Boston Center for Independent Living

03/29/2026

The Boston Center for Independent Living’s Pre-Employment Transition Services is hosting a four-week employment preparation workshop series. This series is designed to help students confidently search for, apply to, and interview for jobs. Participants will learn how to find job opportunities, create strong resumes and cover letters, complete job applications accurately, and develop essential interview skills.

The course focuses on practical, real-world strategies that employers expect, helping students build confidence and independence throughout the hiring process. By the end of the program, students will have the tools, knowledge, and materials needed to begin applying for jobs right away.

Get started with:

Searching for jobs
Resumes & cover letters
Applications & references
Interview skills

This series is offered at three different times. Participants will join one of the following groups:

Group 1: April 8–29

Group 2: May 6–27

Group 3: June 3–24

Time: Wednesdays, 4:00–5:00 PM
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Eligibility: Youth (ages 14–21) with disabilities who are in high school or a post-secondary education program

To register: Click here or scan the QR code above. Once registered, you will receive the Zoom link via email.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Maddie Heavey, BCIL’s Youth Services Program Manager, at mheavey@bostoncil.org

03/28/2026

Join the Boston Center for Independent Living and Easterseals Massachusetts for a week of learning about and engaging in legislative advocacy for the disability community.

During April break, we will be visiting Boston City Hall and participating in IL Education Day at the State House. Read below to find out more information about each fieldtrip!

Visit Boston City Hall
Tour city hall and learn about the different departments and disability advocacy at the city level.
When: April 21st: 10:30 AM-1:00 PM
Where: 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201 (entrance near Government Center station)
Lunch will be provided

IL Education Day
Join people with disabilities of all ages in a day of learning and advocacy at the State House. We will learn about different causes that are important to the disability community (ex: accessibility of the MBTA) and then participate in advocacy work with our state legislators!
When: April 23rd, 10 AM- 3PM
Where: 24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133 (front of building)
Lunch will be provided

Eligibility: Highschool students with a documented disability (IEP, 504, medical documentation)

Registration: To register: Click here or scan the QR code above.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Maddie Heavey, BCIL’s Youth Services Program Manager, at mheavey@bostoncil.org

03/27/2026

Join us, alongside hundreds of advocates from across Massachusetts, for the 2026 Independent Living Education Day at the State House!
Together, we’ll educate decision makers on the priorities of the disability community.

🗓️ April 23, 2026

⏰ 10 AM to 3 PM

📍Massachusetts State House, Great Hall

🔗 Register: bit.ly/ILeducation

Agenda:
• 10:00 AM - Registration
• 11:00 AM - Speakers
• 12:00 PM - Lunch
• 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Legislative visits

Bring your lived experience into the spaces where decisions are made!

CART and ASL will be provided. A bagged lunch will be served.

03/25/2026

Rallying for PCA Services!

On March 19, approximately 200 people rallied at the State House, concerned about potential cuts to the state’s Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program. The governor’s proposed budget targets PCA services for a $68 million funding reduction, which if enacted, could significantly impact people’s independence and health.

Those at the State House rallied at the Governor’s office and then visited the offices of the chairpersons of the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, Representative Aaron Michlewitz of Boston and Senator Michael Rodriques of Westport. They have been longtime supporters of PCA services.

While there was tremendous energy at the State House, more advocacy is essential!

You can use this link, prepared by 1199SEIU, the union for PCAs, to send a message to your legislators; We need to invest in homecare, not make cuts!

Also, 1199SEIU is holding Homecare Community Forums with legislators. If you attend, you can add to the chorus of why PCA services are so vital and also show your support for the PCAs who underpin the program:
• Worcester, March 24, 5:30, IBEW, 242 Mill Street, Worcester
• Lawrence, April 6, 5:00, Public Library, 51 Lawrence St., Lawrence
• Boston, April 7, 5:00, Grove Hall Public Library, 41 Geneva Ave., Dorchester
• New Bedford, April 9, 5:00, Labor Council, 560 Pleasant St., New Bedford
• Springfield, April 9, 5:30, PVP Church, 45 Maple Str., Springfield
• Brockton—date and time to be determined

Photos: BCIL and disability activists, PCAs with 1199SEIU, and Mass Senior Action members at the governor’s office.
Awilda Pena, Dionicia Facenda and Kethia Datus of BCIL at the rally. Jerry Boyd of the BCIL board speaking at the House Ways and Means office. Bottom Left: Aaron Rawley and Susan Backstrom of BCIL at the rally. Jiayi Wu of BCIL at the rally. Kathleen Paul of Mass Senior Action and Dianna Hu of BCIL speaking to the governor’s staff.

03/20/2026

Thanks you to the cosponsors of guaranteed Hybrid public meetings H.4831

03/18/2026

State House Rally for PCA services on Thursday, March 19!

Pre-meet at 12:45 pm at the 4th Floor Coffee Shop
Rally at the governor’s office on the 3rd floor at 1:15 pm

The governor’s proposed budget again looks to reduce PCA services, seeking a cut of $68 million dollars. This could result in a serious loss of services and impact the income of PCAs, who already facing many challenges staying afloat. In response, BCIL, in conjunction with 1199SEIU, Mass Senior Action, and disability groups and ILCs, is rallying for PCA and home care services.

We fought off proposals that would have cut services in 2024 and 2025. And our voices are needed again!

For more information contact BCIL at contactBCIL@bostoncil.org or 617-338-6665.

ASL interpretation will be available.

03/15/2026

Oh, The Places They’ll Go:
Supporting Independent Living Goals During Conflict

Wednesday, March 25th @4:00 – 5:00 PM

A virtual workshop for families of transition age youth with disabilities navigating conflict as their child prepares for their future!

Learn about:
5 Rs of conflict resolution
Collaborative problem-solving during disagreements
Creating a support system post highschool
Promoting independent living goals

Register by scanning the QR code.
Register by March 23rd

Questions? Contact: Maddie Heavey, Youth Services Program Manager at mheavey@bostoncil.org.

03/14/2026

2nd Annual LeClaire Invitational Power Soccer Tournament
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026, 9:00am - 4:30pm
Location: Wentworth Institute of Technology, 550 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Contact: Boston Self Help Center, info@bostonselfhelpcenter.org, 617-777-3861

Get ready for some intense action at the 2nd Annual LeClaire Invitational Power Soccer Tournament— 95–99 Ward Street, Tansey gymnasium

03/13/2026

Choose Your Own Path: Education Options after High School

Monday, March 23rd, 4-5 pm

A virtual workshop for transition age youth with disabilities looking to learn more about options for continuing education post high school.

What to expect:
• Learn about common paths after high school
• Match scenarios to post - secondary paths
• Answer common questions students have about choosing a path
• Research programs
To register, scan the QR code.

Questions? Contact Maddie Heavey, Youth Services Program Manager at mheavey@bostoncil.org.

03/12/2026

Rally for PCA services on March 19!

The governor’s proposed budget again looks to reduce PCA services, seeking a cut of $68 million dollars. This could result in a serious loss of services and impact the income of PCAs, who already facing many challenges staying afloat. In response, BCIL, in conjunction with 1199SEIU and disability and senior groups, is rallying for PCA and home care services.

Thursday, March 19, 12:30 p.m.
Massachusetts State House

We fought off proposals that would have cut services in 2024 and 2025. And our voices are needed again!

For more information contact BCIL at contactBCIL@bostoncil.org or 617-338-6665.

Image: Scene from the 2025 rally at the State House for PCA services.

03/11/2026

Tired of waiting for your wheelchair to get repaired?

Join us on Thursday, March 12, from 12–2 PM for a legislative briefing on two of BCIL’s priority bills focused on wheelchair repair reform in Massachusetts.

Register at tinyurl.com/WcBrief26

With H.4358 and S.2662 — bills that would most notably strengthen consumer protections and require providers to complete repairs within reasonable timelines — now before the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, we’ve reached a critical moment.

Wheelchair users and advocates have the opportunity to speak directly with legislators about why these bills MUST pass, and how repair delays impact every aspect of their daily lives and independence.

We will meet in Hearing Room B2 at the Massachusetts State House, located directly at the accessible Bowdoin Street entrance.

In-person attendance is strongly encouraged for maximum impact, but we understand that may not be possible for everyone. A Zoom option will be available when you register.

Let’s make our voices heard and our presence felt. These bills cannot wait!

Accessible drop-off/pick-up location:
Capitol Coffee House
122 Bowdoin Street, Boston, MA 02111

03/09/2026

Join Access Living, Disability Rights California, and The Arc Minnesota for on March 11: Being an Immigrant and Disabled in the U.S.: Defending Civil Rights Under Escalating Federal Enforcement.

This webinar will focus on coordinating support between disability and immigration advocates to provide more wholistic support to immigrants and their families.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hG2kuGtqSDu7gdOqy5qgPA #/registration