On Thursday, March 6, a record turnout of over 600 advocates gathered at the Massachusetts State House to celebrate the 47th Annual Legislative Reception, filling both the Great Hall and the additional overflow space in the Grand Staircase.
Hosted by The Arc of Massachusetts (The Arc) and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC), this annual event is the largest day of advocacy for the community of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism in Massachusetts. It also serves as the official kickoff for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in the Commonwealth.
This year’s theme was “Safeguarding Our Rights through Advocacy,” acknowledging the need for tireless advocacy as the community of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism and their families looks ahead to the future. Rights that the disability community will be working to safeguard include inclusive and meaningful education; appropriate and comprehensive healthcare; safe access to our communities; being supported by a consistent and fairly paid workforce; employment opportunities; and safe and creative programming to help them grow.
As part of the program, The Arc and MDDC recognized their Legislators of the Year, dedicated lawmakers who have proven themselves to be tireless advocates for the disability community: Senator Robyn K. Kennedy and Representative Sean Garballey. Senate President Karen Spilka presented Senator Kennedy with her award, and Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano presented Representative Garballey with his award. Both Representative Garballey and Senator Kennedy were presented with artworks created by self-advocates.
The event was co-emceed by WROR Radio host Lauren Beckham Falcone, who has a daughter with Down syndrome, and Andre Williams, a self-advocacy liaison with MDDC. Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) Undersecretary Mary McGeown joined the event to present Governor Maura Healey’s proclamation of March 2025 as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The full proclamation of this can be found here.
The proclamation included this excerpt, perfectly embodying the Legislative Reception’s theme: “In Massachusetts, we recognize the importance of safeguarding the human and civil rights of everyone in the disability community. We invest in services and supports that allow people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full lives. We imagine a future where all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities work, live, and learn in the community. … We recognize the value of inclusion. We recognize the importance of supports and services. We recognize that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities make the Commonwealth a better, more diverse place to live.”
Our keynote address was given by Peter Wyman, the father of four adopted adult children with IDD and complex medical needs, who has spent almost 50 years working in the human services industry and over 30 years working as a direct care provider. Peter discussed the importance of ensuring a fairly paid direct support workforce: “When I started [in direct care] in 1979 at the age of 15, my first paycheck was $3.65 an hour and I was proud of that. … Today, nearly 50 years later, direct care workers make just $19.50 an hour. That is an increase of 42 cents a year since I was 15. We say we value our most vulnerable, but our pay rates tell a different story. Families rely on these workers to survive and yet, they can’t even afford to stay in the field. Without a livable wage we will continue to see a dangerous shortage of skilled caregivers. Please take a serious look at why [DSPs] are leaving the field and why so few are entering it. The reason’s obvious: many cannot sustain themselves on the wage. These are the people who care for our most vulnerable citizens; yet, they are paid so little.”
The Arc’s CEO Maura Sullivan concluded the event by providing a resounding call to action for our community to come together and advocate for our needs more than ever during these uncertain times: “Federal cuts and executive orders will directly impact us in Massachusetts. We need our lawmakers to hear us and stand with us more than ever. Medicaid is our lifeline! Education, Social Security, the workforce, and DEI – these support systems are vital. Strengthening policy will help us fight against federal cuts. We need every lawmaker to stand with us. Engage with your leadership often and vigorously. Lawmakers and advocates, by working together, we can write a different story and prepare for the future.”
Thank you to all members of the disability community who came out to join us in this important annual advocacy day! A captioned replay can be watched below.
Uplifting Day!!!!!