The Arc of Bristol County

02/23/2026

Due to inclement weather, The Arc of Bristol County offices will be closed on Tuesday, February 24th. Please stay safe and warm.

02/22/2026

Fannie Lou Hammer was diagnosed with polio as a child and lived with the effects of it as she aged. She helped found the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and focused on voter registration. In the early 1960s, citizens were forced to pass a literacy test to vote. Many Black people, like Hamer, could not finish school due to working to support their families. Hamer finally passed the test on her third attempt. Hamer worked to fight against voter segregation and founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which challenged the foundation of the pro-segregation Democratic Party. Her efforts to give voice to marginalized groups were foundational to the Civil Rights, women’s rights, and disability rights movements.


Sources:
https://www.biography.com/activists/fannie-lou-hamer?utm_source=social&utm_medium=copy&utm_campaign=action_bar

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/fannie-lou-hamers-dauntless-fight-for-black-americans-right-vote-180975610/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQAUtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJGYWxqb01OZHhVUWttVmVzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHswd2Ce1OXhCmUedn21zenqXh0OkaBsMuCfgdAGc-F9v9u8Hnytj2iKwVkAe_aem_HWk2YJhg56V4g0RdHeBtFw

02/22/2026

02/21/2026

Due to inclement weather, The Arc of Bristol County offices will be closed on Monday, February 23rd. Please stay safe and warm.

02/21/2026

The best way to prepare for your child's transition to adult services is to begin early. Join us as we learn how Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) tools offer a person-centered approach to start planning for transition.

The webinar will be presented by Maryann Welch, certified CtLC Ambassador and parent to a teen receiving services from DDS. Maryann is also Director of the Northeast Family Leadership Program and an Amesbury City Councilor.

Register: thearcofmass.org/webinars

02/20/2026

A member of the Black Panther Party, Brad Lomax participated and served members of the 504 Sit-In to advocate for disability rights and accommodations and fight against discrimination against people with disabilities. Lomax had multiple sclerosis and required the use of a wheelchair. Lomax and his assistant, Chuck Jackson, organized and cooked hot meals, and delivered them to sit-in members. Lomax and Jackson also flew to Washington, D.C. to further advocate for the rights of Section 504. The Section 504 regulations helped pave the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990.

02/20/2026

SAVE THE DATE:
IEP Progress Monitoring Workshop
📅Thursday, March 12
⏰6 -7:30 PM
📍Family Support Center
140 Park Street, 3rd Floor
Attleboro, MA
⚠️RSVP by Sunday, March 8th
👉https://forms.office.com/r/ZdSbVZekYf

Join our Family Support Center for an in-person workshop led by our own Angela Ferreira, Assistant Director of Family Services and experienced educational consultant. Together we’ll learn how to understand measuring your student’s progress, the IEP progress report document, what steps to take when you have concerns over your student’s progress in school, and more.

Please bring your student’s latest IEP progress report to the workshop. All other materials will be provided. Light refreshments will be served. The last day to register is Sunday, March 8th.

02/18/2026

🌟 Spotlight: Joanne Sullivan 🌟

This week, we’re proud to celebrate Joanne Sullivan and her important work at The Arc of Bristol County and proAbility! 🎉

Joanne began her journey with The Arc in Finance, supporting billing for our Massachusetts and Rhode Island programs. Today, she serves as a Representative Payee for the Taunton and Attleboro area, helping ensure individuals have the financial support and stability they need.

Here’s what Joanne shared about her experience:
“I started at The Arc of Bristol County in Finance billing for our Mass and RI programs, and today I am a Rep Payee for the Taunton/Attleboro area along with proAbility in RI. I really enjoy working with the individuals we support. The Arc is a great place to work. The dedication to the individuals and families we support, along with the kindness of staff, makes this a special place.”

Joanne’s commitment and compassion help make a meaningful difference every day. We’re grateful for the care and dedication she brings to the individuals and families we support. 💙💛🧡

👉 Ready to make an impact alongside teammates like Joanne? Explore opportunities with us: www.arcnbc.org/careers

02/18/2026

Please consider joining our partners, The Arc of Massachusetts and AFAM - Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts!

Registration is now open for the 21st Annual Autism Advocacy Day: "Safeguarding Our Future: Defending Critical Services for the Autism Community."
This empowering event is an opportunity to learn about legislative priorities, connect with fellow advocates, and meet directly with your state legislators to share your stories.
We will be honoring Senator Paul Feeney and Representative Vanna Howard for their incredible work supporting this community.
Register: thearcofmass.org/autismday

The Arc of Massachusetts
AFAM - Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts

Registration is now open for the 21st Annual Autism Advocacy Day: "Safeguarding Our Future: Defending Critical Services for the Autism Community."

This empowering event is an opportunity to learn about legislative priorities, connect with fellow advocates, and meet directly with your state legislators to share your stories.

We will be honoring Senator Paul Feeney and Representative Vanna Howard for their incredible work supporting this community.

Register: thearcofmass.org/autismday

02/17/2026

ASD Social – Weekly Hangout 💙
🗓 Wednesdays | 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 2 Knotty Walk, Taunton, MA The South Coast LGBTQ Network

Join us for a casual, drop-in social hour created for autistic folx ages 18+, allies, support staff, and friends. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space to meet new people, enjoy snacks, and connect with helpful resources, all in a safe and supportive environment.

✨ Everyone is welcome!
∞ Bonus: The last Wednesday of each month is also open to youth ages 13+, accompanied by a caregiver.

📩 Questions?
Contact Jacob Anderson, Autism Service Navigator
📧 JAnderson@arcnbc.org
📞 774-378-0780

Come as you are, we’d love to see you there 💫

02/16/2026

⚠️Thursday⚠️
Guardianship and Other Alternatives
Thursday, February 19th, 2026
7:00 - 8:00pm
Webinar Via Zoom
Registration required: https://forms.office.com/r/hEYEb1vKV5

Webinar Description
This one-hour webinar focuses on the legal options for decision-making available when a child turns 18 and explores the nuances of guardianship, limited guardianship, Rogers guardianship, and supported decision-making.

About the Presenter
Meredith Greene of Day Pitney LLP is co-chair of the firm's Special Needs Planning practice and advises individuals and families on estate planning, particularly special needs planning, guardianship, conservatorship, adult services advocacy, and government benefits advocacy. Meredith represents clients in all aspects of estate and generational wealth planning, probate matters, and estate administration. She develops first-party and third-party supplemental needs trusts, irrevocable trusts, marital deduction trusts, wills, health care proxies, HIPAA release authorizations, durable powers of attorney, and appointments of advocate. She also performs trust reviews and serves as a professional trustee on special needs trusts. Meredith represents families in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. In addition, she advocates for clients with the Department of Developmental Services and disability service providers, and represents clients in Social Security Administration appeals. Meredith has been appointed and has served as a guardian ad litem in probate court matters.

02/13/2026

Throughout February, we will be highlighting a few Black disability activists who helped shape disability rights as we know them today. 🧡💚💖🖤

In today's Black History and Disability Intersection:
We highlight Lois Curtis. Lois Curtis, a portrait artist who was diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is credited with paving the way for individuals to live in the community and receive the services they need.

"Lois Curtis was placed in Georgia Regional Hospital when she was only 11 years old. She would spend her teenage years and early twenties in and out of various institutions for people with developmental disabilities. She would regularly call the Atlanta Legal Aid Society asking for help getting out. She talked about her desire to leave the institution."

Lois is one of the plaintiffs in the infamous Olmstead Supreme Court decision case in 1999. The Olmstead decision states:

“On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Court held that public entities must provide community-based services to persons with disabilities when
(1) such services are appropriate;
(2) the affected persons do not oppose community-based treatment;
and (3) community-based services can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the public entity and the needs of others who are receiving disability services from the entity."

https://www.disabilitybelongs.org/2022/12/remembering-lois-curtis/
https://the-art-of-autism.com/disability-history-month-lois-curtis-artist-and-disability-advocate-paved-the-way/?fbclid=IwY2xjawP3FeRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJWXhWUlFXU2dnVDhYdjZic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHi8XgPN0l1HQi698PiYeUwVZ2d4XcJonPJkJQFO6w099yXr9LI_fnXxtEqfT_aem_3-7QNqzX43P25YCU9OLVag