September 2026

MASS Flash Newsletter

In this month's newsletter, you can:

• See current information for our upcoming conference on Saturday, October 17th and get early bird tickets by Sept. 9th!
• Note Award Nominations extended to September 9th! Make sure to get in your award nominations!
• Learn about Listening Sessions that MASS is hosting with DDS about cameras in group home public spaces
• Read the newest Kamisha's Corner and listen to Al Milne's most recent podcast!
• Check out details on our monthly Regional Meetings and Statewide Drop-Ins, as we would love to see you there!

2026 MASS Conference Info!

Saturday, October 17th

Our annual conference is coming up fast, and it will be

October 17th before you know it!

If you would like to nominate someone for an award, or become a sponsor or exhibitor, click the buttons below!

Stay tuned for more updates! We're looking forward to seeing you at the conference!

DDS Listening Sessions about Cameras

The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) wants to hear what people think about using cameras in shared areas of DDS homes.

DDS wants to hear from self-advocates and people with disabilities who:

• Live in a DDS or provider residential group home, or

• May live in one in the future.

People may have different thoughts and feelings about cameras. Cameras may help people feel safer, but they may also affect people’s privacy, choices, dignity, and rights.

These listening sessions are a chance to:

• Share your ideas.

• Ask questions.

• Share your concerns.

• Talk about how cameras can help keep people safe while also respecting their privacy, choices, dignity, and rights.

Please only attend one session to share your input.

If you'd like to provide feedback, but you aren't able to come or don't want to speak, please email Laney Bruner-Canhoto at laney.bruner-canhoto@mass.gov, so that your input can be included!

Al Milne's Podcast!

Al Milne has started a podcast to interview self-advocates about their lives and experiences, and we will be posting them on Spotify!

If you are interested in being interviewed, please reach out to Al at albert.milne@wearemass.org.

Click the button below to listen to his interview with our very own

Sam Muench!

Kamisha's Corner

Can’t believe the Summer is almost officially over and it’s time to go back to school already. Time to start the new chapters in our lives leading us into the paths of success no matter what that may look like for you and I. Where did all the time go? I know I say this statement all the time but it’s true. Sometimes I wish I could revise time so that I can make up for lost time but besides that I would not change a thing! 

With that said “We must always remember that it’s okay to make mistakes, we are all only human, and making mistakes is truly the only way we will ever learn.” “Nothing is ever truly set in stone, there's always a way to make positive changes if we are really and truly passionate about everything that we do!”

Here’s another important tool to remember in every part of life.

What’s that tool you may be asking yourselves?

It’s that taking care of your mental health and taking some time to do some self care is one of the best ways to rejuvenate your heart, mind, body, and soul especially when you might feel like the world is crashing down all around you. The whole point of the story is that it’s okay to take some time for yourself when you feel it’s needed. It can also help you refocus on the things that are really important to you at the end of the day and like I said before we are all humans and that is what we have the right to do.  

I don’t know about you, but it always gives me satisfaction whenever I have the opportunity to prove people and everyone wrong that doubt me never give up on your dreams no matter how hard things may be. The end of the day no knows what you are capable of doing apart from you and they don’t know what you can or cannot handle because they are not you. You are one of the kind and you can take over the world if you believe it and nothing will stand in your way if you have that mindset and mentality!

Keep going, you beautiful Warriors!

Upcoming Statewide Drop-Ins

Enjoy the changing season with MASS!

Self care, heritage and fun await!

"Fall" in with us! We'll hate to see you "leaf"!

Sept

10

Statewide Drop-In (link)

There will be a Statewide Drop-in via Zoom on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

5:30pm - 7:00pm.

Oct

8

Statewide Drop-In (link)

There will be a Statewide Drop-in via Zoom on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

5:30pm - 7:00pm.

Oct

28

Statewide Drop-In (link)

There will be a Statewide Drop-in via Zoom on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

4:30pm - 6:00pm.

Regional and Rainbow Updates

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:

September 8

https://www.wearemass.org/events/central-regional-meeting-144



NORTHEAST

REGION

The Northeast Region meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 4:00pm - 5:30pm:

Upcoming dates:

September 16



https://www.wearemass.org/events/northeast-regional-meeting-88

METRO

REGION

The Metro Region will be meeting in-person on Wednesday, September 16th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at Beaverbrook STEP to join their game night!

We hope to see you there and meet even more new people!

Upcoming dates:

September 16

https://www.wearemass.org/events/metro-regional-meeting-74



CENTRAL

REGION

This Central Region meeting happens on the fourth Tuesday of each month over Zoom from 3:30pm - 5:30pm

Upcoming dates:

September 22

https://www.wearemass.org/events/central-regional-meeting-145

SOUTHEAST

REGION

The Southeast is planning to attend the upcoming listening sessions and Statewide Drop-Ins and the conference in October. Planning a self-advocate event in the Southeast? Contact us to collaborate by emailing us at info@wearemass.org.

RAINBOW

GROUP

If you would like to request a training or panel, please fill out information on our Training Request Form:

https://www.wearemass.org/trainings

We want to hear from you!