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 ā€œhowā€ means encouraging, pleading, urging, and providing justification. But it gets more complex when you apply the ā€œhowā€ to ā€œwhereā€. 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 toĀ 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

Action AlertsBudget & PolicyFederal IssuesGovernment AffairsNews
July 8, 2025

Your Advocacy Is Needed: Ask Your Senator to Protect Education Rights for Students with Disabilities and Immigrant Students

A bill that The Arc endorsed is moving through the state legislature. Along with our partners at Massachusetts Advocates for Children, we need your help to get it across the…
Federal IssuesGovernment AffairsHealth PolicyMedicaidMessages from MauraNews
July 7, 2025

A Message from CEO Maura Sullivan: This Crisis Only Fuels Our Mission

In this new video message, CEO Maura Sullivan provides a response to the passage of the federal reconciliation bill, including an outline of what harm it will do to our…
Budget & PolicyGovernment AffairsNewsOperation House CallSupporting FamiliesTurning 22Workforce Initiative
July 5, 2025

Governor Maura Healey Signs Final FY26 State Budget; The Arc Priorities Included in Funding

BREAKING: On Friday, July 4, Governor Maura Healey signed the final FY26 State Budget. We are pleased to report that all of our areas of funding — the DDS line…

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