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

Budget & PolicyGovernment AffairsNewsOperation House CallWorkforce Initiative
April 30, 2025

The Arc of Massachusetts Analysis: House of Representatives FY26 Budget Wrap-Up

During the week of April 28, the House of Representatives debated its version of the FY26 budget. House members filed over 1,600 amendments to the House Ways & Means proposal.…
a group of people standing in front of a buildingGovernment AffairsNews
April 24, 2025

Government Affairs Intern Kevin Chavez Reflects on His Year at The Arc of Massachusetts

My name is Kevin Chavez. I am a Lesley University senior and have been interning with The Arc of Massachusetts Government Affairs team since September 2024. I do research and…
the arc logoFederal IssuesGovernment AffairsNewsPress Releases
April 23, 2025

Statement from CEO Maura Sullivan on National Autism Discussion, Community Concerns

Dear Members of The Arc Community, I am reaching out to acknowledge the deep concerns many have as we continue to face disconcerting news coming from leaders in Washington. We…

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