MassMATCH receives guidance from an AT Advisory Council composed of community members and professionals who recognize the vital role assistive technology plays for individuals with disabilities. The majority of council members (at least 51%) are individuals with disabilities who use assistive technology or are family members or guardians of AT users. Other members include representatives from state agencies dedicated to enhancing access to AT for those who could benefit.
The Council offers insights and recommendations regarding “best practices” to promote the effective use of assistive technology. Specifically, the Council advises on the Commonwealth’s priorities for utilizing federal AT Act funding, and on the planning and execution of state-level and leadership initiatives supported by the AT Act grant.
Guiding Principles
The Advisory Council follows these principles:
- Supports provided through funded programs should be driven by the needs of individuals and their families and offered within community settings.
- Partnerships between individuals, families, and agency representatives must involve communication that is open, honest, clear, understandable, and timely.
- Council activities must respect and respond to the diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities among all participants to ensure inclusive participation.
- All input and contributions are equally respected and valued.
Council recommendations and actions should be informed by the mutual sharing of relevant information among all partners.
The Council should share responsibility and reasonable risks in pursuit of a common purpose, learning from challenges and celebrating successes.
Ground Rules/Operating Procedures
The Advisory Council conducts business according to the following operating procedures:
Frequency of Advisory Council Meetings
The Advisory Council currently meets quarterly. The meeting location is accessible and geographically reasonable for all members.
Primary Responsibilities of the Advisory Council
Advisory Council members must attend meetings and actively participate. Council members may also provide recommendations to MassMATCH staff through conference calls, e-mails, phone calls and regular postage mail, as necessary. Input sought from Council members includes feedback on the overall vision of the MassMATCH project as well as specific recommendations for implementing “state-level” and “state leadership” activities, as called for by the federal AT Act. Advisory Council members also help staff determine how best to identify consumer needs and what systems to develop to insure broad-based feedback on the effectiveness of MassMATCH’s initiatives. The AT Act grant activities that require the Council’s attention include the following:
State-Level Activities
- State financing programs
- Device reutilization programs
- Equipment demonstration programs
- Device loan programs
State Leadership Activities
- Public Awareness
- Information and Referral
- Coordination and Collaboration
Membership
AT Act Advisory Council Membership List
January 2018
| Name | Category |
| Chiango, Lisa | Consumer rep |
| Dixon, Tory | Independent Living Centers |
| Doonan, Owen | Consumer rep |
| Dias, Robert | Mass Office on Disability (MOD) |
| Gefteas, Peter | Consumer rep |
| Hatch, Kevin | Consumer rep |
| Herrera, Ileana | Family rep |
| Kane, Theresa | The Polus Center |
| Kongtcheu, Phil | Consumer rep |
| Landry, Linda | Disability Law Center(DLC) |
| LaSante, Susan | Family rep |
| Mercier, Tom | Dept. of Developmental Services (DDS) |
| Nettles, Lee | Consumer rep |
| O’Dell, Jonathan | Mass. Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) |
| Remy, Paul | Consumer rep |
| Sargent, Randi | Family rep |
| Shor, Ann | Mass. Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) |
| Sigmond, Carl | Consumer rep |
| Silver, Evan | MA Commission for the Blind (MCB) |
| Spalding, Jae | Consumer rep |
| Vega, Martin | Consumer rep |
We Want You!
The AT Advisory Council currently has open positions for individuals with disabilities who use AT. The council meets quarterly to discuss the needs of AT users and make decisions regarding the AT Act programs. If you are interested in serving as a representative of AT consumers in Massachusetts, please email info@http://www.dmerequipment.org.
Meeting Minutes
Links open in a new window (and all files are Word unless otherwise indicated).
2017
| June 2017 | April 2017 |
2016
| December 2016 | September 2016 |
| June 2016 | March 2016 |
2015
| December 2015 | September 2015 |
| June 2015 | March 2015 |
2014
| December 2014 | September 2014 |
| June 2014 | March 2014 |
2013
| December 2013 | September 2013 |
| June 2013 | March 2013 |
2012
| September 2012 | June 2012 |
| March 2012 | January 2012 |
2011
| October 2011 | July 2011 |
| March 2011 |
2010
| December 2010 | September 2010 |
| June 2010 | March 2010 |
2009
| December 2009 | September 2009 |
| June 2009 (rtf) | February 2009 |
2008
| October 2008 |
2007
February 27, 2007 Meeting Minutes (FlashPaper doc)