December 3, 2020 | Issue #70
Survey: DDS Family Support Services During COVID-19
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is encouraging individuals with disabilities and their family members or other caregivers to contact their DDS area offices if you are unable to receive adequate assistance from the Commonwealth during the pandemic.


After you have reached out to your DDS area office, we encourage you to fill out our short survey to determine whether or not you received adequate services in response to your request.

The Arc will use this information in our outreach to DDS to better serve our families during this pandemic and beyond.
The Fall 2020 Issue of Advocate Is Now Available
The fall edition of our quarterly print newsletter Advocate is now available to read online as well. In this issue, highlights include:

  • Executive Director Leo Sarkissian reflects on the 2020 Election and the road ahead
  • Kerry Mahoney reflects on Caregiver Appreciation Month
  • Maura Sullivan previews The Arc's legislative priorities
  • Technology access survey results
  • Stories of inclusion and more highlights from chapters
Support The Arc
The Arc of Massachusetts would like to thank all who donated and spread the word on Giving Tuesday. Thanks to our community's generosity, we had our most successful Giving Tuesday to date!

The need to pursue education, empowerment, and equity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and autism has never been more urgent or important. To all who have given, attended webinars, shared our emails, and more, thank you for being here for people with I/DD and autism and The Arc of Massachusetts. We are deeply grateful for your commitment and support, particularly in these challenging times.
Give to Support Education, Empowerment, and Equity
COVID-19 dramatically impacted how we live our lives, how we work, and how we interact in the community. At The Arc of Massachusetts, while the pandemic forced us to pivot to respond specifically to the new challenges that families and agencies are facing, it reinforced our mission and bolstered our resolve.

Education, empowerment, equity – all cornerstones of The Arc of Massachusetts – took on even greater urgency and importance.

You can be a part of this critical work by giving to The Arc of Massachusetts Annual Fund. Make a gift today and let people with I/DD and autism know that you care about education, empowerment, and equity!
Thank you, Agency Sponsors!
The Arc of Massachusetts Agency Sponsorship Program is crucial to our work and continued success. By being a sponsor, agencies and schools that provide services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism are making advocacy and The Arc’s programs possible. The Arc of Massachusetts thanks the following members of the Agency Sponsorship Program for recently renewing their support!

SUPPORTER
Government Affairs
Police Reform Legislation Compromise Filed, Including Language on Police Training in Autism
On the evening of Monday, November 30, conference committee filed a compromised police reform legislation, which includes The Arc’s priority Bill language relative to Police Training in Autism. We are grateful to our bill’s sponsors and those who have advocated to their legislators over past sessions. Thanks to Representative Paul Tucker for filing this amendment and for his work to keep it in the broader bill. Learn more.
Webinars
Tuesday, December 8 @ 11:00AM
Join Andrew F and Kathleen Sullivan, Community Care Coordinators from Minuteman Senior Services. Topics discussed include Caregiver burnout: signs and symptoms, self-care tips to protect caregiver’s physical and emotional health and how to build connections and community resources. Register.
Friday, December 11 @ 12:00PM
The Arc’s Operation House Call program uses families and individuals to teach doctors how to provide better care for people with I/DD and autism. In this webinar, we are going to flip the focus! How can families and individuals do their part to improve medical care, partner with doctors, and make sure their needs are met? We will explore how individuals and families prepare for healthcare transition. We have some great tips! Register.


The work of The Arc of Massachusetts is made possible by generous donations from people like you, friend. None of our advocacy, education, and outreach would be possible without your continued support. Please consider giving today.