Education and Outreach
Transition Planning - Walmart and The Arc of The US working nationally to advance outcomes
The Arc has announced a transition project initiated through a matching grant from The Arc US and the Walmart Foundation. Read more here about the project. Through the Transition Planning Project, The Arc of Massachusetts provides information, training, and resources to individuals and families who are in the process of moving from one stage of life to another. Read more...  

The mission of our Health Care Project is to champion access to optimal health care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).  Education, outreach and policy change are components of this project. Operation House Call- a partnership with BU Medical School educating future doctors is always looking for family volunteers. Through alliances with other disability organizations, public agencies, public officials and health care systems, we will improve outcomes in regard to the healthcare needs of our population.  Read more...  

Information-Referral
The Arc of Massachusetts assists persons with disabilities and famileis connect with services through direct referral and/or connecting them with regional resources such as an affiliate, a local provider or intake office.  In addition, we assist affiliates and other agencies by connecting them with information regarding new projects, policies or regulations.

SupportBrokers.org
This outreach project hosted by The Arc, provides individuals with direct assistance in any goal of community living -- employment, social, residential, and educational. Serving persons with disabilities and elders, brokers are hired on a fee for service basis by individuals or families.  Learn more...
 

Housing and Olmstead
The Arc addresses housing issues through an ongoing project that focuses on removing barriers to implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. The Arc of Massachusetts also works collaboratively with other disability and housing organizations to advance policy. 

The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow (AHT)
The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow is a broad coalition of more than 100 organizations in Massachusetts, including The Arc, working to establish new government laws and policies that prevent harm to our health from toxic chemicals. These chemicals can cause developmental and intellectual disabilities and other serious health problems. Currently, 4.8 million children in the United States have asthma and nearly 17 percent suffer from one or more learning, behavioral, or developmental disability. Join The Arc listserve to stay informed, or visit AHT's web page to learn more about the Alliance.
Advocacy

In conjunction with local chapters and The Arc of the United States, The Arc of Massachusetts has a mission to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We accomplish this through advocacy of supports and services based in the community; education; and outreach.

Throughout its history, The Arc of Massachusetts has fought vigorously to establish, maintain, and expand services that a just society should consider basic rights. Over the past fifty years, our advocacy efforts have yielded significant results. However, advocacy for lifelong services means that our work is never done.

The Arc of Massachusetts continues to advocate for community-based supports and services through contact with key administration and legislative officials, joint activities with other organizations, and the distribution of materials to grassroots members. The Arc, supported by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, is working to collect information for policy-makers on the level of need faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Join The Arc in advocating for community-based supports and services! Take action now or visit our Advocacy/Self-Advocacy page to learn more.
 

Our Health Care Project also has an advocacy component.  Read more...  

 
Services at The Arc
The mission of The Arc of Massachusetts is to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We accomplish this through advocacy of community-based supports and services, education, and outreach.  In Massachusetts, there are 17 chapters which advocate on behalf of their constituents in addition to a range of services within each region of the state.  We also work closely with The Arc on a national basis to advance positive policies and best practices. 
 
If you are in immediate search of services or information use these links.    Local chapters of The Arc