Intellectual and Developmental Disability Month at DDS
A Message from Commissioner Jane F. Ryder

Dear DDS Community,

Visiting DDS programs, providers, and the individuals we serve is one of the best parts of my job as DDS Commissioner. Recently on one of these visits, I had the pleasure of introducing Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh, Senator Joanne Comerford, and Representative Lindsay Sabadosa to some of our incredible programs in Western Massachusetts.
The folks at Milestones Community-Based Day Support, Pathlight Family Empowerment and Autism Connections, and Prospect Meadow Farm's Rooster Cafe graciously hosted us, inviting us to join art and cooking classes, hear from individuals and family members, and learn about their array of innovative programming and supports.

We even enjoyed mushroom barley soup at the Rooster Cafe, a restaurant that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and imparts valuable job skills in the process. I can attest that the delicious meal proved that graduates from this vocational training program would be an asset to any restaurant kitchen!

I left our visit inspired by the passion displayed by our staff and providers, thankful to our representatives who are dedicated to learning more about the important work of DDS, and heartened by my conversations with the individuals and families we serve about the positive impact of these programs and supports.

As we celebrate Intellectual and Developmental Disability Month, I think of how far our ideas on disability services and supports have come. I'm proud of where we are, and our focus at DDS on self-directed programming that serves and empowers individuals to be more independent, meaningfully engaged members of their communities. I look forward to sharing with you the ways we will continue to innovate in the future.
Sincerely,

Commissioner Jane F. Ryder
Pictured: Commissioner Jane Ryder, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh, Senator Joanne Comerford, Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, Christopher Klaskin, Anthony Keane, Teryl Smith, Keri Purcell, John Roberson, Shawn Robinson, Karen Serra, Carrie McGee, Dana Sullivan
DDS Spotlight: Project Search Graduate James Keith
Project Search, DDS provider Opportunity Works signature partnership with Northern Essex Community College, affords participants the opportunity to intern in a vast and growing array of NECC departments on campus where they gain valuable work experience and build a robust resume for future competitive employment.

Participant James Keith did exactly that; excelling in each internship rotation on campus at the YMCA Day Care, NECC Gallaudet University Program, NECC COVID Team and Administrative Offices Assistant.

James also made time in his busy schedule to become a Massachusetts Special Olympics Powerlifting Champion with a personal best of 370lbs, join the New England Revolution Unified Soccer team, and most recently, act in the movie "Champions" starring Woody Harrelson in theaters now!

James graduated from the Project Search program in 2022 and continues to enjoy volunteering in his community, working at Windrush Farm. Read about James’ experience filming “Champions,” and learn more about Project Search at Opportunity Works.

Pictured: Project Search program graduate James Keith
Celebrating Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness
March marks Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) Awareness Month. Join us at DDS in celebrating this month by:


  • Honoring the legacy of Judy Heumann, the "mother of disability rights" who passed away this month. Judy was an advocate and trailblazer in establishing legal protections for people with disabilities.
Rewarding Work: Connecting You with Caregivers
Our partners at Rewarding Work, a resource that connects you with qualified caregiver candidates and guides you through the hiring process, have launched a new Resource Page for individuals, families, and job applicants.

The resources include articles such as “Supporting Someone with Autism," user videos, interview and screening tips, and a chat feature.

Subscriptions are free to individuals and families receiving DDS services with the access code: ddsconnect.
Assistive Technology Fairs

Mark your calendars for our upcoming spring Assistive Technology (AT) fairs!

The fairs will feature AT demonstrations, in-person and virtual exhibits from AT vendors, and are free and open to all.
Springfield, MA
Central West AT Fair
Monday, April 24, 2023
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT

Mass Mutual Center
1277 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Danvers, MA
Northeast AT Fair
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM EDT

Liberty Tree Mall
100 Independence Way
Danvers, MA 01923
Newton, MA
Metro AT Fair
Monday, May 8, 2023
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT

Boston Marriot - Newton
2345 Commonwealth Ave
Newton, MA 02466


Celebrate
National Assistive Technology Awareness Day
today,
March 27th!
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
The Behavioral Health Help Line is available 24/7, 365 days a year, in over 200 languages. Get directly connected to care, no insurance needed.

Call or text 833-773-2445 or visit masshelpline.com to get connected to the mental health and substance use resources you or your loved ones need. 
Upcoming Webinars, Virtual Groups & Events
Open to individuals, families, and caregivers
 
Annual Community Celebration of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
March 28, 6-7:30 PM ET
Moose Family Center, 244 Fuller Road, Chicopee, MA 01020
This annual public event hosted by the DDS Holyoke/Chicopee Area Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) is themed Shared Living: The Importance of Relationships, honoring individuals and families who welcome individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities into their lives and our essential workforce heroes who made all the difference in the time of a global pandemic and workforce shortages.
Refreshments will be served at 6:00 PM, and the Recognition Ceremony will begin at 6:30 PM.
For further information, please contact Kimberly Morrissette (kimberly.a.morrissette@mass.gov).

Take a Swing into Spring with DDS Central Middlesex Area Office
March 30, 12-4 PM ET
Riverside Family Support Center
6 Lincoln Knoll Lane, Suite 103, Burlington, MA 01803
This event hosted by the DDS Central Middlesex Area Office will welcome spring with food trucks, games, art trucks, raffles, and opening day baseball on the big screen. There is limited space left for this event and RSVP is required.
Please RSVP to Ken Underwood (Ken.Underwood@mass.gov).
 
Caregiver Support Groups: Vision Loss Services
April 11, 10:30-11:30 AM ET
April 12, 4:30-5:30 PM ET
Join the monthly virtual Caregiver Support Group for anyone working with adults served by DDS who have Vision Impairment, Legal Blindness or Deafblindness. 
 
The Spectrum of Success: Celebrating the Successes of DDS Autism Community 
April 18, 3:30-5 PM ET
This virtual event hosted by the DDS Northeast Region will celebrate the successes of our Autism Community. The Spectrum of Success will feature individuals with ASD as they share their stories of success across a variety of domains including professional, academic, advocacy, and social and relational success. The event will allow for live speakers as well as the option to pre-record a video message based on a participant’s level of comfort.
 
Always Exploring, Never Lost: DDS/MABVI Support Group
April 29, 10-11:30 AM ET
29 Denby Road, Allston MA, 02134
This support group for individuals with vision loss meets in-person monthly as part of the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI)’s Orientation and Mobility Community Activity Series with DDS. Focus topics may include self advocacy, guide dogs, accessible technology, and more. Accessible parking and accessible bathrooms are available.

DDS Metro Region presents DDS 101: Including Deaf Services
May 3, 6:30pm-8 PM ET
This virtual event for individuals of all ages and families will provide an introduction to DDS services including eligibility, transition, self-direction, autism supports, deaf services, and more.

To request an ADA accommodation for any DDS event, complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form. Please allow at least two weeks (14 days) advance notice. Last minute requests will be accepted but may encounter delays and may not be processed. For more information about the accommodation process, contact DDS ADA Coordinator, Larry Haile (larry.haile@mass.gov).
Find open positions at
Join the DDS team
DDS Budget for Fiscal Year 2024

The Healey-Driscoll Administration published its recommendation for the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, beginning the annual budget process with the legislature for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2023.

DDS continues to develop innovative service models, expand the use of supportive technology, and focus on increasing equity and access to services. The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s House 1 budget continues these initiatives by funding DDS at $2.791 billion, a $351 million (or 14%) increase over the Fiscal Year 23 GAA.

These key investments will support the continued work of DDS in empowering individuals to be more independent and meaningfully engaged members of our communities. Read more about the new budget here.
ICI Fellowships for Disability Work

Do you want to learn skills to work in the disability field, including disability advocacy, policy, and disability services?

Consider applying for the Institute of Community Inclusion (ICI) Crocker or Gopen Fellowships, open to adults with developmental disabilities and family members of people with disabilities.  
Join DDS for the 2023 Transition Forum at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield April 11th!

Open to all students and families of transition-age youth (14-22 years old), the event will offer opportunities to learn about DDS programs and resources directly from local providers.

Light refreshments will be served, and translation is available upon request.

For questions or to RSVP, contact: Ashley Leven ashley.leven@
DDS 2023 Transition Forum
Find a Career with Purpose at DDS