Boston Center for Independent Living

04/22/2026

Next week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives will debate the FY2027 state budget.

Amendment #803, filed by Rep. O’Day, is about something simple but critical: making sure wheelchair users are no longer stuck at home for months waiting for repairs or forced to use unsafe equipment.

At its core, the amendment would hold wheelchair providers accountable so people with disabilities can maintain their mobility, independence, health and dignity.

With over 1,730 amendments filed, this one needs visible support to stand out.

👉 Ask your State Rep to co-sponsor Amendment #803 by noon on Friday, April 24.

👉 Find your Rep by entering your home address at: bit.ly/Legis-Search

The more co-sponsors, the stronger the signal to House leadership that this matters.

Lead with your personal story or the story of someone you know. A few sentences can go a long way: what happens when a wheelchair breaks down? What gets missed, delayed, or put at risk? How does it affect access to the community, work, and mental and physical health? Real examples help decision-makers understand what’s at stake beyond the policy.

This is a time-sensitive opportunity, and a real chance to move this forward for full House consideration.

For questions or help, contact Kay at kays@bostoncil.org

04/19/2026

The annual IL Education Day is on Thursday, April 23, 2026, 10am - 3pm at the Massachusetts State House, Great Hall, 24 Beacon Street Boston.

Join this event to educate MA legislators about issues important to the independent living community.

Schedule:
Registration: 10:00 AM
Speakers: 11:00 AM
Lunch: 12:00 PM
Legislative Visits: 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

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

The registration link is https://masilc.formstack.com/forms/2026iledday

We hope to see you there!

04/18/2026

Immigrant Voices project – seeking participants

As part of the effort to advocate for restoring and protecting health coverage for immigrants, the Mass Law Reform Institute (MLRI) is working to share stories of immigrants who have or will lose healthcare coverage due to recent federal policy changes. They are hoping to find connections with lawfully residing immigrants who lost their ConnectorCare Plan Type 1 coverage earlier this year. There are flyers in English, Spanish Portuguese, and Haitian-Creole explaining this project available with MLRI.

MLRI fully understands the potential fear or uncertainty this project may cause among immigrant populations given the current climate, and wants to emphasize that they will protect the anonymity of the people talked to, and will provide them with financial compensation for speaking with them. MLRI also hopes to build relationships with immigrant serving groups and clients so that they can offer assistance where possible.

If you know someone who has lost their health care coverage due to their immigration status who might be willing to speak with them, or can connect them with an organization working with such individuals, please contact them at jkaplan@mlri.org or ksymmonds@mlri.org.

04/17/2026

House supports PCA services!

BCIL commends the state’s House of Representatives for protecting PCA services in the proposed state budget it released on April 15. The governor’s budget sought $68 million in cuts; the House budget re-establishes a working group to look at means of reducing program costs and would require approval of this group, which includes a majority disability advocates, to sign off on any budget trimming of PCA services.

Thanks are extended to House Speaker Ron Mariano and Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz for their continued support of the PCA program! And thanks are also extended to all who rallied at the State House on March 19 for PCA services or contacted legislators— your voices are definitely heard!

You can send your thanks to the speaker and ways and means chair at:
Ronald.Mariano@mahouse.gov
Aaron.M.Michlewitz@mahouse.gov

After the House passes its budget proposal the state Senate will consider its version of the budget in early May.

04/16/2026

Shared from our friends at the Boston Disability Commission:

Next week on Monday, April 20th, athletes from around the world will flock to Massachusetts for the 130th running of the Boston Marathon. This is one of the biggest annual events in the city, so we’d like to remind everyone to plan accordingly for crowds, weather, and safety. If you will be traveling to the Copley Square area to cheer on runners near the finish line, please be aware of this traffic advisory, which has information on road closures and parking restrictions. Please note that there is no parking anywhere in Copley Square. The on-street accessible HP-DV parking spaces in front of the Boston Public Library on Boylston Street have been temporarily relocated to Blagden Street until after the Marathon is over.

We strongly encourage you to use public transit to come out and cheer the runners on! Please note Hynes Convention Center MBTA is not wheelchair accessible. To learn more about disability access at the MBTA, please visit this link.

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A) has designated four (4) viewing areas for people with disabilities along the last mile of the race. They will be located at the following intersections: Boylston & Hereford Street, Boylston & Ring Road, Boylston & Fairfield Street; and Boylston & Exeter Street. If you plan to watch the race in any of these areas, you should be prepared for a lot of crowds and noise, because these areas are very close to the finish line.

If you are looking for a quieter space to watch the race, the B.A.A is collaborating with the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism to designate a sensory friendly viewing area at Tolles Parsons Center, located at 500 Washington Street in Wellesley. This area is located around mile 13.5 and provides a quieter and less crowded environment. Anyone with disabilities, sensory needs, and/or autism is welcome. More information can be found on the B.A.A. Boston Marathon webpage and in the Spectator Guide.

And finally, if you plan to watch the race from home, live local coverage can be found on WCVB.

If you have questions or concerns about accessibility in the City of Boston, contact us by email at disability@boston.gov, or use the 311 app to report any issues. To call our office directly, please dial 617-635-3682. If you are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or have speech and/or other communication disabilities, please text us at 617-251-2718.

04/15/2026

The 2026 BCIL Marie Feltin Award Ceremony

We invite you to support the 2026 BCIL Marie Feltin Award Ceremony, an event honoring individuals exemplifying the spirit of the late Dr. Marie Feltin, a tireless advocate for people with disabilities and those with chronic health conditions. She was a modern-day pioneer, helping found Boston’s Community Medical Group, East Boston Health Center’s Home Care Program, and the Urban Medical Group, focusing on care for marginalized and vulnerable populations.

The ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 12 from 6:00 – 8 :00 p.m. in the union hall of SEIU 32BJ, 26 West Street, Boston. The ceremony will have a real grassroots flavor— which reflects the great work of our award winners and the work before us in very challenging times.

Please note that with increasing financial pressures on organizations such as independent living centers and a very significant need to advocate for people with disabilities, we elected to gather BCIL’s constituency and friends in a decidedly grassroots way this year. The site of the event evokes advocacy and organizing— it will be distinct in appearance from past ceremonies, though for sure embracing the spirit of community that the BCIL Marie Feltin Ceremony embraces. Space will be limited so you must register to attend.

This year’s award winners are:
• Mic Cepeda - Community Activist and Vital Plaintiff in the MBTA Lawsuit
• Vicky Pulos - Steadfast Attorney with Mass Law Reform Institute
• Reggie Clark - Advocate Who Left Fernald and Became a Champion of Disability Rights

To become an event sponsor, donor, or to purchase a ticket to attend go to https://bostoncil.org/marie-feltin/ or contact Susan at ssmith@bostoncil.org.

ASL and CART will be provided.

photos: BCIL leads march marking the 35th Anniversary of the ADA in July 2025 and rallies for PCA services at the State House last month.

04/13/2026

The Boston Center for Independent Living is hosting an art career workshop called Art Careers with Open Door Arts. Educators from Open Door Arts will teach youth ages 14-21 about careers in the arts and how to advocate for themselves through the arts. In addition, youth will create a visual art project as a form of self-expression.

When: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time:1-3 pm
Where: BCIL (60 Temple Pl, Boston)

Eligibility: High School and Post secondary students 14-21 with disability documentation. Please email documentation to Maddie Heavey at mheavey@bostoncil.org.

To Register: scan the QR code. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email.

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

04/06/2026

MassHealth is launching new resources for members to learn about the upcoming changes to Medicaid required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), including work and education requirements and more frequent renewals for some members.

Below, you’ll find information about resources.

Member Webinars

This week, MassHealth will be hosting three member webinars to share information on the upcoming changes. All three webinars will include the same information.

• Tuesday, April 7th from 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Link to join: https://zoom.us/j/92682314866?pwd=qqUzmoCepFxbyZ5Q2LhbV5iqYRIAsE.1
• Wednesday, April 8th from 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Link to join: https://zoom.us/j/94661408650?pwd=cJ2JyTaMxAzdaOp7an6Z4F3IU7c6pV.1
• Thursday, April 9th from 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Link to join: https://zoom.us/j/99877981142?pwd=2lOCqDhbGP5TYdWgeIijh2sKEnIjUa.1

New Member-Facing Webpage

MassHealth has launched a new member webpage outlining what members need to know about how the new federal law is changing MassHealth. The page outlines key information available at this time and will be updated with more detailed information when available.

Find member webpage here: www.mass.gov/MassHealthMemberChanges

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.