This page contains current information on BSCB Committees, what they do and when they meet, as well as contact information for Committee Chairs.

Advocacy

Jerry Berrier, Co-Chair | jerry.berrier@gmail.com | (508) 735-4420

Nona Haroyan, Co-Chair | nharoyan@charter.net | (774) 420-5678

The Advocacy Committee meets on the last Tuesday of each month and represents and promotes the interests of its BSCB members. The committee helps to advance legislation, policy, and funding that will improve opportunities for the greater blind and low vision communities both locally and nationally.

Membership

Pam Loch, Chair | pamlteach@verizon.net | (508) 847-9364

The Membership Committee meets monthly and keeps track of current members and write spotlight articles on members to be shared via social media, email, and our website. The committee also has an Ambassador program, where trained BSCB Ambassadors are sent to speak at various locations in Massachusetts.

Communications

Sharon Strzalkowski, Chair | strzal@charter.net | (508) 363-3866

The Communications Committee meets at the beginning of each month to prepare and disperse communication materials to BSCB members and beyond. Ongoing initiatives include BayLines Express, BSCB’s monthly newsletter; Council Connection, BSCB’s monthly podcast; and Third Thursday with the BSCB, a virtual meeting via Zoom with a changing topic each time. In addition, the committee keeps the website up to date and monitors the BSCB voicemail box.

Social

ElizabethAnn Johnson, Chair | elizabethannjohnson53@gmail.com  | (617) 699-7082

The Social Committee meets monthly with its team members to plan current social events and gatherings. The committee discuss an event and either the Chair or one of the team members will research that event with a hopeful plan to carry it through. These events and gatherings help to keep one another in contact and enjoy being out in the fresh air.

Transportation

David Kingsbury, Chair | davidkingsbury77@gmail.com | (781) 974-2001

The Transportation Committee endeavors to improve public and paratransit accessibility for blind and low vision citizens of the Commonwealth. Recent activities have included dialogue with the Massachusetts Association of Regional Transit authorities (MARTA) to streamline procedures for renewing ADA eligibility for paratransit services, ensuring that all forms and procedures are fully accessible, and making it easier to travel between RTA zones. Committee members are also engaged with the MBTA Ride Flex program to resolve the longstanding problem of Uber and Lyft drivers refusing to transport guide dog users which is a flagrant violation of the ADA.