Boston Center for Independent Living

04/04/2026

Resources for Immigrants

Immigrants and refugees with disabilities who are the targets of immigration enforcement have the right to request reasonable accommodations under federal law and may require access to health care if detained by the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Additionally, people may also rely on caregivers who are immigrants involved with the immigration system. The following resources are trusted organizations that support immigrants and their family members.

You may share these with your networks and people you know.
• RIAC (Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center) Boston & Worcester offers many services in their two locations. They are specialized in helping refugees and can be reached at (617) 238-2430.
• PAIR (Political Asylum/Immigration Representation) provides free immigration services to asylum seekers and detained immigrants, assuring fairness and access to justice.
• LUCE, the Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts, is a coalition of immigrant-led, grassroots organizations who build people power for everyone across Massachusetts. Their website is LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of MA
• The Legal Representation Fund, an initiative of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office (MA AGO), helps fund free legal representation to detained immigrants and their families. They are confidential and will help determine who is eligible to request an immigration bond. Contact the Attorney General’s office at (617) 727-2200.

04/03/2026

2026 Boston Disability Community Forum

The 2026 Boston Disability Community Forum will be here on May 5th! We know it will be more fun if your crew is in the room! In the comments below PLEASE TAG someone who cares about disability access and inclusion in Boston.

Let's fill the space next month with community, connection, care, and disability pride.

04/02/2026

Save the date for the 2026 BCIL Marie Feltin Award Ceremony!

On Tuesday, May 12 at 6:00 PM, BCIL will hold the annual BCIL Marie Feltin Award Ceremony, with the event returning to an in-person community celebration that will be held in the union hall of SEIU 32BJ, 26 West Street, Boston.

We will be announcing our award winners soon. We will honor their work, which will also serve as a call to action in challenging times.

For sponsorship information for the event, contact Susan Smith at BCIL ssmith@bostoncil.org.

We will be sharing more detailed information in the coming days.

04/01/2026

You’ve heard it a million times: we need more housing. We need affordable housing. And we need it NOW. And we do — but the missing piece is accessible housing. We, at BCIL, fight for all three at the same time.

The puzzle of better housing for our state has two parts: making existing housing accessible in every way, and pushing for the housing that’s being built to have a percentage of accessible and affordable units available for rent. We’ve been joining forces with grassroots groups across the state to turn what is now seen as “a good idea” into law. And in this time of cuts across federal and state governments, we’re making it a priority to protect accessible, subsidized housing.

Our Senior Community Organizer, Noel Sanders, joined consumers from the HALT group yesterday to testify at the 2026 Budget Hearing at the Massachusetts State House. The Housing Advocacy Leadership Team (HALT) went before the Ways and Means committee to tell legislators that accessible housing programs must be protected. As a three-person panel, they spoke about why the need for accessible and affordable housing vouchers keeps growing. They testified in support of line item 7004-9030, which provides funding for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP).

AHVP is one of the few programs that serves a broad portion of Massachusetts residents — but it remains a small program compared to the overwhelming need. It provides vouchers that subsidize rent for disabled MA residents between ages 18 and 60 who earn 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI). There are thousands of people who fit this demographic while also being single and lower income. In the past year alone, 94,895 people applied for AHVP — 20,000 more than the previous year.

HALT is a consumer group founded by BCIL and the Disability Policy Consortium (DPC). Reach out to Noel at nsanders@bostoncil.org if you’d like to attend upcoming meetings!

(ALT caption available for each photo)

03/29/2026

The Boston Center for Independent Living’s Pre-Employment Transition Services is hosting a four-week employment preparation workshop series. This series is designed to help students confidently search for, apply to, and interview for jobs. Participants will learn how to find job opportunities, create strong resumes and cover letters, complete job applications accurately, and develop essential interview skills.

The course focuses on practical, real-world strategies that employers expect, helping students build confidence and independence throughout the hiring process. By the end of the program, students will have the tools, knowledge, and materials needed to begin applying for jobs right away.

Get started with:

Searching for jobs
Resumes & cover letters
Applications & references
Interview skills

This series is offered at three different times. Participants will join one of the following groups:

Group 1: April 8–29

Group 2: May 6–27

Group 3: June 3–24

Time: Wednesdays, 4:00–5:00 PM
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Eligibility: Youth (ages 14–21) with disabilities who are in high school or a post-secondary education program

To register: Click here or scan the QR code above. Once registered, you will receive the Zoom link via email.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Maddie Heavey, BCIL’s Youth Services Program Manager, at mheavey@bostoncil.org

03/28/2026

Join the Boston Center for Independent Living and Easterseals Massachusetts for a week of learning about and engaging in legislative advocacy for the disability community.

During April break, we will be visiting Boston City Hall and participating in IL Education Day at the State House. Read below to find out more information about each fieldtrip!

Visit Boston City Hall
Tour city hall and learn about the different departments and disability advocacy at the city level.
When: April 21st: 10:30 AM-1:00 PM
Where: 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201 (entrance near Government Center station)
Lunch will be provided

IL Education Day
Join people with disabilities of all ages in a day of learning and advocacy at the State House. We will learn about different causes that are important to the disability community (ex: accessibility of the MBTA) and then participate in advocacy work with our state legislators!
When: April 23rd, 10 AM- 3PM
Where: 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133 (front of building)
Lunch will be provided

Eligibility: Highschool students with a documented disability (IEP, 504, medical documentation)

Registration: To register: Click here or scan the QR code above.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Maddie Heavey, BCIL’s Youth Services Program Manager, at mheavey@bostoncil.org

03/27/2026

Join us, alongside hundreds of advocates from across Massachusetts, for the 2026 Independent Living Education Day at the State House!
Together, we’ll educate decision makers on the priorities of the disability community.

🗓️ April 23, 2026

⏰ 10 AM to 3 PM

📍Massachusetts State House, Great Hall

🔗 Register: bit.ly/ILeducation

Agenda:
• 10:00 AM - Registration
• 11:00 AM - Speakers
• 12:00 PM - Lunch
• 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Legislative visits

Bring your lived experience into the spaces where decisions are made!

CART and ASL will be provided. A bagged lunch will be served.

03/25/2026

Rallying for PCA Services!

On March 19, approximately 200 people rallied at the State House, concerned about potential cuts to the state’s Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program. The governor’s proposed budget targets PCA services for a $68 million funding reduction, which if enacted, could significantly impact people’s independence and health.

Those at the State House rallied at the Governor’s office and then visited the offices of the chairpersons of the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, Representative Aaron Michlewitz of Boston and Senator Michael Rodriques of Westport. They have been longtime supporters of PCA services.

While there was tremendous energy at the State House, more advocacy is essential!

You can use this link, prepared by 1199SEIU, the union for PCAs, to send a message to your legislators; We need to invest in homecare, not make cuts!

Also, 1199SEIU is holding Homecare Community Forums with legislators. If you attend, you can add to the chorus of why PCA services are so vital and also show your support for the PCAs who underpin the program:
• Worcester, March 24, 5:30, IBEW, 242 Mill Street, Worcester
• Lawrence, April 6, 5:00, Public Library, 51 Lawrence St., Lawrence
• Boston, April 7, 5:00, Grove Hall Public Library, 41 Geneva Ave., Dorchester
• New Bedford, April 9, 5:00, Labor Council, 560 Pleasant St., New Bedford
• Springfield, April 9, 5:30, PVP Church, 45 Maple Str., Springfield
• Brockton—date and time to be determined

Photos: BCIL and disability activists, PCAs with 1199SEIU, and Mass Senior Action members at the governor’s office.
Awilda Pena, Dionicia Facenda and Kethia Datus of BCIL at the rally. Jerry Boyd of the BCIL board speaking at the House Ways and Means office. Bottom Left: Aaron Rawley and Susan Backstrom of BCIL at the rally. Jiayi Wu of BCIL at the rally. Kathleen Paul of Mass Senior Action and Dianna Hu of BCIL speaking to the governor’s staff.

03/20/2026

Thanks you to the cosponsors of guaranteed Hybrid public meetings H.4831

03/18/2026

State House Rally for PCA services on Thursday, March 19!

Pre-meet at 12:45 pm at the 4th Floor Coffee Shop
Rally at the governor’s office on the 3rd floor at 1:15 pm

The governor’s proposed budget again looks to reduce PCA services, seeking a cut of $68 million dollars. This could result in a serious loss of services and impact the income of PCAs, who already facing many challenges staying afloat. In response, BCIL, in conjunction with 1199SEIU, Mass Senior Action, and disability groups and ILCs, is rallying for PCA and home care services.

We fought off proposals that would have cut services in 2024 and 2025. And our voices are needed again!

For more information contact BCIL at contactBCIL@bostoncil.org or 617-338-6665.

ASL interpretation will be available.

03/15/2026

Oh, The Places They’ll Go:
Supporting Independent Living Goals During Conflict

Wednesday, March 25th @4:00 – 5:00 PM

A virtual workshop for families of transition age youth with disabilities navigating conflict as their child prepares for their future!

Learn about:
5 Rs of conflict resolution
Collaborative problem-solving during disagreements
Creating a support system post highschool
Promoting independent living goals

Register by scanning the QR code.
Register by March 23rd

Questions? Contact: Maddie Heavey, Youth Services Program Manager at mheavey@bostoncil.org.