Episode 12: Disabilities & Autism Services Update with MA Sen. Dylan Fernandes & Nora Bent of ARC of Massachusetts

Host Steve Nearman sits down with MA Sen. Dylan Fernades, who discusses legislation he is sponsoring for our community, including a cleaner environment and a focus on autism services and housing.

Nora Bent, Director of Government Affairs & Strategic Partnerships for the ARC of Massachusetts, discusses the PROTECT Act Amendment #6, which the ARC is strongly advocating for.

Rapidly evolving federal immigration policies and expanded enforcement actions are creating fear and instability across immigrant communities in Massachusetts. These developments are affecting not only immigrant families, but also the families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism who rely on an already-strained human service workforce, of which immigrants make up a huge percentage of staff.

This amendment seeks to include disability programs as "sensitive spaces" to protect a critical segment of the disabilities workforce.