Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Commissioner Gyasi Burks-Abbott will be one of the keynote speakers at this year’s Annual Autism Advocacy Day!

Join us at the 21st Annual Autism Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 8 at the State House and hear from our incredible keynote speakers: Ashley and Alden Waring and Gyasi Burks-Abbott! -- with AFAM - Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts

Register to join us at thearcofmass.org/autismday.

We were honored to convene our second “Meeting the Moment” community conversation and resource fair today at UMass Lowell, in partnership with MassAbility. This gathering brought together individuals with disabilities, families, advocates, providers, and state partners to engage in meaningful dialogue and share lived experiences across key issues impacting our communities.

What stood out most were the voices in the room and on zoom. As one participant shared, “communication access isn’t a luxury. It’s not a favor. It’s a foundation.” And as another reminded us, “we have to do better.” We are grateful to everyone who showed up, shared openly, and helped shape this conversation. Your voices are critical in informing the work ahead.

We are deeply grateful to the University of Massachusetts Lowell and all the organizations who showed up, partnered with us, and made today’s gathering possible.

Read more in our full press release: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-permanent-commission-on-the-status-of-persons-with-disabilities-continues-meeting-the-moment-series-in-lowell-in-partnership-with-massability

We’re just a few days away from Meeting the Moment Lowell, and there’s still time to be part of the conversation! This is your opportunity to share your voice and help shape conversations around the issues that matter most to people with disabilities across Massachusetts, whether it’s employment, access to services, digital accessibility, workforce supports, or health equity. Learn more and register here: Mass.Gov/MBY/MTM-March

Meet the Organizations! We are excited to bring together a wide range of organizations, advocates, and community partners for Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair at UMass Lowell on March 27th. These organizations are working across Massachusetts to expand access to services, resources, and opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with organizations, learn about available programs and supports, and explore ways to engage with community partners.

Interested in hosting an organization table? We are currently at capacity for resource tables, but we welcome organizations to join our waitlist in case space becomes available. If you would like to be considered, please indicate your interest on the registration form, and we will follow up if an opportunity opens.

Registration link: Mass.Gov/MBY/MTM-March

There's still time to join us for Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair on March 27 at UMass Lowell!

We’re grateful for the many organizations who will be joining us to share resources and connect with community members, including:
Brain Injury Association of America Massachusetts
Cambiando el mundo De personas con Discapacidad
Federation for Children with Special Needs
Adult Foster Care of the North Shore
Housing Navigator Massachusetts, Inc
Run the Gamut
Neurodiversity Center for Excellence at Curry College
Institute for Community Inclusion
Northeast Independent Living Program
Northeast Arc Autism Support Center
Work Without Limits
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission
Massachusetts Office on Disability
Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office

We look forward to bringing our community together to share resources, build connections, and strengthen collaboration.

Learn more and register: Mass.Gov/MBY/MTM-March

For those unable to attend in person, materials and resources shared at the event will be made available on our events page.

Congratulations to Chair Denise Garlick on this well-deserved recognition from The Arc of Massachusetts!

Chair Garlick’s leadership and commitment to advancing inclusion and opportunity for people with disabilities continue to make a meaningful impact across the Commonwealth. The disability community is fortunate to have her partnership.

Looking forward to celebrating her at the Progress and Possibility Gala!

The Arc is excited to be recognizing the work of Hon. Denise Garlick, a true Partner in Progress, at the Progress and Possibility Gala on Thursday, March 26.

https://thearcofmass.org/post/progress-and-possibility-gala-partners-in-progress-hon-denise-garlick/

Join us for Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair on Friday, March 27 from 11am to 2pm at UMass Lowell University Crossing and on Zoom!

This is the second gathering in our statewide series, hosted in partnership with MassAbility , to listen and learn directly from individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, advocates, service providers, and community leaders.

The conversation will focus on digital accessibility, education and transition from school to employment, workforce supports development, and long-term services and supports and health equity.

Two ways to participate:

Share remarks during the Community Conversation (11:30am-12:30pm). Community members who would like to speak are asked to submit written remarks in advance by March 23 at [email protected]. (Hybrid)

Participate in the Resource Fair (1pm-2pm)
Organizations interested in hosting a shared table are encouraged to register. Space is limited, and participation will be confirmed after registration. (In-Person)

Learn more and register here: https://www.mass.gov/news/meeting-the-moment-a-community-conversation-and-resource-fair

Congratulations to our very own Commissioner Regina Marshall! 

We have some exciting news to share! 🎉

Advocates’ COO and incoming CEO, Regina Marshall, has received a Black Excellence on the Hill Award from The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.

This meaningful honor recognizes outstanding leadership, service, and lasting contributions to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Regina’s dedication to civic engagement and the well-being of community members truly reflects the spirit of this award.

Sending a heartfelt thank you to State Representative Priscila Sousa for the nomination and congratulations to all of today’s award recipients!

Please join us in congratulating Regina and all of the other honorees on this well-deserved recognition!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Massachusetts State House for the inaugural Advisory Council Orientation of the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

We were honored to convene self-advocates and leaders across sectors to connect, share lived experience, and begin this important work together. The Advisory Council strengthens the Commission’s work to listen, collaborate, and engage with communities across the Commonwealth.

Read the full press release here: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-permanent-commission-on-the-status-of-persons-with-disabilities-convenes-inaugural-advisory-council

Employers:
Recruit at the Virtual Career Fair for Individuals with Disabilities on February 25, 2026!

- Connect with qualified candidates with disabilities (sourced from over 125 colleges, universities, and vocational rehabilitation agencies) and champion inclusion in the workplace.
- Access to candidate resumes
- Attend two live pre-event trainings for recruiters: Disability Etiquette & Interviewing Candidates with Disabilities
Learn more and register here: https://www.workwithoutlimits.org/career-fair-for-individuals-with-disabilities/

We are pleased to share our FY25 Annual Report! The report highlights our work to advance equity, inclusion, and opportunity for people with disabilities across the Commonwealth, with a focus on employment, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity.

Key themes from this year's report include:
- Growing statewide engagement through public meetings, subcommittee work, and thematic events.
- Expanded outreach to employers using our Disability Inclusive Workplaces video and resource guide.
- Ongoing challenges in the direct care and human services workforce, health equity, and employment gaps.
- New initiatives, including the Meeting the Moment community conversations series and the launch of the Commission's Advisory Council.

We are grateful to the community members, partner organizations, and state agencies whose collaboration made this work possible.

Special thanks to Gateway Arts . The artwork featured in the report was created by artists with disabilities.

Read the FY25 Annual Report here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/2025-mcspd-annual-report-version-2/download

Alt text: Cover of the FY25 Annual Report from the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, featuring the State House Hall of Flags with flags and a large clock, dated October 2025.

Our team is frequently asked how the Center makes sense of what policies and programs support youth with disabilities transitioning to employment.

CAPE-Youth’s Guideposts for Success framework provides five proven areas that help youth build the skills they need to be successful in adulthood and guides the topics we research and the programs we spotlight.

The five Guideposts are:
• School-Based Preparatory Experiences
• Career Preparation and Work-Based Learning Experiences
• Youth Development and Leadership
• Connecting Activities
• Family Engagement

Across the country, state leaders in education, workforce, and disability policy are working hard to build systems that support the employment and well-being of youth and young adults with disabilities across these five areas.

Knowledge is power! Reach out to us for free assistance anytime navigating this landscape in your state at [email protected].