- Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council Welcomes New Member Jonathan Gardner
Boston, MA (August 2022) – Governor Charles D. Baker has appointed Jonathan Gardner as a citizen member of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.
Jonathan is a 19-year-old Self-Advocate, Cancer Survivor, and Decision Maker, who happens to have Autism, and a vision of helping others anyway he can. He resides in East Bridgewater and is employed with Operation House Call.
Jonathan began his advocacy at the age of 8. He responded to a traumatic event by using it as a springboard for self-advocacy. Sharing his personal story helped to pass the School Restraint and Seclusion Law in Massachusetts. He has recently been using his advocacy skills in an effort to impact the passing on Supportive Decision Making (SDM). Jonathan was the keynote speaker at the 2021 MDDC/Arc MA Legislative Reception, provided testimony to the legislature in support of SDM legislation, and authored a Letter to the Editor about Supportive Decision Making that was published in the Boston Globe, . He is eager to use his passion from his own life experiences to support the Council, and to encourage and provide a genuine positive impact to all around him.
“Jonathan’s experience and great communication skills will serve him well”, said Daniel Shannon, MDDC Executive Director. “We are excited to have him continue his work on behalf of people with developmental disabilities and families as a member of the Council.”
Jonathan is currently an Ambassador for Operation House Call through the Arc of Massachusetts and is a Flutie Fellow for the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation. He enjoys video games, anime, wrestling and advocating for himself and others.
About the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council – The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is an independent agency funded by the federal government to work with the state of Massachusetts to better support people with developmental disabilities and their families. MDDC’s mission is to help people with developmental disabilities have opportunities to lead successful lives in their communities; by supporting inclusive education, greater employment opportunities, and the right to make choices about where, with whom, and how they live.
For more information contact Adelia DelTrecco at adelia.deltrecco@mass.gov
