July 2024 MASS Flash Newsletter

MASS staff and self advocates at the West Conference and PYD meetings

July is for Disability Pride!

Our staff and self advocates have had a busy summer already, and it's just getting started! In June, our Metro Regional group participated in an outing to Beaver Brook Step (pictured above). We also attended the Western Region Self Advocates Conference in Springfield and saw many familiar faces at the Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) Youth Leadership Forum! This month, Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu will host the city's annual ADA Day on July 17th. We hope to see you there!

July is Disability Pride Month, and we are celebrating all month long, in our regional and statewide meetings! This is a great time to reflect on the question, "what does disability pride mean to me"? Check out Kamisha's Corner for her answer.

Please note the schedule change for the Supported Decision Making (SDM) Task force meetings. For the next two months, SDM will meet over ZOOM on the last Friday of each month from 4:30 - 6:00PM. We will update any future changes!

We will continue to share updates to our Statewide Drop-Ins, Rainbow Groups, and Regional Self-advocacy meetings. You can always find your meeting information on the MASS Events Calendar.

Apply for the Spooner Generational Leader Summit

On July 12, applications for the Paul W. Spooner Generational Leadership Summit are due. The Spooner summit provides a great opportunity for self advocates to be recognized, share their stories, and connect with dozens of organizations across the state. All applicants who are selected will enjoy a complimentary hotel stay in Marlborough, MA during the night of the two-day summit. Learn more at the Spooner Website by clicking the link! https://www.paulspoonergenerationalleadership2023.org/

Got Ideas for a Conference Workshop?

MASS' 26th Annual Self-Advocacy Conference is happening on October 26th, 2024! We are looking for self advocates to submit proposals with their best ideas for conference workshops. If selected, applicants will help design and lead the workshop at our annual conference!

Submit your proposal by August 1st, 2024

You can apply by going to this proposal form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ulIY9eLQdLZlNGqj1EYg2a-pu-Pl1yGeOZrDGUW4N3M/edit

Kamisha's Corner

If someone were to ask me what does Disability Pride Month & Pride Month means to me, I would say that I  am a woman a part of many different & incredible communities! 

Now I’m not going to lie and say that finding out who you truly are and where you belong is an easy process & path to come across because it’s not. But if you dip your toes into the water and take everything on one day at a time and one  step at a time, everything should be at least a little bit easier.

If I could describe the words in one word it would be empowerment. The first time I started rock climbing I was scared and didn’t know how it would go. But the more I got comfortable with it the more fun it became. The fact that people saw me rock climbing with one hand stunned a lot of people at first. Once they saw me do it more and more they felt like it was natural for me. I felt confident and empowered, and strong! I felt like I woke up a lot of muscles I didn’t know I had. That feeling to me was incredible and it shows me to keep going in general. Also to not back down in general or listen when people say, “oh Kamisha you can’t do that”. It shows people what I can do and what I am capable of!

July Meetings and Events

Regional Updates

CENTRAL

REGION

Regional Meeting: Tuesday, July 9 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Learn More

https://www.wearemass.org/events/central-regional-meeting-98

SOUTHEAST

REGION

Regional Meeting: Wednesday, July 10 from 4:00pm-5:30pm

Learn More



https://www.wearemass.org/events/southeast-regional-meeting-41

METRO

REGION

Regional Meeting: Tuesday, July 16 from 6:00pm-7:30pm

Learn More

https://metro-regional-meeting.eventbrite.com

NORTHEAST

REGION

Regional Meeting: Wednesday, July 17 from 4:00pm- 5:30pm

Learn More

https://northeast-regional-meeting.eventbrite.com

CENTRAL

REGION

Regional Meeting: Tuesday, July 23 from 3:30pm- 5:30pm

Learn More

https://www.wearemass.org/events/central-regional-meeting-99

RAINBOW

GROUP

Rainbow Meeting:

Tuesday, July 30 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Learn More

https://www.wearemass.org/events/rainbow-group-meeting-66

Save the Date! August 24th:

A Fun Day at Deer Island with Accessible Adventures

On Saturday, August 24th, the Winthrop Commission on Disability will host Accessible Adventures at Deer Island, a beautiful area on the water. Participants can try fishing, accessible biking, pedicabs, and more! For more information and to sign up, click here:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/accessible-adventures-a-fun-day-at-deer-island-tickets-906701898787

More Events and Save the Dates

We want to hear from you!