Advocacy

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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.

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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. 

State Budget

TRACKING OUR BUDGET PROCESS
Each January the Governor releases his 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 his 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

Budget & PolicyCOVID19Government AffairsLeo's LettersNews
May 19, 2022

Leo’s Letter: The Disability Impact Is Deep: Rethinking the FY’23 Budget

As the Senate debates its FY’23 budget, effective July 1, decisions thus far have not reflected the toll on persons with disabilities. For example: The House needed to add over $70…
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Budget & PolicyGovernment AffairsNewsWorkforce Initiative
May 16, 2022

Your Urgent Advocacy Is Needed! Contact Your Senator To Support These Crucial Budget Amendments

It’s time to rally! We need your help to ask your Senator to cosponsor and support the chapter 257 workforce amendment and other important amendments filed by our Senate Champions.…
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Budget & PolicyCOVID19Government AffairsLeo's LettersNews
May 12, 2022

Leo’s Letter: The Facts Are Known, Man!

The actor Sir Alec Guinness played the lead role of George Smiley in the 1979 miniseries Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, which was remade as a popular film in 2011.  In…
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