LEND Boston

Relieved, grateful & excited to receive word that the LEND program will be funded for the next five years and to welcome our 2026-2027 trainee cohort!

📢 Faculty Spotlight!

We are proud to share a new article published in Autism Spectrum News by our faculty member Gyasi Burks-Abbott: "The Unfinished Business of the ADA: Financial Security for People with Disabilities." 💡

In this piece, Gyasi examines the critical work still needed beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure true financial stability, independence, and equity for individuals with disabilities.

Read the full article here:
👇
https://autismspectrumnews.org/the-unfinished-business-of-the-ada-financial-security-for-people-with-disabilities/

The Unfinished Business of the ADA: Financial Security for People With Disabilities The disability community faces economic barriers from outdated SSI limits and Medicaid cuts, underscoring the need for policy reform.

🎉 Huge News, LEND Boston Family! 🎉

We are thrilled to share that we received our official Notice of Award from HRSA and that LEND Boston has secured funding for another 5 years at Boston Children’s Hospital! 🏥✨

It has been a daunting process over the past few months, and we cannot express how excited and relieved we are to finally hear the news! While we usually kick off our training year at the beginning of September, this waiting period meant we had to push our start date. We are now officially set and thrilled to welcome our new cohort next Friday, October 2nd!

A massive thank you to our incredible faculty, trainees, alumni, and community partners for your patience, dedication, and support throughout this process. Here’s to an amazing year ahead and 5 more years of impact, growth, and leadership together! 💙👏

LEND Resource Roundup: Finding Respite Care & Caregiver Relief 🌿✨

Caring for a loved one with complex care needs is deeply rewarding, but it can also lead to burnout without dedicated time to recharge. 💙 Taking a break isn't a luxury, it's an essential part of keeping families healthy and supported. 🤝

That’s why we are highlighting the ARCH National Respite Locator in this week’s roundup! 🌟

👉 Check it out here: https://archrespite.org/🔗

What it does: 💡
The ARCH National Respite Locator helps families, caregivers, and professionals find temporary relief services, adult day programs, and short-term residential care in their local communities. 🏡✨

Why it’s a helpful tool: 🛠️

Location-Based Search: 📍 Quickly search by zip code to identify vetted local respite providers and support programs.

Funding & Payment Guidance: 💡 Includes connections to state respite coalitions and information on potential funding sources or subsidies.

Flexible Options: 🌈 Helps families explore diverse respite formats, from in-home care companions to specialized camp programs.

Take a few minutes to look it over or share it with a caregiver or provider who could use extra relief and support! 💛

📢 Connect With Us on LinkedIn! 💼✨

Did you know LEND Boston is on LinkedIn? 🌟

Whether you’re a fellow, alumnus, family member, advocate, or healthcare partner, our LinkedIn page is a great place to stay connected with our mission and community:

💡 Research & Clinical Insights: Recent publications, evidence-based resources, and updates in maternal and child health.

📜 Policy & Advocacy: News and perspectives on systems of care for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

🤝 Community & Networking: Alumni spotlights, collaborative highlights, and professional connections across the region.

If you’re looking to stay engaged with our ongoing work and connect with others in the field, come join our online network!

👉 Follow our page here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/112589786/

Give us a follow and tag a colleague or friend who might like to stay connected with the LEND community! 💙

Yourlanda Johnson, Gyasi Burks-Abbott & Jason Fogler thoroughly enjoyed the sensory-supported production of Ionesco’s Rhinoceros at the American Repertory Theater. Korbin Johnson, Associate Director of Neurodiversity Inclusive Certified Entertainment (NICE) led this valuable effort that enables individuals with sensory sensitivities to enjoy quality theater! 🎭

LEND Resource Roundup: Vision Resources & Community Support 👁️✨

Ensuring individuals who are blind or visually impaired have full access to independence, education, employment, and community life is essential to fostering equitable access. Connecting individuals and their support networks with specialized state resources empowers families, providers, and educators to promote self-advocacy and lifelong independence. 🌟

That’s why we are highlighting the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) in this week’s roundup! 👨‍🦯👩‍🦯

Check it out here: https://www.mass.gov/mcb 🔗

What it does:
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) is the state agency responsible for providing specialized social, vocational, and educational rehabilitation services to Massachusetts residents who are legally blind, helping them maximize independence and community integration across the lifespan. 🏛️💙

Why it’s a helpful tool:

💼 Vocational & Educational Rehabilitation: Offers career counseling, job training, higher education support, and assistive technology for employment and transition-age youth.

🦯 Independent Living & Mobility: Provides orientation and mobility (O&M) training, adaptive technology evaluations, and daily living skills instruction to foster independence at home and in the community.

👧 Children’s & Family Services: Partners with families, early intervention teams, and school districts to deliver specialized vision services and transition planning from birth through young adulthood.

🎫 Statutory Benefits Access: Facilitates access to essential state benefits, including local property tax exemptions, free MBTA transit passes, and auto sales/registration tax exemptions for registered consumers.

Take a few minutes to explore the site or share it with a family, educator, or provider navigating vision support services! 🤝💡

LEND Resource Roundup: Legal Rights & Civil Rights Advocacy ⚖️📜

Ensuring individuals with disabilities have equal access to education, housing, healthcare, and community life is a fundamental civil right. Access to rights-based guidance empowers families, providers, and educators to break down systemic barriers.

That’s why we are highlighting the Disability Law Center (DLC) in this week’s roundup! 🏛️💙

Check it out here: https://www.dlc-ma.org/

What it does:

The Disability Law Center (DLC) is the designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for Massachusetts. DLC provides free legal advocacy, investigates abuse and neglect, and protects the civil and human rights of residents with disabilities across the lifespan.

Why it’s a helpful tool:

🛡️ Protection & Advocacy: Investigates abuse, neglect, and systemic civil rights violations in facilities and community settings.

📚 Self-Advocacy Guides: Features "Know Your Rights" toolkits on special education, MassHealth access, and housing discrimination.

📞 Legal Intake & Guidance: Offers direct intake and technical assistance to help individuals navigate complex disability law issues.

Take a few minutes to explore the site or share it with a family, educator, or provider navigating legal rights! 🤝💡

Great to run into Greg Liakos and be invited to Community Day at Vinfen’s . Gateway Arts this Saturday! With the theme of Home, against the backdrop of the artists’ work, we were treated to inspiring words from Greg, Reps Tommy Vitolo & Greg Schwartz, and our friend and colleague Nora Bent from Arc of MA! Congratulations are in order for longtime resident artist Patrick Shea, celebrating his 11th year with Gateway, who will be presented with a Self Advocate Award from Vinfen’s Board of Directors.

It’s not too late to come on down and treat yourself to some tax-free art this weekend! Check out the original art from Cheryl Russo at Gateway Arts. R.I.P. Ozzy

LEND Resource Roundup: Lifespan Down Syndrome Advocacy & Support 💛💙
Navigating diagnosis, educational options, and transition planning for individuals with Down syndrome requires up-to-date resources and a strong, connected community 🌟. Having access to specialized lifetime support makes all the difference for individuals, families, healthcare providers, and educators alike 🤝✨.

That’s why we are highlighting the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) in this week’s roundup! 📣

👉 Check it out here: https://mdsc.org/ 📲

What it does:
The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) is a statewide organization dedicated to ensuring individuals with Down syndrome are valued, included, and given every opportunity to reach their full potential 🌈. Serving over 7,000 members across Massachusetts, MDSC provides lifespan support, specialized resource centers, peer programs, and advocacy from birth through adulthood 💙.

Why it’s a helpful tool:
👶 First Call & Expectant Parent Programs: Offers compassionate, confidential support, medical information, and peer connections for new and expectant parents.

🏫 Centers of Excellence: Features specialized initiatives including the Center on Inclusive Education for schools, the Your Next Star Employment Center for adult career paths, and a dedicated Legislative Action Center.

📚 Comprehensive Resource Library & Community: Connects families and professionals to regional medical clinics, localized support groups, annual events (like the Buddy Walk), and practical educational toolkits.

Take a few minutes to explore the site or share it with a family, educator, or healthcare provider supporting individuals with Down syndrome! 📣✨

💛💙📌