Showing posts with label disability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disability. Show all posts

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Great Resource - Part 2: Sherlock Center listing for MASS

Earlier this week, we shared some of our Rhode Island-based titles of adapted literature for students with complex disabilities in recognition of Deafblind Awareness Week.

Today, we’re sharing some titles for our neighbors in Massachusetts:
• Massachusetts Famous People
Great resource to find adapted versions of popular literature for students with complex disabilities
Great resource to find adapted versions of popular
literature for students with complex disabilities
• Massachusetts Famous Places
• Massachusetts Famous Places 2
• Massachusetts Important Dates and Events
• Massachusetts Popular Foods
Check them out at https://bit.ly/Mass-lit or view all of our adapted literature offerings at https://bit.ly/adaptedliterature.

Visit the website for more info on the Sherlock Center -> https://sherlockcenter.ric.edu/

*Yes, there is a family relationship to this Sherlock Center. Paul was my father's brother.

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Great resource to find adapted versions of popular literature for students with complex disabilities


Over 400 adapted versions of popular literature for students with complex disabilities are organized in a searchable database on our website; it’s our most-visited page every month!

In recognition of Deafblind Awareness Week, we’re highlighting a few of our Rhode Island-related titles:
Great resource to find adapted versions of popular literature for students with complex disabilities
Great resource to find adapted versions of popular
literature for students with complex disabilities
• Things Made in Rhode Island
• Rhode Island Beaches
• Rhode Island Famous People
• Rhode Island Famous Places
• Rhode Island Foods
• Rhode Island History
Check them out at https://bit.ly/RI-lit or view all of our adapted literature offerings at https://bit.ly/adaptedliterature.

Stay tuned, Massachusetts friends; we haven’t forgotten you!


Visit the website for more info on the Sherlock Center -> https://sherlockcenter.ric.edu/

*Yes, there is a family relationship to this Sherlock Center. Paul was my father's brother.

Monday, April 21, 2025

I can’t go everywhere my daughter goes – and it’s heartbreaking | Well actually | The Guardian

"We met K when she was a week old. We were foster parents and not expecting a call about a newborn. Despite becoming her mom with just 12 hours’ notice – we adopted her the next year – my early months with her felt so natural.

I had been disabled for six years. While on a hike, I developed dysautonomia, which is secondary to a genetic connective tissue disorder called hEDS [hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome]. I experience a great deal of daily pain and can’t stand for more than a minute or sit upright unsupported for more than five.

As a result, I spend most of my day reclined. Her high need for physical contact in infancy fit my need to rest all day. She didn’t need a mom who could pace. She needed a mom who didn’t get bored lying on the sofa. We were a perfect match.

After a few months with K, we started to make plans. The first was a trip to a small island called Lummi off the coast of Washington state. We flew out of Oakland; a friend drove us to the airport and helped us check the bags. David pushed me in my wheelchair, and I carried K on my lap. Once in the air, we learned the hard way that air pressure changes can contribute to diaper blowouts, but the flight was, generally, fine."
I can’t go everywhere my daughter goes – and it’s heartbreaking | Well actually | The Guardian
For some disabled or chronically ill people, leaving the house isn’t possible at all. But for others, the barriers are structural. Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, February 14, 2025

Rise Up meeting on Saturday, Feb 15 feaures "special discussion about disability awareness & advocacy"

Hi all,

Rise Up is this Saturday and we will have a special discussion about disability awareness & advocacy!

Date: Saturday, February 15th
Time: 10:00 AM  -11:00 AM

Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street, Franklin (Parking and ramp/door on the left side)

Agenda: 
- open social time
- introductions
- presentation/discussion about disability awareness & advocacy
- announcements
- wrap up

See you Saturday!

--------------

This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:
  • individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
  • community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
  • support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->  https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Rise Up meeting on Saturday, Feb 15 feaures "special discussion about disability awareness & advocacy"
Rise Up meeting on Saturday, Feb 15 feaures "special discussion about disability awareness & advocacy"

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Rise Up this Saturday 🌄, January 18, 2025 at 10 AM

Hi all,

Rise Up is this Saturday and I'm excited to see you!

Date: January 18
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street, Franklin (Parking and ramp/door on the left side)

Agenda: Open social time and group conversation

See you in a few days!

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This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:
  • individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
  • community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
  • support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->  https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you
Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you

Thursday, January 2, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, January 2, 2025 ???

Thursday, January 2
  • Fiber Art Installation Franklin Public Library
7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)


**   Town Meetings today   **


CSFC Subcommittee Meeting (Master Plan Subcmte) (virtual meeting)
Event Date:  Thursday, January 2, 2025 - 6:00pm


Franklin Commission on Persons with Disabilities (Central Park Terrace)
Event Date:  Thursday, January 2, 2025 - 7:00pm


Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting  (virtual meeting)
Event Date:  Thursday, January 2, 2025 - 7:30pm


---------------

Why are there multiple calendars?
What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

Thursday, November 7, 2024

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, November 7, 2024 ???

Thursday, November 7
7am Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)
8am Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting (Dean college)
9am Fallen Hero: Lawrence J. Clark (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)
4pm Artsy Afternoons (Franklin Public Library)
5pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)
5pm Barefoot Ballet (Franklin Public Library)
6:3pm Knife Skills with Chef Tom (Franklin Public Library)
7pm Musical Bingo: Dean POM Team vs Teddy Gallagher's (Teddy Gallagher's Pub)
7pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (FUSF) 
7pm LGBTQ Monthly meeting (Franklin TV and Radio Studio) 
9pm David Weber (live music) (3 Restaurant)


**   Town Meetings today   **


Commission on Persons with Disabilities agenda (Central Park Terrace)
Event Date:  Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 7:00pm


Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting  (remote meeting)
Event Date:  Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 7:30pm


What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 

---------------

Why are there multiple calendars?
Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming


Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Rise Up this Saturday, October 19 at 10 AM

Hi friends!

I'm so excited for Rise Up this Saturday! We will be joined by Waypoint Adventure , an organization that provides opportunities for adaptive recreational opportunities such as kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, and more!

Date: Saturday, October 19th
Time: 10am-11am
Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central St, Franklin, MA (parking/ramp/entrance on left side)

Agenda
- Open social time
- Group discussion and activity with Waypoint
- More open social time
- Wrap up/end

**Please help keep this a fragrance-free environment.

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday!! :)

Ali Rheaume

---------------

This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:
  • individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
  • community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
  • support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->  https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you
Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Rise Up this Saturday !!! Sep 21, 2024 at 10 AM

Hi friends!

I'm excited to see you this Saturday for our next Rise Up gathering!! 
- Date: September 21st
- Time: 10 AM
- Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central St, Franklin, MA (parking and ramp/entrance on left side)
Agenda
- Open social time
- Group social time and clay craft (if you choose to)
- Announcements & Wrap-up
*Please help us maintain a fragrance-free environment for allergy reasons (no perfume, cologne, etc.)

It would be fantastic if you could share this with your networks, as anyone 18+ is welcome to attend - disability or not!

See you then!

Ali Rheaume

--------------

This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:
  • individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
  • community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
  • support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->   https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you
Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Rise Up celebrates 1 year anniversary

Today (8/17/24) is Rise Up's one year anniversary 🎉

Rise Up celebrates 1 year anniversary
Rise Up celebrates 1 year anniversary
I took a chance in August 2023 to start something our community was missing, and it has paid off!!
»
Rise Up is a social hour intended to connect the community with those navigating life with disability.
»
Anyone 18+ is welcome to join us, disability or not.
»
We've had so much fun and are looking forward to another year, so come join us!
»
Special Thanks to:
- all the attendees who show up
- my mom and dad for always taking me and helping me run it 
- Steve Sherlock for the continued support and community connections 
- Franklin EMS and Police Dept for joining us and educating us
- Representative Roy and James Gay for joining and supporting us
- Lisa for joining us and sharing your Merge resource with us 
- Franklin United Methodist Church for providing us space to host
»
This is what community is all about!!
»
If you're interested in joining and/or want to be a guest speaker/resource, message me.
»
Learn more about Rise Up and sign up for emails -> 
https://alirheaume.com/rise-up
 


Saturday, August 17, 2024

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission: "From Elementary Physical Education Teacher to Award-Winning Artist: A Brain Injury Survivor's Journey"

In 2016, Ali Rheaume sustained Traumatic Brain Injuries, along with having a severe medication reaction that caused rare Tardive Dyskinesia and Serotonin Syndrome. This all landed her in the hospital at a 10% functioning level. She was unable to talk, walk, eat, or do anything herself. She couldn’t color a simple children’s coloring page and struggled to even pick one crayon out of a box. 

Ali found herself increasingly connected to the disability community as she navigated her journey, which included Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Auditory Processing Disorder, Narcolepsy with Cataplexy, Dysautonomia, and more—all diagnosed after her brain injury. During her recovery, Ali not only persevered but also unearthed new talents and purpose. She began exploring art as a calming, seated activity and a means to enhance her visual perception, fine motor skills, and decision-making abilities. Starting with crayons and pencils, Ali gradually advanced to mastering acrylics and watercolors.

Now, Ali is a member of the Franklin Art Association and created her own art business called Embracing Unique. Her main work is “painting things that are important to people”, where someone will give her a photo of importance, and she will create a watercolor painting of it - a house, an engagement capture, a pet, a wedding moment, family photos, and more. She also specializes in unique sepia tone paintings created from handmade black walnut paint, foraged in Franklin, MA. 

In addition to art, Ali is a public speaker and a disability advocate. She serves on the Brain Injury Council of Massachusetts and the Franklin Disability Commission. Ali hosts “Rise Up”, a free in-person social hour for individuals navigating life with disability, and “Life After Concussion”, a free virtual growth mindset group to help regain life after a concussion. Her mission in life is to multiply hope, to encourage people to be their true selves, and to turn mourning into dancing.


Ali hosts “Rise Up”, a free in-person social hour for individuals navigating life with disability
Ali hosts “Rise Up”, a free in-person social hour for individuals navigating life with disability

Follow Ali's journey on Instagram: @alison.rheaume & @embracingunique and on Facebook: Ali Rheaume & Embracing Unique. 

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission 
"The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life in their own terms. Our programs focus on training and employment, community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs. We are change agents and community builders. And we put the people we serve at the heart of everything we do."

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Talking accessibility enhancements with Ali Rheaume - 07/25/24 (audio)

FM #1253 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1253 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my recorded conversation with Franklin resident, artist, and disability advocate Ali Rheaume. We had our conversation via the Zoom conference bridge on Thursday, July 25, 2023. 


Our conversation covers the accessibility enhancements 

  • to the MBTA Franklin/Dean Station

  • other Franklin Projects (parks, trails, etc.)

  • American Disability Act signing anniversary, July 26


We also talk about the Rise Up group meeting monthly on the 3rd Saturday for those navigating life with disability. The group is also open to advocates and community members.


The recording runs about 30 minutes so let’s listen to my conversation with Ali Rheaume. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1253-ali-rheaume-disability-enhancements-07-25-24/




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MBTA press release on Franklin/Dean raised platform

https://www.mass.gov/news/mbta-wins-67-million-federal-grant-to-improve-green-line-accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities 


Rise Up group page -> https://alirheaume.com/rise-up 



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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Ali awaiting a train at the MBTA Franklin/Dean Station
Ali awaiting a train at the MBTA Franklin/Dean Station

The fenced area pending the new high rise platform at Franklin/Dean Station
The fenced area pending the new high rise platform at Franklin/Dean Station