Press Release  Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities and MassAbility Convene “Meeting the Moment” in Northampton

Northampton — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2026

Contact:
Imene Bouziane Saidi, Executive Director
Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Imene.BouzianeSaidi@mass.gov 

Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, in Partnership with MassAbility, Convenes “Meeting the Moment” Community Conversation and Resource Fair in Northampton

Northampton, MA –The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, in partnership with MassAbility, convened “Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair” on July 14, 2026, at the Northampton Senior Services Center and virtually via Zoom. 

More than 100 people registered to participate from across Western Massachusetts and beyond. Nearly 30 individuals signed up to speak directly with the Commission and MassAbility about their experiences and priorities, while more than 30 organizations, state agencies, and community partners took part in the resource fair.

The Northampton gathering focused on housing, employment, transportation, long-term services and supports, and health equity. Attendees also heard from the Commission, MassAbility, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Massachusetts Rural Health Transformation Program at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

The Honorable Denise C. Garlick, Chair of the Commission, reflected on the strength of Western Massachusetts’ disability community and the importance of coming together during a time of uncertainty: 

“The Commission is honored to join with the connected, committed, vibrant disability community members of Western Mass. As our Commonwealth faces unpredictability in the federal government’s commitment to vulnerable populations and overall economic instability, this event reaffirms that no one stands alone and that we are all stronger together.”

Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, a member of the Commission whose leadership, partnership, and commitment to the disability community were instrumental in making Meeting the Moment Northampton possible, spoke about the value of bringing people together to listen, connect, and strengthen the disability community:

“Listening is one of our most important responsibilities as elected officials. Meeting the Moment gives us the opportunity to hear directly from residents with disabilities, and from their families, caregivers, and advocates, about the barriers they face and the changes they want to see. These conversations are essential. They provide a roadmap for meaningful action and help us build a state that is more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to everyone.”

Commission Vice Chair and Executive Board Member Christopher White, Ed.D., highlighted the importance of hearing directly from people with disabilities and families:
“I was very excited about Meeting the Moment session being held by our Commission and MassAbility in Northampton! We have learned new and important information in our previous sessions, and Northampton was no different. There is no better source than the people who are living with disabilities every day, either as someone who self-identifies as having a disability or as a caretaker.”

MassAbility Commissioner Toni Wolf, who also serves as a member of the Commission’s Advisory Council, spoke to the value of listening directly to the disability community and MassAbility’s partnership in the Meeting the Moment series: 

“Public forums, like today's, are vital so that we can listen and learn from disability voices and our community to ensure that our services are genuinely responsive to the needs of the people we serve. MassAbility is proud to partner with the Commission to support the Meeting the Moment dialogues and grateful for the opportunity to hear from everyone who took the time to share with us today.”

Dr. Opeoluwa Sotonwa, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, emphasized the importance of collaboration across government and centering the people agencies serve: 

“Our communities are best served when government doesn’t work in silos. Every agency has a unique role to play, but our greatest impact comes from working together, listening to the communities, and putting people at the center of everything we do. MCDHH is proud to stand alongside our partners at Meeting the Moment as we strengthen collaboration, expand access, and ensure that every resident—including Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind individuals—can fully participate in and benefit from the services they deserve.”

The Northampton gathering marked the latest stop in the Commission’s Meeting the Moment series, building on previous conversations in MetroWest and Northeastern Massachusetts. The perspectives and priorities shared throughout the afternoon will help inform the Commission’s ongoing work and future conversations across the Commonwealth.

The Commission and MassAbility extend their appreciation to Northampton Senior Services for hosting the event and for its partnership throughout the planning process; ServiceNet’s Prospect Meadow Farm for providing catering; Northampton Open Media for recording the event; and the ASL interpreters, CART provider, participating organizations, speakers, and community members whose contributions made the gathering possible.

For event materials, recording and photos (coming soon!), visit: Mass.gov/MBY/mtm-july

For more information about the Commission, visit: Commission's website
For more information about MassAbility, visit: MassAbility's website

To stay in touch with the Commission’s meeting and upcoming events, visit Stay in touch link

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