DISABILITY ISSUES
Vol. 21 No. 2

Vivienne S. Thomson

Independent Living Center

Vivienne Thomson was one of the great assets of Massachusetts. A whirlwind in a wheelchair she advocated effectively not only for people with disabilities, but for all social services, minorities in general and Native Americans in specific. Many important advances in our state were made because Vivienne was persistent and hard to refuse. She was a role model for concerned citizenship.

In fitting remembrance to her what was originally the Minorities with Disabilities Advocacy Center (MDAC) in Jamaica Plain is now the Vivienne S. Thomson Independent Living Center/MDAC. Located at 555 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, it is a full service ILC serving the needs of people in the Jamaica Plain-Roslindale-West Roxbury area. In addition, the Thomson Center is prepared to lend assistance to individuals from any part of Massachusetts who find that being a member of a minority group impacts upon dealing with a disability.

The Center is active in organizing and sponsoring special programs and emphasizes a wide range of support groups including a Women's Focus Group. They take a particular interest in the 14-22 year age group and assuring these persons receive proper services. They offer information and assistance with transportation, education, housing and employment.

The Thomson Center will be moving to new and expanded quarters in April 2002.

You may get additional information by calling the Center at (617) 522-9840 (v & tdd).