Our Advocacy

Over the last several years, our advocacy team has achieved important policy victories. Some of those victories include winning the right to fresh air for people in mental health facilities; staving off cuts to homecare and paratransit that would have forced thousands of people into nursing homes against their will; and leading a campaign that, since 2013, has more than tripled the state's investment in providing affordable housing to people with disabilities—from $3.45 million to $12.5 million.

At present, in addition to pandemic-related work, we are fighting to make housing more accessible and affordable, to protect disabled parents from systemic discrimination in the family law system, and to make access to durable medical equipment like power wheelchairs more equitable.

Changing Policy

Legislative Access & Inclusion Agenda

DPC Advocacy is leading efforts on bills and budget items for Fiscal Year 2025 and for the 2023-24 legislative session. Focusing on these items will help drive accessibility improvements for Massachusetts residents in terms of housing, health care provisions, and more.

Agencies

Are you an agency looking for Disability DEI training or consultation? We can help. See our Disability DEI page for more details and pricing.

Commissions On Disability Alliance (CODA)

Many towns and cities in Massachusetts have a Commission On Disability (COD). Commissions on Disability promote the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities in the community’s activities, services and employment opportunities. The alliance is a group of COD members from across the state that meet monthly to share advice, mentorship, commiseration, and coordination.

Media Opportunities

Featured
Make Your Budget Priorities Heard!

State Representatives are currently working on the House's version of the budget for the next year, and the Senate will start soon. We have to tell them what funding our communities need!

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Hearing Thursday on Housing Bill!

The Affordable Housing Act is THE housing bill of the session. Governor Healey wrote it as an overarching bill that will touch all parts of the housing landscape in Massachusetts. We’re asking for improvements to the bill. Please consider writing testimony or signing up to testify in-person.

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National Disability Rights Network is Seeking Interview Participants with Disabilities in MA, NH, SC, and DC!

From the National Disability Rights Network: "We are seeking to speak with voters in MA, NH, SC, and the DC metro area for a project showcasing the power of our votes."

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Latest Advocacy Updates

Featured
Advocacy
Personal Emergency Preparedness Plan
Advocacy

Cities and town governments are responsible for planning and responding to a disaster. Individuals should also prepare themselves, their families, and their caregivers. We offer guidance on what to think about, record, and practice to complete your emergency preparedness plan.

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Advocacy
Advocacy
FY24 Budget Goals for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program and Accessible Affordable Housing Grants
Advocacy

People with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be homeless as their nondisabled peers. Together, AHVP and AAHG help solve the urgent issue of homelessness and institutionalization in the disability community by creating more accessible homes and helping people pay for them.

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Advocacy
Advocacy, Legislation
H.2291/S.1553: Building a More Accessible Massachusetts and Expanding the Availability of Adaptable Housing for People With Disabilities and Seniors
Advocacy, Legislation

This bill ensures more accessible housing units and workplaces are available in the state by bringing such buildings under the purview of the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (AAB) when newly built or when major renovations take place.

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Advocacy, Legislation

Donate to DPC today.

Your donation will support grassroots organizing and community-based research that makes our state a more accessible and inclusive place.