Marlborough, MA, October 26th, 2024, with Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong. Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS) operates statewide and runs five individual regions. They offer various groups, committees, task forces, that facilitate members to advocate, develop leadership skills, and foster social connections.
26th Annual MASS Self-Advocacy Conference – Your Ideas Still Count and So Do You.
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.
* Join 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.
* Registration closes completely on Friday, October 11.
* See workshops topics below.
No walk-ins, you must register to attend.
To register or for more information visit www.wearemass.org/annual-conference-2024 or email info@wearemass.org
- 9:00am – 10:00am General Attendee Check-in and Nametags – Meet & Greet
- 10:00am – 10:15am – Start and Opening Welcome, Sponsor and Special Guest thank you and recognition
- 10:15am – 10:45am – Keynote Speaker, (30 min) Jonathan Gardner
- 10:45am – 11:00am – Awards Part 1
- 11:00am – 11:15am – 15 minutes to walk to workshops and exhibitors and to purchase raffle tickets
- 11:15am – 12:00pm – Workshop Block 1
- Feel Better Art with Laurie
- Promoting Positive Outcomes with Law Enforcement and the Disability Community – Ashley Quick
- DLC Rev Up Voting Workshop -Brianna Zimmerman
- Empower Your Voice: Reporting Abuse to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities – Tiffany DPPC
- 12:00pm – 12:15pm – Walking back to the main ballroom
- 12:15pm – 1:30pm – Lunch (1 hour 15 min)
- 12:30pm to 12:45pm: Awards Part 2 and Announcements
- 1:15pm – 1:30pm Awards Part 3 (15 min)
- 1:30pm – 1:45pm – Top 5 Featured Raffle Items
- 1:45pm – 2:45pm – Sister Funk, John’s Dream Ice Cream, Photo Booth
- 2:45pm – 3:30pm: Workshop Block #2
- Legislative Advocacy – Jonathan Gardner
- Leading My Life begins with ME! – MDDC
- Get Online / Gmail – Kelsey Oates
- Group Trivia game about self-advocacy, SDM, and other fun topics! – Jenna DeSpirito
- 3:30pm to 3:45pm – Return for more music, Photo booth, Ice cream, Gateway Arts exhibit
- 3:45pm – 4:30pm – Music, Photobooth, Gateway Arts exhibit
- 4:30pm – Final raffle draw
