For the second year in a row, a record turnout of over 600 advocates gathered at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, March 10 to celebrate the 48th 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 “Protecting Our Lives: Now More than Ever,” acknowledging the unprecedented year that the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism community has faced. In this moment, this community is facing many challenges, including changes from our Federal Government to long-standing systems of support and the potential for tighter state budgets. Now more than ever, our collective voices are critical to ensure that we are protecting the services and supports that matter most. Now more than ever, we need to protect our rights and our lives.
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 Joan Lovely and Representative Jay Livingstone. Senate President Karen Spilka presented Senator Lovely with her award, and Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano presented Representative Livingstone with his award. Both Representative Livingstone and Senator Lovely 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) Secretary Dr. Kiame Mahaniah joined the event to present Governor Maura Healey’s proclamation of March 2026 as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The full proclamation 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 can work, live, and learn in their community. … We recognize the value of inclusion, the importance of supports and services, and that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities make the Commonwealth a better, more diverse place to live.”
Two keynote addresses were given at the event by advocates speaking to the issues. The first was given by the mother-son duo of Sandra Heller and Craig Kinney, a self-advocate with Down syndrome. The second was given by Daniel O’Donnell, a self-advocate with autism and an intellectual disability who is a member of The Arc’s Government Affairs Committee. Excerpts from their remarks are presented below.
- Sandra Heller: “Vision is the ability to see what isn’t there yet, and as a mother, I have this ability. I have been imagining better since the day Craig was born. I imagined a world where he wasn’t defined by a diagnosis, but by his potential. … My goal was never to fix him. Craig is perfect exactly the way he is. My goal has been, and continues to be, to help other people see my vision – to see that, with the right supports, Craig can live an ordinary life. Living an ordinary life shouldn’t be a radical dream, but many people with disabilities aren’t given the chance to pursue this. Instead, they are treated as special, and sometimes special treatment can look a lot like segregation. Turning an ordinary life from a dream to a reality requires a foundation of supports. For Craig, that support system is built through services that let us imagine better. It’s a combination of Section 8 for his rent, SNAP food benefits, services from the Department of Developmental Services, and supports like personal care attendants and other Medicaid and home and community-based services. These aren’t just programs; these are the tools that allow him to be a neighbor and a valued member of his community.”
- Craig Kinney: “Even when I couldn’t talk, my family and supporters explained everything to me. They helped me understand what the doctors were saying, but I always got to make the final choice. I want people to know that I am capable. I just need help understanding things. People should help me decide, not decide for me. I know my story is just one story. I have many friends with disabilities who want the same things I do. They want to be a part of their towns and cities. They really want to make their own choices, even if they make mistakes sometimes. That is what being an adult is all about.”
- Daniel O’Donnell: “Turning 22 was a big milestone for me. After graduating from school, I started an adult program at Nashoba Learning Group. It changed my life. I’ve made friends, gained independence, and learned how to be part of my community. I wouldn’t be standing here today sharing my story without this program. But I know not everyone is lucky. Too many people are still waiting for adult programs because of limited staff and long waiting lists. I think we can do better. Programs like mine make a difference. The staff who work in them do amazing work. We need to bring the waiting lists down and get more people into the services they need. So today, I’m asking all the legislators to help support these programs, support the staff, and support people like me.”
The Arc’s Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Nora Bent concluded the event with a passionate call to action – to our community, and to the legislature. Excerpts from Nora’s remarks are presented below.
- “While we celebrate Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we also recognize the stakes of this moment. From federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and the dismantling of special education civil rights protections, it is no exaggeration to say that we are living in a frightening moment. But as I look out on all of you – legislators, staff, advocates, and family members – I am exhilarated. You’re here because you know that at this pivotal moment, advocacy is the antidote to the challenges we’re facing. By coming together to advocate, you are part of the solution. But I’m here today not just to thank you, but to put you to work. The Arc advocates each and every day to uplift the voices of individuals with IDD and autism and their families, and while we work on the big fights in DC, there are things we can do here today in Massachusetts to strengthen this community.”
- “To the legislators and staff in this room, our community needs you to continue to stand with us. We recognize the pressures of the state budget, but we also know that the need for these services is not static. It is growing. The Arc asks you to preserve the DDS funding levels in the Governor’s proposal, but know that we will need continued growth to meet the needs of this community. Our workforce is the backbone of our community; let’s treat them as such. Ensuring the stability of our workforce is the minimum requirement, but we must get adults waiting for access back into services by investing this Chapter 257. Protecting MassHealth community-based services, like the PCA program, is critical. These are not just line items. For some, they are the difference between a life of community and a life of isolation.”
Thank you to all members of the disability community who came out to join us in this important annual advocacy day!
