Act Today: Contact your Legislator to Support Higher Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism

Representative Garballey is filing amendment #552 to the House budget to increase funding to provide college access for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and Autism. We need to get as many emails and phone calls as possible to state representatives asking them to co-sponsor the amendment to provide $5,000,000 million to fund the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI).   

MAICEI creates partnerships between state colleges, school districts, and adult human service agencies to provide students with intellectual disabilities and autism the opportunity to participate in college courses and campus life,  with the support and services they need to be successful with their peers. The House Ways and Means budget was just released and provides $4.5 million, rather than the required $5 million.

This is How You Can Help

Please email your legislator and ask them to co-sponsor House budget amendment # 552 to support MAICEI, and if you have time, please share your personal experiences. Legislators respond more to emails that are personalized!

Step 1- Find Your Representative here

Step 2 - Email Your Representative Using our Email Template Below

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(SUBJECT): Co-sponsor Rep Garballey’s Budget Amendment #552 to support the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment

(BODY): I hope this finds you well. I am writing in hopes that you will co-sponsor Representative Garballey’s budget amendment #552 for the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment (MAICEI) line item #7066-9600 seeking level funding of $5,000,000.

As you know, this line item supports partnerships between state colleges, local school districts, and state human service agencies to provide inclusive higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities and autism. The legislature recognized the proven success of this program with passage in 2022 of legislation expanding inclusive opportunities to all state colleges and universities.

Thank you for your consideration of this important line item, which will allow individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism the chance to reap the benefits of higher education and gain the academic, independent living, social and employment skills necessary to succeed. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

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For more information contact Johanne Pino at jpino@massadvocates.org or 617-357-8431 x 3222