Advocacy

Overview

Advocacy can mean many things both in regard to what and the how. The what for us is—working toward policies, funding, laws, regulations and other types of outcomes which advance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. On a simple level, the “how” means encouraging, pleading, urging, and providing justification. But it gets more complex when you apply the “how” to “where”. There is the administration of the state or federal government, the legislature, the courts, school committees, etc.

Bill Priorities

TRACKING LEGISLATION – LAWS
Our bills advance areas such as healthcare, housing, protection, education and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism.

Policy Issues

A VARIETY OF KEY ISSUES
Policy issues cover changes within government at state or regional levels which impact the ways services are delivered or rights are enforced. MassHealth covers several important community living services in addition to health care.

Go to www.MA21Alliance.org to join the advocacy efforts of MA21 to make sure DDS Self-Direction follows the Real Lives Law. The Massachusetts Alliance for 21st Century Disability Policy (MA21) was formed in 2007 to protect the right of people with disabilities to self-direct, and through its efforts helped pass the Real Lives Law in 2014.

State Budget

TRACKING OUR BUDGET PROCESS
Each January the Governor releases her version of the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on July 1st. Each branch of the legislature (House and Senate) in turn develops a budget on which they ultimately agree and send to the Governor for her signature prior to July 1st.

Advocacy Tools

HELPFUL GUIDES AND FACT SHEETS
In this section, you will find various tools to navigate the information on public policy such as Advocacy Guides, How You Can Help, Public testimony, and Useful Information.

Insider's View

COMMENTS FROM POLICY MAKERS
Insider’s View offers constituents a chance to get to know the members of the Massachusetts legislature and hear from them directly about their involvement with the disability community.

GA Committee Opportunity to Participate

The Government Affairs Committee consists of members of The Arc’s 17 chapters and other organizations, who meet once a month to discuss legislative priorities and advocacy actions.

Headlines

Government AffairsNews
July 3, 2025

The Arc of Massachusetts CEO Maura Sullivan Testifies at Hearing on Family Members as Paid Caregivers, MassHealth ABA

The Arc's CEO Maura Sullivan was recently at the State House delivering testimony on two of our top priority bills: ABA for adults with MassHealth coverage and Family Members as…
Fact SheetsFederal IssuesGovernment AffairsMedicaidNews
July 2, 2025

The Arc of Massachusetts Releases Impact Analysis of Current Federal Policies and Actions

The disability community is facing serious threats from the federal government. From devastating Medicaid cuts to the dismantling of long-standing support systems, immigration actions, cuts to research grants, and more,…
Budget & PolicyGovernment AffairsNewsOperation House CallSupporting FamiliesTurning 22Workforce Initiative
July 2, 2025

The Arc of Massachusetts Analysis: Conference Committee FY26 State Budget Wrap-Up

The budget Conference Committee released their version of the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) state budget on June 29, 2025, and it was approved by both the House and Senate the…

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