Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong

04/04/2026

“April isn’t just Autism Acceptance Month, it’s also National Deaf History Month! As we continue to promote autism acceptance and advocacy, we also encourage people to take time to learn about Deaf history this April. Look Deaf-led organizations like National Association of the Deaf - NAD to learn more!” —The Autistic Self Advocacy Network

April isn’t just Autism Acceptance Month, it’s also National Deaf History Month! As we continue to promote autism acceptance and advocacy, we also encourage people to take time to learn about Deaf history this April. Look Deaf-led organizations like National Association of the Deaf - NAD to learn more!

03/30/2026

“A special night to celebrate the strength, unity and progress in the effort to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism and their families - together in Boston at the Arc of Massachusetts Progress and Possibility Gala!
Thank you for inviting me to be your emcee - it was an honor.” —Karen Anderson WCVB

A special night to celebrate the strength, unity and progress in the effort to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism and their families - together in Boston at the Arc of Mass Progress and Possibility Gala!
Thank you for inviting me to be your emcee - it was an honor.

03/29/2026

“On March 26, The Arc of Massachusetts celebrated Progress and Possibility for our community at our annual gala at the UMass Club in Boston.

We recognized three Partners in Progress: Hon. Denise Garlick, Chair of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities (MCSPD); Brian Kremer, Executive Director of Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS); and Dr. Dorothy W. Tolchin, Director of Disability Education at Harvard Medical School.

View more photos and highlights at thearcofmass.org/gala.

https://thearcofmass.org/post/release-the-arc-of-massachusetts-celebrates-progress-and-possibility-for-individuals-with-idd-and-autism-at-annual-gala/ “ —The Arc of Massachusetts

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.

03/08/2026

02/26/2026

"Not only will you be touched by Patrice and Garry’s love story and moved by their advocacy efforts around marriage equality for people living with disabilities, you’ll also be able to hear from them firsthand during our panel discussion following the film!
See Patrice: The Movie at the 2026 Vinfen Film Festival"
🎟️ Get your tickets today! https://bit.ly/VFF2026

02/26/2026

The Office of Human Rights is thrilled to invite you to a Statewide Human Rights Networking event. This exciting virtual event will be hosted by the Office of Human Rights with a presentation from the Harvard Law School Project on Disability (HPOD). Please join us on March 4th, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST for a presentation from Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong self-advocates and HPOD on their research regarding the ISP experience.

Webinar: Research on Experiences of Self-Advocates with Individual Supports Planning in Massachusetts.

Presenters: Anne Fracht, Sam Paster, Anna Weinberger & Hezzy Smith

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Time: 10 AM - 11:30 AM EST
Where: https://zoom.us/j/97465286643
Zoom Meeting ID: 974 6528 6643

Alt text:
Teal webinar flyer titled “Research on Experiences of Self-Advocates with Individual Supports Planning in Massachusetts.” It lists presenters Anne Fracht, Sam Paster, Anna Weinberger, and Hezzy Smith, and the date March 4, 2026. The summary says Learn what 17 people told an inclusive research team about how their ISPs help them (or not) to make progress in their lives, who helps them and who gets in the way, the tactics and strategies they use, and more!

An illustration shows people collaborating around a computer with charts. Logos for Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS) and the Harvard Law School Project on Disability appear at the bottom.

02/25/2026

The Arc is excited to be recognizing the work of Brian Kremer, a true Partner in Progress, at the gala on Thursday, March 26.

https://thearcofmass.org/post/progress-and-possibility-gala-partners-in-progress-brian-kremer/

02/17/2026

“Some folks have been able to return back to their own homes with modifications, some have gone with families, some have gone into group homes or supportive housing settings,” said Paul Lanzikos, co-founder of Dignity Alliance Massachusetts, a coalition of advocates for older adults and those with disabilities. “The important thing is that the people are able to live their lives in ways of their own determination — and actually that’s a win for them and a win for taxpayers, too.”

Read more:

“I’m doing a lot better," says one man who is now living in the community.

02/17/2026

“…The Museum of Disability History will open its doors Tuesday in Albertson, N.Y., just outside of New York City, with exhibits showcasing the history of the disability rights movement from its inception through today…

…The Viscardi Center, a nonprofit disability service provider, ultimately took over the collection and is now reopening the museum in a brand-new 4,500-square-foot gallery space in its Kornreich Institute for Disability Studies…

…About 130 items are currently on exhibit including a Hall Braille Typewriter, which transformed Braille writing for those who are blind, a unique three-wheel vehicle known as the Invacar that the British government promoted as a mobility aid for decades and a video of the Capitol Crawl, a 1990 protest where dozens of people with disabilities left their wheelchairs to crawl up the steps of the U.S. Capitol in an effort to urge lawmakers to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act…” -Disability Scoop

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2026/02/16/disability-history-museum-set-to-open/31858/

A one-of-a-kind museum chronicling disability history is reopening after a five-year hiatus in a new, bigger space that's hundreds of miles away from its previous home.

02/17/2026

“WOW! 🥇 We are so proud to congratulate Elana Meyers Taylor for winning GOLD for Team USA in bobsledding ❄️

Elana is not only an Olympic gold medalist but also a disability advocate. Her son, Nico, has Down syndrome. Thank you, Elana, for representing families of individuals with Down syndrome everywhere and Team USA.

Congratulations, Elana! 🏆

Photo credit: Team USA” -National Down Syndrome Congress

WOW! 🥇 We are so proud to congratulate Elana Meyers Taylor for winning GOLD for Team USA in bobsledding ❄️

Elana is not only an Olympic gold medalist but also a disability advocate. Her son, Nico, has Down syndrome. Thank you, Elana, for representing families of individuals with Down syndrome everywhere and Team USA.

Congratulations, Elana! 🏆

Photo credit: Team USA

02/15/2026

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR SELF CARE?💙Tell us in the comments what helps you feel your best. 💬✨ Self-care can look different for everyone and that’s okay!

Some ideas💡:
• Listen to your favorite songs
• Talk to a friend, family member, or pet
• Eat one of your comfort foods
• Write, draw, or do something creative
• Organize or clean your space
• Watch funny videos
• Go for a walk or spend time outside
• Read a book or comic book
• Play with a fidget toy
• Do something kind for someone else
• Rewatch your favorite movies or shows
• Buy yourself a little treat

Alt Text:
A colorful graphic with the title “Self Care” and the question “What do you like to do for self care?” The image shows 12 self-care ideas in separate boxes with simple drawings. The options are: Listen to your favorite songs (record player and dancing robot), Talk to a friend, family member, or pet (dog, cat, MASS logo), Eat one of your comfort foods (plate of sushi), Write or draw or be creative (paper and pencil), Organize or clean your space (cleaning supplies), Watch funny videos (cartoon hot dog dog), Go for a walk or spend time outside (sun and tree), Read a book or comic book (open book), Play with a fidget toy (abacus-style toy), Do something kind for someone else (smiling star), Rewatch your favorite movies or shows (popcorn and movie items), and Buy yourself a little treat (gift box). The background is a bright rainbow gradient with heart illustrations.