Boston Center for Independent Living

02/26/2026

“I couldn’t accept that accessibility tools were priced out of reach for so many people,” said Sharma, now a 17-year-old senior who plans to study engineering and computing in college. “I thought, ‘if the core need is being able to type independently, why should that cost thousands of dollars?'”

When Umang Sharma saw an ad for a $7,000 Braille keyboard, he knew there had to be a better way. Now his nonprofit has grants from Google and Microsoft to distribute a much more affordable version.

02/24/2026

There are still openings for this Adult Learner's Permit Workshop!

Adult Learner’s Permit Exam Workshop
February 24th – April 14th
Every Tuesday 9:30 AM - 11:00 A M

The Boston Center for Independent Living is hosting an Adult Learner's Permit Prep Workshop series. This 8-week series consists of weekly study sessions where consumers can review the MA Driver's Manual with a facilitator, play review games, and ask driving-related questions.

Please contact Aaron Rawley (arawley@bostoncil.org) or Lan Huynh (lhuynh@bostoncil.org) to receive the signup link, or go to https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=c4Q4BsRaZEGcmUL9rucMkGRLs24-WllMrcrMXG-2bUZUN1o4WFVWVEpJMjRYTjdGUkRYTTZHWVJRNC4u

This group will meet via Microsoft Teams. Once you register, you will receive the Teams link and meeting reminders at the email address provided.

02/22/2026

“(We need) to think about the impact our decisions have on persons with disabilities and seniors, and think about how challenging a situation can be for those vulnerable in society that deserve our assistance — it’s federal law, that access to equal access to public spaces is paramount,“ Flynn said, adding that ”we should all accept the blame."

“When we start debating the city budget — we’re actually starting now — we have to ask ourselves, ‘What impact does our decisions have on persons with disabilities? How will programs, or how will cuts to programs, impact persons with disabilities, including students with disabilities in our Boston Public School System?’“

Boston city councilors have scheduled a hearing on snow removal with plans to discuss the creation of a snow corps and the purchasing of snow melters.

02/20/2026

Adaptive BOCCIA in Boston!

Are you interested in finding out about BOCCIA? Boston Self Help Center will be holding an informational Zoom introduction to the sport being presented by Tim DALTON, USA BOCCIA. Sunday, March 1 at 1 PM. 

RSVP for the Zoom link with Jim Wice at, jjwice@gmail.com.

02/19/2026

Tired of waiting for your wheelchair to get repaired?

Join us on Thursday, March 12, from 12–2 PM for a legislative briefing on two of BCIL’s priority bills focused on wheelchair repair reform in Massachusetts.

Register at tinyurl.com/WcBrief26

With H.4358 and S.2662 — bills that would most notably strengthen consumer protections and require providers to complete repairs within reasonable timelines — now before the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, we’ve reached a critical moment.

Wheelchair users and advocates have the opportunity to speak directly with legislators about why these bills MUST pass, and how repair delays impact every aspect of their daily lives and independence.

We will meet in Hearing Room B1 at the Massachusetts State House, located directly at the accessible Bowdoin Street entrance.

In-person attendance is strongly encouraged for maximum impact, but we understand that may not be possible for everyone. A Zoom option will be available when you register.

Let’s make our voices heard and our presence felt. These bills cannot wait!

Accessible drop-off/pick-up location:
Capitol Coffee House
122 Bowdoin Street, Boston, MA 02111

02/09/2026

Adult Learner’s Permit Exam Workshop
February 24th – April 14th
Every Tuesday 9:30 AM - 11:00 A M

The Boston Center for Independent Living is hosting an Adult Learner's Permit Prep Workshop series. This 8-week series consists of weekly study sessions where consumers can review the MA Driver's Manual with a facilitator, play review games, and ask driving-related questions.

Please contact Aaron Rawley (arawley@bostoncil.org) or Lan Huynh (lhuynh@bostoncil.org) to receive the signup link.

This group will meet via Microsoft Teams. Once you register, you will receive the Teams link and meeting reminders at the email address provided.

02/08/2026

Puerto Rican partially deaf performer Celimar Rivera Cosme, who will lead a "multilingual signing program" during Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance on Sunday, is readying to make history and shed light on the Puerto Rican deaf community on one of music's biggest stages.

Rivera Cosme will sign the high profile performance in LSPR, or Puerto Rican Sign Language, distinct from American Sign Language in its unique grammar, rhythm and cultural identity, due to the history of Puerto Rican deaf community.

"In a historic first, the signed rendition of the Apple Music Halftime Show will feature a multilingual signing program incorporating Puerto Rican Sign Language, led by Deaf Puerto Rican performer Celimar Rivera Cosme," an NFL release stated.

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/puerto-rican-deaf-interpreter-primed-make-history-bad-129852828?fbclid=IwY2xjawP13TJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFudFBqbVRwa0dtUnlOR2Zmc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjTkQ7DQ2Qzu7AAh963tnGN4T8aKDGI15emx3KDUdq0lhmA4FZ5uUD-q-0yN_aem_xRmuo1sxa-Y09zBrtXc0_A

A Puerto Rican deaf interpreter will make history leading the signing program during Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime performance.

01/24/2026

“We’re thrilled to continue our commitment to providing all viewers with more accessibility to our Winter Olympics coverage than ever before,” said Amy Rosenfeld, senior vice president of NBC Olympic Production. “It’s only fitting that an event of such magnitude deserves top-tier audio description and closed captioning services.”

Television coverage of the upcoming winter Olympics is on track to be more accessible to people with disabilities than ever before.

01/22/2026

Please be careful during this expected cold and look out for each other!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

01/20/2026

BCIL has partnered with the City of Boston to support Ideas in Action, Boston’s citywide Participatory Budgeting initiative—an exciting opportunity for residents to decide how a portion of the City’s budget is spent.

Between now and February 15, you can VOTE on how $2.2 million will be invested in community-driven projects across the city!

Visit Boston.gov/participate to learn about the project ideas and vote for up to five of them!

Your ideas, your city, your vote!

01/17/2026

The new placard design will cut processing time by about 25% by streamlining production, allowing residents to receive placards more quickly. Existing placards will remain valid until their listed expiration dates.

According to MassDOT, the updated placard features a modern look that incorporates the widely recognized universal accessibility logo, is made from more durable material embedded with security features, and includes bilingual instructions in English and Spanish.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced on Thursday a redesigned disability placard that aims at improving security, reducing fraud, and speeding up delivery for resident…

01/16/2026

The passing of disability rights leaders

BCIL previously noted the passing of Boston activist John Kelly. A memorial service for him will be held on Saturday, January 17 at Spaulding Rehab in Charlestown. More information is available here: JOHN KELLY Obituary (2025) - West Roxbury, MA - Boston Globe You may also attend virtually at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85843197007?pwd=XACdiquQju5t5MHLSpv6vutBLfKxTv.1

We also wish to mention the passing of Bob Kafka, a fierce disability rights activist who connected with many people in Massachusetts through his work with ADAPT and REV Up. Bob was a profound advocacy strategist who participated in more direct-action disability rights actions than can be counted over the course of five decades. He was instrumental in the passage of the ADA and the creation of the Money Follows the Person program. More information on Bob’s life and a virtual memorial service on January 31 can be found here: ADAPT of Texas | disability rights group. https://adaptoftexas.org/

In considering the loss of these leaders, it is good to remember the statement Bob Kafka so often shared when ending his emails: Don’t Mourn, Organize!