Press Release  Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Continues “Meeting the Moment” Series in Lowell in Partnership with MassAbility

Lowell — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 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 convenes “Meeting the Moment” Community Conversation and Resource Fair in Lowell

Lowell, MA – The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities convened its second “Meeting the Moment” community conversation and resource fair on March 27, 2026, at UMass Lowell University Crossing and on zoom, in partnership with MassAbility. The event brought together individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, advocates, service providers, state agencies, and community organizations to engage in meaningful dialogue and share resources across the region.

“Meeting the Moment” is a statewide initiative designed to deepen engagement with communities, elevate lived experiences, and create space for individuals to share challenges, priorities, and solutions. The Lowell convening focused on key issues including digital accessibility, education and transition from school to employment, workforce supports, and long-term services and supports and health equity.

The Honorary Denise C. Garlick, Chair of the Commission, reflected on the significance of the event and the partnerships that made it possible: “As Commissioners, we appreciate the strong partnership of MassAbility, the Commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services Sarah Peterson, and the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability Allan Motenko. We are also deeply grateful to the individuals who answered the call to ‘Meet The Moment’ and shared their issues and concerns. Through this series of meetings throughout the Commonwealth, the Commissioners and all participants are continuing to gain insight, share information, and strengthen our relationships to ensure a Commonwealth where all people with disabilities are welcome, safe, and valued.”

Commission Vice-Chair and Executive Board Member Christopher White reflected on key themes that emerged from the conversation, noting: “The voices we heard today were clear: better, culturally sensitive communication in all forms is greatly needed. To afford our citizens with proper access to information and services.” He added, “There is no substitute for community inclusion but the ongoing crisis in the human services workforce is preventing inclusion from happening consistently.”

Michelle Banks, Director of NextGen Careers at MassAbility, emphasized the importance of collaboration and shared purpose: “It was an honor to join the Commission at this special event and to be part of this important conversation on advancing accessibility and inclusion. Hearing from diverse voices that are working to promote a world that includes and promotes the strengths of people with disabilities in their communities, their work forces, and their social and professional networks inspired collaboration, innovation and commitment. I look forward to truly ‘Meeting The Moment’ so that everyone in the Commonwealth can thrive here.”

Department of Developmental Services Commissioner Sarah Peterson highlighted the importance of collective action and resource-sharing: “Now more than ever it is crucial for us to share resources and pull together as a community," said DDS Commissioner Sarah Peterson. “DDS is proud to join ‘Meeting The Moment’ to focus on critical issues like health equity, technology in service delivery and transitions from education to adult employment for people living with disabilities.”

Allan Motenko, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability, underscored the importance of centering lived experience: “I appreciate the opportunity to participate in today’s ‘Meeting the Moment event’. The Commission’s community engagement is consistent with the longstanding “Nothing About Us Without Us” ethos of the disability rights movement of the last forty years. Our community coming together, united in sharing our life experiences to advocate for independent access to all aspects of daily, life is as important as ever.”

Through ‘Meeting the Moment’, the Commission continues to strengthen its role as a convener, bringing together diverse stakeholders to identify patterns, elevate community voice, and inform cross-sector dialogue and decision-making. The initiative reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities are heard, included, and centered in conversations that shape policy and practice across the Commonwealth.

The event also provided an opportunity for attendees to connect directly with organizations and agencies through a resource fair, fostering relationships and increasing access to services and supports within the community.

For event materials and recording (coming soon!), visit: Mass.Gov/MBY/MTM-March

For event photos, visit:  photo gallery link 

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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