The US Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (DOL/ODEP) will be holding a Listening Session -- a hearing in which people with disabilities are invited to provide testimony -- at the Sheraton Boston Hotel (near the Hynes/Auditorium stop on the T's Green Line) on Wednesday March 3.
This is a great opportunity for our community to educate Federal policymakers about the issues we face trying to obtain and *maintain* employment, as adults on the spectrum.
The DOL and ODEP need in particular to hear about the issues that folks on the autism spectrum face, that are different from those faced by folks with physical disabilities (about which they are a lot more aware, at present).
We can provide oral testimony in person at the hearing, and/or written testimony at any time from now through March 3, the hearing date.
There will also be an (optional) workshop meeting at AANE's office in Watertown MA, from 12 noon to 2 pm on February 27 (the Saturday preceding the hearing date.)
The February 27th workshop meeting is for us to help one another organize our own individual testimony and make it as effective as it can be, whether oral or written.
To register to attend the hearing on Wed March 3, and/or to provide written testimony, visit
For more information about the pre-hearing workshop meeting at AANE on Sat Feb 27, email Phil Schwarz,
pschwarz AT ix DOT netcom DOT com
Travel directions:
The Sheraton Boston (where the hearing will be held, on Wednesday March 3) is located at the corner of Dalton St. and Belvidere St. in Boston's Back Bay, a short walk from the Hynes Convention Center station on the MBTA Green Line. From the MBTA station, walk south on Massachusetts Ave., past Boylston St. and the Berklee College of Music on your left, to Belvidere St. Turn left onto Belvidere St. and walk east past the Hilton hotel on your left, to Dalton St. The Sheraton Boston will be across Dalton St. on your left.
AANE's office is at 85 Main St. in Watertown, MA, a short walk from Watertown Square (a destination served by the MBTA's 71-Mount Auburn, 70-Central Square, and 57-Kenmore bus lines). From Watertown Square, head west on Main St. past the Not Your Average Joe's restaurant on your right to Church St. #85 is the office building occupying the next block after Church St. on your right. The pre-hearing meeting at AANE is on a non-business day, so only the back door of the building will be open. Turn right on Church St. and then left into the parking lot behind the building, where you will see the back door of the building on your left. AANE's office is on your left on the ground floor once you enter the building via the back door.
