26th Annual MASS Self-Advocacy Conference
Your Ideas Still Count and So Do You
Join us for a day of advocacy, friendship, and fun! Learn from your peers, network with fellow self-advocates, and be a part of a movement of self-advocates saying our ideas still count and so do we!
Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 10am - 5pm
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel
181 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, MA 02023
Early bird registration through Sunday, September 8th, 2024. Registration closes completely on Friday, October 11. No walk-ins, you must register to attend. Questions, or need to pay another way? Email info@wearemass.org for more information.
Buy tickets now!
Early bird special!
Save $10 when you register by Sunday, September 8!
Regular Registration
Regular-price tickets are $60. Register by Friday, October 11.
What’s on the Schedule
Keynote Speaker
Jonathan Gardner
Jonathan Gardner is a 21year old Advocate dedicated to championing disability rights at both the state and national levels. A homeschool graduate and cancer survivor who happens to have Autism. Jonathan serves as an Official Ambassador for Operation House Call through the Arc of Massachusetts. He is also a Flutie Fellow for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Supported Decision-Making Coalition, a board member of Massachusetts Advocates for Children, and a Council Member of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Since the age of 13, Jonathan has been driven by a strong vision to help others, advocating so everyone can live their best lives.
Music by Sister Funk
Sister Funk - are they funk? Nope! What are they? They are a rock-country, folk-pop band based out of New Haven, CT who has been sharing national stages with acts like: Mellissa Etheridge, B52s, Foreigner, ZZ Top for close to 20 years.
Did you say 20 years? Yes this group has been to therapy and back to keep their high energy show going all these years.
2022 brought their 6th full-length independent CD release to the masses. Tracks off this new CD Wings To Fly are eclectic, more raw then their pervious releases and include some solid country-rock tunes such as Ride With Me & Life On The Road and some funky-blues-rock tunes like Want What I Want and It Ain't You. Their song “This American Life” a patriotic anthem won honorable mention in both the Freedom song category and best video category in the 2023 songwriters association of Washington DC (SAW) contest.
Over the past 24 years, Sister Funk has been nominated for many other awards and accolades: Best Rock band- Advocate, Best Rock Song- New England Music and has had their song Gone featured on Sirius Out Q radio #1 for 15 consecutive weeks.
Sister Funk performances are known for being unpredictable, members playing multiple instruments and featuring medleys of their favorite cover songs played with their own creative interpretation. Don't be fooled by the name funk is just a small piece of what to expect from this dynamic band who plays something for everyone
Raffle
Buy your tickets during the conference and try to win a prize!
Prizes include gift cards to restaurants across Massachusetts, vouchers for bowling and mini-golf, tickets to sports events and theaters, and so much more!
The MASS Conference is made possible by our generous sponsors!
Grow Sponsors
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Advocates
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Pathways for Change
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Vinfen
Build Sponsors
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Beaverbrook STEP, Inc
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Delta Projects
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The Guild for Human Services
Develop Sponsors
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Bay Cove Human Services
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Road to Responsibility, Inc
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Sunshine Village
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The Arc of Bristol County
Food Options
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Turkey and Swiss on Baguette
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Tuna Salad on Baguette
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Chickpea Salad (Gluten-Free and Vegan)
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A blended meal
Past Conferences
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25th Anniversary Gala & Self-Advocacy Conference
MASS celebrated its 25 year anniversary with the 2023 gala and self-advocacy conference! Our keynote speaker was Marissa Pike, an EMT who is on the Autism Spectrum and who is a fierce self-advocate. Read more about our speakers and workshops by clicking the button below.
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Annual Conference 2022
In 2022, self-advocates made their ideas count with keynote speaker Max Barrows of the Green Mountain Self-Advocates. You can watch the workshops and learn more by going to the Annual Conference 2022 page.
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Annual Conference 2021
In 2021, Liz Weintraub, Senior Advocacy Specialist at AUCD, spoke to self-advocates during a conference full of learning and fun. Watch her speech as well as the workshops on the Annual Conference 2021 page.
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Award Descriptions
Award nominations are due by Friday, September 20th, 2024.
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The Janet Laperle Encouragement Award
One for All of Massachusetts
The Janet Laperle Encouragement Award was established in 2021 and is given each year to one person who is seen as a mentor that encourages other self-advocates to reach their goals in advocating for their needs. They should embody the spirit, leadership, and encouraging nature of Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong’s former Chairperson Janet Laperle. Janet was loved by many because she was genuinely interested in helping people advocate and reach their goals. She was a friend to anyone and everyone.
To nominate someone they must be:
A leader and mentor in the self-advocacy movement who has the ability to guide and encourage other people to be strong self-advocates.
A person who you see as someone who is not only a leader in Massachusetts, but also someone who spends time mentoring and encouraging other self-advocates.
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The Craig Smith Spirit Award
One for All of Massachusetts
The Craig Smith Spirit Award is given each year to one person who embodies the spirit and leadership of M.A.S.S. founder Craig Smith. Craig was loved by many because he was genuinely interested in helping people to stand up for themselves. He was a friend to anyone and everyone.
To nominate someone they must be:
A leader in the self-advocacy movement who has the ability to bring people together on issue(s) and get results.
A person who you see as someone who is a leader in Massachusetts.
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The Gunnar Dybwad Supporter Award
One For Each Region
The Gunnar Dybwad Supporter Award is given each year to a supporter who listens to and empowers self-advocates. Gunnar was a tireless advocate and self-advocate. He is known for his work in disability advocacy, including advocating for complete integration and providing every self-advocate with access to their communities.
To nominate someone for this award they must be a:
a supporter to a self-advocacy group in your region
a supporter who consistently brings issues of concern to you and your group
a supporter who has helped you take action on an issue
a supporter who listens to the self-advocates and follows through on their decisions
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The Nancy Maynard Leadership Award
One For Each Region
The Nancy Maynard Leadership Award was created in 2000 to honor Nancy Maynard. Nancy was known for her strong advocacy and relentless efforts to secure services for the individuals living at home with aging parents. She served a number of years on DDS’s North Shore Area Office’s Advisory Board and spoke regularly to the students at North Shore Community College.
To nominate someone for this leadership award they must be:
a self-advocate
part of your region
a leader who has taken action on an issue(s)
a person who provides leadership to those around them
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The Judi Roger Mentorship Award
One for All of Massachusetts
The Judi Rodger Mentorship Award was established in 2022 in honor of MASS Co-Founder Judi Roger. Judi was a fierce self-advocate who also worked with the Brookline group, Mass Self-Advocates. Judi worked as hard for others as she did to advocate for herself, serving on many committees and boards and mentoring numerous self-advocates. Judi was a proud election worker and loved her job as the receptionist at the Greater Boston Arc. She received the Craig Smith Leadership Award in 2018. As Judi would say, “Love, love, love, everywhere!”
To nominate someone they must be:
A leader and mentor in the self-advocacy movement who has the ability to guide and encourage other people to be strong self-advocates.
A person who you see as someone who is not only a leader in Massachusetts, but also someone who spends time mentoring and encouraging other self-advocates.
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The John Gibbons Rainbow Group of the Year
One for All of Massachusetts
The John Gibbons Rainbow Group of the Year Award was established in 2022 in honor of John Gibbons. John was employed as a program director at both Alternatives Unlimited and the Kennedy Donovan Center in Milford. His career was dedicated to working and advocating for adults with developmental disabilities. John Gibbons was one of the first people to help Pauline Bosma get the first Rainbow Group started in Massachusetts. This award is given to a Rainbow Group in MA that has done a great job having groups and events that bring together LGBTQ+ people with disabilities.
To nominate a group it must be...
A support, social, and/or advocacy group for LGBTQ+ people with disabilities in Massachusetts
A group that has had online or in-person events within the last year that bring together LGBTQ+ people with disabilities
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The Alfred "Big Al" Daigle LGBTQ+ Community Support Award
One for All of Massachusetts
The Big Al LGBTQ+ Community Support Award was established in 2022 in honor of Alfred ‘Big Al’ Daigle. Al was a great supporter who made sure the members of his Rainbow Support Group could go to LGBTQ+ events. Before Big Al passed away, he gave Pauline Bosma a Rainbow bracelet to show his support for her groups. This award is for a self-advocate or supporter who is LGBTQ+ or an ally and who has shown leadership and promise supporting LGBTQ+ people with I/DD.
To nominate someone they must be:
a self-advocate or supporter who helps LGBTQ+ people to be their true selves
an LGBTQ+ person or an ally who has been a leader in supporting LGBTQ+ people with IDD
Why Support MASS?
Here are just a few of the things we do. Your support will help these programs and so much more.
Legislative Advocacy
MASS has a robust legislative advocacy program. Our members have testified at the State House many times and continue to be active leaders on legal issues. Your support means more work on legislative matters and laws that change lives.
Regional Meetings
Our coordinators and self-advocates meet across the Commonwealth to put self-advocacy into action. Your support will help our coordinators and regional leaders provide even more opportunities for self-advocate involvement.
Trainings
MASS offers trainings by self-advocates, such as our Explore, Prepare, Act (EPA) employment training, Awareness and Action (A&A) training, and trainings for DDS Service Coordinators. Your support will help us continue and do even more!
Contact Us
Contact us to learn more about our mission and work, or to become involved yourself!