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AT Advisory Council

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:

  1. Supports provided through funded programs should be driven by the needs of individuals and their families and offered within community settings.
  2. Partnerships between individuals, families, and agency representatives must involve communication that is open, honest, clear, understandable, and timely.
  3. Council activities must respect and respond to the diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities among all participants to ensure inclusive participation.
  4. 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.

Nomination Form (Word)

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)