On Wednesday, March 6, I received a Legislator of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) —- an organization dedicated to supporting people living with developmental disabilities and their families by promoting self-sufficiency and full community inclusion.
The following are remarks I prepared for the event (which are similar to, but not not exactly identical, as I shortened my remarks at the podium for time).
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In accepting this honor, I want to name the shared values that I have learned from you all:
A shared commitment to access, integration and equity.
A shared commitment to full inclusion and respect for all people.
A shared commitment to living fully the value of “nothing about us without us.”
(I love this call to action. It sums up my approach to all of public life.)
Last — but certainly not least — shared commitment to have people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.
This requires a full awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.
Your agenda is my agenda.
And I was eager to be a cosponsor of the many of the bills you championed.
Let me highlight three, and then talk about a bill I filed.
First, the supported decision making bill – S.109 and H.1485. Supported decision-making offers a way for adults with disabilities and elders to maintain their rights, dignity, and independence. Too often, people are unnecessarily placed under restrictive guardianships when they could make their own decisions with individualized assistance from people they trust. People deserve to have control over their own lives.
You have a great Senate champion in Senator Lovely, and my full support.
Second, S.748 and H. 1192, to protect medically fragile children. There’s a dangerous shortage of skilled pediatric nurses in Massachusetts, and this bill takes steps to address this issue. In the Senate, you have the great Senator Cindy Friedman on your side, and I’m optimistic about this bill making progress.
And third, Accessory Dwelling Units. I’m a cosponsor of Senator Tarr’s bill S. 904, to facilitate ADUs for people with disabilities.
Today, an average rent is 186% of people’s social security, making it impossible to find accessible housing, especially if you have a disability and rely on Social Security to cover the cost. I’m also excited by the provision in the Governor’s Affordable Housing Bill that includes zoning reforms that allow accessory dwelling units to be built as of right throughout the state. You can count on my support.
I love these bills, as I love a bill I filed which we call the Blue Envelopes Bill.
In 2020, my team and I were contacted by Lynne, a constituent from Leverett, who wrote: “As a mother with an adult son who is on the spectrum and desires to drive, my biggest fear is what would happen if he was pulled over by a police officer who could misinterpret his smile or facial expression or his inconsistent eye contact to be disrespectful.”
Lynne let us know about a law in Connecticut creating a voluntary Blue Envelope Program for drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Blue Envelopes can hold the driver’s license, registration, and insurance cards, and it has instructions on the outside for the officer or first responder on the driver’s diagnosis, triggers, emergency contact information — and how best and most effectively to communicate.
Lynne asked if we could work towards a similar law here in Massachusetts. I said yes, and filed the bill.
A short while later, I had the opportunity to visit the UMass Amherst MAICEI program, which stands for the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative. MAICEI programs provide students aged 18-21 with significant, typically autism or intellectual disabilities, the chance to attend college, supported by a Program Coordinator, Educational Coaches, and Peer Mentors.
It was there that I met Max Callahan. Max was aware of the blue envelope bill and talked to me passionately about how traffic stops or emergency situations can be very challenging for drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — with flashing lights, sirens, radios, passing traffic, and police officers or other first responders with mostly little or no current training about how to recognize and communicate appropriately and effectively with people with ASD.
Over the following months, Max worked with MAICEI Program Coordinator and the UMass Amherst Chief of Police and others to build awareness about and support for this legislation.
I’m proud to report that in early January, the Senate passed this bill. Unanimously.
The bill is now in the House.
This bill represents the power of you — your vision and your advocacy — like Lynne’s and Max’s — to envision a better Commonwealth. A safer Commonwealth. A Commonwealth with equal opportunity for people of all abilities. To see your power in our democracy.
As I close, I want to recognize the many, many neuro-diverse people who worked in support of this legislation, as well as their caregivers and family members who joined them in calling the legislature to act.
In accepting this honor, I humbly hold up a mirror to you, the true heroes.
Thank you again.
