We were honored to convene our second “Meeting the Moment” community conversation and resource fair today at UMass Lowell, in partnership with MassAbility. This gathering brought together individuals with disabilities, families, advocates, providers, and state partners to engage in meaningful dialogue and share lived experiences across key issues impacting our communities.
What stood out most were the voices in the room and on zoom. As one participant shared, “communication access isn’t a luxury. It’s not a favor. It’s a foundation.” And as another reminded us, “we have to do better.” We are grateful to everyone who showed up, shared openly, and helped shape this conversation. Your voices are critical in informing the work ahead.
We are deeply grateful to the University of Massachusetts Lowell and all the organizations who showed up, partnered with us, and made today’s gathering possible.
Read more in our full press release: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-permanent-commission-on-the-status-of-persons-with-disabilities-continues-meeting-the-moment-series-in-lowell-in-partnership-with-massability
We’re just a few days away from Meeting the Moment Lowell, and there’s still time to be part of the conversation! This is your opportunity to share your voice and help shape conversations around the issues that matter most to people with disabilities across Massachusetts, whether it’s employment, access to services, digital accessibility, workforce supports, or health equity. Learn more and register here: Mass.Gov/MBY/MTM-March
Meet the Organizations! We are excited to bring together a wide range of organizations, advocates, and community partners for Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair at UMass Lowell on March 27th. These organizations are working across Massachusetts to expand access to services, resources, and opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with organizations, learn about available programs and supports, and explore ways to engage with community partners.
Interested in hosting an organization table? We are currently at capacity for resource tables, but we welcome organizations to join our waitlist in case space becomes available. If you would like to be considered, please indicate your interest on the registration form, and we will follow up if an opportunity opens.
Registration link: Mass.Gov/MBY/MTM-March
There's still time to join us for Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair on March 27 at UMass Lowell!
We’re grateful for the many organizations who will be joining us to share resources and connect with community members, including:
Brain Injury Association of America Massachusetts
Cambiando el mundo De personas con Discapacidad
Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
Adult Foster Care of the North Shore
Housing Navigator Massachusetts, Inc
Run the Gamut
Neurodiversity Center for Excellence at Curry College
Institute for Community Inclusion
Northeast Independent Living Program
Northeast Arc Autism Support Center
Work Without Limits
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission
Massachusetts Office on Disability
Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office
We look forward to bringing our community together to share resources, build connections, and strengthen collaboration.
Learn more and register: Mass.Gov/MBY/MTM-March
For those unable to attend in person, materials and resources shared at the event will be made available on our events page.
Join us for Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair on Friday, March 27 from 11am to 2pm at UMass Lowell University Crossing and on Zoom.
This is the second gathering in our statewide series, hosted in partnership with @massability_ma , to listen and learn directly from individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, advocates, service providers, and community leaders.
The conversation will focus on digital accessibility, education and transition from school to employment, workforce supports development, and long-term services and supports and health equity.
Two ways to participate:
Share remarks during the Community Conversation (11:30am-12:30pm). Community members who would like to speak are asked to submit written remarks in advance by March 23 at [email protected]. (Hybrid)
Participate in the Resource Fair (1pm-2pm)
Organizations interested in hosting a shared table are encouraged to register. Space is limited, and participation will be confirmed after registration. (In-Person)
Learn more and register in the link in the bio!
We are pleased to share our FY25 Annual Report! The report highlights our work to advance equity, inclusion, and opportunity for people with disabilities across the Commonwealth, with a focus on employment, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity.
Key themes from this year's report include:
- Growing statewide engagement through public meetings, subcommittee work, and thematic events.
- Expanded outreach to employers using our Disability Inclusive Workplaces video and resource guide.
- Ongoing challenges in the direct care and human services workforce, health equity, and employment gaps. - New initiatives, including the Meeting the Moment community conversations series and the launch of the Commission's Advisory Council.
We are grateful to the community members, partner organizations, and state agencies whose collaboration made this work possible.
Special thanks to Gateway Arts . The artwork featured in the report was created by artists with disabilities.
Read the FY25 Annual Report here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/2025-mcspd-annual-report-version-2/download
Alt text: Cover of the FY25 Annual Report from the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, featuring the State House Hall of Flags with flags and a large clock, dated October 2025.
This week, we were honored to be highlighted at "Meeting the Moment," an event hosted by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities to bring communities together to Convene, Collaborate, and Communicate for access and inclusion. 🗣️
Our Community Manager, Tori Decker, shared testimony on the importance of supporting initiatives that prioritize detailed accessibility data collection–and getting the data into the hands of housing developers. Our ultimate vision is a world in which everyone has the information and equitable access they need to find a secure, affordable home they love—granting every renter the dignity they deserve. 🔎
After hearing a variety of individuals and organizations testify, we enjoyed getting to meet and hear from attendees and other folks in this space at the first of many resource fairs that will be hosted across the state.
👉 Read the full press release here: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-permanent-commission-on-the-status-of-persons-with-disabilities-launches-meeting-the-moment-series-in-needham
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Needham for Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair, the first event in our new statewide Meeting the Moment series!
This event created space for meaningful dialogue among people with disabilities, families, advocates, and leaders from across Massachusetts. By coming together to Convene, Collaborate, and Communicate, we’re ensuring that every voice is heard and that our shared work reflects the real experiences of our communities.
Your participation reminds us of what’s possible when we work collectively to advance inclusion, accessibility, and belonging across the Commonwealth.
Read the full press release here: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-permanent-commission-on-the-status-of-persons-with-disabilities-launches-meeting-the-moment-series-in-needham
Today, Commissioners Gyasi Burks-Abbott and Kathleen Petkauskos , together with Erin Weinman, Vice President of MicroTek-Cables (our inaugural NDEAM Small to Mid-Size Employer Awardee!), presented at the Massachusetts APSE Employment Matters Conference. Special thanks to Commissioner Rachel Stanton for ensuring the presentation was designed with accessibility in mind, and to Commissioner Nancy Garr-Colzie for joining us in support.
The Employment Matters Conference brings together job coaches, professionals, and advocates who share a deep commitment to inclusive employment, helping individuals with disabilities access meaningful job opportunities and the supports they need to thrive.
We were also inspired by keynote speaker Andy Arias, a disability program manager, policy professional, actor, and producer with extensive experience in national initiatives. Andy reminded us of the power of perspective, saying:
"I use disability as an asset. When I meet with employers, I tell them this: I guarantee you, you don’t have an employee like me at the table. And if you want to get better, make more money, you need somebody like me in the boardroom."
His message to job coaches:"Start putting systems in place where people see disability as an asset, not a deficit. It’s that flipping of the script that changes everything."
Thank you to MA APSE Board President Jeff Gentry and Secretary Elyse Forbush for having us present at this year's conference!
You can access the Commission's presentation here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/ma-apse-strength-in-support-presentation/download
Meet organizations represented at our Meeting the Moment: A Community Hearing and Resource Fair event on November 4th. Learn more and register here: https://www.mass.gov/news/meeting-the-moment-a-community-hearing-and-resource-fair
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities' Disability Employment Subcommittee is proud to participate in this year’s Massachusetts APSE Employment Matters! Partners in Progress Conference.
Join Subcommittee Co-Chair Gyasi Burks-Abbott , Member Kathleen Petkauskos, and 2023 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Employer Award Recipient Erin Weinman, Vice President at @microtek_cables MicroTek, Inc., for the workshop "Strength in Support: Tools, Resources, and a Call to Action for Disability Employment."
This year's conference will bring together more than 150 professionals and advocates dedicated to advancing disability employment initiatives across the Commonwealth. Learn more and register here: https://www.mass.gov/news/disability-employment-subcommittee-joins-ma-apse-2025-employment-matters-conference
Meeting the Moment is now hybrid! Join in person at Needham Town Hall or on zoom on Tuesday, Nov 4, from 5 to 7pm. Access resources and hear first-hand from the disability community. There's still time to register. Link in bio!
