The Arc of Massachusetts

02/17/2026

The 2026 Profound Autism Summit is being held on April 16-17 in Boston. The Arc's CEO Maura Sullivan will be speaking on a panel about transition to residential for children and adults with profound autism. You can also visit The Arc of Massachusetts table to learn more about our programs.

The Profound Autism Summit is a conference bringing together leaders from the areas of research, medicine, treatment, advocacy, education, and human services to discuss the needs of those with Profound Autism across disciplines and throughout the lifespan. Profound Autism Lancet, Autism, developmen

02/17/2026

The Arc is excited to be recognizing the work of Hon. Denise Garlick, a true Partner in Progress, at the Progress and Possibility Gala on Thursday, March 26.

https://thearcofmass.org/post/progress-and-possibility-gala-partners-in-progress-hon-denise-garlick/

02/17/2026

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

02/11/2026

On Tuesday, February 10, The Arc of Massachusetts hosted an Advocacy Day at the State House, bringing together members of our Government Affairs Committee including self-advocates, family members, and providers for a powerful day of action. Participants engaged in over two dozen meetings with legislators to kick off our budget advocacy efforts and push for our top legislative priorities. This was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen relationships and amplify our community’s stories at a critical moment.

We are deeply grateful to Christine Barber - State Representative for joining us and speaking about the crucial role that advocacy plays in creating meaningful change. Her remarks set the tone for the day and empowered advocates as they met with their legislators.

Later in the day, CEO Maura Sullivan and Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Nora Bent met with the Chairs of the House and Senate Ways and Means Committee to share more details about our budget advocacy. Stay tuned for ways you can get involved in the coming months!

Thank you to everyone who participated and made their voice heard in support of a more inclusive Commonwealth.

02/10/2026

EXTERNAL STUDY OPPORTUNITY: Are you a primary family caregiver (i.e., parent, sibling, grandparent, non-biological relative, etc.) for a person with an intellectual and developmental disability who provides direct care and support at least 75% of the time? Are you 18 years of age or older? Do you care for the individual(s) with a disability at your own home? Is the individual(s) with the disability that you provide care for an adult (at least 18 years of age or older)? This study wants to understand your nutrition, physical activity, and stress.

Learn more: https://binghamton.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e8KQiIzKqiYGuH4

The Arc of Massachusetts is not affiliated with this study.

02/10/2026

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.

CtLC provides a framework for exploring your child's interests, organizing resources, and planning for a good life. This webinar will highlight the Split Integrated Support Star, which notes past successes and challenges while envisioning future goals and identifying the supports needed to make them real.

Register: thearcofmass.org/webinars

02/06/2026

"This vote blocks many of the most damaging proposed cuts, keeps key disability programs level funded, and preserves the Department of Education's authority to enforce education laws. People with disabilities and families need stability they can plan around, not constant uncertainty about the supports they rely on." - The Arc US

After months of uncertainty, federal lawmakers approved a spending package that rejects Trump administration efforts to alter IDEA and do away with some disability programs.

02/06/2026

Wednesday, February 4 was a red-letter day for Operation House Call, with two stellar teaching teams reaching over 100 students in one day. In the afternoon at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, first year medical students learned from Program Director Maura Sullivan, Parent Instructor Betsy Johnson, and Co-Teachers Ryan Horrigan and Sydney Brooks.

A few hours later in the evening at Simmons University, the OHC team taught a class of over 75 nursing, physical therapy, and nutrition students in an interdisciplinary class. At Simmons, Parent Instructors Stephanie Lowell, Hillary Dunn Stanisz (along with son Ryan), and Ashley Waring taught alongside Co-Teachers Isaiah Lombardo, Mia Cappuccio, and Jonathan Gardner.

Operation House Call is working with our school partners to create a world where doctors and other healthcare professionals are reducing barriers, providing equitable access, and improving the quality of care for people with IDD and autism. We believe that students can learn the most important and powerful lessons directly from individuals with disabilities and their families. They learn about communication strategies, how implicit bias can affect treatment and assessment, and they become aware of the dangers of diagnostic overshadowing.

OHC is grateful for our partnerships with Simmons University and UMass Chan Medical School and for the many families who will open their homes to help the students learn even more. Over the next 6-8 weeks, there will be over 50 home visits taking place with our network of dedicated host families. Our program could not exist without these important relationships; thank you!

To learn more about OHC, get involved, or make a donation, please visit our webpage at thearcofmass.org/ohc or email Ashley Waring at awaring@arcmass.org.

02/05/2026

Registration is now open for the 48th Annual Legislative Reception: Protecting Our Lives: Now More than Ever!

This year, we will be recognizing Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Jay Livingstone as our Legislators of the Year.

Join us on March 10!

Register: thearcofmass.org/legrec

02/03/2026

The Arc of Massachusetts is proud to announce that CEO Maura Sullivan and Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Nora Bent have been appointed to the inaugural Advisory Council of the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

The Advisory Council convenes self-advocates and cross-sector leaders to strengthen collaboration, elevate lived experience, and advance disability inclusion across Massachusetts.

Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-permanent-commission-on-the-status-of-persons-with-disabilities-convenes-inaugural-advisory-council

02/03/2026

Yesterday’s court decision temporarily allowing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians to continue provides critical relief to thousands of families in Massachusetts and prevents a catastrophic hit to the disability workforce, which already faces serious challenges.

Haitian TPS holders make up a significant portion of the direct support professional (DSP) workforce that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism rely on every day to live safely in their homes and communities. Preventing the sudden loss of these workers helps avert immediate disruptions in services, program closures, and harm to individuals who depend on this care.

However, this decision does not erase the damage caused by months of fear and uncertainty, nor does it provide the long-term stability that families, providers, and employees deserve. The Arc of Massachusetts will continue to push for permanent, humane immigration solutions that recognize the essential role immigrants play in sustaining services and supports across the Commonwealth.

For more information on federal immigration policy changes and the impact it has on the disability community, read our immigration fact sheet: thearcofmass.org/immigration26 Maura Sullivan Nora Bent Emilia Niyangoda

02/02/2026

NEW: The Arc's full analysis of Governor Healey's FY27 State Budget Proposal is now available. In the coming weeks, we will continue to work with partner organizations and legislators to determine needed amendments in the House and Senate budget debates. Maura Sullivan Nora Bent

The Arc of Massachusetts releases our full analysis of Governor Maura Healey's FY26 Budget Proposal, including highlights and advocacy areas.