You're cordially invited to join Disability Policy Consortium (DPC) and our community partners at the Third Annual John Winske Memorial Awards on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. ET on Zoom.

We're excited to celebrate another inspiring year of disability rights advocacy and leadership with you this Fall. This event is made possible by the generous support of DPC's sponsors, including presenting sponsor Tufts Health Plan, a Point32 Health Company.

Click HERE to learn more about available sponsorship opportunities and benefits.

DPC is Massachusetts’ leading disability rights advocacy and research organization. From defending and strengthening protections for people with disabilities to access prescription drugs and home- and community-based healthcare services, to sextupling the Commonwealth's annual investment in housing for low-income people with disabilities over the past decade, to leading the charge against life-threatening medical discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, we tirelessly fight to advance the rights, independence, and safety of people with disabilities across and beyond Massachusetts. Each year, we come together to honor those who have gone above and beyond in their service to the disability community: 800,000 strong in Massachusetts alone!

This year, DPC is thrilled to recognize the following individuals for their impactful work to build a more accessible, inclusive, and empowering Commonwealth for all:

The Thomas M. Menino Award for Public Service:
Senator Lydia M. Edwards (Third Suffolk)
Chairperson, Joint Committee on Housing
Vice Chairperson, Joint Committee on the Judiciary

The Mary Lou Maloney Award for Systemic Change:
Cheri A. Blauwet, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Mass General Brigham

The Bill Allan Award for Grassroots Advocacy:
Shaya R. French
Transit Organizing Director, San Francisco Senior and Disability Action
Former Senior Community Organizer, Boston Center for Independent Living

Through this event, DPC will also be commemorating DPC's late former Executive Director and Board Chair, John Winske. John coined the credo that animates DPC’s work to this day: "About Us, By Us," the belief that when decisions are made about people with disabilities, people with disabilities must play a leading role in formulating, implementing, and evaluating them. Under John's leadership, DPC more than tripled in size, forged strategic and impactful partnerships with a diverse array of individuals and community-based organizations, and became the only disability-led organization in the United States to be awarded a Medicaid Ombudsman contract.

As we celebrate John’s special legacy and honor those who demonstrate the values of independence, compassion, and tenacity that he exemplified, we need your voices and support. With your help, DPC can sustain and expand our vital work in the months and years ahead!

American Sign Language Interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation services will be available. If you have any questions, accommodations requests, or dietary restrictions, please contact DPC's Executive Director Colin Killick at +1 (617) 993-6562 or ckillick@dpcma.org.