Pathways to Friendship

10/08/2026

Wanted to share about this musical space in Lexington that welcomes and has experience with neurodiverse learners and trans-identifying students.

10/07/2026

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), here's a short video showing that wonderful friendships can be made through work!
https://youtu.be/N1ErQX7ig_U?si=p9UawoccUOEIAeAj

10/01/2026

October is the start of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! Pathways to Friendship offers two trainings around supporting friendship at work; one for people with disabilities and one for support staff. Feel free to reach out to us to schedule a FREE training!

10/01/2026

What does inclusion actually look like at camp or in a rec program? Our Standards for Inclusive Recreation Programs answer that question.

Developed by NIP and the Center for Social Development and Education (CSDE) at UMass Boston, the Standards define social inclusion in practical terms and lay out best practices across every level of a program, from mission and hiring to facilities, staff training, and family communication. They're also the foundation for all NIP training resources, evaluations and consultations.

The Standards are free for any recreation program that wants to create meaningful inclusive experiences for every participant.

Learn more and download: inclusionproject.org/standards

09/25/2026

What does it take to create communities where people with disabilities are not simply welcomed, but have meaningful opportunities to participate, connect, contribute, and truly belong?

Join Groton-Dunstable SEPAC and MERGE Inclusion Consulting for an interactive community presentation exploring practical strategies for strengthening disability inclusion across the places where we live, learn, work, and play.

This free event is for community organizations, recreation providers, schools, camps, libraries, faith communities, provider agencies, families, people with lived experience, and anyone interested in building more inclusive communities.

📅 Thursday, October 8
🕖 Doors open at 6:30 PM | Presentation at 7:00 PM
📍 Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School Performing Arts Center
🔗 Free registration: bit.ly/BelongingSEPAC

09/22/2026

If you haven't done so yet, register for the Arc's Transition Conference!

When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Where: Renaissance Framingham Hotel and Conference Center

Register: thearcofmass.org/conference

09/17/2026

Representation matters. And everyone deserves the opportunity to be seen, celebrated, and to shine. ❤️

Beauty Has No Limits is bringing its Professional Photo Clinic to Creative Hub Worcester on **Sunday, October 4th!

This is such a wonderful opportunity for members of the disability community to experience a professional photo session in a welcoming, supportive environment, complete with professional makeup, wardrobe styling, and beautiful photographs.

I love the message behind this: disability representation matters, authentic images matter, and beauty truly has no limits.

Check out the flyer for all the details and scan the QR code to sign up!

Please share with individuals, families, friends, and organizations throughout the Worcester and Central Massachusetts disability community. 💜

Let’s help spread the word!

09/16/2026

Pathways to Friendship is making a difference!
Click here to see the full graphic and to hear voice recordings from those impacted by Pathways!
https://thearcofmass.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Infographic-The-Impact-of-Pathways-to-Friendships-Work-2026.pdf

09/14/2026

09/09/2026

Check out our updated website! https://thearcofmass.org/friendship/

You can find:
-Multilingual resources for supporting friendships (in Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, Haitian, Vietnamese and Russian)
-Exciting grant opportunities
- Loads of friendship videos
-Useful resources for all audiences- whether you're a disability service provider, family member, person with a disability or community organization!

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.