Programs

Advocacy and Empowerment

The Arc of Massachusetts plays a leadership role in advocating on both the state and federal levels to obtain services and supports for people of all ages with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This includes ensuring that elected leaders and public officials understand the needs of our constituents, advancing progressive regulations or policies, and working with the judicial system if needed. We encourage families and individuals to advocate for their personal goals.

Education, Trainings, and Webinars

The Arc provides a range of webinars and outreach sessions to assist families in their caregiving role and to educate them about resources that are available. We provide self-advocates, parents, educators, and other professionals the tools they need to assure positive transitions from school to adulthood, so they can be fully included in the community with access to housing, employment, and recreation. Our work with the Massachusetts Alliance for 21st Century Policy, including the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, involves both education and empowerment.

Operation House Call

Operation House Call (OHC) teaches new medical professionals essential skills to enhance the health care of persons with IDD. Families, parents, and individual self-advocates serve as educators in a health care field that seldom focuses on more than making a diagnosis. It is a rare and important training opportunity for students at Boston University School of Medicine, Tufts Medical School, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Simmons College School of Health Sciences, and Yale University School of Nursing. Through OHC, students begin to build confidence and interest in working with individuals with IDD and their families.

SUPPORTbrokers

SUPPORTbrokers assists persons with disabilities achieve their vision. We accomplish this through planning, education, and advocacy. Consumers or families hire a support broker to help them find appropriate services and supports to thrive in their community. Brokers can help consumers find transportation, a place to live, someone to help them with daily living skills, a job counselor, and other linkages. They also can facilitate and create a person-centered plan and help consumers apply for Social Security or health insurance, among other benefits.

Pathways to Friendship (Widening the Circle)

Widening the Circle explores the benefits of relationships between people with and without disabilities and provides information on engaging in and sustaining those relationships. Building friendships can be especially challenging to people who have disabilities, whose relationships are often limited to family, paid staff, and others with disabilities. All people benefit from a diversity of relationships.

Headlines

DevelopmentFederal IssuesGovernment AffairsNews
May 20, 2025

The Arc of Massachusetts Recognizes Five Community Champions at 2025 Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony; Senator Cindy Friedman Serves as Guest Speaker

On Thursday, May 15, The Arc of Massachusetts welcomed over 80 guests to our 2025 Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, which was graciously hosted by the Charles River Center in…
Action AlertsGovernment AffairsNews
May 13, 2025

#TakeActionTuesday | Act Now: Ask Your Senator to Cosponsor These Budget Amendments for the Disability Community

Please contact your State Senator today and urge them to cosponsor The Arc of Massachusetts’ FY26 budget amendment priorities. The state budget process takes several months and goes through multiple…
a man in a suit and tie standing in front of a microphoneFederal IssuesGovernment AffairsNewsPress Releases
May 8, 2025

Congressman Jake Auchincloss Reads Medicaid Poem “The Mathematics of Mercy” by The Arc’s Betsy Johnson in Congress

In a can't miss moment during floor debates in Congress this week, Congressman Jake Auchincloss used his time to spotlight a poem written by The Arc's Betsy Johnson entitled "The…

Get the latest news directly to your inbox

Sign up for the latest news, events, and ways you can get involved with The Arc.

Name

By submitting your email you agree to The Arc terms