Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council

10/30/2026

10/30/2026

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

As approaches, MDDC encourages eligible voters with disabilities to make a plan, learn about their rights, and explore the resources available to help them cast their ballots.

Before heading to the polls:
• Find your polling location and check voting hours.
• Review the candidates and questions on your ballot.
• Learn about accessible voting equipment and accommodations available at polling places.
• Know your rights as a voter with a disability, including options for assistance when voting.

MDDC has put together a resource on engaged voting for those who wish to learn more about what is on the ballot this year:
https://www.mass.gov/doc/engage-voting-resource/download

The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth provides official election information and voting resources:
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/voting-information/voters-with-disabilities.htm

You can also explore disability voting rights resources through REV UP! Massachusetts:
https://revupma.org/wp/

10/30/2026

Meet the 2026 Paul W. Spooner Generational Leadership Summit Presenters!

The Spooner Leadership Summit is right around the corner, and we're excited to introduce this year's presenters! For those unfamiliar with Spooner, the Summit brings together emerging leaders with disabilities from across Massachusetts to develop their advocacy skills, build connections, and learn from one another. At its heart, Spooner is about empowering people with disabilities to become leaders in their communities and create meaningful change.

One of the most exciting things about this year's Summit? Every presenter is a Spooner alum! These advocates once attended Spooner as emerging leaders themselves. Now, they're returning to share their experiences, knowledge, and skills with a new generation of disability advocates. It's a powerful reminder that leadership doesn't end when the Summit does. It continues to grow, creating opportunities for people to learn from one another and lift up the leaders who come after them.

At DPC, we believe in disability leadership that is built by us, for us, and we're proud to be part of a Summit that puts that belief into practice.

As November approaches, we'll be sharing more about the Summit, the people behind it, and the incredible work happening to strengthen disability leadership across Massachusetts.

For now, join us in celebrating this year's alumni presenters--
Destiny Maxam, Benji Kemper, Roxy Rocker, Desi Forte, George Farrington, Cody Rooney, Amber Pettell, Cristina Cortez, Elizabeth Gray, Tatiana Thomas, and Austin Carr

10/29/2026

Join our partners at MassFamilies for Advocacy Day 2026.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) can affect learning, behavior, and daily life. Raising awareness and strengthening community understanding are important steps toward ensuring individuals with FASD and their families have access to the support and resources they need.

MassFamilies invites advocates and families to come together at the Massachusetts State House for a day of education and community support.This event is free and open to those interested in learning more about FASD and supporting individuals and families impacted by these disabilities.

For questions or additional information, contact Juvy Hartweg at [email protected].

10/27/2026

Early voting is underway in Massachusetts!

Massachusetts voters can cast their ballots early through Friday, October 30. Whether you're voting early or planning to vote on Election Day, there are resources available to help you prepare.

Find your early voting location and hours:
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/earlyvotingweb/earlyvotingsearch.aspx

Learn about the nine statewide ballot questions:
The Secretary of the Commonwealth's 2026 Information for Voters guide provides information about each question.
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/research-and-statistics/2026-information-for-voters/guide.htm

Know your voting rights:
REV UP Massachusetts offers information and resources to help voters with disabilities participate in elections.
https://revupma.org/wp/

Every eligible voter deserves the opportunity to participate in the democratic process and cast their ballot independently and accessibly.

Make a plan, explore the resources, and make your voice heard!

10/27/2026

The Massachusetts Council of Nonprofits (MCN) is hosting a webinar with MassHealth officials to discuss upcoming federal policy changes and what they could mean for MassHealth members and the organizations that support them.

Beginning January 1, new federal work and education requirements will affect certain MassHealth members. Understanding these changes is important for individuals, families, advocates, and service providers working to help people maintain access to health coverage.

📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026
⏰ 4–5 p.m. ET
💻 Virtual webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rJLgOdKqRFONKybyaEv09Q #/registration

MDDC encourages community partners to attend and stay informed about these important developments!

Learn more and register through the Massachusetts Council of Nonprofits: https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/

The state has over 42,000 nonprofits that educate us, keep us healthy, support our most vulnerable populations, and care for our cultural, historical, and environmental treasures. These organizations are a critical economic engine, generating more than 550,000 jobs and employing over 17% of the stat...

10/22/2026

📢 We're hiring!

The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is seeking a Graduate Research and Public Policy Intern to support our work in disability policy, community needs assessment, and research.

This is an opportunity for current master's and doctoral students to gain hands-on experience using research and data to help inform policies and initiatives that affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across Massachusetts.

The selected candidate will work alongside Council staff, members, and community partners to:

• Develop accessible surveys and community needs assessments
• Analyze data to identify barriers to services and opportunities for greater inclusion
• Research state and federal disability policies and legislation
• Translate research findings into recommendations that inform MDDC's advocacy and strategic planning

We're looking for someone with experience in research, data analysis, and survey development who is interested in advancing disability rights, accessibility, and community inclusion.

First consideration will be given to applicants who apply within the first 14 days of the posting.

Interested in joining our team? https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2600074V&tz=GMT-04%3A00&tzname=America%2FNew_York

10/22/2026

Yesterday, staff members Destiny Maxam and Lee Larriu joined MDDC Council Member Gyasi Burks-Abbott and self-advocate Daniel O’Donnell at the 2026 Massachusetts Disability Task Force Conference for , held at Shriver Center/UMass Chan Medical School!

The conference covered important topics, including legal and policy issues, challenges facing the disability community, and other benefits, and strategies for developing advocacy skills among the people we serve.

We were pleased to take part in these important conversations and connect with others who are committed to advancing disability rights, strengthening advocacy, and supporting people with disabilities in having their voices heard.

A special thank you to moderator Nora Bent, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy at The Arc of Massachusetts, for helping guide the discussion!

10/20/2026

The Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council (MASILC)
wants to know what is most important to people with disabilities, their families, and their communities. This listening session will help set the direction for the next State Plan for Independent Living.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Via zoom
To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nIO9p1AsR-KHbYPPgub-sA

To request or confirm communication access, Spanish interpretation, or other accommodations, please register at least 2 weeks before the meeting. Questions? Contact [email protected] or 508-620-7452

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: State Plan Listening Session . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

10/19/2026

The next generation of leaders is helping shape the future of advocacy in Massachusetts!

From November 16–18, the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) and our partners will host the 2026 Paul W. Spooner Generational Leadership Summit in Quincy.

Named in honor of longtime disability rights advocate Paul W. Spooner, the Summit brings together emerging and experienced leaders from across Massachusetts to share experiences, build leadership skills, and explore ways to advance disability rights.

Self-advocacy is at the heart of this work. People with disabilities must have opportunities to speak for themselves, make decisions about their own lives, and help shape the policies and systems that affect their communities.

Throughout the Summit, participants will learn about the history of the disability rights movement, connect with fellow advocates, and work together to turn ideas into action. This year, we're also excited to welcome back Summit alumni to share their experiences and continue building connections across generations.

We're proud to work alongside our Summit partners, including the Disability Policy Consortium, Boston Center for Independent Living, Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong, The Arc of Massachusetts, MassFamilies, and the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Follow along as we introduce this year's Summit and the leaders helping carry the disability rights movement forward!

Learn more: https://generationalleaders.org/