Advocacy

We advocate tirelessly, along with The Arc of the US, The Arc Massachusetts and other Massachusetts Arc chapters to provide choice and empowerment while supporting individuals as they strive to realize their personal goals. We reach out to key administration and legislative officials, attend activities with other organizations, and empower each individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder and their families to act on their own behalf.

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We participate in a variety of initiatives and events throughout the year including:

Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong

  • A state-wide, self-advocacy organization founded and operated by individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities.
  • Their mission is "to empower self-advocates through education so we can make choices that improve and enrich our lives."
  • Their three main goals are: Build a strong self-advocacy organization in Massachusetts, develop the resources to support the organization and take action on issues important to self-advocates in Massachusetts.

Contact Your Members of Congress to Support Inclusion

The Arc of Greater Brockton is dedicated to informing you and your families about current bills that would change the lives of people who are disabled across the country. Find a list of current bills below and easily take action to support them.

  • The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act will mandate the inclusion of HCBS in Medicaid. Contact your Congressperson here.
  • The Social Security Income (SSI) Savings Penalty Elimination Act raises SSI asset limits from $2,000 to $10,000 for individuals and from $3,000 to $20,000 for married couples. Contact your Congressperson here.
  • The Keeping All Students Safe Act will ban the use of seclusion and limit the practice of restraint. Students with disabilities make up 80% of the seclusion and restraint cases, and students of color are disproportionately impacted. Sign the petition here.
  • The Eliminating the Marriage Penalties in SSI Act will end the reduction of SSI benefits that occur after marriage. Contact your Congressperson here.

Massachusetts State Policies for Inclusion

Although the 193rd legistalative session has ended, we can still support important measures in the next session and pledge to make a difference with our votes.

State House March Legislative Reception

  • For over 38 years, The Arc of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) has held a Legislative Reception on the first or second Wednesday morning in March in the Great Hall at the State House.
  • This is an opportunity for persons with disabilities, family members, advocates, state agency heads and their staff, and legislators to meet and catch up on legislative priorities and other important issues.
  • Setting up an appointment with your legislator in advance and encouraging them to attend the legislative reception is a great way to get your voice heard.
  • For more information, see the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council website.

Legislative Breakfasts

Sponsored by local Arcs in the South Shore area.

  • Local State Senators and State Representatives are invited to come and meet with some of their constituents and learn more about the services provided to their constituents on the south shore.
  • This event provides a relaxed and enjoyable way to hear of some of the many issues facing our individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
  • It also provides a great opportunity for the legislators to meet over 200 families and supporters in their district and hear, firsthand, of the work that is done in their community.

The Arc of Massachusetts

The mission of The Arc Massachusetts is to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. They accomplish this through advocacy of supports and services based in the community.

The Arc of the US

The Arc, a Leader in Disability Rights, is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. They encompass all ages and more than 100 different diagnoses including autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and various other developmental disabilities.