Great Hall at the State House, March 25, 2024
Thank you to MASILC Coordinator, Aliza Levine, and the PIE (Public Education and Information) Committee for organizing the 2024 event – another success!
![view of entire hall](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7522-300x225.jpg)
![View of entire hall](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7525-300x225.jpg)
![Rep. Mindy Domb speaking](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7531-300x225.jpg)
![Senate President Karen Spilka](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7544-300x225.jpg)
(scroll down for more photos)
Priorities
Download the IL Ed Day pdf for more information!
Budget:
- Independent Living Centers Line Item 4120-0200 – $10 Million for 10 Independent Living Centers (increase of $2 million)
- Maintain Funding for Personal Care Attendants
- Increase the Alternative Housing Voucher Program funding (Line Item 7004-9030) to $30 million ($18.8m + Prior Appropriations continued) and incorporating H.1305 & S.884 into budget language.
- Increase Accessible Affordable Housing Grants (Line Item 7004-9031), which offer grants to create or rehabilitate units into accessible housing prioritized for AHVP voucher holders to $2.5 million.
- Increase MassAccess Registry funding (Line Item 4120-4001) to $300,000 to assist low-income people with disabilities to search for accessible housing.
Legislative
- Building a More Accessible Massachusetts – S.1553: An Act Building a More Accessible Massachusetts and H.2291: An Act expanding the availability of adaptable housing for people with disabilities and seniors. These bills align MA accessibility regulations with federal regulations.
- Estate Recovery – H.1168 and S.726: An Act protecting the homes of seniors and disabled people on MassHealth
- Spouses as Paid Caregivers – H.216 and S.67: An Act allowing spouses to serve as caregivers
- Support Regional Transit Authorities (RTA) – S.2277 and H.3272: An Act to increase regional transit accessibility in the Commonwealth
- Changes to the Affordable Homes Act – The Independent Living Network supports The Affordable Homes Act (H.4138) as an opportunity to help alleviate the state’s housing crisis
Speakers
- Welcome: Steve Higgins (Independence Associates) and Brianna Zimmerman (STAVROS)
- Senator Joe Comerford
- Joe Tringali memorial
- Estate Recovery and Spouses as Paid Caregivers
- Representative Mindy Domb
- Isaias Ruiz, PCA
- Senate President Karen Spilka
- MA Rehabilitation Commission, Commissioner Toni Wolf
- Nancy Garr-Colzie re: PCAs
- Representative Rob Consalvo (AHVP)
- Ewidji Vincent, youth with Easter Seals
- Senator Lydia Edwards
![View of whole hall](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5583-300x225.jpg)
![MWCIL Staff including Rose, Janna and Danya](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5586-300x225.jpg)
![MWCIL Staff including Rose, Janna and Danya](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5587-300x225.jpg)
![MWCIL Staff](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_6763-300x179.jpg)
![MWCIL staff watch the speakers and NILP CEO Matt Pellegrino](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7533-300x225.jpg)
![Sadie Simone, MWCIL ED with Steve Higgins (IACIL ED)](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7537-300x225.jpg)
![Speaker Sadie Simone, MWCIL ED with Steve Higgins (IACIL ED)](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7538-300x225.jpg)
![Sadie Simone (ED MWCIL) speaking](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7539-300x225.jpg)
![Sadie greets Senate President Karen Spilka](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7540-300x225.jpg)
![Sadie greets Senate President Karen Spilka](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7542-300x225.jpg)
![Speaks with Brianna Zimmerman (STAVROS) in background](https://www.mwcil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_7555-300x225.jpg)