June 2026
MASS Flash Newsletter
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Happy Summer from MASS!
This June we look forward to:
Autistic Pride Day on June 18
Learning Disability Week from June 20–26
Helen Keller Deafblind Awareness Week on the last week of June
This month's newsletter is filled with updates and opportunities to stay connected. You'll find information about the upcoming ADA Day in Boston, celebrations of Steven Tobey and Jillian Berube winning gold medals at the Special Olympics, and highlights from our participation in both the West Conference and the Medford disABILITY Pride Fair. We are also sharing a Hopeful Hearts app survey and updates from Kamisha's Corner!
Be sure to check out details on upcoming Regional Meetings and Statewide Drop-Ins, as we would love to see you there. Finally, don't miss important legislative updates from The Arc of Massachusetts and be sure to make your voice heard by filling out the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) survey.
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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As a black African American woman who was also born with a disability, and who is also bi-lingual, and a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a 32 year old college student, my life has not always been peaches and cream. But at the same time I wouldn’t change a thing because everything I went through and continue to go through continues to make me one of the strongest individuals in the world - I think!
I want to quote the Mel Robinson motto/theory of “let them” which means, anyone can say anything they want as long as you know who you are at the end of the day. Not letting anyone or anything get in my way is how I try to live my life. By no means am I saying that I am perfect and that everything revolves around me. All I am saying is that I have been working really hard to get to where I am today, and I am really proud of myself. I believe that I have the right to celebrate all my accomplishments whenever I can, no matter what anyone says or does.
And guess what? So can you! You have the right to celebrate your own accomplishments whenever you can. It's okay to be your own person, you don’t have to be clustered into a box. It’s okay to stand out and be your own person. June is pride month, and to me pride is a big celebration of how far we have come and a big celebration acknowledging who you are. Because some people are still afraid to be themselves, but embrace the small victories and always celebrate yourself.
| | Special Olympics Torch Ceremony! | | |
We had an awesome time being able to attend the opening torch ceremony of the Special Olympics Summer Games, where West Region Board member Steven Tobey was given the honor of being the torch runner and lighting the cauldron!
He went on to win the gold medal in volleyball, and Jillian Berube won the gold in swimming! We are so incredibly proud of our MASS community and their dedication!
Follow our Facebook page to see more photos and videos of the event!
| | Attended the 2026 West Conference | | |
We were so happy to attend and support our friends at the West Conference again, it had such a great turnout! Tamara Huntley's keynote speech was incredibly passionate and emotional, and gave so much perspective on how important advocacy was when she was growing up, and how we need to keep pushing for better opportunities to this day.
Multiple MASS Board members were participating at the conference. Scott Volker and Steven Tobey won awards, Matthew Bander had his own workshop, and Al Milne and Daysiree Perez-Batista presented a workshop along with Kamisha Heriveaux.
| | Reflecting on the Medford disABILITY Fair | | |
We had such a fun time attending the disABILITY Fair in Medford!
We're so proud of Daysiree being the keynote speaker, and we were lucky to watch dance performances from Deafinitely Inc. and Dance Latin Boston.
We want to give a huge thank you to the City of Medford for hosting the event, and we are looking forward to attending more!
| | 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!: | | Upcoming Statewide Drop-Ins | | The summer solstice might mean the day is long, but it doesn’t have to feel that way when you’re having fun with MASS! Come join us for the statewide drop in this June for Jeopardy, cheese, oceans and celebrating being free! | | | | |
Statewide Drop-In (link)
There will be a Statewide Drop-in via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month.
5:30pm - 7:00pm.
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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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Health and Disability Partnership Meeting
Wednesday, June 17th
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The Health and Disability Partnership at the Department of Public Health is excited to invite you to their next meeting!
It will be online Wednesday, June 17th from 1:00-3:00. They will have presentations on employment for people with disabilities and disability benefits.
Please use this link to join: https://zoom.us/j/94940706980
To join the Partnership email list, please send an email to DPH-HDP@mass.gov and you will receive emails directly about their meetings and other disability-related events.
| | Updates from The Arc of Massachusetts | |
Massachusetts House and Senate Pass The Arc's Long-Time Priority Archaic Language Bill - The Arc of Massachusetts | Through advocacy, programs that promote inclusion, and engaging the community, The Arc creates tangible changes in the community and in the lives of people with disabilities. | | | |
MDDC State Plan Survey
for 2027-2031
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Take our 2027-2031 State Plan Community Input Survey | |
The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is making a
5-year State Plan. This will include their goals, objectives, and planned activities for 2027- 2031.
They want to learn from members of the developmental disabilities (DD) community about what is important to include in the State Plan.
If you have questions, want support to take the survey, or need the survey in a different format:
1) Contact Liz Fancher by email at Liz.Fancher@mass.gov, or
2) Leave a phone message for Liz Fancher at 617.770.7676 x105 or
3) Email Kaitlin Stober at Kaitlin.Stober@mass.gov.
| | | | Regional and Rainbow Updates | | |
CENTRAL
REGION
This Central Region meeting happens on the fourth Tuesday of each month over Zoom from 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Upcoming dates:
June 23
https://www.wearemass.org/events/central-regional-meeting-140
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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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