The Arc of Massachusetts

The Arc of Massachusetts Advocating and supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families
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Ashley Waring, Operation House Call's Family Engagement Director, recently attended the American Academy of Developmenta...
06/19/2026

Ashley Waring, Operation House Call's Family Engagement Director, recently attended the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry's (AADMD) annual One Voice conference in Dallas.

The conference brings together health professionals, advocate, policy leaders, students, and educators who are focused on improving healthcare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Over the course of the 3-day conference, Ashley learned from and networked with this diverse array of attendees.

During the panel "Leading the Future of Disability, A Cross-Sector Conversation," moderated by Neil Romano, Acting Chairman of the National Council on Disability, Ashley spoke about OHC, sharing details of our unique and robust program with the full conference audience.

It was an honor to have Mr. Romano call out the incredible work being done in Massachusetts at OHC partner schools like Harvard Medical School. Through national exposure like this, OHC can continue to partner with and inspire other stakeholders, making progress on our shared goal of improved healthcare for people with IDD and autism.

On top of the Trump Administration’s reckless dismantling of the Department of Education, the Department of Justice has ...
06/19/2026

On top of the Trump Administration’s reckless dismantling of the Department of Education, the Department of Justice has issued a legal memo that attacks the core right of disabled people to live independently in their communities.

It claims that long-standing federal laws (the ADA and Section 504) never actually guaranteed disabled people the right to receive services in the community instead of institutions.

It tries to hollow out Olmstead v. L.C. – the landmark Supreme Court ruling securing community living rights – just days before its 27th anniversary.

It declares decades of federal disability regulations “unlawful,” signaling that the government plans to roll them back. This gives states a green light to defund community services and push people with severe mental illness or disabilities back into institutions.

This memo changes how the federal government enforces the law – meaning the DOJ will stop fighting for integration. However, the ADA itself has not changed and federal courts are still bound by Supreme Court precedent. We know that our leaders in Massachusetts will stand with us.

For nearly 75 years, The Arc has fought against the isolation and institutionalization of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We fought for the ADA, we fought for Olmstead, and we will fight to protect them today. Maura Sullivan Nora Bent Emilia Niyangoda

Happy Juneteenth from The Arc of Massachusetts!Today, we celebrate and honor the resilience, achievements, and contribut...
06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth from The Arc of Massachusetts!

Today, we celebrate and honor the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans throughout history and today.

As we work toward a future where all people belong and have equal opportunities to thrive, we recognize that disability rights and racial justice are deeply connected.

The disability rights movement would be nowhere without the foundation laid by the civil rights movement.

This week, CEO Maura Sullivan spoke on a panel of Healthcare stakeholders held by the Massachusetts Health Council about...
06/18/2026

This week, CEO Maura Sullivan spoke on a panel of Healthcare stakeholders held by the Massachusetts Health Council about the need for a more robust primary care system to support adults with autism and IDD. The event centered around the Senate’s Primary Care for You bill. State Senator Cindy Friedman

For people with autism and IDD, it is three times harder to find primary care providers. They utilize the Emergency Department 77% more - for conditions that could be managed or treated by primary care providers. The Primary Care for You bill will enhance care coordination and access to behavioral health.

Thank you to the over 430 people who completed our Healthcare Standards amendment action alert in the last 72+ hours! This response shows the incredible passion that our community holds for improving the standards of care and developing robust training opportunities for providers to better care for people with autism and IDD.

Although The Arc’s Healthcare standards amendment was not included in the Primary Care for you bill, it is still on a very positive path in the legislature with support from Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Healthcare for All, Massachusetts Medical Society, and most of our major Boston hospital systems.

If you haven’t weighed in yet, you can still take action here: https://thearcofmass.quorum.us/campaign/163685/

BREAKING: Registration is now open for The Arc's 2026 Transition Conference!This year's conference - Transition Journeys...
06/18/2026

BREAKING: Registration is now open for The Arc's 2026 Transition Conference!

This year's conference - Transition Journeys 2026: Tools for Today, Hope for Tomorrow - is being held on Saturday, October 24.

Early bird pricing is now available through August 15. Professional admission with CEUs are available for the first time (no early bird pricing for CEUs).

Register and spread the word: thearcofmass.org/conference

The Senate is voting on the Primary Care bill (S3116) tomorrow.400 of you have taken action for Amendment #51 (Healthca...
06/17/2026

The Senate is voting on the Primary Care bill (S3116) tomorrow.

400 of you have taken action for Amendment #51 (Healthcare Standards for People with IDD and Autism).

There's still time to make your voice heard.

Act now: thearcofmass.org/action

Today, the Trump administration dismantled the foundations of educational equity.By stripping the Department of Educatio...
06/16/2026

Today, the Trump administration dismantled the foundations of educational equity.

By stripping the Department of Education of its authority over the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office for Civil Rights, they have gutted the critical oversight that protects students with disabilities.

This is not a reorganization; it is an abandonment of the laws and expertise designed to ensure every child has access to an equal education.

The Arc will continue to work with our national partners to fight for the educational rights of students with disabilities.

Here in Massachusetts, we must strengthen special education services and compliance with Individualized Education Plans as we navigate changes to the systems of oversight and appeal. Maura Sullivan Nora Bent Emilia Niyangoda

Today, the Trump administration dismantled the foundations of educational equity.By stripping the Department of Educatio...
06/16/2026

Today, the Trump administration dismantled the foundations of educational equity.

By stripping the Department of Education of its authority over the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office for Civil Rights, they have gutted the critical oversight that protects students with disabilities. This is not a reorganization; it is an abandonment of the laws and expertise designed to ensure every child has access to an equal education.

The Arc will continue to work with our national partners to fight for the educational rights of students with disabilities. Here in Massachusetts, we must strengthen special education services and compliance with Individualized Education Plans as we navigate changes to the systems of oversight and appeal.

We have a full slate of webinars this month at The Arc, covering topics including legislative advocacy, succession plann...
06/16/2026

We have a full slate of webinars this month at The Arc, covering topics including legislative advocacy, succession planning, autism policy, and Turning 22.

Can't make it live? Register and you'll receive a recording.

Register: thearcofmass.org/webinars

TIME SENSITIVE: Please take action today and urge your State Senator to support Amendment #51 to "An Act relative to pr...
06/15/2026

TIME SENSITIVE: Please take action today and urge your State Senator to support Amendment #51 to "An Act relative to primary care for you" (S3116), which the Senate will be voting on this week.

This is a major healthcare reform bill aimed at improving access to care, strengthening the healthcare workforce, advancing health equity, and improving patient outcomes.

Act now and share: https://thearcofmass.quorum.us/campaign/164709/

Address

217 South Street
Waltham, MA
02453

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+17818916270

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