For the second year running, MASILC has assembled a report about the state of Massachusetts’s affordable, accessible housing shortage. The report features data from the Housing Navigator, and personal stories about the impact of the shortage from consumers of the Massachusetts Independent Living Centers.
From the report: “There is a growing need for housing units that serve Massachusetts’ aging and disabled populations. With the actual cost difference between standard and accessible housing units being negligible, creating more accessible affordable housing will allow people with disabilities to live in the communities of their choice, elders to age in place, and communities to benefit.”
The 2025 MA Independent Living Conference was held on September 16.
The conference is geared towards staff from the 10 Independent Living Centers and appointed members of the Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council.
Welcome by MASILC Chair Nancy Garr-Colzie and Vice Chair Desiree Forte
Commissioner John Oliveira, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)
Commissioner Opeoluwa Sotonwa, Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
Deputy Commissioner Kate Biebel, MassAbility
Commissioner John OliveiraOpeoluwa Sotonwa, John Oliveira and Kate BiebelCommissioner Opeoluwa SotonwaCommissioner Opeoluwa SotonwaDeputy Commissioner Kate BiebelNancy Garr-Colzie and Desiree Forte
10:15 am: Workshop Session I
11:30 am: Lunch & Keynote by Jessica Podesva, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
1:00 pm: Workshop Session II
2:30 pm: Closing Session: Reflect & Connect led by Noel Sanders, Senior Community Organizer at Boston Center for Independent Living and Benji Kemper, Community Organizer, Center for Living & Working
Participants will have the opportunity to attend one workshop in each session.
Workshop Session I
Supporting People in Times of Mental Health Crisis
Supporting someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis can be challenging, especially when systems feel complex or disempowering. This presentation will explore ways to support people navigating mental health crisis – before, during, and after it happens – with a focus on autonomy and self-determination. We’ll start by unpacking what “crisis” can mean from different perspectives. We’ll also introduce tools that people can use before a crisis that can help them retain some control and communicate preferences, and then explore key supports that people can access during times of crisis. We’ll also share practical strategies for responding supportively in the moment.
Bridging the Gap: Tools, Perspectives, and Collaborative Solutions for Affordable & Accessible Housing in Massachusetts
Presenters: Victoria Decker, Community Manager, Housing Navigator MA and Jordan Stocker, Senior Policy Associate, CHAPA
This engaging presentation will equip attendees with practical knowledge and tools to address the urgent need for affordable and accessible housing in Massachusetts. Led by co-presenters Victoria Decker of Housing Navigator MA and Jordan Stocker of CHAPA, this session goes beyond theory to provide actionable insights and real-world solutions for our state. We’ll review how we get here, and then explore the housing data, access, and production that are vital to our path forward. We’ll conclude with updates from the ILC Housing Working Group efforts and invite you to engage in a collaborative dialogue on ways to plug in. This is your chance to share perspectives, discuss challenges, and contribute to collective strategies that will help bridge the gap for folks across the Commonwealth.
Culturally Responsive Engagement for Authentic Connection with Families and Young Adults
Our presentation introduces some best practice approaches to build culturally responsive engagement with families and addresses culturally specific stigma about disability that support professionals may face when working with diverse families.
Presenters: Dara Sok, Rebecca Davis and Debora Curella from the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
Authentic engagement between families/young adults and the professionals supporting them is the key to positive life outcomes for young adults with disabilities. Bias, miscommunication, and lack of information about cultural differences can be obstacles to authentic engagement. FCSN, the MA Statewide Family Engagement Center, developed a Family Engagement Framework with the input and guidance of a 500 member coalition (including 11 state agencies, various sectors, and Education and Health and Human Services secretaries). Our outreach team members have lived experience as families of youth with disabilities and provide authentic voices on disability stigma in their communities.
Our presentation introduces some best practice approaches to build culturally responsive engagement with families and addresses culturally specific stigma about disability that support professionals may face when working with diverse families.
Dispelling Myths: SSI, SSDI and Work
Presenter: Brian Forsythe, Work Without Limits
This workshop will review the basics of disability benefits offered by the Social Security Administration for individuals with disabilities, such as SSI and SSDI, including eligibility requirements, major differences between the two programs, and the effect of work income on these benefits. We will also review and discuss some of the most common myths associated with working while receiving Social Security and other public benefits. Finally, we will establish that work is possible while receiving disability benefits, and review some of the community resources available to assist individuals to transition to work while successfully managing their benefits.
Keynote
Jessica Podesva, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
Jessica Podesva, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
Workshop Session II
Preventing and Managing Workplace Stress
Presenter: Meghan Chapman, Federation for Children with Special Needs
Imagining that we can do the work of supporting people in crisis and not feeling stress is like believing we can walk through water and not get wet. Let’s explore ways we can better prevent and manage workplace stress: setting and maintaining boundaries with consumers and colleagues; using self-compassion and mindfulness practices; and knowing where you can turn for mental health support.
Successful transportation advocacy: working with Regional Transit Authorities
Presenters: Sally English, Executive Director, AdLib and Valerie Pease, Advocate, AdLib, and Emi Bailey, AdLib
During the planning process for the FY 2025-2027 State Plan for Independent Living, CIL leaders identified the need for more cross-state collaboration within the disability community on transportation advocacy goals to make systemic change in accessibility in MA’s fractured transportation system (a Boston-area system plus 15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs)). CIL leaders planned to increase the capacity of the CIL network to maximize transportation advocacy by forming a new statewide coalition focused on advancing accessible, affordable transportation.
From Questions to Confidence: Navigating Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
Presenters: Sarah Wiles and Naomi Goldberg, Client Assistance Program at Massachusetts Office on Disability
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is an independent and confidential resource, which helps people understand and use vocational rehabilitation (VR) and independent living (IL) services. CAP can explain what Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Independent Living (IL) services are. CAP can also work with people to make sure they are making the most of these services to get, keep, and advance in employment. This workshop is for people with disabilities applying for or currently receiving Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services (sometimes called Career Services), their families, and anyone else interested to learn how VR works. During this workshop, participants will learn what VR is and how it works, why the employment goal and the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) are so important, simple tips for moving through the VR process, and how the Client Assistance Program supports individuals in the VR program.
From Stigma to Strength: Supporting Youth in Disability Advocacy
Presenters: Mertine Holland, Employment Coordinator for Youth with Disabilities, BCIL and (pictured left) Sophie Korpics, Community Advocate, NILP
This workshop covered the barriers to youth and young adults with disabilities engaging in self- advocacy, how media influences the way young people see themselves, and how we can build allyship that truly empowers youth with disabilities.
Reflect & Connect
For the last activity of the day, participants were asked to sit with different people. Noel Sanders, Senior Community Organizer at Boston Center for Independent Living and Benji Kemper, Community Organizer, Center for Living & Working, led the activity, where participants discussed their experiences of disability community and within the Independent Living network.
Disability Policy ConsortiumMassachusetts Law Reform Institute / Civil Legal Aid for Victims of CrimeBrain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA)Aging Service Access Point (Springwell)Disability Law CenterNew England ADA CenterREquipmentMy OmbudsmanMassachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)Easterseals MassachusettsMassachusetts Behavioral Health HelplineNAMI MassachusettsFederation for Children with Special NeedsPCA Workforce CouncilHousing Navigator MAHealth & Disability Program, Department of Public HealthMassAbilityWork Without LimitsMassachusetts Office on Disability
Attendees celebrated 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act! Activities included hiking, kayaking, swimming, listening to the Tommy Filiault Band and hanging out with friends. Delicious sandwiches and drinks were provided.
Friday, August 1, 2025 Dunn Pond State Park 289 Pearl St, Gardner, MA 01440
Sandy, Kay, and LindaHeidi (SCIL) and Sadie (MWCIL)Tommy Filiault BandTommy Filiault BandAndrea (left) and friendErin and Brittney (MWCIL)Tammy (former BOD MWCIL)Tammy (former BOD MWCIL)Steve and AnnaDan (MWCIL)DCR staffHeidi and others from SCILNew England ADA Center1199 SEIU tableAliza (MASILC) and SandyPaul, Benji, Mary-Kate, and Desi My Ombudsman tablePaul, Sadie, Benji, Mary-Kate and Desi Jeff (MWCIL)Susan (MWCIL)MWCIL Staff and BODSteve and AnnaDCR staffSam and LawrenceSadie and Amanda (MWCIL)ColleenLou and Dan (MWCIL)Desi and PatrickMatt (CEO at NILP)CLW peopleSadie and SteveSadie (right)CLW staffEasterSeals MA StaffKay (MWCIL BOD) (left)TammyDCR staff
Independent Living Education Day was held on Wednesday, April 2nd in the Great Hall at the State House.
Speakers included:
MCs: Nancy Garr-Colzie and Desi Forte, Chair and Vice Chair of the SILC
Jessica Podesva, NCIL
Senator Robyn Kennedy
Representative Christine Barber
Jim Wice, Boston Self Help Center
Representative Lindsay Sabadosa
Destiny Maxam of the Disability Policy Consortium
Representative Jim O’Day
Representative Mindy Domb
Andrea Freeman, Transportation for Massachusetts
Nataly Barrato, Easter Seals
Rosa Rodriguez, Director of Home and Community Life at Mass Ability
Steve Higgins, Independence Associates and Clerk of the SILC
Photos by Jason Montgomery from STAVROS (with some contributions by Sadie Simone).
MCs: Nancy Garr-Colzie and Desi Forte, Chair and Vice Chair of the SILCJessica Podesva, NCILNancy Garr-ColzieRepresentative Robyn KennedyRepresentative Robyn KennedySenator Robyn KennedySenator Robyn KennedyRepresentative Christine BarberRepresentative Christine BarberRepresentative Christine BarberRepresentative Christine BarberDesi ForteJim Wice, Boston Self Help CenterRepresentative Christine BarberJim Wice, Boston Self Help CenterRepresentative Lindsay SabadosaDestiny Maxam of the Disability Policy ConsortiumRepresentative Jim O’DayRepresentative Mindy DombRepresentative Mindy DombRepresentative Mindy DombRepresentative Mindy DombAndrea Freeman, Transportation for MassachusettsAndrea Freeman, Transportation for MassachusettsNataly Barrato, Easter SealsNataly Barrato and Sam Gomez, Easter SealsRosa Rodriguez, Director of Home and Community Life at Mass AbilityRosa Rodriguez, Director of Home and Community Life at Mass AbilitySteve Higgins, Independence Associates and Clerk of the SILCIndependence Associates staff
In the summer and fall of 2024, MASILC gathered stories from consumers and staff from the Massachusetts Independent Living Centers about accessible affordable housing in the State.
July 26, 2021 marks 31 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act. MASILC marked the anniversary of signing of this landmark Civil Rights legislation with a virtual celebration on July 23. The 2021 Celebration was online only.
Agenda
Hosts: Maya Evohr and Cody Rooney
Welcome – Sadie Simone MASILC Coordinator
ADA Top 10 Video: Jake Quinn
Past Present and Future Interview: Austin Carr and Executive, Director of Mass Office on Disability Mary Mahon McCauley
Dance video: Katlyn Flaherty
Therapy Animals video: Emily Pacheco
CIL Panel Discussion on Anti- Racism: Taciana Ribeiro-Saab and Cecilia Nuñez
Visual Art: Erin McWalters
Poetry: Gigi Joseph
Closing remarks
Music Submission: Leon Legacy featuring Trevor Huntly
The welcoming presentations were by MA state disability commissioners.
Commissioner John Oliveira, MA Comm for the Blind (MCB)
Commissioner Opeoluwa Sotonwa, MA Comm for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
General Counsel Molly Karp for MassAbility
The lunchtime Keynote speaker was Carmen Rosado from Stavros CIL.
The closing speaker, Dominque Dunford, ED from ENDependence Center Northern VA (ECNV) spoke about “A CIL’s Journey Toward Greater Equity and Inclusion.”
Dominique shared why ECNV uses an equity and justice lens to guide its work serving people with disabilities throughout the Northern Virginia region and how it has embarked on setting a new path forward in its three-plus-year journey toward that mission. She shared best practices, insights, and pitfalls on their tough but rewarding journey.
Nancy and David (MASILC)Aliza (MASILC)Commissioner OliveiraCommissioner OliveiraCommissioner SotonwaCommissioner SotonwaCounsel Molly KarpBill Henning (BCIL)Basil and Carmen (STAVROS)Carmen (STAVROS)Nancy and Steve (MASILC)Dominque (ECNV)
Workshops
Participants attended one workshop per session
Workshop Session I
From Awareness to Action: Addressing Disability Stigma in Youth Engagement
Presenters: Danielle Daughtry, Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) Transition Coordinator, Maddie Evans, FCSN’s Youth Engagement Coordinator, and Matthew Tricca, FCSN Youth Advisory Board member
This presentation will address the topic of disability disclosure – a very personal decision that can vary depending on the environment and an individual’s need for support. We will talk about the pros and cons of disability disclosure, how to approach disclosing a disability, and how to address challenges that may arise afterwards.
Transportation Advocacy Roundtable
Presenters:
Jen Healy, Quaboag Connector
Tara Lynne Southard and Kay Schoucair, Boston Center for Independent Living
Carmen Rosado, Stavros
Alexis Walls, MA Public Health Association
Advocates for affordable and accessible transportation will share advocacy victories and ongoing campaigns. Learn how you can be part of systems change for more accessible and affordable transportation in Massachusetts.
Peer Support for Mental Health Well-being
Presenters: Gabriel Fonseca, Director and Rachely Ramos, Operations Manager, Northeast Independent Living Program’s Recovery Learning Center
This presentation will dive into the importance of peer support and how it impacts meaningful connections that lead to mental well-being. An overview of peer support will be discussed, along with the resources available to promote such practices with the end goal of incorporating such benefits into the workforce.
Nuts & Bolts of Housing Search
Presenters: Andy Forman, Independent Living Public Benefits Advocate, Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) and Gabriella Lukas, Consumer Records Specialist, BCIL
Limited access to adequate housing especially impacts persons with disabilities who are often low-income and in need of specific accommodations. BCIL’s monthly Housing Workshop hosted by Andy Forman and Gabriella Lukas is designed to educate consumers on how to conduct their own searches for affordable and accessible housing. Come to this session to learn about the structure of the BCIL Housing Workshop and review the nuts and bolts of housing search for ILC consumers including:
The types of affordable and accessible housing available in Massachusetts (including state and federal voucher programs)
Tips for communicating with housing authorities and landlords
How to request reasonable accommodations for disabilities
From Awareness to Action: Addressing Disability Stigma in Youth EngagementFrom Awareness to Action: Addressing Disability Stigma in Youth EngagementFrom Awareness to Action: Addressing Disability Stigma in Youth EngagementFrom Awareness to Action: Addressing Disability Stigma in Youth EngagementTransportation Advocacy RoundtableTransportation Advocacy RoundtableTransportation Advocacy RoundtablePeer Support for Mental Health Well-beingPeer Support for Mental Health Well-beingPeer Support for Mental Health Well-beingNuts & Bolts of Housing SearchNuts & Bolts of Housing Search
Workshop Session II
Storytelling for the Independent Living Movement
Presenter: Benji Kemper, Community Organizer, Center for Living & Working
Experience the power of personal storytelling as a tool to connect with others and for advocacy in your community. Practice telling your personal story and learn about your colleagues as you share what motivates you to be part of the independent living movement during this interactive session.
Mindfulness for Everyday Living
Presenters: Lori-Ann Tessier, BA, Sociology, MA, Child Life & Susan Buchholz, BS, Human Services, Executive Director, HeartWell Institute
Mindfulness bridges the practices of meditation and compassion by fostering awareness and nurturing a deep sense of empathy towards oneself and others. Research underscores the capacity and transformative power of mindfulness to not only manage stress and enhance job satisfaction but also to cultivate a proactive, resilient and adaptive approach to the stressors of everyday life.
This presentation will dive into what hazards we face from natural and man-made disasters, how to prepare ourselves, and how to help others in our community prepare. This presentation will help those wanting to provide a preparedness presentation to others, including tools to create a plan and a kit.
Resources for Transition Aged Youth: Panel Discussion
Presenters
Erin Basler, Youth Services Coordinator, MetroWest Center for Independent Living
Anne Marie Rivers and Brandy Eder, Department of Developmental Services
Steve Michelson, Northeast Independent Living Program
Mike Dolan and Ken Davol, School-Based Transition Aged Services (TAS) at Keefe Technical High School
Transition Age Youth (TAY) have A LOT going on. For disabled students facing a drastic shift in how they use support services, this is often described as a cliff. However, with preparation and practice, TAY gain tools to navigate the change and direct their path into adulthood. Join a panel of professionals to learn the differences between Youth and Adult services, specific transition resources, and discuss how CILs can facilitate a smooth journey from youth to adult services.
Disability Community workshop Storytelling for the Independent Living MovementMindfulness for Every Day LivingDisaster Preparedness for the Disability CommunityResources for Transition Aged Youth: Panel Discussion
Conference Exhibitors
AhoiDignity AllianceDisability Law CenterEasterseals MAExec Off of Elder Affairs and SpringwellFederation for Children with Special NeedsMass PCA DirectoryMA Comm for the Deaf and Hard of HearingMA Dept of TransportationMA Office on DisabilityMassAbilityMy OmbudsmanPlanned Lifetime Assistance Network of MA and RI,Special Needs CompaniesWork Without Limits
This fall we listened to the input of people with disabilities (along with their families, friends, and service providers) from across Massachusetts to develop the new State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).
The SPIL is a plan for how the state’s independent living programs and services will meet the independent living needs of people with disabilities in the state for the next three years.
This winter, we drafted the SPIL, and this spring, we’re sharing our work and receiving comments. There are two opportunities to comment:
Our celebration of the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act was August 2, 2024 at Dunn Pond State Park in Gardner. We had not celebrated here since 2019. Even though it was another hot day, everyone had a great time!
Waypoint Adventure (hiking), All Out Adventures (kayaking) and DCR Universal Access Program partnered to supply accessible chairs and guides for hiking, as well as kayaking for anyone who wanted to go. Look at the smile on Tammy’s face in the photos if you want to know what that means.
Tommy Filiault Band entertained us all afternoon! We have enjoyed their music in Gardner since at least 2011!
Meg and Nicole from CLW DCR Staff DCR TableWaypoint Adventure My Ombudsman United Healthcare Table United Healthcare Joe (Easterseals MA and MWCIL Board), David (MWCIL) and Aliza ( MASILC) Tempus table Janna and Dan (MWCIL) Janna and Dan (MWCIL) NILP staff Tommy Filiault Band SCIL staff Nancy and CathyMarcy – UAP Program Manager (DCR) Tommy Filiault Band
two womenDavid (MWCIL) and Nancy (MASILC)Meg (CLW) and Aliza (MASILC)
Rose and Erin (MWCIL)Sadie (MWCIL) and Matt (NILP)CLW Staff
