz Walters at ewalters@bostoncil.org

Paul W. Spooner Generational Leadership Summit 2024
2024-09-23 - 2024-09-25
The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC), Disability Policy Consortium (DPC), and Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) are hosting a Leadership Summit on the future of disability advocacy on September 23-25, 2024 in Marlborough, MA.
The summit will include the new generation of disability advocacy leaders, and emerging leaders in advocacy in social justice for services, programs, and the human and civil rights of people with disabilities in Massachusetts. Approximately 20 new and emerging leaders will be brought together with some existing leaders to discuss where disability advocacy needs to go in the coming decade and what we can learn from the past that got us to where we are today.

BCIL 50th Anniversary Celebration
2024-09-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St, Boston, MA, 02120, United States
Please join us on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 1 – 4 pm at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury for an afternoon of connection and celebration. We will honor our founders and people like you who have helped make BCIL what it is today. We will share our stories, our successes, and our dreams for the future. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the event is free. We ask that you register in advance to help us with planning.
BCIL is thrilled to announce that Tunefoolery and DEAFinitely, Inc. will perform at our 50th anniversary celebration. And James “Jimmy” Hill, founder/creator of Java with Jimmy and prominent community advocate, self-made talk show host, and civic leader, will serve as our emcee for the afternoon of Celebration, Connections, and Confections as we celebrate 50 years of service, advocacy and action!
DEAFinitely, Inc. is a Boston-based non-profit that provides access and opportunity to Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, hard of hearing, and hearing youth through the performing arts, mentoring, and American Sign Language (ASL) to help shift the narrative around communication equity. We’ll enjoy the talents of The DEAFinitely Performance Crew, a wide diversity of Deaf and hearing youth ages 7 to 17. DEAFinitely invites us all to together as a team. They move in and out of Deaf and hearing worlds, racially and socially diverse communities, and their comfort zones, speaking communication equity and action throughout the Boston community.
Tunefoolery consists of over 60 musicians in mental health recovery who play and practice together and perform at 300 concerts a year. The healing process for people in mental health recovery can be a very painful journey where one’s traumatic experiences and shortcomings often become the focus of the process. Tunefoolery uses music, creativity, education, paid work, and a loving community as a way to transform people’s lives and create a foundation to become productive, skilled musicians who can share the gift of music and hope with others.
Share your story
We want to hear your personal story. What has the independent living movement meant to you and what are your hopes for the future. BCIL has partnered with a communications class from Northeastern University to set up recording booths at the event on September 21. Watch for more details on how to prepare, what to bring, and how to sign up in advance or at the event.
The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice will be on site for this celebration also.
Come join the fun as we mark this incredible milestone in BCIL’s journey.
WHAT: Speakers, entertainers, light fare and cake!
WHEN: Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 1 – 4 pm
WHERE: Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury
HOW: Register with this link https://tinyurl.com/BCIL50th
Thanks to our generous sponsors, the event is free. We ask that you register in advance to help us with planning.
Want to help?

Volunteers are needed on the day of the event to assist with setup, registration, and many other roles. Indicate your interest on the registration form, and we will follow up with you to confirm.

For sponsorship opportunities, visit https://bostoncil.org/bcil50th/ or contact Susan Smith, Director of Operations and Development at ssmith@bostoncil.org
Additional speakers, entertainment, and more event details will be shared in the coming weeks.

For 50 years, BCIL has been at the forefront of the independent living movement. We established one of the first Personal Care Attendant programs in the country and have led groundbreaking work through advocacy, services, and community organizing to improve access to transportation, education, housing, employment, health care, nutrition and so much more. Today, we serve thousands of people in the greater Boston area each year. And we are keenly aware that much remains to be done to ensure equity, justice, opportunities, and dignity for people with disabilities. To find out more about how you can get involved and support our work, please visit https://www.bostoncil.org.
ADA reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request, contact Austin at aoconnor@bostoncil.org or (617) 338-6665. As part of your request, please include a description of the accommodation you will need and include as much detail as you can. Please provide your contact information in case we need more information. When possible, please allow at least seven days advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but may be difficult to fill.
A special thanks to all who participated and attended the Wins, Lessons, and What’s Next for Independent Living virtual forum on May 16, 2024.

Office closed
2024-09-02
The Boston Center for Independent Living will be closed Monday, September 2nd, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Learner’s Permit Prep Group: Study for Your Permit Test with BCIL!
2024-08-30 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-23 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-16 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-09 16:00 - 17:00
The Boston Center for Independent Living’s Transition to Adulthood Program is once again hosting our Learner’s Permit Prep Workshop series. This series will be 8 weeks of weekly study sessions, where students can go through the MA Driver’s Manual with a facilitator, as well as play review games and ask any driving-related questions they may have.
Eligibility:

High school students, ages 14-22 with a documented disability (i.e. Individualized Education Plan, 504 plan, other disability documentation). You are not required to submit your disability documentation to participate in this group.

To register, click here. Students under 18 must have a parent signature in order to participate.
Students and families have the option to pick up physical MA Driver’s Manuals from the BCIL Downtown Crossing office at 60 Temple Place, Boston. Individuals looking to pick up a physical manual should email ewalters@bostoncil.org to schedule a time for pickup. 15 books are available and an email will be sent out if all of the books are claimed. Please only pick up a manual if you are planning on participating in the group for the full 8 weeks.
The manual is also available online at mass.gov/doc/english-drivers-manual/download. The physical manual is not necessary to participate in the group, but students may prefer having the book to read along, highlight, and annotate.
If you have any questions or need assistance completing this form please contact Elizabeth Walters at ewalters@bostoncil.org.
Para la forma de inscripción en español, haga clic aquí: forms.microsoft.com/r/jUFZVYu4P2

Youth Summer Workshops
2024-08-22 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-20 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-08-14 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-13 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-08-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-07 10:00 - 13:00
Want to learn skills to live independently in the community? The Boston Center for Independent Living is once again hosting a series of Summer Workshops & Community Days!
BCIL’s Summer Programming aims to support students in learning about all aspects of independent living. Students will be able to participate in hands-on lessons and activities to explore topics like work readiness, post-secondary education, money skills, self-advocacy, housing, and more!
Excursions into the community include visits to the Museum of Science to explore STEM careers, the grocery store to complete a successful budgeting and shopping activity, and the MBTA mobility center to learn more about travel training.
Workshops

Participate in hands-on lessons and activities to learn about:
How to get a job
Money skills
College & trade school
Housing & apartment living
Disability identity
Self-advocacy
And much more!

Community Days

Meet up at the BCIL office & travel into the community together to explore:
Boston City Hall
A grocery store
MA State House
The Museum of Science
The MBTA Mobility Center
An assistive technology demo

All of BCIL’s Youth Summer Program offerings are free. Students are welcome to join all the groups or pick and choose! Please select for each group whether you want to participate in person or virtually. Our accessible office is located at 60 Temple Place, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111.
All community days are in person. Students should meet at BCIL’s office at or before 10AM to participate in community days.
Our groups are open to students ages 14-22 years with a documented disability, such as IEP or 504 plan, and enrolled in high school or a post-secondary education or training program. A copy of your disability documentation is required to complete registration. Documentation can be attached at the end of this form or emailed to ewalters@bostoncil.org.
Register here at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenz9hpKPUCtDwvrDlGsTrNsdz2MdRvaIvhbhJ4gyLx9K7PNQ/viewform
Full descriptions of each program can be found at https://bostoncil.org/youth-services/youth-events/
If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Walters at ewalters@bostoncil.org.

Youth Summer Workshops
2024-08-21 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-19 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-15 10:00 - 11:30
Want to learn skills to live independently in the community? Attend our workshops and community days!
The Boston Center for Independent Living is once again hosting a series of Summer Workshops & Community Days!
BCIL’s Summer Programming aims to support students in learning about all aspects of independent living. Students will be able to participate in hands-on lessons and activities to explore topics like work readiness, post-secondary education, money skills, self-advocacy, housing, and more!
Excursions into the community include visits to the Museum of Science to explore STEM careers, the grocery store to complete a successful budgeting and shopping activity, and the MBTA mobility center to learn more about travel training.
Workshops

Participate in hands-on lessons and activities to learn about:
How to get a job
Money skills
College & trade school
Housing & apartment living
Disability identity
Self-advocacy
And much more!

Community Days

Meet up at the BCIL office & travel into the community together to explore:
Boston City Hall
A grocery store
MA State House
The Museum of Science
The MBTA Mobility Center
An assistive technology demo

All of BCIL’s Youth Summer Program offerings are free. Students are welcome to join all the groups or pick and choose! Please select for each group whether you want to participate in person or virtually. Our accessible office is located at 60 Temple Place, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111.
All community days are in person. Students should meet at BCIL’s office at or before 10AM to participate in community days.
Our groups are open to students ages 14-22 years with a documented disability, such as IEP or 504 plan, and enrolled in high school or a post-secondary education or training program. A copy of your disability documentation is required to complete registration. Documentation can be attached at the end of this form or emailed to ewalters@bostoncil.org.
Register here at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenz9hpKPUCtDwvrDlGsTrNsdz2MdRvaIvhbhJ4gyLx9K7PNQ/viewform
Full descriptions of each program can be found at https://bostoncil.org/youth-services/youth-events/
If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Walters at ewalters@bostoncil.org.
