Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong

12/05/2025

Disabled Persons Protection Commission - DPPC Sexual Assault Response (SAR) Peer Support Leader Patty Quartieri received the 2025 Sandra Houghton Self-Advocate of the Year Award from Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS) and Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council at the 27th Annual MASS Self-Advocacy Conference. Patty was selected for her decades of self-advocacy work in the community and at the State House, and for her years of mentoring and empowering other self-advocates to embody leadership and persistence through positive actions. Patty is a true changemaker and all of us at MASS and DPPC are so proud to call her our friend and colleague!

11/29/2025

“📚✨ IDEA at 50
As we mark 50 years of IDEA, AUCD stands firm: We will not go back.

Efforts to weaken federal education protections put students with disabilities at risk.” - Association of University Centers on Disabilities

Read more: https://www.aucd.org/news/50th-anniversary-of-idea

Take action: https://aucd.quorum.us/campaign/148743/

📚✨ IDEA at 50
As we mark 50 years of IDEA, AUCD stands firm: We will not go back.

Efforts to weaken federal education protections put students with disabilities at risk.

Read more: https://www.aucd.org/news/50th-anniversary-of-idea

Take action: https://aucd.quorum.us/campaign/148743/

11/28/2025

“TODAY WE CELEBRATE tomorrow’s 50th Anniversary of IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), originally called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Signed into law by President Gerald Ford, on November 29, 1975, 21 years after Brown v. Board of Education.

IDEA is landmark legislation that guarantees students with disabilities a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment, plus support services.

Image description: White circle on a dark blue background with the words: "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 1975 - 2025." Inside the circle is a stylized “50 years” next to a square graduation mortarboard and tassel.”
- The ADA Legacy Project

TODAY WE CELEBRATE tomorrow’s 50th Anniversary of IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), originally called the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Signed into law by President Gerald Ford, on November 29, 1975, 21 years after Brown v. Board of Education.

IDEA is landmark legislation that guarantees students with disabilities a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment, plus support services.

Image description: White circle on a dark blue background with the words: "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 1975 - 2025." Inside the circle is a stylized “50 years” next to a square graduation mortarboard and tassel.

11/27/2025

We are feeling thankful!

MASS just wrapped up the Your IDEAS Count! Annual Self-Advocacy Conference, and we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to every self-advocate, presenter, volunteer, staff member, partner, and supporter who helped make the day such a powerful celebration of leadership and community.

Your commitment to self-advocacy, inclusion, and empowering one another is what makes this movement strong. We are grateful for each of you, for sharing your voices, your ideas, and your leadership with Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong.

Thank you, and we wish you all a warm, joyful, and peaceful Thanksgiving. 🧡

11/27/2025

“The legislation passed! What a victory for the disability community!

Opening State Records on Abuses of Disabled Children & Adults

‘The biggest government transparency bill to pass in Massachusetts in a generation. And it comes from the active work of disabled people across Massachusetts fighting for our rights.’

New State Law:
* Opens records from the state asylums and ‘schools’ for disabled children and adults.
* Halts the destruction and cover-up of those records.
* Repeals medical schools' rights to claim and experiment on the disabled dead.

25 Institutions
14,000 anonymous graves
Tens of thousands of lives
Ten years of advocacy

Boston Center for Independent Living
Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong
The Arc of Massachusetts
Kiva Center
Northeast Independent Living Program
MetroWest Center for Independent Living
Disability Law Center
Center for Public Representation
Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
THOUSANDS of survivors and disabled activists”

The legislation passed! What a victory for the disability community!

Opening State Records on Abuses of Disabled Children & Adults

"The biggest government transparency bill to pass in Massachusetts in a generation. And it comes from the active work of disabled people across Massachusetts fighting for our rights."

New State Law:
* Opens records from the state asylums and "schools" for disabled children and adults.
* Halts the destruction and cover-up of those records.
* Repeals medical schools' rights to claim and experiment on the disabled dead.

25 Institutions
14,000 anonymous graves
Tens of thousands of lives
Ten years of advocacy

Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong
Arc of Massachusetts
Boston Center for Independent Living
Kiva Centers
Northeast Independent Living Program
MetroWest Center for Independent Living
Disability Law Center
Center for Public Representation
Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
THOUSANDS of survivors and disabled activists

11/19/2025

Thanks to Plugged In Band Program for bringing the music to the MASS 27th Annual Self-Advocacy Conference! Check them out on their website: http://www.pluggedinband.org/

We’re thrilled to be attending this weekend’s MASS Self-Advocacy Conference in Norwood, MA. And, rumor has it, some of our talented students will be providing live music throughout the night. If you’d like to learn more about how MASS is helping people across the state advocate for equitable Accessibility policy & legislation, visit them online at www.wearemass.org.

11/11/2025

Thank you veterans for your service! 🇺🇸

11/10/2025

Tickets are going fast - registration closes at midnight!👉 https://MASS2025Conference.eventbrite.com
On Saturday, November 22 Take part in Buddy Bingo, Awards ceremony, Self-advocate led workshops, enjoy live music, and win raffle prizes at the MASS Conference “Your IDEAS Count: Inclusion, Decisions, Education, Accessibility, and Self-Advocacy”

Thanks to our sponsors!
GROW Sponsors
Advocates, Inc.
Vinfen
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services

BUILD Sponsors
The Guild for Human Services
Beaverbrook STEP, Inc.
Delta Projects
Bay Cove Human Services

DEVELOP Sponsors
Northeast Arc
Road To Responsibility, Inc.
Seven Hills Foundation
Sunshine Village

10 Attendee Ticket Sponsors
The Arc of the South Shore
The United Arc

11/10/2025

Thanks to Northeast Arc, Road To Responsibility, Inc., Sunshine Village, and Seven Hills Foundation for being our Develop Sponsors and helping to make the November 22 MASS Self-Advocacy conference possible!

TODAY is our last day to register!: https://MASS2025Conference.eventbrite.com

11/09/2025

Thanks to Bay Cove Human Services for being a BUILD Sponsor and helping to make the November 22 MASS Self-Advocacy conference possible!

Register by Monday, November 10: https://MASS2025Conference.eventbrite.com

11/08/2025

Thanks to The Guild for Human Services for being a BUILD Sponsor and helping to make the November 22 MASS Self-Advocacy conference possible!

Register by Monday, November 10: https://MASS2025Conference.eventbrite.com

11/07/2025

Thanks to Delta Projects for being a BUILD Sponsor and helping to make the November 22 MASS Self-Advocacy conference possible!

Register by Monday, November 10: https://MASS2025Conference.eventbrite.com