The Arc of Massachusetts

11/29/2025

NEW: Statement from CEO Maura Sullivan: The Arc’s Call to Action for Dignity

President Trump’s ignorant and malicious use of the word “retarded” is deeply disturbing and must not be tolerated. The Arc of Massachusetts stands firmly against the use of the “R-word” by any political leader, public figure, or member of society.

This language degrades and disrespects the disability community, ignoring the decades of progress we have fought for. The “R-word” is a painful reminder of a history where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities had to fight for their basic human rights. Language shapes attitudes, beliefs, and policy. We must reject this administration’s attempt to set us back decades.

Through advocacy, programs that promote inclusion, and engaging the community, The Arc creates tangible changes in the community and in the lives of people with disabilities.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from The Arc of Massachusetts!

We are so grateful for your continued support, your tireless advocacy, and your commitment to showing up when people with IDD and autism need us to.

11/26/2025

Your gift to The Arc will power life-changing advocacy, support, and inclusion for people with IDD and autism across Massachusetts.

Make a gift or $100 or more before 11:59PM tonight (November 26) and you'll receive exclusive swag from The Arc to celebrate your generosity!

thearcofmass.org/donate

11/25/2025

11/25/2025

BREAKING: Thank you to Governor Maura Healey for signing this critical language into law and following through on recommendations of the Commission on the History of State Institutions. The Arc is grateful to all of our partners in advocacy over the years!

11/24/2025

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗘𝗢 Maura Sullivan 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗗𝗖’𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀

The Arc of Massachusetts supports basing decisions that impact the well-being of individuals with autism, including vaccine guidance, on sound science and evidence. Rhetoric and unsupported opinions have no place in public health.

The scientific community has definitively moved past the disproven theory that vaccines cause autism. The Arc is concerned about the misinformation put forth by the federal government and its agencies, which is leading to confusion in the autism community.

The Arc strongly encourages continued broad research into the complex genetic and environmental factors relating to this condition to better understand and serve the diverse needs of people with autism.

11/24/2025

SAVE THE DATE: Join The Arc of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council for the 48th Annual Legislative Reception at the State House on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Stay tuned for more information on theme and registration!

11/24/2025

The Department of Education is about to make it nearly impossible for the next generation of nurses, therapists, social workers, audiologists, and other disability support professionals to get the federal loans they need for their education. Many will go deeper into debt or give up on these careers entirely. People with disabilities will deeply feel this impact in longer waitlists and fewer staff to do these vital jobs.

Please voice your opposition using the links from the leading organizations in this space below. We cannot afford to lose more staff to do the critical and life-saving work that these valued workers do.

American Occupational Therapy Association: https://www.aota.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/2025/federal-student-loan-limits-where-we-stand-and-what-comes-next-for-ot

American Physical Therapy Association: https://www.apta.org/advocacy/issues/education-and-workforce-legislation

Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/news/newsroom/cswe-education-department-definition-limits-access-to-social-work-education/

American Association of Colleges of Nursing: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/aacn-alarmed-over-department-of-educations-proposed-limitation-of-student-loan-access-for-nursing

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: https://www.asha.org/news/2025/proposed-definition-of-professional-degree-programs-would-exclude-audiology-and-speech-language-pathology/

11/21/2025

Amid ongoing changes in government support and eligibility requirements, access to reliable resources has never been more important. In response to that need, The Arc of Massachusetts is launching the Resource Roundup, a new series focused on sharing information and trusted resources on a variety of topics vital to our community. Our first issue focuses on Health Insurance and MassHealth.

Through advocacy, programs that promote inclusion, and engaging the community, The Arc creates tangible changes in the community and in the lives of people with disabilities.

11/20/2025

NEW from CEO Maura Sullivan: "Today, I am excited to release the findings from two successful state-funded pilots, demonstrating the undeniable value of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for adults with complex needs. Thank you to our champions in the legislature and to the expert providers who partnered with The Arc and AFAM in these pilots."

AFAM - Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, Amego Inc., May Institute, Melmark New England, Nashoba Learning Group, Northeast Arc, Road To Responsibility, Inc.

Through advocacy, programs that promote inclusion, and engaging the community, The Arc creates tangible changes in the community and in the lives of people with disabilities.

11/19/2025

The Arc of Massachusetts extends its profound gratitude to the House and Senate for passing language in a supplemental budget that will restore dignity to former patients of state institutions and their families. Opening up the records to families and historians will shine a light of transparency on this dark chapter of our history.

Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues, House Speaker Ronald Mariano, and House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz for including this vital language.

The Arc is especially grateful to Senator Michael Barrett and Representative Sean Garballey for championing this language for many years. With their strong leadership, and with disability and human rights advocate Alex Green, The Arc helped lead the effort to create the Special Commission on the History of State Institutions.

This new law brings to life a key commission recommendation. We must know the history of state institutions, however painful, so that we never repeat it.

11/19/2025

"The number of teachers using AI to develop individualized education programs, or IEPs, for students with disabilities is surging, but so too are questions about what role the technology should play."

The number of teachers using AI to develop individualized education programs for students with disabilities is surging, but so too are questions about what role the technology should play.