Family Advocacy
The Arc invites you to take action! (New October 31)
Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are lifelines for families, older adults and people with disabilities. SNAP feeds about 42 million people, including 4 million people with disabilities. WIC supports nearly 7 million women, infants and young children. Even short disruptions in food assistance can harm a child’s nutrition and development and leave families without stability. Without these programs, millions could face hunger. Congress has the power to prevent this crisis. Send a message now urging them to take action today to protect food assistance programs before it’s too late. Show me more.
The Arc of Massachusetts wants to hear from you!
Please take a few minutes to complete our Fall 2025 Survey.
We want to understand your experiences with access and overall satisfaction with services and supports, as well as the work of The Arc through our advocacy, education and resource sharing. All responses will be anonymous, but will be used to help inform our ongoing advocacy.
Take Action: Cuts to Special Education Protections Are Happening NOW
The rights of students with disabilities are under serious threat.
The Administration has just gutted the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), the Department of Education office responsible for enforcing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal law that ensures students with disabilities receive the services and support they need to succeed in school. This team also manages the vocational rehabilitation system that helps youth with disabilities transition to employment. See more here.
Federal Government Shutdown: What People with Disabilities Should Know from the Arc
At 12:01 a.m. on October 1, the federal government shut down because Congress did not approve funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Many federal government agencies and programs that rely on annual funding will be paused, and many people with disabilities and their families want to know how this affects benefits and services. Today, the bottom line is: Social Security payments continue. Medicaid and Medicare coverage stay in place. Some casework may slow. October SNAP benefits are expected. A longer shutdown adds uncertainty for later months. For more information, read The Arc US’s Full Overview.
Resources from Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE): Get Involved!
One constructive way to counteract the harmful policy changes taking place is to express our views to those in power. We have compiled a list of organizations at the forefront of Autistic and disability advocacy efforts that provide clear ways to make our voices heard.
“Tell Your Story to Protect Medicaid”
“Tell Your Story to Protect Medicaid” has been reopened by the Arc of Massachusetts. Help to change minds with your family’s experience!
“The Mathematics of Mercy”
Don’t miss this moving video of Congressman Jake Auchincloss reading “The Mathematics of Mercy,” a poem written by The Arc of Mass’s Betsy Johnson about the human cost of Medicaid cuts, on the floor in Congress on May 7, 2025.
Advocacy Needed for the MA State Budget
Please contact your state senator and urge them to cosponsor The Arc of Massachusetts’ FY26 budget amendments, including funding for:
- Turning 22
- DDS Community Day and Employment Services
- Increasing Human Services Wages for Direct Care Professionals
Find a full analysis of the Senate Ways and Means proposal here and take action here.
“Tell Your Story” to Support the Massachusetts Arc’s Fight to Save Medicaid
Tell Congress why Medicaid matters to you or someone you love and why it must be protected. This website is structured to make it easier for you by answering in segmented questions. Your story can change a legislator’s perspective!
More Ways to Advocate!
Join The Arc in building a larger, stronger movement of people with disabilities, parents, siblings and allies to advocate for the full inclusion and civil rights of all people. Check out the Arc Action Center to find a page of easy links for advocating.
From the American Association of People with Disabilities:
Explaining the Impact of the Educational Executive Order on People with Disabilities
Webinar – Protecting Disabled Students: What It Would Mean To Dismantle the Department of Education
Concerned About Cuts to Services Being Discussed at the Federal Level?
Tell Congress: Medicaid Is a Lifeline for People With Disabilities! See more here.
Bill Fact Sheets Are Now Available! For the first time, fact sheets are now available from The Arc for all of the bills in the three priority areas of our 2025-2026 policy platform: Uplifting the Workforce, Health Equity, and Community Inclusion and Empowerment. Plain language fact sheets for each priority area are also available. Fact sheets can be downloaded here.
Information About Potential Threats to Public Benefits and Education Affecting the Disability Community
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Watch this video on Federal Education Policy from Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the US to get an update on recent actions by the Administration on the U.S. Department of Education and learn where federal laws stand.
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Learn more about the risks of moving IDEA to HHS.
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What’s Next for Special Education if the Department of Education Closes?
What Can I Do?
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Share Your Story: The MDDC is collecting stories from the community centered around their experiences with Medicaid. Click here to share your story.
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Advocate: Reach out to help lawmakers understand how Medicaid helps you and your loved ones stay healthy, live, go to school and/or work in the community.
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Use these easy links from The Arc of Massachusetts to tell Congress to protect Medicaid and that the Department of Education must be protected.
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Gather Information:
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Be prepared with general information about Medicaid with the MDDC February 2025 Policy Spotlight.
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View a recent Medicaid forum with the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation.
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