Helpful Links

An ABLE account is a savings and / or investment option for people with disabilities who qualify. It falls under Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Service tax code. The ABLE Act allows a person whose disability began before age 26*, to save money in the ABLE account without affecting most federally funded benefits based on need. The money in the account may be used to pay for qualified disability expenses (QDEs). Any growth in the account from investments is not taxed and does not count as income if the funds are used for QDEs.

Massachusetts Advocates for Children’s mission is to remove barriers to educational and life opportunities for children and youth. We envision a Massachusetts where all children and youth, particularly those who face the greatest barriers, have an equitable opportunity to learn, to grow, and to thrive.

Our mission is to inform changes in policy and practice to reduce and eliminate the use of punitive discipline and outdated behavioral management approaches and end the school-to-prison pipeline.

Here at the Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE), our mission is to help Autistic and similarly Neurodivergent people build meaningful, connected lives. We provide individuals, families, and professionals with education, community and support, in an inclusive atmosphere of validation and respect.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. We work to empower autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community, and seek to organize the autistic community to ensure our voices are heard in the national conversation about us. Nothing About Us, Without Us!

COPAA’s mission is to protect and enforce the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities and their families.

There are seven Autism Support Centers throughout the state that provide an array of information and referral services, resources, and supports to children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders.

The Department of Developmental Services provides supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to enhance opportunities to become fully engaged members of their community.

The Disability Law Center (DLC) is the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for Massachusetts. DLC is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities. DLC receives federal, state and private funding but is not part of the state or federal government. As the P&A, federal law provides DLC extensive access authority.

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), founded in 1979, is a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities.

We empower families, engage diverse communities, and eliminate barriers to improve life outcomes for all children and young adults, especially those with disabilities.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities partners with educators, students, families, and young adults to advance innovative research and advocate for equitable policies that address systemic barriers in schools, workplaces, and communities.

Resources for consumers, providers, clinicians, employers, and educators on issues related to medical insurance for autism and behavioral treatments.

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.

Our mission is to provide advocacy, education, and other actions that empower all families, professionals including advocates, and others with an interest, to enable students with disabilities to reach their full potential.

The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and serving them and their families. We work tirelessly to uphold our vision that every individual and family living with I/DD in the United States has access to the information, advocacy, and skills they need to support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

The mission of The Arc of Massachusetts is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism and their families. We fulfill this through advocacy for community supports and services that foster social inclusion, self-determination, and equity across all aspects of society.

The Neurodiversity Alliance, or “ND Alliance” for short, is the leading nonprofit organization founded by and for students who learn differently with the largest online community and national network of neurodiversity clubs in the country. Through our online community and mobile app, students can access the tools to launch neurodiversity clubs on their campuses, along with a variety of scholarships, leadership opportunities, and national events designed to build community, develop leadership skills, facilitate peer-to-peer support, and raise awareness for the 1 in 5 who learn differently.

We are an international neurodiversity paradigm-centric therapy, education, and advocacy organization that was founded on January 11, 2018.

We are the leading nonprofit empowering the 70 million people with learning and thinking differences in the United States. We provide free, expert-vetted resources and support so people who learn and think differently can thrive — in school, at work, and throughout life.