Watertown Commission on Disability

Monthly archive for January, 2008

Super Bowl ad: Silence is golden!

This just in from the USA Today (Associated Press):
Pepsi hopes silence is golden with Super Bowl ad
By Vinnee Tong, AP Business Writer
January 25, 2008
NEW YORK – Amid the wall-to-wall sound during next Sunday’s Super Bowl, one commercial from PepsiCo could send some viewers grabbing for their remotes to check whether they’d accidentally hit the mute [...]

National Disability Policy: A Progress Report

NCD’s National Disability Policy: A Progress Report, as required by Section 401(b)(1) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, was submitted by John R. Vaughn, Chairperson National Council on Disability to The President on January 15, 2008. This report covers the period from December 2005 through December 2006. It reviews federal policy activities by issue [...]

Closed Caption after Transition to Digital TV

Some consumers have expressed concern about how the converter boxes will work and whether consumers will continue to receive closed captions after the transition to digital television takes place. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wishes to reassure consumers that its rules do require digital-to-analog converter boxes to pass through closed captions. This advisory explains how [...]

Meeting Minutes for December 17, 2007

Watertown Commission on Disability Public Meeting Minutes for December 21, 2007
In attendance: Gayle Shattuck, Anne Doughty, George Donahue, Alex Liazos, Bob Hall, Kim Charlson, Carol Menton, Andrea Greenwood.
Stefanie Farrell, CART; Lisa Bing, ASL
Guests: Arturo DeLucca, Fred Isaacs, Jerry Mee
Called to Order: 7:07 pm
Jerry Mee gave a report on the status [...]

Boston Celtic’s 2008 *Hero among us*

Watertown resident named this year’s “Hero among us” by the (again) fabulous Boston Celtics! Congratulations Jaimi!!

Perkins Alumna named “Hero Among Us”

When she was born deaf and blind, doctors told Jaimi Lard’s parents she would not be able to learn at all. But today Jaimi spends most of her time teaching others about the obstacles [...]

Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2007

Watertown Commission on Disability Public Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2007
Attending: George Donahue, Chair, Carol Menton, Andrea Greenwood, Alex Liazos, Kim Charlson, Bob Hall, Ann Doughty, Gayle Shattuck, Marilyn Devaney, Lisa Bing, ASL
Guests: Arturo Delucca
Called to Order at 7:05
Nominating Committee: Alex and Gayle reported on their interview with a prospective Commissioner. [...]

Meeting Minutes for November 28, 2007

Watertown Commission on Disability Minutes for Public Meeting November 28, 2007
Attending: George Donahue, Chair, Carol Menton, Andrea Greenwood, Alex Liazos, Kim Charlson, Bob Hall, Ann Doughty, Gayle Shattuck, Lisa Bing and Patti Medbury ASL
Called to Order at 7:05
Nominating Committee: Arturo Delucca was recommended for appointment at the October meeting. Gayle has talked [...]

Boston Globe: A boost for Braille

A boost for Braille 
By Ralph Ranalli
Globe Staff / January 5, 2008
WATERTOWN – Justin Morse’s hands glide nimbly across the keys at the bottom of a device about the size of large hardcover book. His eyes closed, his head nodding rhythmically in concentration, the 14-year-old looks like a young virtuoso playing a small, silent piano. [...]

Kim Charlson on Commonwealth Journal

Commission on Disability member and director of Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library Kim Charlson was interviewed by the Commonwealth Journal host Janis Pryor.  The interview aired on December 9 on WUMB (91.9FM) and can be heard on the Perkin’s website.

MLK roommate to speak at Perkins 1/21

Prof. Henry Santos to Speak at Perkins on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Prof. Henry “Hank” Santos will speak at Perkins School for the Blind on Martin Luther King Day, January 21, 2008 from 11:30-12:30. He will talk about his 17 years as a music teacher at Perkins, and – more significantly – about his [...]