Press Release: 11/5/2025

Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities Launches “Meeting the Moment” Series in Needham

 



Meeting the Moment brings communities together to Convene, Collaborate, and Communicate for access and inclusion.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



11/05/2025



MEDIA CONTACT



Imene Bouziane Saidi, Executive Director



 Online



Email Imene Bouziane Saidi, Executive Director at imene.bouzianesaidi@mass.gov



Meeting the Moment Needham tetsimony participants and Commissioners



NEEDHAM — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2025



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 Launches “Meeting the Moment” Series in Needham



NEEDHAM, MA – The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities launched its new Meeting the Moment series with the first Community Conversation and Resource Fair on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 5 to 7 pm at Needham Town Hall and via Zoom.



This first Meeting the Moment event marks the beginning of a new way of engaging with communities across Massachusetts. It’s a community conversation and resource fair to Convene, Collaborate, and Communicate, an opportunity to listen, learn, and strengthen relationships across the disability community through discussions with people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, local advocates, local disability commissions, and state agencies.



The event featured remarks from The Honorable Denise Garlick, Chair of the Commission, and other Commission members, along with representatives from state agencies, local disability commissions, and community organizations. The evening included an introduction to the Commission’s work, opportunities for public testimony, and a resource fair highlighting services and supports available across Massachusetts.



“The disability community is not a monolith,” said Commission Chair Denise Garlick, “it is made of many individuals that may share a disability and unite with families, allies and organizations to form diverse groups. These groups can be seen as planets with specific issues and concerns. The goal of the Commission is to unite the planets in a galaxy, honoring our diversity and uniting us in shared missions and goals. Our tools include convening for information, education and support, collaborating with state agencies, organizations and advocacy groups and communicating with individuals, communities and throughout our Commonwealth.”



“It’s meaningful that the first Meeting the Moment event is here in Needham. Our Commission goes beyond policy,” said Karen Morales, Co-Chairperson of the Needham Commission on Disabilities. “We tackle real issues, from addressing repeat handicap parking violations and funding accessibility grants, to advocating for construction of an accessible viewing platform at the high school and honoring autism-trained businesses with our Good Neighbor Award. Local disability commissions turn inclusion into community action, and Needham is proud to lead this work.”



“The Arc of Massachusetts is deeply grateful to Chair Denise Garlick and the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities for convening this vital Meeting the Moment event,” said Maura Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc of Massachusetts. “This community hearing underscored the urgent need for Massachusetts to act decisively against systemic challenges that threaten disability services. The Arc is stronger and smarter in our mission to advocate for people with disabilities, when we listen and collaborate with community members and leaders. We are facing a perfect storm, where devastating federal attacks on essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP are magnified by a serious workforce crisis and a growing need for services. Meeting this moment will take our collective, relentless commitment!”



“Meeting the Moment is about listening to our communities and working together to create real, lasting inclusion,” said Julisa Cully, Interim Director of the Institute for Community Inclusion. “At the Institute for Community Inclusion, we believe that every voice matters and that meaningful change begins when we come together to understand, share, and act.”



“Understanding Our Differences is pleased to participate in this Meeting the Momentgathering, both to listen to and learn from individuals with disabilities and advocates, and to share our resources for empowering people of all abilities,” said Jenni Acosta, Executive Director of Understanding Our Differences.



“Inclusive Fitness was honored to be part of the Meeting the Moment Resource Fair, joining so many organizations and advocates working to create opportunity and belonging,” said Greg Austin, President of Inclusive Fitness®. “We believe everyone deserves access to fitness that meets them where they are. When we presume competence and lower barriers, we raise the bar for what’s possible. At Inclusive Fitness, our coaches help build strength, confidence, and independence through adaptive fitness programs for neurodivergent athletes and people of all abilities, supporting lifelong health and stronger communities.”



Through this and future community conversations, the Commission seeks to:




  • Listen to the experiences of people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers;

  • Document and elevate local concerns related to rights, access, and inclusion;

  • Strengthen collaboration with municipal disability commissions and community networks; and

  • Shape the Commission’s statewide agenda through direct community input, reflected in its annual report to the Governor and Legislature.



Event photos: photos

Event presentation: Meeting The Moment presentation



For more information and to access event materials, visit: https://www.mass.gov/news/meeting-the-moment-a-community-hearing-and-resource-fair



To share your thoughts about the event, please take our short feedback survey: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/HgcwWRE/mtmneedhamfeedback



To stay in touch with the Commission’s meeting and upcoming events, visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/WWIIUNL