BREAKING: The Office of Special Education has been “significantly impacted after mass layoffs within the Department of Education.” The Arc will be continuing to follow this sto... https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/special-education-staff-decimated-after-trump-administration-shutdown/story?id=126432474

The danger posed to people with IDD and autism and their care professionals by current immigration policies are of deep concern to our community. Join us for a webinar featuring Susan Church, Chief Operating Officer from the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigran... thearcofmass.org/webinars

On Monday, October 6, The Arc of Massachusetts hosted a hybrid retreat for our Government Affairs Committee. This was a powerful opportunity to bring some of our strongest advocates together to strategize, plan, share perspectives, and be in community together.

NEW: The Arc US provides an overview of what the federal government shutdown means for people with disabilities - ranging from Social Security, to Medicaid, to SNAP, and beyond. https://thearc.org/blog/federal-government-shutdown-what-people-with-disabilities-should-know/

Friendships matter, bringing joy and comfort during good times and bad! These short, friendship stories each tell the story of a pair of friends–one with and one without a disability. They highlight the simple beauty and possibility of friendship.

NEW: CEO Maura Sullivan is included in a new article from the Washington Post on the current federal autism conversation. “I understand that attention needs to be brought to this community. But it’s been devastating, as a parent and as a leader, to see the clear devaluing of people with autism

The 2025 Autism Waiver Program Open Request Period will be held from October 17, 2025 – October 31, 2025. The form is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Traditional Chinese, French, Haitian ... https://www.mass.gov/lists/autism-waiver-service-program-open-request-period-2025

"Research into the causes of autism and the support needs of people with autism must be grounded in credible science, transparent data, and the lived experiences of autistic people. Public health only advances when cl... https://thearc.org/blog/autism-research-must-be-grounded-in-science-not-stigma/

"We urge public leaders, institutions, and media to uphold scientific integrity, disseminate accurate public health information, and work together to strengthen—not weaken—the infrastructure of support for the entire autism community. It is what... https://www.aapd.com/autism-groups-respond-tylenol/

ICYMI: The Boston Globe Opinion section has published a new editorial from CEO Maura Sullivan. "Parents often search for clear, black-and-white answers on how to raise their children, especially when they are faced with ... https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/25/opinion/autism-tylenol-trump-stigman

NEW: "My family’s journey has shown me that the gray area of raising children with autism is not a place of division but of shared purpose," writes CEO Maura Sullivan. Continue reading Maura's editorial in the Boston Globe. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/25/o...

The Arc of Massachusetts is excited to welcome two Government Affairs interns: Avi Blaszkowsky and Marcy Waring! https://thearcofmass.org/post/introducing-government-affairs-interns-avi-blaszkowsky-and-marcy-waring/

Shana Tova! Happy Rosh Hashanah to all members of The Arc of Massachusetts community who celebrate.

ONGOING: In response to the claims made by the federal government regarding an alleged link between autism and acetaminophen, CEO Maura Sullivan has been consulted by news sources and featured in coverage of this ongoing story. thearcofmass.org/post/masterp...

NEW: Statement from The Arc of Massachusetts CEO Maura Sullivan We must ground decisions related to public health in sound science and evidence, not on rhetoric or opinions lacking the support of research. The correlation between acetaminophen and autism has not been proven.

Today, we are excited to share that the Massachusetts State Senate has voted to expand the protections of Nicky’s Law/Dana’s Law to those receiving services in MassHealth-funded Day Habilitation programs.

Yesterday, The Arc of Massachusetts and The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod held a briefing at the State House about home and community-based services (HCBS) and the crucial role that these programs play in the lives of people with IDD, autism, and brain injury and their families.

NEW: CEO Maura Sullivan joined Kerry Kavanaugh on Boston 25 News Now for a discussion of the threats to vital disability services posed by the Medicaid cuts recently passed through the budget reconciliation bill. thearcofmass.org/post/ceo-mau...

NEW: The Arc of Massachusetts has just launched our brand new Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Storytelling Campaign - and we need you to TAKE ACTION. Share your HCBS story with your legislators, then share with your community. We need as many stories shared as possible.

Important Advocacy Win! The Arc is proud to have worked closely with Senator Ed Markey to inform and to advocate for protections for Haitian immigrants on Temporary Protected Status! Haitian DSPs are deeply rooted in our community + are critical to human services and our direct support workforce.

UPDATE: Our briefing on Wednesday, September 17 now has a new location at the State House: the House Members Lounge. Join us for a briefing on the critical importance of home and community based services for individuals with intellectual + developmental disabilities (IDD), autism, and brain injury.

September 7 - 13, 2025 is Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are an invaluable part of our community. As we celebrate DSPs, this week and every week, we are also excited to reveal the official campaign recap video of the With All Your Heart campaign.

The Arc of Massachusetts and dozens of advocates recently provided testimony for legislation that would create a legal framework for supported decision-making (SDM) – a model that enables individuals to make their own decisions with the support of the people that they trust.

On Tuesday, The Arc participated in a key hearing before the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. Thank you to the many people who testified and to Committee Chairs Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Jay Livingstone and Committee members.

Thank you to members of Rep. Jake Auchincloss's office for visiting The Arc of Bristol County in Attleboro today! We took this opportunity to share the stories of families and staff, highlighting how crucial The Arc's services are for community members.

BREAKING: Governor Healey has announced immediate steps to ensure vaccine availability in Massachusetts amid rollbacks, including first-of-its-kind action to guarantee insurance coverage of vaccines recommended by the state. Read more: www.mass.gov/news/governo...

NEW from WBUR: "The point is to not get them out of a ticket. The point is just to help them get through that interaction with the police officer safely, with less trauma or less anxiety." - CEO... https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/09/04/blue-envelope-program-autistic-drivers-massachusetts-state-police

The Arc of Massachusetts is excited to welcome Emilia Niyangoda as our new Government Affairs Associate! https://thearcofmass.org/post/the-arc-of-massachusetts-welcomes-emilia-niyangoda-as-government-affairs-associate/

TODAY: This fall is set to be a busy and pivotal season for advocacy. Join The Arc of Massachusetts' Government Affairs team for a recap of recent state and federal updates, a preview of what's on the horizon, and guidance on how you can make your voice heard. Register: thearcofmass.org/webinars

Our Operation House Call team was hard at work this past month, educating students at Harvard Medical School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston University School o... https://thearcofmass.org/post/operation-house-call-august-2025-activities-in-review-one-month-hundreds-of-students-reached/

"Federal officials are looking to walk back a decade-old rule designed to compel businesses to employ people with disabilities in greater numbers." https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/08/29/labor-department-seeks-to-roll-back-disability-hiring-mandate/31602/

Happy Labor Day from The Arc of Massachusetts! Today and every day, we are so grateful for the direct support professionals who make it possible for people with IDD and autism to live fully realized and inclusive lives in the community.

"Recent moves by federal lawmakers are set to enhance and expand access to special accounts that allow people with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing Medicaid and other government bene... https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/08/25/able-account-rules-updated-as-bigger-change-looms/31594/

This fall is set to be a busy and pivotal season for advocacy. Join The Arc of Massachusetts' Government Affairs team for a recap of recent state and federal updates, a preview of what's on the horizon, and guidance on how you can make your voice heard. Register: thearcofmass.org/webinars

The Massachusetts state legislature is currently on August recess. As we continue to prepare for what will be a busy fall, we thought we would take advantage of this brief pause to recap what has ha... https://thearcofmass.org/post/your-advocacy-in-review-2025-state-legislative-recap-by-the-numbers/

"These simple-to-use devices can be set up to take care of daily tasks, to keep users in touch with friends and caregivers, and to allow users to live a more independent and empowered life." https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-assistive-smart-home-technology-for-disabled/

"Owning It: Our Disabled Childhoods in Our Own Words features 22 true stories from disabled writers. Here the co-editors reflect on how the collection ... https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/98410-depicting-disabled-childhoods-for-young-readers.html

"Autism diagnoses happening earlier for boys but many girls still wait years, analysis finds. For boys, the median age dropped from age 7 to age 5, and an increasing share of women are not di... https://abcnews.go.com/Health/autism-diagnoses-happening-earlier-boys-girls-wait-years/story?id=124586710

"Medicaid pays for most of the in-home care that lets disabled Americans live independently. Will coming cuts put that care in jeopardy?" https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/magazine/medicaid-cuts-home-care-disabilities.html

"Disability advocates say that the U.S. Department of Education could cancel hundreds of grants made under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in the c... https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/08/18/ed-department-preparing-to-cut-millions-in-special-education-funding-advocates-warn/31584/

"The number of family members providing ongoing care for loved ones with complex medical conditions or disabilities is on the rise and a new report finds that they are struggling to hold it all together." https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/08/15/family-caregivers-under-increasing-strain/31580/

Thank you to Congresswoman Katherine Clark and her team for meeting with us in Waltham earlier today to discuss our current federal concerns, including Medicaid and SNAP cuts, cuts to NIH research, harmful immigration policies, and more.

Thank you to Congressman Stephen Lynch's office for visiting The Arc of the South Shore today. This was a great opportunity to showcase the vital services The Arc provides and to highlight the critical importance of Medicaid for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities + autism.

"A key U.S. Senate panel rejected a Trump administration push to make major changes to IDEA and defund some disability programs, but significant uncertainty remains, advocates say." https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/08/11/disability-programs-in-limbo-as-congress-weighs-funding/31571/

"While economists debate whether the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will bankrupt the nation's treasury, it is already clear to me and many in the disability community that this Congre... http://wbur.org/cognoscenti/2025/08/06/medicaid-cuts-trump-budget-big-beautiful-bill-disability-advocacy-anne-fracht

Please meet our Operation House Call (OHC) Family of the Month, the Bassey-Manczuk Family! Ebbe, Mark, and Anoushka are new to our Connecticut OHC network and hosted Yale Graduate School ... https://thearcofmass.org/post/operation-house-call-august-2025-family-of-the-month-the-bassey-manczuk-family/

This week, CEO Maura Sullivan and Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Nora Bent attended the National Conference of State Legislatures. Boston was the host city for this year's conference (NCSL's 50th anniversary), #NCSL50 #NCSLSummit

"Despite what the administration claims, eliminating the Department of Education does more harm than good," writes Director of Education and Outreach Jackie Doherty. thearcofmass.org/post/whats-a...

Hello from #NCSLsummit #NCSL50! CEO Maura Sullivan and Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Nora Bent are at the National Conference of State Legislatures this week in Boston. Stay tuned for more!

NEW: Looking for some inspiration to start your week? Check out CEO Maura Sullivan's interview with Paul Shattuck, where the two discuss "learning to stay grounded while building coalitions under siege" and "leadership whe... https://paultshattuck.substack.com/p/new-podcast-maura-sullivan-on-leading