July 2026
MASS Flash Newsletter
| | This July we are excited to celebrate Disability Pride Month and the 36th anniversary of the signing of the ADA in multiple cities this year! | | |
In this month's packed newsletter, you will:
- Find info on multiple ADA Day celebrations
- Learn about other disability pride-related events
- Read a recent study published by Brandeis University and the Lurie Institute
- Get updates from Kamisha's Corner, and more!
Be sure to check out details on upcoming Regional Meetings and Statewide Drop-Ins, as we would love to see you there. And don't miss multiple inportant updates from MDDC.
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2026 MASS Conference Info!
Saturday, October 17th
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Our annual conference will be coming around in a few months, so we are opening applications for workshop presentations!
Stay tuned for updates over the next few months, and if you would like to apply to have a workshop at our conference this year, please click below!
Click below to apply, the deadline for workshop applications is Friday, September 4th!
Thank you for reading and for being part of the MASS community!
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2026 Boston ADA Day
Wednesday, July 15th
12pm - 2pm
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The City of Boston's ADA Day will be held on Wednesday, July 15th, from 12pm - 2pm at:
Copley Square Park
560 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
The Boston Disabilities Commission hosts ADA Day every July to celebrate and recognize the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the landmark civil rights law that was passed in 1990 and protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The event will include a speaking program, disability resource fair, food, music, and t-shirts (while supplies last).
The theme for ADA Day this year is "Disability Revolutionaries", in honor of the 250th anniversary of the US. We will be honoring revolutionary disability advocates of the past, present, and future - those who made Boston more accessible for people with disabilities, as well as those who are working to dismantle ableism today, and those making our future more inclusive.
Are you planning to attend our ADA Day event this year? Make sure to register at this link to receive updates and information as the date gets closer (registration is encouraged but not required).
If you have any questions about the ADA Day Resource Fair, please contact their Outreach and Engagement Specialist, Colleen Flanagan at colleen.flanagan@boston.gov.
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2026 Worcester ADA Day
Wednesday, July 15th
11am - 3pm
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The City of Worcester's ADA Day will be held on Wednesday, July 15th, from 11am - 3pm at:
Worcester City Hall/Worcester Common
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Celebrations will start with a disability pride flag raising ceremony held by the City Councilor and Mayor’s Office at 11am in front of Worcester City Hall on Wednesday, July 15th.
Behind Worcester City Hall, at Worcester Common, the ADA celebration theme is "Out to Lunch" and will be from 11am to 3pm.
It will include a speaking portion from Pathways for Change at 11:45am, and an interactive martial arts performance from Easterseals at 12:50pm.
Some of our staff will also be attending, come join us and say hello!
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Rally for Repairs
Tuesday, July 14th
11:30am - 1pm
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Join the Disability Policy Consortium (DPC), Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL), and Easterseals at the Rally for Repairs on Tuesday, July 14th from 11:30am - 1pm.
Together, they are bringing wheelchair users, families, advocates, and allies together to raise awareness about ongoing wheelchair repair delays and the impact they have on their daily lives.
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A quote from Barack Obama that I love is: "Nothing in life that's worth anything is easy"
The month of July is very packed with a lot of important holidays and events! The main 2 events that come into my head right away are Disability Pride Month and ADA Day on July 15th!
I’m really excited to go to the ADA Day celebration in Boston with friends and coworkers from MASS, because we’re all standing together as a stronger network helping to fight for more equality and ensuring that the ADA is everlasting.
That reminds me of when I attended last year’s ADA Day march, and hearing one of the main chants be “The ADA is here to stay, we will not go away!” Not only should it be important to go to events like this, we should also be telling people everyday what we need, because the ADA helps us have a voice not only today, but everyday.
It doesn’t matter your background, if you have a disability, we all fight in the same struggle. We all fight in the same cause of being heard and having representation. Everyone should be able to express themselves, regardless of opinions – everyone’s voices and opinions matter, as long as they don’t put down or discourage others.
I hope you can come fight the good fight with us on Wednesday, July 15th, from 12-2pm! The address for this year’s ADA Day is:
560 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Coming together with more people and other organizations can help make progress. I also went to a different event with the Department of Public Health and other major organizations to discuss how to make different health systems better and more engaging for people from all different backgrounds and income levels. Being able to work with others and shining a light on the work currently happening helps push things forward, and I’m excited and honored to be a part of these discussions. And you can be too! So come make your voice heard!
To end with another quote that I love from Gandhi: be the change you want to see in the world!
| | The Hopeful Hearts app is being created to help those with I/DD and autism create safe connections, foster meaningful relationships, and find inclusive support with others. If you would like to help Hopeful Hearts and give input on what the app should look like, please take the survey below!: | |
FCSN's Annual College Conference
Saturday, July 25th
11am - 3pm
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Planning a Life (PAL): College and Beyond Conference - Federation for Children with Special Needs | |
The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is having their annual Planning a Life (PAL): College and Beyond Conference on Saturday, July 25th, from 10am - 2:30pm at:
The Schrafft's Center
529 Main Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
Why come?
- Meet young people planning their future – just like you
- Explore different college pathways: MAIPSE, Community College, and Four-year College
- Discover differences between high school and college
- Learn about campus resources and supports that can help you succeed
Event Details:
For youth aged 16-21 exploring college options, plus their parents/caregivers, and professionals
Cost:
- $25 for caregivers, free for youth (with a registered caregiver)
- $50 for professionals
- FCSN doesn't want cost to be a barrier. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please email transition@fcsn.org
Please note: this is not a drop-off event, so a caregiver must attend with any young person who isn't their own guardian. This is an event for young people (in one room) and caregivers/professionals (in another room). You all get the same great information. Then, you can compare notes on the way home.
Space is limited, so register early to save your spot.
Please reach out to transition@fcsn.org with any questions.
| | | | Plain-Language Research from Brandeis | |
How Many LGBTQ+ People with Disabilities Live in the United States and Need Long-Term Supports? - Lurie Institute for Disability Policy | Kaitlin Stober from MDDC along with other researchers at Brandeis published research in plain language about persons with I/dd that are also in the LGBTQ+ community, you can read more at this link, and by also clicking the PDF button below! | | | | Upcoming Statewide Drop-Ins | | |
Join us for Disability Pride Month and learn about the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)! Have fun and show your pride by learning about the history of how far we have come, and where we still need to go!
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Statewide Drop-In (link)There will be a Statewide Drop-in via Zoom on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
4:30pm - 6:00pm.
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2026 Gardner ADA Day
Friday, July 31st
11am - 3pm
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The City of Gardner's ADA Day will be held on Friday, July 31st, from 11am - 3pm at:
Dunn State Park
289 Pearl Street
Gardner, MA 01440
Rain or Shine!
The Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council (MASILC) invites you to our annual ADA Day celebration in Gardner on July 31st.
Please RSVP by July 16 at: https://masilc.formstack.com/forms/2026adaday
Hike, kayak, swim, listen to music and hang out with friends! Light lunch and drinks provided. DCR's Universal Access Program will host accessible hiking and kayaking with partners from All Out Adventures and Waypoint Adventure.
ASL will be provided for those needing assistance accessing accessible activities. Parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged!
Please contact Aliza Levine with any questions at alevine@masilc.org or 508-620-7452
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Application - 4th Annual Paul W. Spooner Generational Leadership Summit | |
Applications are now open for the 2026 Paul W. Spooner Generational Leadership Summit!
This multi-day leadership experience will take place November 16-18, 2026, at the Marriott Boston in Quincy, MA:
1000 Mariott Drive
Quincy, MA 02169
The summit brings together emerging disability leaders from across Massachusetts to learn from experienced advocates, build lasting connections, and explore the future of the disability rights movement.
Participants will:
- Strengthen leadership skills
- Learn from experienced disability advocates
- Connect with emerging leaders from across the Commonwealth
- Help shape the future of disability advocacy
Deadline: Monday, July 27
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Survey - MDDC 2027-2031 State Plan Goals & Objectives | |
The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is completing its 2027 - 2031 State Plan.
Over the past year, the MDDC learned about unmet needs and important areas to address for people with I/DD and their families. With this information, the MDDC developed 4 priority goals to achieve over the next five years.
Please tell them what you think about these goals and objectives.
This public comment period will be open until August 2, 2026.
If you have questions, contact Liz Fancher at liz.fancher@mass.gov or 617-770-7676 x105.
| | | | Regional and Rainbow Updates | | |
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CENTRAL
REGION
This Central Region meeting happens on the second Tuesday of each month in-person and over Zoom from 5:00pm - 7:00pm.
Upcoming dates:
July 14
https://www.wearemass.org/events/central-regional-meeting-141
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METRO
REGION
The Metro Region meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 4:30pm - 6:00pm.
Upcoming dates:
July 21
https://www.wearemass.org/events/metro-regional-meeting-73
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METRO
REGION
The Metro Region will also be meeting in-person on Tuesday, July 14th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm to make signs and posters to bring to the Boston ADA Day!
Register to join us at the MASS office at 200 Portland Street, Boston MA, 02114!
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CENTRAL
REGION
This Central Region meeting happens on the fourth Tuesday of each month over Zoom from 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Upcoming dates:
July 28
https://www.wearemass.org/events/central-regional-meeting-142
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SOUTHEAST
REGION
The Southeast Region meeting at the Stoughton Library needed to be cancelled. We will reach out with plans for the next one soon!
Upcoming dates:
TBD
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RAINBOW
GROUP
Pauline is focusing on trainings and connecting people with existing Rainbow groups.
If you would like to request a training or panel, please fill out information on our Training Request Form:
https://www.wearemass.org/trainings
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| We want to hear from you! | | |
Is there anything exciting happening in your life that you are just itching to talk about? Want to share it with the world?!
If so, great because I, Kamisha Heriveaux, am always on the look out for interesting events, your hobbies, and topics that interest you. Don't hesitate to reach out to us!
Email info@WeAreMASS.org
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