Peabody's Halberstadt Recognized for His 'Outstanding Advocacy'

Submitted by the Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann, Inc.:

The Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann, Inc. (ILCNSCA), the disability rights service and advocacy agency serving 25 cities and towns on the North Shore and Cape Ann, held its 27th annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday, May 9, 2014 at the Salem Waterfront Hotel and Marina, Pickering Wharf, Salem, in conjunction with the Aging and Disability Resource Consortium of the Greater North Shore, Inc. (ADRCGNS).  

The ADRCGNS is a collaboration between the Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann Inc. with three Aging Service Access Point Agencies, Greater Lynn Senior Services, North Shore Elder Services and SeniorCare Inc. along with the Elder Service Plan of the North Shore and the North Shore Career Center and community services providers, advocates, and users of services to provide more seamless access for those with disabilities of all ages and seniors to obtain long term services and supports.

This unique annual event that demonstrates ILCNSCA's and the ADRCGNS, Inc. commitment to promote the involvement of people with disabilities and seniors in the legislative process offers people with disabilities and seniors an opportunity to self-advocate with their elected officials regarding issues crucial to their survival and independence in the community. 

The theme this year was “Independent Living and ADRCGNS, Inc.: Successes and Challenges.” The event will focus on ADRCGNS, Inc. successes and challenges in ensuring provision of long and short term services and supports and promoting independent living. All North Shore and Cape Ann leaders have been invited along with ILCNSCA and ADRCGNS consumers, supporters, local business owners, and human services agency representatives.

ILCNSCA and the ADRCGNS was honored to have State Rep. John Keenan and State Sen. Joan Lovely co-host this disability rights advocacy caucus for the North Shore and Cape Ann. Congressman John Tierney was invited as Congressional Co-host and guest speaker. 

The event was moderated by Mary Margaret Moore, Executive Director, ILCNSCA and first President of the ADCGNS, Inc. Board, with Paul Lanzikos, Executive Director, North Shore Elder Services. Other invited speakers included: Midge Dawicki, President, ILCNSCA Board of Directors; Kerri Zanchi, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission; Commissioner Heidi Reid, Mass Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Secretary Coleman Nee, MA Department of Veteran Services; Karen Langley, Director, Assistive Technology & Community Support Programs EOHHS; Rebecca Gutman, VP Homecare, 1199SEIU; Al Norman, Executive Director, Mass Home Care Assn.; Stephen Higgins, Executive Director, Independence Associates. 

During the past few years, we all have experienced significant changes in our communities. These include increased physical, attitudinal and communication access during the 24 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act and with the Olmstead Supreme Court decision. The Aging and Disability Resource Consortium of the Greater North Shore, incorporated in September 2012, has been providing integrated access to long term services and supports. 

With the aging of our population and the increased numbers of adults nationally in nursing homes, we need to confront how we are insuring that independent living remains a viable option for those living with disabilities of all ages and seniors. This breakfast educated the public and legislators on the importance of ILCNSCA’s services and ADRCGNS, Inc. services for all who want to live independently in their own homes with their chosen services and supports, particularly under the Affordable Care Act and new Medicaid waivers for home and community based services.

Award presentations occurred during this event.  Awards were presented for disability advocacy and for nondiscriminatory employment practices.

ILCNSCA presented the 2014 Gil Adrien Award for Outstanding Advocacy to Jerome Halberstadt of Peabody. The Adrien Award for Outstanding Advocacy, named in honor of ILCNSCA Founder Gil Adrien, is given to an individual with a disability on the North Shore or Cape Ann who, by his/her actions and accomplishments, has done the most to promote the ideals of the Independent Living Philosophy.  

Jerome was recognized for his leadership and advocacy with the Stop Bullying Coalition, working on legislation to stop the bullying of elders and people with disabilities living in subsidized housing. He has worked collaboratively over the past two years with Senator Joan Lovely, Representative Leah Cole, Massachusetts Alliance of HUD Tenants and has been given full support by the Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann Inc. Currently the anti-bullying bill, Senate bill 604 is on extended deadline by the Joint Committee on Housing.

The 2014 ILCNSCA Family Support Award was presented to Christine Hansen of Reading. Christine lives with and provides support to her mother, Patricia, who is living with multiple disabilities. Christine works with her mother to advocate for a smoke-free healthy living environment within their housing complex and in the surrounding neighborhoods. Christine has also supported her mother’s advocacy for reasonable accommodations to make her living environment more accessible, which in turn enables Patricia to live independently and remain living at home.

There were formal presentations of Certificates of Appreciation. One went to State Rep. John Keenan for his consistent advocacy and strong support of ILCNSCA, services for seniors and persons with disabilities, and independent living ideals during the past decade of his service at the Statehouse. Another was made to Mayor Kim Driscoll and City of Salem for the design and passage of an amendment on March 3, 2015 extending protection from discrimination in public accommodations for persons of the transgender community.

The Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann, Inc. is a non-profit agency, which provides services and advocacy for people with disabilities on the North Shore and Cape Ann.  ILCNSCA currently serves over 300 people with various disabilities with direct services such as peer counseling, skills training, advocacy, service coordination, and emergency intervention. Last year the Independent Living Center responded to over 1000 information/referral calls. ILCNSCA also provides technical to assistance and trainings to the 25 cities and towns in its service area and is a valuable resource for information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act. All direct service staff of the ILCNSCA have disabilities and use his/her own life experiences and knowledge to help others with similar situations.